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This article aims to highlight some of the best NBA DFS Plays at every position for your cash game lineups. Keep in mind that the following player write-ups were constructed earlier in the day, and sometimes injury/rest situations can alter the fantasy landscape. Monitoring our NBA News & Headlines Feed throughout the day will keep you in the loop while giving you the subsequent DFS consequences of each information piece.
We’ll take a look at Saturday’s 6-game slate starting at 7:00 ET.
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POINT GUARD
Dejounte Murray – San Antonio (vs. Denver) - DK: $9,900 / FD: $9,700 / Yahoo: $43
My first thought was to save here with Tyus Jones, but I quickly realized it was very easy to have both Murray and Jones in tonight’s lineups. Murray and the Spurs just beat the Nuggets Thursday night, by a wider margin and higher total than tonight’s Vegas line indicates. In two games vs. Denver so far this season, Murray is just under his season average so some positive regression is very possible tonight. I prefer Murray to Steph Curry for his high floor. Curry has scored less than 35 fantasy points in three of his last five games, which is simply crushing for his salary. I’d still use Curry in GPPs for his sky-high ceiling, but it’s Murray in cash games.
Also Consider: De’Aaron Fox, Tyus Jones, Steph Curry
SHOOTING GUARD
Desmond Bane – Memphis (vs. Houston) - DK: $7,200 / FD: $6,600 / Yahoo: $21
There’s also enough value on this slate to load up on star guards like LaVine, Mitchell or Beal if you don’t want to roster Nikola Jokic. However, Desmond Bane is equally likely to return a 35-45 fantasy point line as any of the way more expensive options. Plus, instead of facing great defense like Utah or Miami, Bane gets the Rockets, who are the highest-pace team, and give up the second-most overall fantasy points to opponents. This game has the highest over/under by a lot, and the Grizzlies are big favorites.
Also Consider: Desmond Bane, De’Anthony Melton, Tyrese Haliburton, Cedi Osman
SMALL FORWARD
Caleb Martin – Miami (vs. Chicago) - DK: $3,500 / FD: $4,900 / Yahoo: $13 (SG)
As long as Jimmy Butler is out, and DFS sites refuse to raise his salary, Martin is a great value play. He had a bit of a dud vs. Memphis last Monday, but his other two games where he played ~30 MPG were excellent. In addition to double-digit points in all three games, he has four blocks and three steals to go along with reasonable peripherals. Chicago is down a few players, which makes their defensive rating a little less frightening. Even still, the Bulls give up the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing small forwards this season. Anything over 20 fantasy points from Martin is worth it.
Also Consider: Lauri Markkanen, Andrew Wiggins, Terence Davis, Lonnie Walker IV
POWER FORWARD
Jaren Jackson Jr. – Memphis (vs. Houston) - DK: $7,500 / FD: $6,400 / Yahoo: $28
I already noted the plusses of this game, so I’ll just add that Jackson continues to be a very affordable way to fill the PF slot with a high-floor guy, especially on FanDuel. He’s in a groove, scoring a ton (including at least two three-pointers in every game since late November) and collecting enough blocks and steals to boost his fantasy lines. He managed 38 fantasy points the first time these teams met, and his role is arguably bigger now than it was back then.
Also Consider: Marvin Bagley III, Evan Mobley, Draymond Green
CENTER
Jarrett Allen – Cleveland (vs. Sacramento) - DK: $8,300 / FD: $8,500 / Yahoo: $30
It’s very possible to fit Jokic here instead with all the value tonight; I just don’t think you need me to tell you to play Jokic if you can afford it, so I’ll give Allen a plug instead. Allen gets the Kings, and not too much more need be said. Sacramento is playing on the second half of a back-to-back, gives up the most fantasy points to opposing centers, and gives a significant pace bump. They rank 26th in defensive rating and rebounding rate, and give up the fifth-most overall fantasy points. Allen has an eight-game streak with at least one block (it’s usually more) and has double-doubled in seven of those. He’s a model of consistency, with upside in a great matchup.
Also Consider: Nikola Jokic, Nikola Vucevic, Jakob Poeltl, Rudy Gobert
ADDITIONAL NOTES
Marvin Bagley III (PF – SAC) is getting more run with Richaun Holmes out, and his salary is still low enough to take advantage of ($3700 DK, $4400 FD, $10 Yahoo). Now, if you’ve played enough DFS, you’ve been disappointed by Bagley, but he’s looking good right now. With two double-doubles in the last three games, he’s hitting value. The Cavs have a great defensive rating, but they do turn the ball over at the second-highest rate in the league, providing some opportunity for a steal or two to boost any of the Kings’ fantasy lines.
Cedi Osman (F – CLE) was a cheap target for me last night, and he performed as expected. His salary is still super low ($11 Yahoo, $4800 DK, $4900 FD) and the matchup means he’s in play again as a bargain filler. He’s played at least 20 minutes in the Cavs last four games, scoring between 21-28 fantasy points in each.
