The App is Back! Don’t forget to download the NBC Sports EDGE app to receive real-time player news, mobile alerts and track your favorite players. Plus, now you can check out articles and player cards. Get it here!
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 three-game slate starting at 7:00 ET.
Editor’s Note: Dominate daily with our premium DFS Tools that are packed with our lineup optimizer, a salary tracker, projections and much more. And don’t forget to use promo code SAVE10 to get 10% off. Click here to learn more!
POINT GUARD
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander– Oklahoma City (at Cleveland) - DK: $8,600 / FD: $9,000 / Yahoo: $36
Point guard is an adventure today, the way the different sites have them priced varies a lot. For instance, I’m not paying the highest PG salary for Holiday on Yahoo, but the matchup is good enough to take a look at him where he’s basically the cheapest option at FanDuel. My ideal lineup has both SGA and Garland (see below), but it will be a costly backcourt. Gilgeous-Alexander has had his ups and downs, with the ups being in the 60-fantasy point range, over the last couple weeks, but overall he has been averaging about eight more fantasy points per game in January than his season average. He was right at that average mark (41 fantasy points) when the Thunder played the Cavs last week, a close loss for Oklahoma. SGA is a safe bet to hit at least that 40-mark again tonight, and there’s a good chance he stays hot with 50 or more.
Also Consider: De’Aaron Fox (Yahoo), Chris Paul (or Cameron Payne as a cheap flier), Jrue Holiday (FanDuel)
SHOOTING GUARD
Darius Garland – Cleveland (vs. Oklahoma City) - DK: $9,000 (PG) / FD: $8,600 / Yahoo: $34
Garland has been outstanding and it’s not hard to see why his salary has skyrocketed on DraftKings, and to a lesser extent, FanDuel and Yahoo. He was particularly phenomenal against the Thunder last week, as many guards are (27 points, 18 assists). Oklahoma City is the second-best overall fantasy matchup in the league with several great DvP spots, including the two-guard. All three games tonight feature a significant blowout risk, with double-digit spreads across the board. Garland’s minutes are very consistent regardless of the score, and if it is a blowout, you can bet he’ll have played a critical role in getting there.
Also Consider: Devin Booker, Chris Duarte (if Caris LeVert and/or Malcolm Brogdon are out)
SMALL FORWARD
Khris Middleton – Milwaukee (vs. Sacramento) - DK: $8,700 / FD: $8,700 / Yahoo: $35
The Bucks get the next best matchup for fantasy with the Kings, who rank third in overall fantasy points allowed, 27th in defensive rating and 26th in rebounding rate. The matchup, the minutes, and the multi-category production night in and night out make Middleton the safest SF play tonight. I don’t totally mind saving at this position, but if you are building for a high floor, Middleton has been rock solid in the mid-upper 40’s recently.
Also Consider: Buddy Hield, Lauri Markkanen, Terrence Davis, Mikal Bridges, Justin Holiday, Josh Giddey
POWER FORWARD
Marvin Bagley III – Sacramento (at Milwaukee) - DK: $5,400 / FD: $5,700 / Yahoo: $15
Bagley offers some welcome salary relief tonight, and is a player I’d still be considering at higher price points. I can’t help but root for him, because when he’s healthy and getting quality minutes, he really is a talent on the court. That hasn’t happened a ton in his career, but it is right now. Playing about 30 MPG over the last three, Bagley is averaging a double-double with a few blocks for over 35 fantasy points per game. This game has the benefit of being the fastest paced of the slate, with the highest over/under (233.5 points). Sure, the better matchup is for Milwaukee, but the Bucks do allow the sixth-most fantasy points to the power forward position this season. Given that Milwaukee is playing the second half of a back-to-back tonight, I’d give this game the best shot at staying close.
Also Consider: Evan Mobley, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Isaiah Jackson (if Domantas Sabonis is out)
CENTER
Jarrett Allen – Cleveland (vs. Oklahoma City) - DK: $7,600 / FD: $7,600 / Yahoo: $30
Center isn’t very appealing tonight, outside of Allen and Portis. Ideally, you roster them both (see below). Allen is actually playing a bit below his season average lately, not taking as many shots and not getting to the line as often, but he is still more likely to double-double than not. The Thunder rank 24th in rebounding in addition to being one of the best fantasy matchups not just for centers, but overall. Allen may not be a slate-breaker, but he is sure to provide a solid stat line for the price.
Also Consider: Goga Bitadze, Bobby Portis
ADDITIONAL NOTES
Bobby Portis (C – MIL) also gets a great matchup at center, with the Kings being the second-best in the league. He can be slotted in at PF on FanDuel, or in your utility slot on the other sites. I’m finding his salary is just right to fill that last slot with confidence that he’ll get that now trademarkable 32-35 fantasy points for me.
Goga Bitadze (C – IND) would make for a nice value play assuming Sabonis is out again. In the two recent games where he’s played meaningful minutes, he’s put up 33-34 fantasy points on a combination of double-digit scoring, 8-9 rebounds, a few assists and a couple blocks per game. He benefits from Deandre Ayton being out for the Suns, but this is still an unfavorable matchup. Still, if you can’t quite afford to get to Portis, or just want to differentiate yourself, Bitadze is a fine play for little of the cap.
Buddy Hield (G/F – SAC) is in play tonight if Tyrese Haliburton is held out again as he gets back in shape off the COVID list. I’m less enthusiastic if Haliburton plays, but Hield is still worth considering, especially in tournaments. For one, he’s coming off a disastrous effort, and for two, he’s not that cheap. His rostership should be low tonight. Additionally, if his shots are falling, he’s got great upside. He’s attempting 9.2 threes per game, which is the fifth-highest rate in the league. His 3.5 threes made per game is third in the league. There’s going to be some volatility, but in what should be a shooter’s game tonight, I like his upside.
