Zach Thompson dives into tonight’s NBA four-game main slate to find three players you need to have in your DraftKings lineups.
The NBA gets in on the hoops hysteria this Saturday night with a four-game slate on DraftKings. While there are still some very important players to watch for on the NBA Injury Report who will help shape the slate, there are three players that stand out as NBA must-starts based on their matchup, expected workload and recent form. While it’s always important to pivot as late news breaks, these three players are strong core pieces to build around on Saturday’s slate
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $100K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st]
PF/C Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks at Miami Heat, $12,400
Giannis is the most expensive player on the slate by a wide margin, but also brings the highest ceiling and greatest slate-breaking potential as he takes on the Heat in Miami. I normally don’t consider anyone this expensive as one of my must-starts, but this slate is loaded with value options and short on pay-up pieces you can count on. He has also shown a remarkably high ceiling while carrying the load for the Bucks while Damian Lillard (calf) has been out.
On Thursday, Antetokounmpo became the first player in NBA history with 35 points, 20 assists and 15 rebounds in a game — he racked up 35 points, 20 assists, 17 rebounds and two steals for 94.25 fantasy points in the Bucks’ victory over the Sixers.
That was an amazing performance, but it wasn’t really that much of an outlier. Antetokounmpo also had a double-double with 10 assists against the Suns on Tuesday on his way to 69.25 fantasy points and has notched at least 49 fantasy points in six straight.
Against the Heat the season, Giannis had 25 points, 12 rebounds and 53 fantasy points followed by 23 points, 16 rebounds and 58 fantasy points.
There are lots of places to save on Saturday’s slate, but not very many to pay up and get this type of solid floor and very high ceiling.
PG Davion Mitchell, Miami Heat vs. Milwaukee Bucks, $4,800
On the other side of that Eastern Conference matchup is another one of my NBA must-starts for this Saturday. Mitchell has been excellent since joining the Heat at the trade deadline and has grown into a solid contributor to the offense in addition to his typical defensive contributions.
He has come off the bench in each of the last 11 games for Miami but is playing starter minutes at 33.0 per game. He has scored double-digit points in nine of those 11 games, with at least 11 points in eight of his last nine. He’s also been creating on offense with at least seven assists in five of his last six games. He has at least 29 fantasy points in five of those contests as well with a high point of 35.5 fantasy points against the Celtics on Wednesday.
Mitchell would be a very solid play on Saturday against the Bucks even if Tyler Herro ($9,000; thigh) was not questionable. If Herro is out or plays through the injury at less than 100%, Mitchell has an even higher ceiling with more work coming his way.
C Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies at Detroit Pistons, $4,700
Since the Grizzlies made a coaching change, Edey has been getting more consistent minutes and turned in some big games. The fact that he’s still under $5,000 makes him a one of Saturday’s must-starts and a great way to anchor your lineup at center or the utility spot.
Edey has re-entered the starting lineup for each of Memphis’s last four games. He played over 26 minutes in three of those games, earning a double-double for 39.75 fantasy points against the Lakers, a double-double for 40 fantasy points against the Warriors, and a solid 26.25 fantasy points against the Heat. In Miami, he had the rebounds for a double-double but only took three field goal attempts on his way to eight points.
In this favorable game environment, Edey has a very high ceiling with the potential for a big double-double against Jalen Duren ($7,300) in what should be a very fun matchup between young big men in the Motor City.
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