The Saturday NBA main slate features seven games but our focus for DFS lineups can really zero in primarily on three matchups. The Warriors/Rockets features by far the highest Vegas total eclipsing the second highest by almost 20 points. The Bucks/Sixers game will provide a lot of value options with some key players missing on both sides. Finally, the Raptors/Timberwolves game has a tight Vegas line and the second highest total on the slate. Focus on these three games when building lineups.
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
Karl-Anthony Towns (C – MIN): $9,300 vs TOR
There are a few high-priced studs on the slate that I am okay paying up for including the Warriors duo (Steph Curry and Kevin Durant) in a high scoring game, the Pelicans’ twin towers (Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins) in a bounce-back spot and Joel Embiid against a weak Bucks’ interior. However, there is one stud who comes with a price tag over $1,000 cheaper with just as much upside in Karl-Anthony Towns. He is playing at home where he has averaged about five more DraftKings points per game this season and faces a Raptors’ defense that has allowed increased production to opposing centers in points (+8.7%), rebounds (+1.3%) and assists (+6.0%). Look for KAT to purr.
The Saturday NBA main slate features seven games but our focus for DFS lineups can really zero in primarily on three matchups. The Warriors/Rockets features by far the highest Vegas total eclipsing the second highest by almost 20 points. The Bucks/Sixers game will provide a lot of value options with some key players missing on both sides. Finally, the Raptors/Timberwolves game has a tight Vegas line and the second highest total on the slate. Focus on these three games when building lineups.
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.
Create Optimal DraftKings lineups using our DFS Lineup Optimizer tool
One Stud
Karl-Anthony Towns (C – MIN): $9,300 vs TOR
There are a few high-priced studs on the slate that I am okay paying up for including the Warriors duo (Steph Curry and Kevin Durant) in a high scoring game, the Pelicans’ twin towers (Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins) in a bounce-back spot and Joel Embiid against a weak Bucks’ interior. However, there is one stud who comes with a price tag over $1,000 cheaper with just as much upside in Karl-Anthony Towns. He is playing at home where he has averaged about five more DraftKings points per game this season and faces a Raptors’ defense that has allowed increased production to opposing centers in points (+8.7%), rebounds (+1.3%) and assists (+6.0%). Look for KAT to purr.
Core Plays
Draymond Green (PF/C – GS): $8,200 @ HOU
Watch the injury news leading up to tip-off as Draymond Green missed the previous game but is expected to return on Saturday night in a marquee matchup against the Rockets. Green has averaged a triple-double against the Rockets this season with 13.0 points, 12.5 rebounds and 11.5 assists per game. Meanwhile, Green has scored at least 48 DK points in three of his last five games. It is worth getting a piece of the Warriors/Rockets matchup any way you can get it so Green and Klay Thompson are viable options if you can’t stretch to pay up for Durant or Curry.
Khris Middleton (SG/SF – MIL): $7,900 @ PHI
The Bucks will be popular in DFS on Saturday with both Giannis Antetokounmpo and Malcolm Brogdon ruled out. Khris Middleton has a massive increase in usage by 13.2% this season with those two players off the court. He has played 41 minutes in each of the last two games while scoring 38+ DK points in each matchup. Take those minutes and production and add in the usage spike and Middleton could be on his way to 50-burger against the Sixers on Saturday.
Eric Bledsoe (PG/SG – MIL): $7,600 @ PHI
The other big usage bump for the Bucks with Antetokounmpo and Brogdon out is Eric Bledsoe who sees a 10.6% spike. Bledsoe’s fantasy production has been more erratic recently but he is also capable of putting together a 50 DK point night with the increase in minutes and usage against the Sixers in what should still be a competitive high-scoring affair in Philly.
Eric Gordon (SG – HOU): $6,400 vs GS
With the return of James Harden to the Rockets’ lineup, Eric Gordon’s minutes were expected to decrease. However, following an altercation on Monday, both Trevor Ariza and Gerald Green were suspended for two games which have freed up Gordon to continue to see about 35 productive minutes. He translated those minutes into 30 points (44.75 DK points) on Thursday and should get the opportunity for similar production on Saturday night in a high-scoring affair with the Warriors. Gordon has averaged 42.3 DK points in two previous meetings with the Warriors this season.
Value Plays
T.J. McConnell (PG – PHI): $4,800 vs MIL
While the Bucks have the biggest void to fill on Saturday’s slate, the Sixers will also continue to be without their starting SG J.J. Redick which should continue to benefit T.J. McConnell. McConnell has averaged over 28 minutes while posting 15.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 3.0 steals over his last three games to exceed five times his current salary on DK in each game. Continue to ride the TJ train until his price moves into the mid $5,000 range.
Luc Mbah a Moute (SF/PF – HOU): $4,200 vs GS
Since returning from injury Luc Mbah a Moute has averaged 29 minutes over his first two games. His minutes should continue to be in the around 30 for Saturday’s matchup with the Warriors with Ariza and Green out for the second game of their suspension. Mbah a Moute maintains a reasonable salary in a positive game environment giving you some cheap exposure to the highest scoring game on the slate.
Tony Snell (SG/SF – MIL): $3,800 / Matthew Dellavedova (PG/SG – MIL): $3,300 @ PHI
We’ll round out Saturday’s recommendations with a pair of cheap Bucks who should both see a significant spike in their minutes and overall fantasy production with Antetokounmpo and Brogdon out. Snell will likely regain a spot in the starting lineup and play 30+ minutes. He is a capable three-point shooter who will chip in a couple rebounds, blocks and steals when given minutes. Dellavedova should absorb most of Brogdon’s minutes and is capable of solid points and assists numbers. Rostering about four Bucks in your lineup is not only okay, it’s recommended.
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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.