We have an NBA six-pack for the Saturday night DFS slate on DraftKings. I’ll be honest, I’m not too excited about this slate. There a plenty of high-priced studs to consider but it seems like all of them are overpriced for their current situations. Meanwhile, the mid-priced group also has some question marks around their matchups and availability. So, despite the small slate lineups could be wildly different, even in cash games unless news during the day drives ownership to specific situations and players.
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
John Wall (PG – WAS): $8,900 vs. BKN
I eluded to it in the intro, I’m not in love with any of the high-priced studs on the slate. James Harden is on the second game of a back-to-back and has Chris Paul back. Kevin Durant and the Warriors get Steph Curry back on Saturday which hurts both of their value at their price points and minutes expectation. The Pistons guys, Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond could be options, but I’m leaning toward John Wall since I like a lot of the cheaper big man options while guard seems thin. Wall has only played 25 and 26 minutes respectively in the last two blowout losses but should get a full complement of minutes on Saturday at home against the Nets.
We have an NBA six-pack for the Saturday night DFS slate on DraftKings. I’ll be honest, I’m not too excited about this slate. There a plenty of high-priced studs to consider but it seems like all of them are overpriced for their current situations. Meanwhile, the mid-priced group also has some question marks around their matchups and availability. So, despite the small slate lineups could be wildly different, even in cash games unless news during the day drives ownership to specific situations and players.
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
John Wall (PG – WAS): $8,900 vs. BKN
I eluded to it in the intro, I’m not in love with any of the high-priced studs on the slate. James Harden is on the second game of a back-to-back and has Chris Paul back. Kevin Durant and the Warriors get Steph Curry back on Saturday which hurts both of their value at their price points and minutes expectation. The Pistons guys, Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond could be options, but I’m leaning toward John Wall since I like a lot of the cheaper big man options while guard seems thin. Wall has only played 25 and 26 minutes respectively in the last two blowout losses but should get a full complement of minutes on Saturday at home against the Nets.
Core Plays
Clint Capela (C – HOU): $7,800 vs. CHI
Capela actually ranks as the top player in my model on Saturday night with his matchup against the Bulls. The Bulls have given up significant increase production to opposing center this season in points (+11.0%), rebounds (+15.4%), assists (+16.1%) and blocks (+38.5%). He also usually sees a little bump in production with Chris Paul in the lineup.
Domantas Sabonis (PF/C – IND): $7,600 @ SAC
You’ll need to keep an eye on the status of Sabonis for Saturday’s game against the Kings. He is considered questionable with a sore back. Assuming he plays, he has shown that he can produce big numbers in limited minutes. Sabonis gets a plus-matchup against a Kings team that has allowed increase production to PFs in points (+13.1%) and rebounds (+8.1%). If Sabonis misses the game, then consider Thaddeus Young ($4,700) or Myles Turner ($5,900).
De’Aaron Fox (PG – SAC): $6,900 vs. IND
Fox doesn’t have the best matchup against the Pacers but finding mid-priced guards is a challenge on the Saturday’s slate. He typically plays 30-plus minutes and should reach that mark in what should be a close game with one of the higher Vegas totals on the slate. He has shown upside this season reaching 40 or more DraftKings points on numerous occasions.
Otto Porter (SF/PF – WAS): $5,600 vs. BKN
Porter missed Friday’s game due to personal reasons but is expected to rejoin the team for their matchup with the Nets on Saturday night. Porter has played 32-plus minutes in four of his last five games producing 30 or more DraftKings points in four of those outings. The Wizards/Nets matchup has the highest Vegas total on the slate.
Value Plays
Tyreke Evans (SG/SF – IND): $5,000 @ SAC
Victor Oladipo will continue to miss time for the Pacers which keeps Evans in the starting lineup. He really hasn’t done much with his opportunity, but I have a sense that he will have a little extra juice on Saturday night as he returns to Sacramento where he began his career. It should also help that the Kings have allowed increased production to SGs this year in points (+13.5%), rebounds (+2.3%), assists (+15.2%) and steals (+8.2%).
Wendell Carter Jr. (C – CHI): $4,600 @ HOU
Carter is a productive fantasy point per minute player. Unfortunately, you can’t always count on a full complement of minutes every night. I expect him to get 30-plus minutes on Saturday to help defend the athletic Clint Capela. Carter had 28 points and seven rebounds against the Pistons on Friday and will look to carry over that success to Saturday’s matchup.
Marcus Smart (PG/SG – BOS): $4,200 @ MIN
Smart has seen a bump in minutes in the last two games with Jaylen Brown out. Brown’s status remains questionable for Saturday and if he is out then Smart should once again get 30-plus minutes in the game against the Timberwolves. Smart has put up at least 22 DraftKings points in four straight games which puts him over the five times his salary value.
Nemanja Bjelica (SF/PF – SAC): $3,900 vs. IND
Marvin Bagley exited the previous game for the Kings with a back injury and is considered very questionable to play on Saturday against the Pacers. If he is ruled out, that should open the door for Nemanja Bjelica to see an increase in minutes. Bjelica was very productive early in the season when he was getting 30-plus minutes and with a cheap $3,900 salary, he would be a great option if Bagley sits out.
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.
