While some of you have likely shifted over to playing only MLB DFS, the NBA offers up an interesting five-game DFS slate on Saturday night that includes many of the league’s superstars and marquee teams. Some have a playoff position wrapped up but others are still fighting for a playoff spot or better seeding. As always at this time of the season be sure to pay close attention to any players being rested as they look ahead to the playoffs.
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One Stud
Russell Westbrook (PG – OKC): $11,500 @ HOU
On a night with many high-priced studs to choose from my attention focuses on the two players that need to carry their teams to victory down the stretch to secure a playoff spot in the West. Those two players are Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis. If enough value opens up on the slate, feel free to fit them both in if possible as the two players might combine for 150 DraftKings points between them. If you only roster one then go with Westbrook who has been on a tear the last three games averaging 34.3 points, 13.3 rebound and 10.7 assists per game on his way to 71.3 DK points a night. The matchup against Chris Paul is not ideal but he still put up 32 points and seven assists against him in a previous meeting this season with far less on the line then there is on Saturday for the Thunder.
While some of you have likely shifted over to playing only MLB DFS, the NBA offers up an interesting five-game DFS slate on Saturday night that includes many of the league’s superstars and marquee teams. Some have a playoff position wrapped up but others are still fighting for a playoff spot or better seeding. As always at this time of the season be sure to pay close attention to any players being rested as they look ahead to the playoffs.
Create Optimal DraftKings lineups using our DFS Lineup Optimizer tool
One Stud
Russell Westbrook (PG – OKC): $11,500 @ HOU
On a night with many high-priced studs to choose from my attention focuses on the two players that need to carry their teams to victory down the stretch to secure a playoff spot in the West. Those two players are Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis. If enough value opens up on the slate, feel free to fit them both in if possible as the two players might combine for 150 DraftKings points between them. If you only roster one then go with Westbrook who has been on a tear the last three games averaging 34.3 points, 13.3 rebound and 10.7 assists per game on his way to 71.3 DK points a night. The matchup against Chris Paul is not ideal but he still put up 32 points and seven assists against him in a previous meeting this season with far less on the line then there is on Saturday for the Thunder.
Core Plays
Khris Middleton (SG/SF – MIL): $7,700 @ NY
With Giannis Antetokounmpo ruled out for Saturday’s game against the Knicks, the rest of the Bucks will see an increase in usage with Khris Middleton getting the biggest bump with a 7.0% increase this season. In five games without Antetokounmpo this season, Middleton has averaged over 40 minutes with 29.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, 5.2 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game for 52.5 DK points. Eric Bledsoe ($7,800) is also an option but if you can’t afford both then Middleton is your guy.
Klay Thompson (SG – GS): $6,600 vs NO
The Warriors are locked into the second seed in the West so be sure to monitor inactives before the game. Assuming Klay Thompson is active then look for him to be one of the primary offensive weapons for the Warriors in a plus matchup against the Pelicans. Thompson has fared very well against the Pelicans this season averaging 25.7 points (39.6 DK points) in three previous meetings, which makes sense since the Pelicans have allowed the fourth most DK points to opposing SGs this season.
Kyle O’Quinn (PF/C – NY): $5,900 vs MIL
Kyle O’Quinn could be one of the only big men left standing for the Knicks on Saturday with Enes Kanter doubtful and both Michael Beasley and Lance Thomas questionable. O’Quinn is a big fantasy point per minute producer so any increase in playing time will result in a big fantasy day. For example, O’Quinn has averaged 1.35 DK points per minute in three meetings with the Bucks this season so if he sees about 25 minutes on Saturday that would equate to 34 DK points as a likely floor for the big man in a plus matchup.
Jabari Parker (SF/PF – MIL): $5,600 @ NY
Jabari Parker has been unleashed in over the last three games with at least 31 minutes in each game. During that stretch, he has averaged 20.0 points and 7.7 boards per game. The absence of Antetokounmpo should secure Parker’s increased minutes and also add to his touches and fantasy production in a favorable matchup against the depleted Knicks frontcourt which has allowed the fifth most DK points to opposing PFs over the last 30 days.
Value Plays
Nikola Mirotic (PF – NO): $5,100 @ GS
If you can’t find the money to pay up for Anthony Davis then give Nikola Mirotic a look to get some exposure to the Pelicans in a game they need to win. Mirotic’s fantasy production can be a roller coaster ride from night-to-night but he has put up over 35 DK points in three of his last four games and dropped 44.5 DK points on the Warriors earlier this season. For just $5,100, I’ll take any of those numbers.
Allen Crabbe (SG/SF – BKN): $5,000 @ CHI
The Nets and Bulls fight for ping-pong balls in Chicago on Saturday and while ultimately both teams would benefit from a loss the players that suit up each night don’t have that on their mind. With DeMarre Carroll ruled out for Saturday, Crabbe will be one of the main beneficiaries. He hit 5-of-10 from three-point range in his last game on his way to 25 points (40.75 DK points) which could be a good sign for a streaky shooter. He should get 30-plus minutes and have the green light again on Saturday in a plus matchup.
Sean Kilpatrick (PG/SG – CHI): $4,500 vs BKN
The Bulls newest acquisition, Sean Kilpatrick, has worked his way into playing mid to high 20 minutes a night over his last four games and been very productive averaging 18.0 points a night on his way to 27 DK points per game during that stretch. A matchup on Saturday against one of his former teams should give him a little extra juice to perform well, not to mention the Nets have allowed the fourth most DK points to opposing PGs this season.
Damyean Dotson (SG/SF – NY): $3,100 vs MIL
With Tim Hardaway Jr. doubtful to play on Saturday, Damyean Dotson should have an opportunity to expand on his breakout performance on Friday where he scored 30 points with 11 rebounds against the Heat in 36 minutes. Another game with 35-plus minutes should allow Dotson to easily surpass value on his near minimum-priced salary providing excellent savings to pay up for a stud or two.
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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.
