It’s the first Saturday of NBA DFS, which can be an issue for players as there aren’t practice reports beforehand. “Load management” days probably aren’t an issue just yet unless it’s for players coming off major injuries, so we’ll play this one pretty straight. We’re starting to get a better grasp on how teams are playing, so let’s get into the Saturday slate!
View the best player prop bets for tonight’s slate with our NBA Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
TOP PLAYS
Luka Doncic, DAL ($10,700 DK, $10,800 FD)
Luka did Luka things on opening night, putting up 56.75 DK points against the Suns on a 39% usage rate. Tonight he gets Memphis on the second game of a back-to-back, and he’ll have almost no defensive resistance if Dillon Brooks sits again. Memphis is 18th in pace to start this season but were third last year, and Luka’s total would have been even higher on Wednesday if his three-point shot had been falling (2-10).
Paul George, LAC ($9300 DK, $9000 FD)
Kawhi Leonard is expected to sit out one game of back-to-backs, so he’s already been ruled out for tonight’s contest against the Kings (he’ll play tomorrow). As a result, PG13 is entirely too cheap against the defensively-challenged Kings. Last year without Kawhi, George posted an elite 34.1% usage rate and 28.6% assist rate, and Sacramento is already 26th in team defensive efficiency.
Donovan Mitchell, CLE ($9000 DK, $8500 FD)
Darius Garland left the Cavs’ opener early with an eye injury and has already been ruled out for tonight’s contest, leaving Mitchell the keys to the offense. We saw firsthand that wasn’t a problem on Wednesday as Spida posted a 34.2% usage rate and 45% assist rate en route to 50.5 DK points. His price is somewhat akin to what we saw last year when Conley would sit for Utah, but Mitchell has proven to be worth every penny in those situations.
CASH GAME OPTIONS
Jrue Holiday, MIL ($8600 DK, $7600 FD)
Holiday had a nightmarish shooting game in the Bucks’ first contest (2-15 FG, 0-6 3PT), but he still played 36 minutes and the efficiency will bounce back. Tonight is a prime opportunity for that to happen, as Houston allowed the most FPPG to opposing guards last season. Holiday is also a big beneficiary of Khris Middleton‘s injury, posting a 28.7% usage rate and 36.3% assist rate a year ago. Holiday’s price on FanDuel especially stands out.
Tyrese Haliburton, IND ($8000 DK, $8200 FD)
This IND/DET is a solid one to target tonight, as both teams are on the second game of a b2b after each giving up 130 points or more last night. Haliburton has an elite 59.4% assist rate through two games to go along with a 27.2% usage rate, and his price tag is simply not reflective of this. He’s a top cash target this evening.
Cade Cunningham, DET ($7800 DK, $7700 FD)
The other side of the court in this game is worth exploring as well, and Cade is the clear offensive catalyst behind Detroit. He has a 25.2% usage rate and 42.5% assist rate through two games and Indiana ranks 21st in overall defensive efficiency. The additions of Bojan Bogdanovic and Jaden Ivey should open up the offense enough to raise Cunningham’s efficiency as well.
VALUE PLAY
Caris LeVert, CLE ($5800 DK, $5600 FD)
LeVert is another player who will benefit from Darius Garland’s injury, and he’s too cheap on both sites. LeVert only put up seven shots in game one which is mildly concerning, but he contributed across multiple categories and played 35 minutes. The Bulls are ranked 24th against opposing wings through two games, and it also helps LeVert that Isaac Okoro only saw 12 minutes of court time.
Alperen Sengun, HOU ($5400 DK, $5000 FD)
Sengun stans were in a tizzy when Bruno Fernando was named the starter (and played well), but Sengun went off in 27 minutes against Memphis yesterday and is averaging an utterly elite 1.4 fantasy points per minute (FPPM). He’s still priced far too cheaply for that sort of efficiency, especially if he’ll routinely be getting over 25 minutes. Milwaukee was seventh in pace a year ago and Houston was second, so this game has track meet potential
Isaiah Jackson, IND ($4000 DK, $4200 FD)
This play depends on Jalen Smith‘s status, but Smith left the game early after being hit in the face yesterday. Jackson was the most direct beneficiary of this, posting 29.5 DK points in 16 minutes, and would will be a very popular play if Smith is ruled out (Myles Turner is still out after his encounter with the ball boy). Oshae Brissett and Goga Bitazde are also candidates for increased time and production.
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