Wow! The eight-game NBA main slate on Saturday night is a mess. There are seven teams playing the second game of a back-to-back including two teams that went into overtime on Friday night (Hornets/Bulls). We also have a ton of marquee players already ruled out including Joel Embiid, Aaron Gordon, Tim Hardaway Jr., Devin Booker and Jusuf Nurkic. Then there are the more fringe fantasy players like Pau Gasol, Kyle Anderson, Evan Fournier and John Collins. And that is just the players that are already out there a few more that are questionable to play that need to be monitored such as Paul George, the Suns’ big men, and Dario Saric.
Wow! The eight-game NBA main slate on Saturday night is a mess. There are seven teams playing the second game of a back-to-back including two teams that went into overtime on Friday night (Hornets/Bulls). We also have a ton of marquee players already ruled out including Joel Embiid, Aaron Gordon, Tim Hardaway Jr., Devin Booker and Jusuf Nurkic. Then there are the more fringe fantasy players like Pau Gasol, Kyle Anderson, Evan Fournier and John Collins. And that is just the players that are already out there a few more that are questionable to play that need to be monitored such as Paul George, the Suns’ big men, and Dario Saric.
You cannot just put in a lineup early on the day Saturday and forget about it. Monitoring late-breaking news up to tipoff will be required.
Note that some of the stats referenced in this article are my custom DvP calculations that combine both season and last five games data along with blending similar positions production allowed together.
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One Stud
Ben Simmons (PG/SF – PHI): $9,800 @ CLE
Looking at the top high-priced studs on the Saturday night slate, they are either playing in the second game of a back-to-back or have a tough matchup. Simmons has neither of those scenarios and also gets the benefit of Joel Embiid resting and being priced about $2,000 cheaper than the rest of the studs on the slate. The Cavaliers did hold Simmons in check in their first meeting this season but for the season the Cavaliers have given up the fourth most DraftKings points to opposing SFs and ninth most to opposing PGs if you want to qualify him there.
Core Plays
LaMarcus Aldridge (PF/C – SA): $8,400 @ PHO
The Spurs who take the court on Saturday night are in a good spot. Numerous players have already been ruled out or are doubtful to play including Pau Gasol, Kyle Anderson, Manu Ginobili, Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green. The remaining players (more on them below) and especially Aldridge should see big minutes and usage against a fast-paced Suns’ team who has allowed the fourth most DK points to opposing PFs this season.
Nikola Vucevic (C – ORL): $8,300 @ ATL
Nikola Vucevic has been an absolute monster over the last two games averaging 21.5 points and 16.5 rebounds per game. One of those games came against Saturday’s opponent, the Hawks who have been solid against opposing centers for the season but are now without all of their top big men. Meanwhile, Vucevic should see plenty of minutes and an increase in usage with Aaron Gordon out of the lineup. Another game with 20 points and 15 boards sounds about right.
Dwight Howard (C – CHA): $7,600 vs LAL
Dwight Howard had himself a nice 32nd birthday party on Friday by destroying the Bulls with 25 points and 20 rebounds. I might need to start incorporating the birthday narrative into my research. Well, hopefully, Howard didn’t eat too much birthday cake after the game so he is ready for another big night against the Lakers on Saturday. The Lakers have allowed the second most DK points to opposing centers this season and the Hornets will be without Cody Zeller and maybe Frank Kaminsky again which should solidify Howard’s minutes and upside.
Dennis Schroder (PG – ATL): $7,900 vs ORL
I debated this spot with two equally priced PGs including Dennis Schroder and Chris Paul. While, I am okay with Paul, especially if you need his SG eligibility in your lineup, I prefer Schroder who gets a rematch with the Magic who he just put up 46.25 DK points against on Wednesday. It is no coincidence that the Magic struggle to stop opposing PGs by allowing the fourth most DK points to the position this season. The Hawks’ offense will continue to flow through Schroder in what should be a close, competitive game to the end.
Value Plays
Marvin Williams (SF/PF – CHA): $4,100 vs LAL
I mentioned the injured frontcourt of the Hornets earlier in the Howard write-up which brings me to Marvin Williams. Williams, as expected, saw a big minute’s bump with Zeller and Kaminsky out on Friday and he translated his 40 minutes (including OT) into 17 points and nine rebounds for his best fantasy day of the season. As long Kaminsky remains out on Saturday, you can safely go back to Williams again as his salary doesn’t represent his current level of minutes and fantasy production.
Richaun Holmes (PF/C – PHI): $3,600 / Trevor Booker (PF/C – PHI): $4,200 / Amir Johnson (PF/C – PHI): $3,500 @ CLE
When Embiid is out we usually look toward Dario Saric to pick up the slack along with others. However, Saric missed Friday’s game and may sit out again on Saturday, which should be a big boon to the other Sixers’ big men. The trio of Richaun Holmes, Amir Johnson, and the newly acquired Trevor Booker should all see significant minutes in the post for the Sixers. Watch for news leading up to tipoff on who is in, who is out and who is starting before picking which one (or two) of the Sixers’ bigs to roster.
Tony Parker (PG – SA): $4,000 / Patty Mills (PG – SA): $4,200 / Bryn Forbes (PG/SG -SA): $3,600 / Davis Bertans (SF/PF – SA): $3,000 @ PHO
There is going to be a lot of minutes and fantasy production to go around for the Spurs on Saturday night. With numerous regulars already ruled out (Gasol, Ginobili, Anderson, Leonard) and others iffy to play (Green, maybe Parker on the second game of a back-to-back) the players that remain should see a big increase in minutes in a very favorable matchup against the up-tempo Suns. Much like the Sixers’ big men scenario be sure to keep a close eye on the Spurs news leading up to lineup lock and jump on the value plays that are in the starting lineup or are expected to get extra run. Make sure your lineup on Saturday night has Spurs (that jingle jangle jingle). Sorry, couldn’t resist.
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Brad Richter is a correspondent at FantasyPros and a contributor at DailyOverlay and GoingFor2. For more from Brad, you can view his archive or follow him @RotoPilot.