Stan Son provides his thoughts and insights on DFS options for Saturday’s NBA slate on DraftKings.
There are six NBA games on Saturday’s slate.
BKN is playing the second leg of a back-to-back.
As for injuries, Lonnie Walker IV is probable. Ja Morant, Austin Reaves, PJ Washington, Alex Caruso, Payton Pritchard, Jaylin Williams, Marcus Smart, Alec Burks, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Kai Jones are questionable. Cole Anthony, Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively II, Lonzo Ball are doubtful. Andrew Wiggins, Jake LaRavia, Kyshawn George, Duncan Robinson, Jeff Dowtin Jr. are out.
Keep track of all the pertinent injury updates at DK Live.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, there is one double-digit favorite: BOS -11.5 over SAS. There are three games within 3 points: BKN -1.5 over WAS, CHI -2 over DAL and MEM -1 over LAL. There are three games with a total over 230: DAL/CHI (239.5), LAL/MEM (235) and IND/OKC (238). There are two games below 220: BKN/WAS (219.5) and MIA/PHI (219.5).
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $150K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Josh Giddey, Chicago Bulls vs. Dallas Mavericks ($9,200): Beep. Beep. Beep.
That’s the sound of the Binks truck backing up to load bags of money for delivery to Giddey’s house because he’s going to get paid this offseason. Over the last 13 games, Giddey has put up over 50 FPTS in 10, with five over 60 and a high of 73 FPTS. He’s messed around three times over that span and barely missed racking up a few more triple-doubles. The matchup against Dallas should be very fantasy-friendly, as the Mavericks are seventh in pace and 24th in defensive rating over the last 10 games.
Other Options: Luka Doncic ($11,900), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($10,800), Tyler Herro ($8,300), Spencer Dinwiddie ($6,400), Scotty Pippen Jr. ($6,200) if Ja Morant is out, Payton Pritchard ($6,100)
Value
Davion Mitchell, Miami Heat at Philadelphia 76ers ($4,300): Over the last six games, Mitchell has averaged 34.2 minutes, 12.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.3 steals. That translates into over 20 FPTS in every contest with three over 30 FPTS. His rugged body and dog mentality has won over Eric Spoelstra, and he’s getting the playing time. Philadelphia is 10th in pace and 29th in defensive rating over the last 10 games, so there should be plenty of opportunities to rack up fantasy goodies.
Other Options: Carlton Carrington ($5,000), Brandon Williams ($4,800), Jaden Hardy ($3,800)
Forward
Stud
Coby White, Chicago Bulls vs. Dallas Mavericks ($8,100): It hasn’t just been Giddey who’s been balling out in Chicago. White has put up over 40 FPTS in four straight with a high of 54.75 FPTS. The usage rate has ticked up 3% over that span to 28%. As mentioned in the Giddey section, Dallas is playing fast and eschewing defense.
Other Options: LeBron James ($10,000), Jalen Williams ($8,500), Bam Adebayo ($8,400), Naji Marshall ($7,600), Cameron Johnson ($7,100)
Value
Justin Edwards, Philadelphia 76ers vs. Miami Heat ($5,700): The Edwards career arc is a crazy one, as he was one of the best high school players in the land. The college career was uninspiring and he went undrafted in the 2024 NBA Draft. Edwards signed a two-way contract and was inactive for much of the season, but then injuries decimated the 76ers and Edwards was given a chance, and now he’s thriving. Over the last six games, Edwards has put up over 30 FPTS in all with a high of 44.5 FPTS. Two of those games were against the Thunder and Rockets, both top-10 in defensive rating. The matchup against Miami isn’t great, as the Heat are 29th in pace and 16th in defensive rating, but Edwards is playing a ton of minutes and getting chances to produce.
Other Options: Kevin Huerter ($5,900), Jordan Goodwin ($4,100) if he starts
Center
Stud
Kristaps Porzingis, Boston Celtics at San Antonio Spurs ($8,300): It looks like Porzingis is getting prepared for the playoffs. Despite playing over 30 minutes in only one of the last four games, he’s put up 48, 53 and 53.75 FPTS. He likely won’t play 30 minutes again against the Spurs, as Boston should easily take care of business. That said, without Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio is one of the worst defensive teams in the league and doesn’t possess the length and skill to match up with Porzingis. He should feast in limited minutes once again.
Other Options: Bam Adebayo ($8,400), Nikola Vucevic ($7,500), Isaiah Hartenstein ($6,800), Alex Sarr ($6,600)
Value
Adem Bona, Philadelphia 76ers vs. Miami Heat ($4,600): I’m not a fan of the value at center on this slate, so Bona it is. What a ringing endorsement! Bona is a low-usage player who has only played 19 and 23 minutes over the last two games. I usually hate that type of player, but Bona hustles his butt off and has put up over 22 FPTS in each of the last four games, with two over 30 FPTS.
Other Options: Kel’el Ware ($5,800)
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