Happy Groundhog’s Day! According to the weather forecasting groundhog, we will have an early spring, thank goodness! While we can dream of warm weather and baseball spring training, we are still stuck in winter but at least we have some NBA DFS to keep us warm.
After a small Friday slate, we have a huge 11-game Saturday night slate in the Association. It should be a hot night with five of the games featuring a Vegas total of 230 points or higher. There are also a bunch of high-priced studs to consider and value galore to pair them up with if you wish. Play some DFS hoops on Saturday night then sit back and enjoy to action!
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
Nikola Vucevic (C – ORL): $9,800 vs. BKN
I know, I know, there are a bunch of high-priced studs on the slate and I do have a significant interest in most of them including James Harden (sans Chris Paul), LeBron James against the Warriors and even Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic. However, despite all of that stardom, I really want to find a way to get Nikola Vucevic into my lineup against the Nets. Vucevic has averaged 54.1 DraftKings points against the Nets in two previous meetings. That should come as no surprise as the Nets have given up increased production to centers in points (+7.3%), rebounds (+11.1%), assists (+4.1%), and blocks (+37.4%).
Happy Groundhog’s Day! According to the weather forecasting groundhog, we will have an early spring, thank goodness! While we can dream of warm weather and baseball spring training, we are still stuck in winter but at least we have some NBA DFS to keep us warm.
After a small Friday slate, we have a huge 11-game Saturday night slate in the Association. It should be a hot night with five of the games featuring a Vegas total of 230 points or higher. There are also a bunch of high-priced studs to consider and value galore to pair them up with if you wish. Play some DFS hoops on Saturday night then sit back and enjoy to action!
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
Nikola Vucevic (C – ORL): $9,800 vs. BKN
I know, I know, there are a bunch of high-priced studs on the slate and I do have a significant interest in most of them including James Harden (sans Chris Paul), LeBron James against the Warriors and even Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic. However, despite all of that stardom, I really want to find a way to get Nikola Vucevic into my lineup against the Nets. Vucevic has averaged 54.1 DraftKings points against the Nets in two previous meetings. That should come as no surprise as the Nets have given up increased production to centers in points (+7.3%), rebounds (+11.1%), assists (+4.1%), and blocks (+37.4%).
Core Plays
Luka Doncic (PG/SF – DAL): $8,300 @ CLE
The Mavericks will still be without their new recruits following their big trade on Thursday. Luka didn’t play in the last game and is questionable on Saturday but if he does suit up he could have a huge game as the focal point of the offense in a favorable matchup against the Cavaliers. If Doncic doesn’t play, then consider pivoting to either Devin Booker ($8,800) or Bradley Beal ($8,500) at a similar price point.
LaMarcus Aldridge (PF/C – SA): $8,100 vs. NO
Aldridge has really picked up his play over the last seven games, averaging 25.0 points and 10.9 rebounds for 47.4 DK points per game. He draws a favorable, up-tempo matchup on Saturday against the Pelicans who will be without numerous players down low. Over the last five games, the Pelicans have allowed the second most points to PFs which could lead to a big scoring night for Aldridge at home where he has averaged five more points per game than on the road this season.
Jimmy Butler (SG/SF – PHI): $7,300 @ SAC
You will want to get some exposure to the Sixers on the road against the Kings in a matchup of two up-tempo teams in what could be a close shootout. The Sixers will be without J.J. Redick which has resulted in a 4.7 percent usage bump for Butler this season. Butler has put up at least 30 DraftKings points in five straight games and has the upside in this matchup to approach 50 DK points against a Kings squad that has allowed increased production across the board to SGs and SFs this season.
Rajon Rondo (PG – LAL): $6,800 @ GS
Rondo should dominate the minutes at PG for the Lakers on Saturday against the Warriors. He has played at least 36 minutes in four straight games while averaging 10.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 10.5 assists during that stretch. The return of LeBron James could take a little bit of the ball-handling duties off of Rondo’s plate but his stat-stuffing ability at a reasonable price in a fast-paced matchup should still serve him well.
Value Plays
Darius Miller (SF/PF – NO): $4,400 / Kenrich Williams (SG/SF – NO): $4,100 @ SA
The Pelicans are still decimated by injuries including E’Twaun Moore, Nikola Mirotic, Julius Randle, and of course, Anthony Davis. This plethora of injuries has opened up opportunities for both Darius Miller and Kenrich Williams to play 35-plus minutes per night recently. Both are viable options against the Spurs, but I’d lean Williams if forced to choose as he has shown great upside in his last two games that have included a 21-point outing and a 16-rebound game.
Jalen Brunson (PG/SG – DAL): $4,200 / Maxi Kleber (PF/C – DAL): $4,100 / Dwight Powell (PF/C – DAL): $4,400 @ CLE
As I mentioned in my Doncic writeup, the Mavericks will continue to play without their newly acquired players on Saturday. This should force the trio of players above into 30-plus minutes again on Saturday in a juicy matchup against the Cavaliers. All three have somewhat limited upside and have seen their prices rise since their last game but if you need an option in cash games to be locked in for about five times their salary all three are solid options.
TJ McConnell (PG/SG – PHI): $3,500 / Corey Brewer (SG/SF – PHI): $3,400 / Mike Muscala (PF/C – PHI): $3,500 @ SAC
With J.J. Redick out on Saturday, along with Wilson Chandler, there are two open spots in the Sixers lineup up for grabs in a good game environment against the Kings. I’m speculating that some combination of McConnell, Brewer, and Muscala will fill the spots at a near minimum salary. Give consideration to whoever fills the starting spots in a plus matchup against the Kings.
Malik Beasley (PG/SG – DEN): $4,400 @ MIN
Beasley had a career-high 35 points on Friday night against the Rockets while filling in for Gary Harris. Watch the status of Harris closely leading up to tipoff on Saturday against the Timberwolves and give Beasley strong consideration if Harris misses another game. Beasley has put up at least 29 DK points in three straight games which are more than enough for his still very reasonable salary.
Create Optimal DraftKings lineups using our DFS Lineup Optimizer tool
Brad Richter is a Featured Writer and Correspondent at FantasyPros and a contributor at DailyOverlay. For more from Brad, you can view his archive or follow him @RotoPilot.