FanDuel DFS NBA Strategy Advice: Saturday (1/23)

One day after a massive, 11-game slate, things quiet down a bit on Saturday. Out of the 14 teams taking the court, nine of them will be playing on the second night of a back-to-back set, so things will certainly be interesting. As always, let’s jump into some of the best values, studs, and fades for the day’s DFS festivities.

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Most Value Per Dollar

Players are expected to generate the most value relative to salary.

Point Guard

• Payne is only seeing 16.6 minutes over his last three games but could be in for a bigger role with Devin Booker unlikely to suit up in Saturday’s rematch against the Nuggets. Payne is averaging 1.08 FanDuel points per minute and seeing a 26% usage rate in 54 minutes without Booker on the court this season.
• Over his last three games, Brunson has posted 16.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists and is averaging 0.83 FanDuel points per minute. With Josh Richardson still away from the team due to health and safety protocols, Brunson should once again get the start against the Rockets, who are giving up the most FanDuel points to opposing point guards this season.

Shooting Guard

• Caldwell-Pope is coming off of a 23-point performance in Thursday’s win over the Bucks and faces a Bulls team giving up the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing shooting guards.
• Nunn has been on a tear as of late, averaging just under 40 FanDuel points over his last three games. He’s seen at least 34 minutes during that span and should once again be given a large role with Tyler Herro ruled out with a neck injury. The Nets are giving up the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing shooting guards this season, and Saturday’s game has a great chance to be the highest-scoring game on the slate.

Small Forward

• Tate has been quite productive ever since joining the starting lineup earlier this week. The rookie has seen at least 30 minutes in four of his last five games and is averaging 27 FanDuel points per game in that span. The Mavericks have given up the eighth-most fantasy points per game to small forwards this season and just allowed Keldon Johnson to post 36.3 FanDuel points against them on Friday.
• Bridges just posted 24 points and 10 rebounds against the Nuggets in Friday’s loss and should see a bigger role, with Devin Booker unlikely to suit up after suffering a hamstring injury late in the game.

Power Forward

• Markkanen has posted at least 30 FanDuel points in three of four games since returning from the league’s health and safety protocols and is coming off a 23-point performance in Friday’s win over the Hornets. With Wendell Carter Jr. doubtful to suit up once again, Markkanen should benefit greatly. The 23-year-old forward is averaging 1.2 FanDuel points per minute and seeing a 27.5% usage rate in 80 minutes without Carter on the floor this season.
• Green is averaging just under 34 minutes over his last five games and has posted at least 21.7 FanDuel points in all but one during that span. Miami is surrendering the most fantasy points to opposing power forwards this season, and as mentioned above, this could be the highest-scoring game on the slate.

Center

• Cousins was inserted into the starting lineup in favor of Christian Wood on Friday, and he did not disappoint. The big man contributed nicely in multiple categories and finished with 34.5 FanDuel points. With Wood highly unlikely to suit up once again on Saturday, Cousins should be in line for another expanded role. He’s currently averaging 1.3 FanDuel points per minute and seeing a 26.7% usage rate in 136 minutes without Wood on the floor this season.
• Adams has averaged just under 30 FanDuel points over his last three games and gets a matchup against a team giving up the fourth-most Fanduel points to opposing centers this season. The 27-year-old big man just grabbed a season-high 16 rebounds against Rudy Gobert and the Jazz on Thursday.

Studs Worth Their Salary

• Zach LaVine (CHI) $9,300: LaVine has posted 41 or more FanDuel points in six of his last seven games, including a 59-point outing against the Lakers back on January 8th. With Wendell Carter Jr. doubtful to suit up, LaVine should be asked to shoulder more of the offensive load as he is seeing a 4.6% increase in usage rate when the former is off the court. There should be plenty of fantasy points to score in this one, as it currently boasts the highest over/under on Saturday’s slate.
• Joel Embiid (PHI) $10,200: Embiid has averaged 57.8 FanDuel points over his last two games and appears unstoppable right now. There is simply no one on the Pistons roster who can slow him down, and he should have no trouble getting what he wants on Saturday. Detroit gives up the third-most FanDuel points per game to opposing centers this season.
• Luka Doncic (DAL) $10,800: Despite being the second-most expensive player on Saturday’s slate, Luka seems to be hitting his stride after a sluggish start to the year. The 21-year-old has posted five triple-doubles in his last nine games and has fallen either a rebound or an assist shy three times in that span. The Rockets are giving up the most FanDuel points per game to opposing point guards, and Doncic should have every opportunity to feast on Saturday. He is a great foundation when constructing your team.

Notable Players to Fade

• Stephen Curry (GS) $9,700: Curry has posted at least 41.6 FanDuel points in two of his last three games but gets a tough matchup against the Jazz, who are giving up the fourth-fewest FanDuel points to opposing point guards this season. Curry is capable of going off at any moment, but point guard is one of the deepest positions on Saturday, and I’d rather pay down for someone like Kyrie Irving or Chris Paul.
• Brandon Ingram (NO) $7,700: Ingram has been disappointing as of late, failing to record 30 FanDuel points in two of his last three games. While Saturday’s matchup against the Timberwolves looks appealing from the outside, they have only allowed the seventh-fewest FanDuel points to opposing small forwards this season. I’d rather pay down for someone like Tobias Harris ($7,500) or Mikal Bridges ($5,500).

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