This Saturday slate is full of compelling values and tournament options as we continue to get our first glimpse at the new NBA season and player prices adjust. Let’s walk through the most important DFS angles and find some selections that can help you set successful lineups.
Check out today’s NBA Layup from FanDuel
Schedule and Odds
- ATL @ CLE (+8) O/U: 223.5
- MIA @ IND (+2) O/U: 224
- DAL @ TOR (+3.5) O/U: 217
- DET @ CHI (-9) O/U: 214
- NOP @ MIN (-6) O/U: 227
- MIL @ SAS (+8.5) O/U: 227.5
- PHO @ POR (-2.5) O/U: 232.5
- MEM @ LAC (-3.5) O/U: 226
Injury Report
Core Plays
This Saturday slate is full of compelling values and tournament options as we continue to get our first glimpse at the new NBA season and player prices adjust. Let’s walk through the most important DFS angles and find some selections that can help you set successful lineups.
Check out today’s NBA Layup from FanDuel
Schedule and Odds
- ATL @ CLE (+8) O/U: 223.5
- MIA @ IND (+2) O/U: 224
- DAL @ TOR (+3.5) O/U: 217
- DET @ CHI (-9) O/U: 214
- NOP @ MIN (-6) O/U: 227
- MIL @ SAS (+8.5) O/U: 227.5
- PHO @ POR (-2.5) O/U: 232.5
- MEM @ LAC (-3.5) O/U: 226
Injury Report
Core Plays
Karl-Anthony Towns (C – MIN): $10.2K DraftKings, $11K FanDuel
While everybody else renews the Giannis vs. Luka debate for the millionth time, take a different approach by spending up for Towns. Jonas Valanciunas is unlikely to put up much resistance against this double-double machine. The Pelicans’ shaky defense is heading into the second half of a back-to-back and has allowed 117 and 128 points in their first two games respectively. Yikes.
Jimmy Butler (SF/SG – MIA): $8.5K DraftKings, $8.9K FanDuel
With Kyle Lowry battling an ankle sprain and Victor Oladipo remaining out, this is a great opportunity to target Jimmy Butler for elevated usage. His numbers were understated in the Heat’s first game of the season against Milwaukee because they blew out Giannis and co., which should help keep Butler’s ownership at a reasonable level. The Pacers’ are also extremely banged up so they will be vulnerable defensively.
Jakob Poeltl (C – SAS): $4.9K DraftKings, $6.7K FanDuel
This is a glaring value on DraftKings especially for a player that is averaging 13.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 4 assists through the Spurs’ first two games this season. With elevated minutes, Poeltl has monster upside, as evidenced by the fact that he finished 6th in the NBA last year with 1.8 blocks per game despite averaging less than 27 minutes of court time. He also gets to face the Bucks without the defensive presence of Brook Lopez who is out with a back injury.
Cash Game Considerations
Paul George (SF/SG – LAC): $9.8K DraftKings, $10.2K FanDuel
It became pretty obvious that Paul George plans to take care of business for the Clippers while Kawhi Leonard is out when he dropped 29 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists on Golden State in Los Angeles’ opener. He remains a very strong play in cash games against the Grizzlies.
Brandon Ingram (SF/PF – NOP): $8K DraftKings, $8.3K FanDuel
Not unlike Paul George, Brandon Ingram has seen a massive increase in production with Zion Williamson out due to a foot injury. This price is too low for a player averaging 1.7 more points, 2.6 more rebounds, and 2.1 more assists per game through two games so far compared to his 2020-2021 season numbers. These are all jumps that can be directly linked to Williamson’s absence.
Malcolm Brogdon (PG/SG – IND): $7.3K DraftKings, $7.9K FanDuel
The Pacers will continue to lean on Malcolm Brogdon until Caris LeVert returns. Brogdon is easily outperforming his salary so far and should continue to put up excellent assist numbers after posting 11 and 8 in his first two games.
GPP Targets
Domantas Sabonis (PF/C – IND): $10K DraftKings, $9.6K FanDuel
The excess of more appealing high-priced options available on this slate will mitigate the interest in playing Sabonis. This is a mistake. Because Sabonis can contribute so heavily in every category, his upside is enormous. It’s even greater than usual here because his ability to contribute assists will be highlighted with the Pacers shorthanded.
Fred VanVleet (PG/SG – TOR): $7.6K DraftKings, $8K FanDuel
After a couple of disappointing games to start the season, Fred VanVleet‘s ownership should be minimal despite increased usage with Pascal Siakam out. That creates a great opportunity to play him now that others will be starting to look the other way. Ignore the meaningless small sample size in this case.
Kristaps Porzingis (PF/C – DAL): $7.3K DraftKings, $6.8K FanDuel
Another player that didn’t exactly get off to a fairy tale start is Kristaps Porzingis, who posted an 11-point, 5-rebound clunker in the Mavericks’ first game this year. DFS players will also be reluctant to use Porzingis against shot-blocking machine Chris Boucher, who averaged 1.9 per game last season. This will all combine to make Porzingis incredibly overlooked at a very palatable price, while still carrying immense multi-category upside.
Value Plays – under $5.5K
Terance Mann (SG/SF – LAC): $4.7K DraftKings, $4.4K FanDuel
It appears that Terance Mann will join Paul George as a beneficiary of Kawhi Leonard‘s absence. Mann received 39 minutes of playing time in the Clippers’ first game of the season and posted a very balanced line. If he continues to get minutes like that, he will easily outperform this price level.
Pat Connaughton (SG/SF – MIL): $4.6K DraftKings, $4.3K FanDuel
With Brook Lopez, Donte DiVincenzo, and Bobby Portis all out, Pat Connaughton could be a monster play. The Bucks have to lean on someone to pick up the slack for all of their missing role players, and it will likely be Connaughton who has a great chance to produce strong value in this situation.
De’Anthony Melton (PG/SG – MEM): $3.8K DraftKings, $5.1K FanDuel
This is an amazing price for De’Anthony Melton, especially on DraftKings as he put up a huge line as a starter in the Grizzlies’ opener with Dillon Brooks out. As long as he continues to start, there’s no reason not to play him at this salary.
Advantageous Pricing
- Karl-Anthony Towns (C – MIN): $11,000 FanDuel, $10,200 DraftKings
- Jakob Poeltl (C – SAS): $6,700 FanDuel, $4,900 DraftKings
- De’Anthony Melton (PG/SG – MEM): $5,100 FanDuel, $3,800 DraftKings
- Ja Morant (PG – MEM): $8,500 FanDuel, $9,200 DraftKings
- Chris Boucher (PF/C – TOR): $5,700 FanDuel, $6,200 DraftKings
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Aaron White is a featured writer for FantasyPros. His industry experience includes projects for the Chicago Cubs, QL Gaming Group, and The Sporting News.