Get ready for a jam-packed Saturday of NBA DFS with a massive nine-game slate! With a plethora of player options and lineup combinations, tonight presents a fantastic opportunity to craft multiple lineups. This primer will equip you with the knowledge to dissect this extensive slate, highlighting top plays at each position, valuable sleepers to help you afford the stars, and key matchups to exploit. Let’s dive in and analyze the key players and strategies that will give you an edge on this exciting Saturday slate!
View the best player prop bets for tonight’s slate with our NBA Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer
NBA DFS Core Plays
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (PG – OKC)
- DraftKings: $9,800
- FanDuel: $11,400
Gilgeous-Alexander wasted no time reminding everyone of his superstar status, logging 28 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists in his first game of the year. He’s a walking bucket with the ability to fill the stat sheet, making him an elite fantasy option on any given night. Tonight, he faces a Bulls team in a game with the 3rd-highest total on the slate, suggesting a fast-paced, high-scoring affair.
This matchup against Chicago is particularly enticing, considering SGA’s past success against them. In two games against the Bulls last season, he averaged a whopping 66.8 fantasy points.
- DraftKings: $11,400
- FanDuel: $11,800
Doncic is the most expensive player on the slate, but if you can afford him, he’s an obvious choice for your DFS lineups. His offensive firepower is undeniable, and he has the potential to put up video game numbers on any given night. What makes him particularly appealing tonight is the matchup against a Suns team coming off a disappointing loss to the Lakers.
Phoenix is playing on zero days of rest in a game with the second-highest total of the night, suggesting a potentially fatigued defense and a high-scoring affair. Furthermore, Doncic has a history of dominating the Suns. In three games against them last season, he averaged an astounding 79.4 fantasy points.
NBA DFS Cash Game Targets
- DraftKings: $7,700
- FanDuel: $8,400
Holmgren erupted in his season debut against the Nuggets, putting up a monster stat line of 25 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, four blocks, and two steals. He effortlessly surpassed his value, showcasing the immense upside that makes him such an exciting young player. With his affordable price tag and potential to stuff the stat sheet, Holmgren is an excellent option for cash games, providing a high floor alongside his sky-high ceiling.
Tonight, he faces a Chicago Bulls team that ranked 22nd in defensive rating last season and has already surrendered an average of 122.5 points per game through their first two contests. This not-so-great defense should give Holmgren ample opportunity to dominate once again.
- DraftKings: $5,400
- FanDuel: $6,400
Murray exploded onto the scene in his season debut, delivering a stellar performance with 23 points, 11 rebounds, and two assists in an impressive 43 minutes of action. This dominant showing immediately solidified his role as a key contributor for the Kings and a fantasy force to be reckoned with.
The Kings are projected to be involved in a high-scoring affair against the Lakers, who played last night and could be fatigued. This fast-paced game should create ample opportunities for Murray to rack up points and rebounds.
- DraftKings: $5,100
- FanDuel: $5,600
Hachimura has been a bright spot for the Lakers in the early season, sliding into the starting small forward role and showcasing his offensive prowess. Through two games, he’s averaging 16.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists, demonstrating his ability to contribute across multiple categories. His aggressive drives to the basket and improved three-point shooting have made him a difficult matchup for opposing defenses.
Tonight’s game against the Kings presents an interesting scenario. The Lakers are playing on zero days rest, facing a Sacramento team known for its fast-paced, high-scoring offense. In this up-tempo environment, I expect the Lakers to lean on their younger players like Hachimura.
NBA DFS GPP Targets
- DraftKings: $9,200
- FanDuel: $9,000
Sengun kicked off the season with a monstrous 66 fantasy-point performance, only to follow it up with a 39.8 last night. This dramatic drop-off might scare some DFS players away, but it actually creates a fantastic GPP opportunity. Remember, we’re still dealing with a small sample size, and Sengun has the potential to be a consistent fantasy stud.
Last season, the Spurs were a dream matchup for opposing scorers, ranking 21st in defensive rating and playing at the third-fastest pace in the league. This bodes well for Sengun, who has a 27% usage rate to kick off the year. Furthermore, he averaged a whopping 58.9 fantasy points in three games against the Spurs last year.
- DraftKings: $5,100
- FanDuel: $5,500
With Kevin Huerter potentially facing a minutes restriction, Monk seized the opportunity to showcase his offensive firepower. In just 26 minutes of action, he scored 17 points while dishing out four assists and grabbing a rebound. Monk has always been a dynamic scorer, capable of creating his own shot and providing instant offense off the bench. This makes him an especially enticing DFS option in tonight’s matchup against the Lakers, which boasts the highest projected total on the slate.
- DraftKings: $4,800
- FanDuel: $5,700
Suggs’ early season minutes might seem underwhelming at first glance, averaging just 21.5 per game due to a blowout win against Brooklyn and some foul trouble against Miami. However, this limited sample size doesn’t accurately reflect Suggs’ true potential, especially considering his consistent 25+ minutes per game average in his previous three seasons with Orlando.
Tonight’s matchup against the Grizzlies presents a prime opportunity for Suggs to bounce back. The game is projected to be close, with a mere 1.5-point spread, suggesting a competitive contest where Suggs will likely see extended playing time. Expect him to be aggressive on both ends of the floor and make a significant impact.
NBA DFS Value Plays
- DraftKings: $4,200
- FanDuel: $5,400
Brandon Miller’s unfortunate glute injury opens up a significant opportunity for Mann to shine. While some might see his sixth-man role as a detriment, it actually provides an advantage. Coming off the bench, Mann consistently faces weaker defenders, allowing him to exploit favorable matchups and maximize his scoring potential. This is reflected in his impressive 30% and 35% usage rates in the first two games, showcasing his involvement and the Hornets’ trust in him to create offense.
- DraftKings: $4,700
- FanDuel: $5,000
With Mark Williams sidelined, Richards steps into the starting lineup for the Hornets, presenting a valuable opportunity for fantasy production. In yesterday’s game against Atlanta, Richards showcased his all-around potential with 30 minutes of action, racking up 12 points, 13 rebounds, two assists, and a block. This strong performance builds upon his already impressive start to the season, where he’s been a force on the boards.
Tonight, against a smaller Miami Heat frontcourt, Richards has a favorable matchup to continue his dominance on the glass. I expect him to grab many boards in this contest, and a double-double is not out of the question.
- DraftKings: $4,000
- FanDuel: $5,300
It was certainly encouraging to see Jovic not only crack the starting lineup for the Heat on opening night but also thrive in his expanded role. Logging 24 minutes, he delivered a solid 15 points, five rebounds, and an assist, showcasing his all-around potential. Even more impressive was his 31% usage rate, indicating the Heat’s willingness to involve him heavily in the offense. This bodes well for him in tonight’s matchup against a Hornets team that, just a year ago, owned the second-worst defensive rating in the league.
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