Tonight’s six-game slate offers a variety of intriguing options. We have a nice mix of star power and value plays, allowing for diverse roster construction strategies. Whether you’re building around a high-priced stud or spreading the salary cap love with a balanced approach, there’s something for everyone on this Saturday slate.
With game totals ranging from 206.5 to 243, tonight’s matchups offer a diverse range of scoring environments to consider when crafting your lineups.
This primer breaks down the key matchups, highlights the top plays at each position and uncovers some value plays that can help you afford the stars. Let’s dive in and analyze the players that will give you an edge for Saturday’s NBA DFS 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
- DraftKings: $12,200
- FanDuel: $12,400
Nikola Jokic is back in action after welcoming his son into the world. He’s got a juicy matchup to kick off his return against the Los Angeles Lakers, a team he’s historically dominated.
Last season, Jokic faced the Lakers eight times, averaging 28.6 points, 14.6 rebounds and 9.5 assists per game. This historical dominance and the potential for some added motivation after his time off make Jokic an appealing option.
- DraftKings: $11,100
- FanDuel: $11,400
Anthony Davis has been a dominant force for the Los Angeles Lakers, showcasing his elite skills on both ends. He’s been a model of consistency in DFS, racking up at least 50 DraftKings points in eight out of his last nine contests. This impressive streak highlights his ability to contribute with points, rebounds, blocks and steals, making him a valuable asset in any lineup.
Tonight, Davis faces the Denver Nuggets in a game with the second-highest total on the slate at 233. This suggests a fast-paced, high-scoring affair, which should create plenty of opportunities for Davis to shine. Expect him to be aggressive on offense and a force defensively, potentially putting up a monster stat line.
NBA DFS Cash Game Targets
- DraftKings: $9,600
- FanDuel: $9,600
LaMelo Ball has been a key component of the Hornets’ offense, and his recent usage rate makes him an incredibly appealing target. Since November 8, he’s commanded a 38% usage rate, highlighting his importance and involvement in nearly every possession. For a player priced under $10,000, this level of usage is a steal. It translates to more opportunities to score, facilitate and contribute across the board, leading to big fantasy performances.
This is reflected in Ball’s recent production, as he’s logged 45+ DraftKings points in seven out of his last eight games. He’s a dynamic playmaker with exceptional court vision and scoring ability, capable of putting up big numbers. Tonight, Ball faces the Milwaukee Bucks, a team that has shown some defensive vulnerabilities this season.
- DraftKings: $7,800
- FanDuel: $8,100
Jaren Jackson Jr. has been a fantasy force for the Grizzlies, and a large part of his recent success can be attributed to his sky-high usage rate. Since November 8, he’s commanded a 30.6% usage rate, highlighting his importance to the offense and his involvement in nearly every possession. This translates to more shot attempts, more opportunities to score and, ultimately, more fantasy points. It’s no surprise Jackson has been a model of consistency, delivering strong performances night after night.
Tonight, Jackson faces the Chicago Bulls in a game with a massive 243 total, the highest on the slate. This suggests a fast-paced, high-scoring affair, which perfectly suits Jackson’s aggressive style of play.
- DraftKings: $5,400
- FanDuel: $5,800
Andrew Wiggins has a prime opportunity to continue his strong play tonight in a matchup that should feature plenty of possessions and scoring opportunities. The Golden State Warriors rank third in pace of play. The San Antonio Spurs rank eighth since November 7. This suggests a fast-paced, up-tempo game environment. This bodes well for Wiggins, who thrives in transition and can fill up the stat sheet with points, rebounds and assists.
Wiggins is currently riding a hot streak, having scored at least 22 points in three consecutive games. He’s been a key contributor for the Warriors this month, showcasing his scoring prowess and efficiency.
NBA DFS GPP Targets
- DraftKings: $7,100
- FanDuel: $7,400
Desmond Bane stepped up in a major way for the Grizzlies on Wednesday, playing a season-high 34 minutes and delivering a strong performance with 21 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. He commanded a 27.2% usage rate, showcasing his ability to contribute across the board and shoulder a larger offensive load. With Ja Morant doubtful for tonight’s game, expect Bane’s usage to remain high as he takes on an even more prominent role in the offense.
This matchup against the Chicago Bulls is a favorable one for Bane. He already torched them for 30 points on October 28. With the Bulls playing at the fastest pace in the league and ranking 25th in defensive efficiency, he should have plenty of opportunities to score and facilitate.
- DraftKings: $7,200
- FanDuel: $7,000
Coby White is coming off a strong performance where he showcased his all-around ability, racking up 20 points, nine assists and six rebounds. He’s a dynamic guard with the potential to contribute in multiple categories. Tonight, White faces the Memphis Grizzlies, a team playing at the fastest pace in the league since November 8.
This up-tempo style should create more possessions and scoring opportunities for White, who thrives in transition and can get hot from beyond the arc. With this game boasting the highest total on the slate, we should be in for a high-scoring affair.
- DraftKings: $6,700
- FanDuel: $6,600
Jaden Ivey has a prime opportunity to showcase his offensive abilities tonight with Cade Cunningham sidelined for the Detroit Pistons. While the Orlando Magic are a sound defensive team, making this a challenging matchup, Ivey’s increased role and usage should compensate for the tough opponent. Last season, in the 20 games Ivey played without Cunningham, he thrived with a 30% usage rate and averaged an impressive 18.9 points, 5.2 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game.
This historical data suggests Ivey is capable of stepping up and delivering strong performances when given a larger role in the offense. Expect him to be aggressive in looking for his shot and creating for his teammates.
NBA DFS Value Plays
- DraftKings: $4,300
- FanDuel: $5,000
D’Angelo Russell presents an intriguing value option, as his price on DraftKings continues to drop due to his recent move to the bench. Despite coming off the bench, Russell is still seeing consistent minutes, averaging over 20 per game. This provides him with ample opportunity to showcase his dynamic offensive skills and contribute valuable fantasy production. While his role may have changed, Russell’s ability to impact the game remains. He’s a proven scorer and playmaker who can provide instant offense.
- DraftKings: $3,300
- FanDuel: $4,100
Luke Kennard has stepped up for the Grizzlies with their backcourt dealing with injuries. He’s seen an increase in playing time, logging 23+ minutes in three consecutive games, and has made the most of his opportunities. Kennard is a sharpshooter who can light it up from beyond the arc, providing valuable spacing and scoring punch for the Grizzlies. His ability to knock down threes makes him a valuable fantasy asset, especially in favorable matchups.
Tonight, Kennard faces the Chicago Bulls, a team that has struggled defensively, ranking 26th in defensive rating since November 8. Be sure to keep an eye on the Grizzlies’ injury report before tip-off, as any changes to the backcourt rotation could affect Kennard’s playing time.
- DraftKings: $3,600
- FanDuel: $4,100
Tristan Da Silva has stepped up for the Orlando Magic with Paolo Banchero sidelined. He’s started in their last 11 contests, showcasing his potential and earning valuable experience. Over that span, the rookie forward has averaged 7.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 27.5 minutes per game.
Da Silva has impressed with his all-around contributions, demonstrating a willingness to crash the boards, make smart passes and knock down open shots. He’s a versatile player who fits well within the Magic’s system. Da Silva may not have the highest ceiling, but his ability to contribute across multiple categories gives him a solid floor.
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