NBA DFS is back on Saturday with a five-game main-slate that tips off at 8:00 pm/EST with the Golden State Warriors vs the Charlotte Hornets! Other games on the slate include:
- Miami Heat vs Los Angles Lakers – 8:30pm/EST
- Sacramento Kings vs Chicago Bulls – 9:00pm/EST
- Phoenix Suns vs Memphis Grizzlies – 9:00pm/EST
- Washington Wizards vs Portland Trail Blazers – 10:00pm/EST
These medium size slates are my personal favorites to play on for NBA DFS. The 5-8 game range gives the the opportunity to find value while also keying in on your stud players. We’re going to dive into those five games and find the best top-guys to play, as well as finding you some good values to put into your lineups too!
Let’s get started!
NBA DFS: Top Guards
Highly Priced
Damian Lillard | PG | Portland Trail Blazers – $10,600
242. That is the projected point total for Saturday night’s matchup between the Wizards and Trail Blazers. That’s a monster total, so don’t be too surprised if you see multiple players from each team appearing in this article.
We’re going to start with Damian Lillard.
The point guard is priced up, actually to his highest price point of the season. It is rightfully so, too. Lillard has been playing lights out basketball as of late, during the absence of teammate, C.J. McCollum. He has a double-double in three straight, and has been contributing in the blocks and steals department as well.
He’s scored 34, 31 and 43 actual points during that run, and has been putting up a ton of shots from the arch while doing so. Over those three games, Lillard has a total of 41 three point attempts, making 17 of them along the way.
With fantasy point totals of 57.75, 61.25 and most recently a 79 showing, the guy is on absolute fire. His price is way up there, but he’s playing a fast-paced Wizards team who are going to want to win this game. Start Lillard. His ownership may be down some due to his price tag.
Other targets: Lebron James: $10,200 | Bradley Beal: $9,900 | Zach Lavine: $9,200
Mid-Range Price
De’Aaron Fox | PG | Sacramento Kings – $8,000
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If there is one thing I love in NBA DFS it is when a good player’s price comes down. Kings’ point guard De’Aaron Fox checks that box for Saturday. Fox’s price tag is down $500 from $8,500 to $8,000, despite playing pretty good basketball as of late.
In his last game against the Miami Heat, Fox only recorded 11 real-life points, but still managed to finish the game with 32.5 fantasy points. He did so by contributing all over the stat sheet including rebounds, assists and steals.
Fox has been shooting just under .500 from the floor over his last four games, but has got cold from three point land, making just 5-24 over that span.
It’s hard to predict where his ownership will be at considering his price is down, but his three-pointer is also off too. The Kings play fast basketball and his minutes are always a lock for 32-plus. I’m playing him with confidence on Saturday, and you should too.
Other targets: Terry Rozier: $7,900 | Chris Paul: $7,800 | Ja Morant: $7,700 | Tyler Herro: $6,300
Value Play
Alex Caruso | PG/SG | Los Angles Lakers – $3,900
Alex Caruso isn’t necessarily a great NBA DFS player, but the opportunity is there for him on Saturday. Usual starting point guard, Dennis Schroder has already been ruled out for his second consecutive game due to the league’s health and safety protocols.
It’s not yet clear if the Lakers will slide Lebron James into the starting PG spot, however I find it unlikely with Anthony Davis missing out of the front court already. Caruso got the start for Schroder on Thursday night, but only shot 20 percent from the field.
He is not going to give you huge numbers, but he comes with a price tag that is only $900 over the minimum salary so he doesn’t have to in order to hit value.
NBA DFS: Forwards
Highly Priced Play
Jimmy Butler | SF | Miami Heat – $8,900
Miami Heat small forward, Jimmy Butler has been a man among boys on the court lately. Over his last three games, he’s scored 65, 53 and 50 fantasy points. In all three games, he had a triple-double.
He’s contributing in the rebound, assist and scoring categories and now get’s a matchup with a banged up Lakers team that is missing Anthony Davis. Having already recorded double digit boards in three straight, Butler is already warmed up.
His ownership is likely to be relatively high, so get some contrarian plays in your roster at other positions, but start Butler with all the confidence against King James and company.
Other targets:
Mid-Range Price
Kelly Oubre Jr. | SF/PF | Golden State Warriors
After a slow start to the NBA DFS season, you can now feel a little bit better when rostering Kelly Oubre Jr. of the Golden State Warriors. Over his last two games, Oubre is shooting just over .500 from both the floor and from beyond the arch.
He scored 26 and 23 real-life points in those two games and has been playing a rather hefty amount of minutes. Without A.D. in the Lakers lineup, Oubre played 36 and 44 minutes respectively. His cost is up to $6,800, but it is still a bit too cheap even at that price.
For the month, Oubre is averaging 19.9 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.2 steals while shooting 48.7 percent from the field and 46.7 percent from distance. Davis will be out on Saturday, and KOJ should be in your lineup.
Other targets: Robert Covington: $6,200 | Thaddeus Young: $6,000| Marvin Bagley III: $5,400
Value Plays
Nemanja Bjelica | PF/C | Sacramento Kings – $4,700
There is a caveat to this play and that caveat is that Bjelica is only a play if he ends up with the start again. As of this writing, (Friday night) Glenn Robinson III, Harrison Barnes and Richaun Holmes are all listed as questionable.
It’s currently unknown if any or all will miss, but if Bjelica finds himself in the starting five as he did on Thursday, he makes for a good play.
During his start against the Heat last week, Bjelica was 11-21 from the floor, 2-9 from three, had eight boards, three assists and two steals. He finished the game with 43.5 fantasy points while playing 35 minutes. His price increased $900, but at $4.7k he still makes for a good value.
Other targets: Talen Horton-Tucker: $3,600
NBA DFS: Center
Highly Priced Play
Bam Adebayo | C | Miami Heat – $8,600
I love me some Bam Adebayo. I especially love him against a Lakers team that doesn’t have Davis. Over his last three games, Adebayo has scored 58.5, 43.25 and 48.5 fantasy points in each respective game.
Against the Kings on Thursday, Adebayo recorded a triple-double. He’s also shot .800, .625 and .462 from the floor and had double-digit rebounds in two of those games.
He’ll have plenty of opportunity for more boards on Saturday and combined with Butler, will look to defeat Lebron on their trip to the west coast. He’s going to play his normal 30-plus minutes, barring a blowout. If you can fit him into your roster, you should do it.
His ownership will probably be high, since there are no other top options at the position on the slate.
Other targets:
Mid-Range Price
Enes Kantar | C | Portland Trail Blazers – $6,900
Going back to the Washington/Portland game that has an over/under of 242, we are going to target Trail Blazers center, Enes Kantar.
Kantar is technically the only center healthy as Jusef Nurik, Harry Giles III and Zach Collins are all out on Saturday. Robert Covington has been playing back up center, however Kantar should get a majority of the minutes at the position.
Kantar let everyone who played him down on Wednesday, putting up just 17.5 fantasy points. We should look for him to bounce back though, and he has a good matchup opposite of Rui Hachimura, Moritz Wagner, Alex Len and Robin Lopez.
Other targets: DeAndre Ayton: $6,800
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