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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 five-game slate starting at 7:00 ET.
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POINT GUARD
Kyle Lowry – Miami (at Charlotte) - DK: $7,000 / FD: $5,800 / Yahoo: $23
Lowry was rusty after missing nine games for a personal matter, but he is in an excellent position to bounce back tonight. Charlotte ranks as the fourth-most generous opponent for fantasy, playing at the second fastest pace while rebounding at the second-worst rate in the league. The Heat are road favorites here, and because a lot of people are going to be avoiding Lowry based on his one bad game Thursday night, he could be one of the lower rostered values tonight. In the weeks before his absence, he was routinely putting up 35-ish fantasy points per game.
Also Consider: Anfernee Simons, LaMelo Ball, Jrue Holiday, Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul, Kemba Walker
SHOOTING GUARD
Josh Giddey – Oklahoma City (at Sacramento) - DK: $7,600 / FD: $6,500 / Yahoo: $28
DFS loves a matchup between two of the most fantasy-friendly teams. While the game doesn’t have as high a point total as others tonight, the DvP is fantastic up and down the court. The Kings are the league-best SG matchup, while the Thunder are No. 2. Giddey is still developing, but this feels like a case where we should see his upper range. Even though he hasn’t been hitting his three-point shot well recently, he’s been able to exceed 30 fantasy points per game with increased rebounds, assists and steals.
Also Consider: Tyrese Haliburton, Terry Rozier, Tyler Herro, Devin Booker
SMALL FORWARD
CJ Elleby – Portland (vs. Milwaukee) - DK: $3,000 / FD: $3,800 / Yahoo: $10
Portland made big news yesterday trading away its starting forwards. That made way for Elleby to play 27 minutes last night and put up around 22 fantasy points. He’s still minimum salary and likely to be in the same position tonight. Overall, Portland struggled and are likely to do so again tonight in this tough matchup, but if Milwaukee has a defensive weakness, it is at the F positions. This is a case of opportunity trumping overt talent or past results, and it’s enabling me to roster three stars on most sites.
Also Consider: Jimmy Butler, Luguentz Dort, Mikal Bridges
POWER FORWARD
Giannis Antetokounmpo – Milwaukee (at Portland) - DK: $12,100 / FD: $11,400 / Yahoo: $55
Giannis and the Bucks should honestly make quick work of the Trail Blazers. He’s coming off a big triple-double and hasn’t played since Tuesday. Portland ranks 28th in defensive rating and as noted above, are forced to start some inexperienced players in the wake of the trade. Even if he only plays around 30 minutes tonight, I expect Giannis to get at least 50 fantasy points. Anthony Davis is your main competition in the highest tier, and he faces a fairly unfriendly matchup with the Knicks, in a game with a lot less fantasy potential.
Also Consider: Kyle Kuzma, Darius Bazley, Harrison Barnes, Greg Brown
CENTER
Bam Adebayo – Miami (at Charlotte) - DK: $8,900 / FD: $8,700 / Yahoo: $35
Charlotte is a terrible rebounding team, giving up the third-most fantasy points to centers, and Adebayo is about as consistent as it comes. He was outstanding in his first game against the Hornets this season and is playing extremely well right now. He has four big double-doubles in his last five games, with 13 steals in that span. I think Davis or Ayton make for nice GPP plays, and Nurkic is an option with high usage if you need the salary savings, but Adebayo gives the ideal floor/ceiling combo on this slate.
Also Consider: Deandre Ayton, Jusuf Nurkic, Damian Jones
Additional Notes
Greg Brown (F – POR) Rather than Nurkic, I’d prefer to spend the minimum on Brown if I’m targeting the Portland frontcourt. The Trail Blazers are likely to be shorthanded again tonight, and the matchup is a relatively tough one. Brown played 16 minutes last night and managed seven points, three rebounds, a block and a steal. Nothing to get too excited about, but for the minimum, not awful. There’s always the chance an eager young player improves in his second opportunity, with more of a chance to get his head around his new (if temporary) role.
Kemba Walker (PG – NYK) is more of a GPP play and heavier on the risk than reward side, but I am drawn to him tonight. First, LA is a great PG matchup and Alec Burks nor Immanuel Quickley haven’t exactly run away with the job despite Kemba’s struggles. Quickley was the best of the bunch on Wednesday, but this is a carousel that few want to be on. Taking a risk on one of the NY PGs is likely to pay off, and my money is on Walker bouncing back in the spotlight of this historic rivalry.
Damian Jones (C – SAC) just might be surpassing Richaun Holmes in the Kings frontcourt with more minutes and more production. He’s put up 25 and 35 fantasy points in consecutive games, and duh, gets one of the best matchups tonight. I’m all about the cheap value and he fits the bill as your final utility filler.
