On Saturday night on DraftKings, the NBA has four games set for the main slate, which tips off at 6:00 p.m. ET when the Hornets welcome in the Timberwolves. The latest and earliest games of the day are left off the main slate, but there are still eight teams in the player pool, giving everyone plenty of options to consider. Of the eight teams in action, the Pacers and Celtics are the only teams playing for the second night in a row, as both teams come home to finish their back-to-back sets.
Let’s dive into some of the top plays on the slate using the FantasyLabs tools and projections.
Also, don’t forget that for large-field tournaments, you can utilize our Lineup Optimizer to effortlessly create up to 300 lineups or use our Lineup Builder if you like to hand-build your lineups.
You can also use our SimLabs Lineup Generator, a tool that creates the most user-friendly lineup generation process.
Note: Projections and Leverage Scores/Ratings may change throughout the day after this article is posted. The NBA DFS landscape changes quickly.
Consult the NBA Player Models directly for any updates as we get closer to lock.
NBA DFS Point Guard Picks
Stud
Let’s start right off the bat with the biggest question mark of the night. LaMelo Ball is questionable with an ankle injury, but if he plays, he will be one of the biggest studs on the board. He can carry a huge workload and totally go off and dominate the slate at the top of his game.
Ball has the highest ceiling, median, and floor projections at point guard, and he has had two monster games this season, exceeding salary-based expectations. He had 17 points and 13 assists in his most recent game on Thursday, finishing with 49.75 DraftKings points. He has at least 45 DraftKings points in four straight games, and showed off his ceiling last Sunday with 38 points, 13 boards, 13 assists, and 84.8 DraftKings points.
If he’s healthy, Ball will get a good matchup against Minnesota, which won’t have star guard Anthony Edwards. For cash games, he might be too risky to spend up on, but for GPP contests, his ceiling is worth his salary.
Value
On the other side of that early game, Mike Conley has the highest Plus/Minus projection of all point guards on Saturday.
Conley was only getting a few minutes of playing time in the first few games of the season, but he has stepped up with 24.2 and 32 DraftKings points in his last two games with Edwards out. He exceeded salary-based expectations in both of those matchups, and he should be lined up for more work again on Saturday against the Hornets.
In each of his last three games, Conley has played over 24 minutes, and the veteran has shown that he can still contribute in multiple categories. The Timberwolves have dropped both of those games, but Conley’s production makes him a good fantasy play.
Fast Break
The Warriors continue to run their offense through Stephen Curry, and he should be able to thrive against the up-tempo Pacers on Saturday. The veteran is a more affordable and consistent producer than Ball, and he already has games of 42 points against the Trail Blazers and 35 points against the Nuggets in up-tempo environments similar to Saturday’s.
The Pacers are extremely shorthanded (more details later), which has opened up plenty of playing time for RayJ Dennis, who has the highest Projected Plus/Minus of all point guards in the ShotQuality projections for Saturday. Dennis had back-to-back games with over 30 DraftKings points before cooling off on Friday with only 23.75 DraftKings points. His salary has climbed to where he isn’t a bargain anymore, but he still brings good value upside against Steph and the Warriors.
Wizards rookie Tre Johnson has a top-five Plus/Minus projection at both point guard and shooting guard in the FantasyLabs projections. Johnson has scored at least 10 points in each of his five games this season and is averaging 23.4 fantasy points in 27 minutes per game off the bench. The No. 6 overall pick in last year’s draft was a great scorer throughout his college career at Texas, and he continues to provide nice value off the bench in D.C.
Don’t forget to check out our NBA SimLabs Lineup Generator to create advanced DFS lineups using the power of simulation:
NBA DFS Shooting Guard Picks
Stud
Jimmy Butler has the highest median, ceiling, and floor projections in both the ShotQuality and the FantasyLabs projections at shooting guard. Butler and the Warriors are in a good spot against the fast-paced but shorthanded Pacers, so he should be able to deliver if you can afford to pay up for his high ceiling.
Butler has averaged 21.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 37.8 DraftKings points in 33 minutes per game. He’s had over 40 DraftKings points in three of his six games this season, including his most recent game on Thursday in Milwaukee. He had 45 DraftKings points with 23 points, 11 boards, and his first double-double of the season in that game, and he will look to stay hot on Saturday against the Pacers.
While he brings a high ceiling, he also has a high floor since he contributes in multiple categories and has scored at least 20 points in all but one of his six games this season.
Value
In both the FantasyLabs and ShotQuality projections, Quenton Jackson has the highest Plus/Minus projection at shooting guard and the second-highest at small forward. Jackson has a big opportunity to step up for the Pacers since the team has been without Andrew Nembhard (shoulder), T.J. McConnell (hamstring), Opi Toppin (foot), and Bennedict Mathurin (toe), along with Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) in the early part of the season. While the injury report hasn’t come out for Saturday, they’re not expected to get any of those players back, leaving Jackson with a chance to contribute.
The 27-year-old missed the first two games of the season with a hamstring injury, but he has stepped right into a big role since returning. He moved into the starting lineup on Friday and went off for 15 points, four rebounds, four assists, and 29.5 DraftKings points in 22 minutes against the Hawks.
As long as he’s ready to roll for the second game of the back-to-back, he’ll likely continue to get more playing time as he ramps up to full speed. The two-way guard can help provide scoring and chip in assists and rebounds, giving him a very high ceiling from under $4,000.
Fast Break
If you can’t quite pay up for Butler, Desmond Bane is a slightly cheaper alternative. Bane and the Magic are in a great matchup against the Wizards and have the highest implied team total on the slate (122.75), and the game has the highest total as well (236.5). Bane has the second-highest median, ceiling, and floor projections at shooting guard. In his first six games with Orlando, Bane has been consistent with at least 21 DraftKings points in each of his six games, averaging 16.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 27.5 fantasy points per game.
Bane’s teammate, Anthony Black, is another solid option at guard in the same favorable spot. He has stepped up with two huge games when Jalen Suggs (injury management) has sat out. Black had 20 points and 32.2 DraftKings points on Thursday and has over 23 DraftKings points in three of his last four. Even with Suggs back in the mix, Black should stay involved enough to be a solid value on Saturday.
If you need a punt play at shooting guard, Jaylen Clark (calf) is questionable and has missed the last two games. If he’s ready to return, though, he’ll be a very strong play since he’ll help pick up the work vacated by Edwards’ injury. If Clark is out again, Terrence Shannon Jr. will keep getting more time and opportunities, although he’s not as much of a bargain as Clark.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
The Celtics have been leaning on Jaylen Brown in the early going this season without Jayson Tatum (Achilles) available. Brown has the highest median and ceiling projection of all small forwards, as the Celtics come home to host the Rockets.
Brown is coming off a 32-point game on Friday night against the Sixers, when he racked up 48.25 DraftKings points and exceeded salary-based expectations for the third time in his last four games. His usage has climbed from 29.2% last season to 33.0% this season so far, while he is averaging 18 field goal attempts per game. He has turned those opportunities into 26.8 points per game this season, with at least 30 points in three of his last four games. He’s also averaging 5.2 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 0.5 steals per game for 42 DraftKings points per contest.
The Rockets have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points per game to small forwards this season, which sets up another big game for Brown as the centerpiece of the offense.
Value
Timberwolves small forward Jaden McDaniels has the highest Projected Plus/Minus of all players on the entire slate in the FantasyLabs projections and the second-highest behind only Jackson in the ShotQuality projections.
McDaniels has stepped up in the last two games without Edwards. He had 25 points and 37.75 DraftKings points in 36 minutes against the Nuggets, and he followed that up with 30 points, seven rebounds, and 42.75 DraftKings points in 41 minutes in Wednesday’s loss to the Lakers.
With more work still available while Edwards is out, McDaniels has both a high ceiling and a high floor as a mid-range value play in a favorable matchup against the Hornets.
Fast Break
Magic forward Franz Wagner has scored 20+ points in five of his six games and has at least 34 DraftKings points in those five games as well. He hasn’t gone off for any monster games, but his consistent production is enough to make him an attractive play in a good matchup against the Wizards.
Kon Knueppel has started the last three games for the Hornets since Brandon Miller (shoulder) has been sidelined. The rookie had 34 and 32.8 DraftKings points in the first two of those games, but he struggled with just 8.8 DraftKings points on Thursday. Even though the Timberwolves are usually solid against small forwards, he has a good chance of bouncing back at home on Saturday night.
Clark and Jackson are both eligible at small forward as well, but if you need another bargain option, Tari Eason has stepped up in his last two games, scoring 22 points against the Nets and 14 points against the Raptors in his two most recent games.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
In their great matchup against the Wizards, Paolo Banchero has the highest median, ceiling, and floor projections at power forward. Banchero has a 28.0% usage rate through his first six games and is producing 43.7 DraftKings points in 35.3 minutes per contest.
He’s coming off 20 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists in 33 minutes on Thursday, which helped the Magic snap a four-game skid on the second night of a back-to-back in Charlotte. Banchero finished with 49.2 DraftKings points in that game and has over 49 DraftKings points in each of his last three contests.
He still hasn’t been extremely efficient, but his volume and non-scoring numbers have made up for it, and in such a smash spot, he’s a great cornerstone to build around on Saturday night.
Value
In the ShotQuality projections, Jarace Walker has the highest Projected Plus/Minus of all power forwards, and the third-year forward has a huge opportunity to continue to step up for the shorthanded Pacers.
Walker has played at least 25 minutes in each Pacers game this season, producing 12.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in 29 minutes per game.
On Wednesday, he got his first start of the season and responded with a career-high 20 points, six rebounds, and five assists in 36 minutes during a close loss to Dallas. He only played 28 minutes in a blowout loss on Friday, but as long as he is ready to roll on the second night of the back-to-back, he should be a good option in Saturday’s home game against the Warriors.
Fast Break
Pascal Siakam is the focus of the Pacers’ offense with so many players out, and he has an extremely high ceiling if his team can keep the game close. He had two games with over 50 DraftKings points earlier this week, but only had 31.75 DraftKings points on Friday. He’s priced up to the point where he has to have a huge game to be worth paying up for, and his matchup isn’t quite as juicy as Banchero’s on Saturday night.
Josh Minott has started three games for the Celtics and was a great value in the first two of those starts, producing 32.25 and 41.5 DraftKings points against the Pelicans and Cavaliers. He cooled off with only 15.5 DraftKings points on Friday in Philly, but that should help keep his ownership down for Saturday’s contest against the Rockets.
If you want to go ultra-cheap at power forward, Tristan da Silva has the highest Projected Plus/Minus of the forwards under $4,000 in both sets of projections. He has exceeded salary-based expectations in five of his six games this season.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
While Alperen Sengun has the highest median, floor, and ceiling projections in both the FantasyLabs and ShotQuality projections, he has a negative Plus/Minus projection that indicates he’s overpriced. Instead, I prefer to build around Alex Sarr, who has started out the season very impressively for the Wizards and comes at a much more affordable DraftKings salary under $7,000.
Sarr has the second-highest ceiling, median, and floor projections at the position and has exceeded salary-based expectations in three of his five games this season. He had his best game of the year last Tuesday in an overtime loss to the 76ers. He finished that game with 31 points, 11 boards, five assists, two steals, two blocks, and 60.8 DraftKings points in 34 minutes.
On Thursday, he was in a tougher matchup against the Thunder, but he still contributed 32.5 DraftKings points with another well-balanced line.
Sarr brings a high ceiling at a mid-range salary and makes a lot of sense on Saturday as his Wizards host Banchero and the Magic.
Value
In the ShotQuality projections, Wendell Carter Jr.has the highest Plus/Minus projection at center. He has been boom or bust this season depending on the matchup, but he does bring very good upside against Sarr and the Wizards, who struggle defending basically every position, but especially center.
Carter had 18 points, eight boards, and 35.5 DraftKings points on Thursday against Charlotte and has done enough to exceed salary-based expectations in four of his last five games. His down game came on the front end of the back-to-back when the Magic were managing his minutes carefully.
Fast Break
The Pacers have been starting Isaiah Jackson at center, and he’s been slowly increasing his minutes as he recovers from his own injuries. He had nine points and 11 rebounds for 25.75 DraftKings points on Friday night, and if he’s able to play 25+ minutes again on Saturday, he would be a good value against the Warriors. He has the second-highest Plus/Minus projection in both sets of projections.
Another potential value play under $5,000 is rookie Ryan Kalkbrenner of the Hornets. He has the third-highest Plus/Minus projection at center in the FantasyLabs projections. He has exceeded salary-based expectations in four of his five games this season and is coming off a career-high 17 points and 32.25 DraftKings points on Thursday against the Magic.
