It’s Saturday and tonight’s main NBA slate contains eight games. Totals aren’t as high as usual on a slate this size, with the LA Clippers at Minnesota leading with 231.5 points. The fast pace in that game should be good for fantasy tonight. Indiana, Denver and Sacramento get decent pace bumps in their opponents tonight, with Indiana, LA Lakers, Dallas, and LA Clippers all getting Top 10 overall fantasy matchups. There are a lot of questionable players tonight; watch for info on D’Angelo Russell, Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson, Andrew Wiggins, Derrick Rose, Kyle Lowry, Marcus Morris, Draymond Green, Jerami Grant, Paul Millsap, Jordan McRae, Marc Gasol, T.J. Warren and Richaun Holmes. Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Will Barton, Michael Porter and Patrick Beverley are ruled out. In this column, I generally set $6000 FD/$5000 DK as the bargain threshold, and I try to indicate when I think a position is particularly well-suited--or not--to using the cheap plays given the landscape of the particular slate. Tonight’s slate tips at 7:00 pm EST.
Point Guard
Reggie Jackson, Detroit Pistons vs. New York ($6000 FD, $6600 DK)
Sorry to lead with a play that’s fringe bargain at best, and only on FanDuel, but the matchup with New York is such a good one I couldn’t let it slide. Jackson’s price has risen dramatically with his fine play in the absence of Rose – he’s averaging about 33 fantasy points per game over his last four and that includes a big dud in which he went 1-for-16 from the field. His shot volume is one reason to like him, but he also kicks in ample rebounds and assists to boost his bottom line every night.
Jordan McLaughlin, Minnesota Timberwolves vs. LA Clippers ($4100 FD, $4300 DK)
If Russell is not ready to make his Timberwolves debut, I like McLaughlin to make his case again for a regular spot in the backcourt rotation. His last game could be an anomaly, especially if Russell plays tonight, but he showed what he’s capable of in sufficient court time.
T.J. McConnell, Indiana Pacers vs. New Orleans ($3900 FD, $3600 DK)
McConnell’s role off the bench could still be a valuable one tonight, for two reasons. One is that he’s been averaging well over a fantasy point per minute (around 20-plus) over the last few weeks, and second, New Orleans is a great matchup. They play at the third-fastest pace in the league and rank eighth in overall fantasy points allowed (second to PG). He’s going to be helpful in fitting one more star on this slate.
Shooting Guard
Buddy Hield, Sacramento Kings vs. San Antonio ($5400 FD, $5700 DK)
We also have to mention Bogdan Bogdanovic ($5200 FD, $5200 DK) because both guys could be useful tonight. The Spurs play a little faster and are worse defensively than the Kings. They’re a Top 10 matchup for opposing shooting guards, and although Hield can be a frustrating player to roster, he has a pretty high floor for the price and awesome upside. Against the Spurs earlier this season, he was right on his season average of 34 fantasy points. Bogdanovic is coming off back-to-back 23 point games, in which he played 31 and 35 minutes.
Lou Williams, LA Clippers at Minnesota ($5400 FD, $6000 DK)
I think Williams is a near must-play tonight on FanDuel. With Beverley out, he should pick up a lot of the slack and Minnesota is one of the best SG matchups. His last two games haven’t been great, but his numbers vs. the Timberwolves are in line with his season average, about 32, and he’s as close of a lock as it gets for double-digit points. Landry Shamet ($4400 both) should also be considered with Beverley out tonight, though his output is a lot more variable.
Josh Hart, New Orleans Pelicans at Indiana ($5000 FD, $5400 DK)
The Pelicans are without Ingram tonight, and now that Williamson is being called a game-time decision, Hart’s usage could be way up. He’s the guy that generally benefits from injuries on the wing, so for the price, and given the relatively high total (227.5 points) and narrow spread (Pacers minus-2), this looks like a great spot for Hart.
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Small Forward
Mikal Bridges, Phoenix Suns vs. Denver ($4900 FD, $5100 DK)
There are some low-lights in Bridges’ season, especially given the minutes he plays, but there are plenty of highlights too. He’s averaging over 30 MPG and about 30 fantasy points per game in his last four. He has a six-game streak with at least one block, and two four-steal games in that span. He’s scored double-digit points in each of his last three games, so while the matchup isn’t ideal on paper, I like him to put together another complete game’s stat sheet here in what Vegas has as a pretty competitive game (Nuggets minus-3).
Joe Harris, Brooklyn Nets at Toronto ($5200 FD, $5100 DK)
Harris is on fire right now, and on the season has played a little bit better on the road and a little bit better vs. Toronto. The Raptors are decent home favorites, but could come up short on the back-to-back. Caris LaVert ($5300 FD, $6300 DK) is coming off two great games, but is harder to trust. Is he really back? Are his minutes going to stay so high? Maybe a little of both is in order tonight, given that the Raptors have been a good forward matchup for fantasy without Kawhi Leonard.
Power Forward
Nemanja Bjelica, Sacramento Kings vs. San Antonio ($5200 FD, $5500 DK)
With Holmes doubtful, Bjelica immediately gains more interest as the only big body in the frontcourt. He’s played decently all season but has a solid shot at a 40-plus fantasy point game tonight in a game I keep circling back to…
Derrick Favors, New Orleans Pelicans at Indiana ($5200 FD, $5000 DK)
In addition to Hart, Favors would benefit most if Williamson joins the doubtful Ingram on the sidelines tonight. He’s a near lock for a small double-double, and against the Pacers earlier this year, before Zion, put on a 36-fantasy point performance.
Center
Thon Maker, Detroit Pistons vs. New York ($4100 FD, $3300 DK)
Maker posted his best game in a long, long time in the wake of Andre Drummond’s departure Friday night. In 33 minutes, he poured in 19 points, seven rebounds and two assists for a fantasy point per minute. Can he sustain that level of production? It of course remains to be seen, but while he’s this cheap with no real competition, you have to take advantage of his DraftKings salary tonight.
Marquess Chriss, Golden State Warriors vs. LA Lakers ($5100 FD, $5500 DK)
If Green misses tonight’s game, Chriss would be a popular play and deservedly so. The Lakers are a great defensive team, but it’s just Chriss, Eric Paschall and Kevon Looney in the frontcourt, so Chriss is pretty much guaranteed the minutes he needs to exceed 25 fantasy points.
