This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Saturday delivers a four game slate on DraftKings, with the first tipping off at 7:00 PM Eastern time, and headlined by a potential NBA Finals preview between the Lakers and 76ers. Half the teams (Pistons, Thunder, Timberwolves and Bulls) enter the day on a back-to-back, while a handful of players remain questionable. So it will be important to stay on top of the news heading into lock.
Slate Overview
BKN (-2) at DET, O/U 227
This game features the highest total on the slate making it the most appealing from a fantasy perspective. Both teams are middle of the league in points per game (109) and points allowed (111) giving way to plenty of scoring opportunities to be had. Depending on the status of Andre Drummond, Derrick Rose would be the top target from the Detroit side and Kyrie Irving for Brooklyn.
CHI (-1) at CLE, O/U 217
The Bulls are on the road after getting handed a beatdown by the Kings on Friday night where Chicago scored just 81 points. With a multitude of injuries, they will look to weather the storm against a Cavaliers team that has allowed 116 points per game over their last three. So look to Zach LaVine and his 31% usage rate to shoulder the load as usual with Kevin Love and Collin Sexton leading the charge on the other side for Cleveland.
OKC (-1) at MIN, O/U 226
The Thunder get a pace bump here against the Timberwolves. Minnesota is top-10 (104.9) in the league and allow 115 points per game to opponents making Oklahoma City the more attractive fantasy players to target. However the status of Steven Adams could make Karl-Anthony Towns the top play on the slate as the Thunder would have nobody to stop him in the paint.
LAL (-4) at PHI, O/U 217
Despite featuring a bevy of top players, this game has more real-life appeal than fantasy, with both teams at top of the league in points allowed. This doesn't mean a player or two can't find success here, but outside of LeBron James for the Lakers and Ben Simmons for the 76ers there are better plays to be found in other games. Also the Lakers are the best in the NBA against opposing frontcourts making the likes of Tobias Harris and Al Horford less than optimal to roster in your lineups.
Injury Situations to Monitor
Anthony Davis (glute) is questionable for Saturday. He appears to still be dealing with the lingering affects of the fall he took a couple weeks ago. His status should become more clear closer to tipoff.
Andre Drummond (mouth) has missed the last two games and is questionable against Brooklyn. In his absence, Thon Maker and Christian Wood have seen their roles expand significantly. They both would be in a nice spot as the Nets give up 42 fantasy points per game to the center position.
Steven Adams (ankle) was out again Friday due to an ankle sprain. Nerlens Noel drew the start and played 25 minutes but failed to capitalize on a soft matchup vs the Atlanta frontcourt.
DeAndre Jordan (finger) missed his third game but has a chance to return to action against the Pistons on Saturday. While out, Jarrett Allen has seen a slight uptick in minutes.
JaVale McGee (illness) sat out Thursday with Dwight Howard getting the start. He shot an efficient 7-for-10 from the field while grabbing 12 rebounds in only 23 minutes on the court.
Elite Players
LeBron James ($10,400), coming off a triple double in a win vs the Nets on Thursday, has been the one constant for the Lakers all season. With Anthony Davis clearly not at full health, James and his 33% usage rate has put the team on his back nightly and will need to do the same against a stingy 76ers defense that allows only 105 points per game.
Karl-Anthony Towns ($10,000) has slowly been shaking off the rust since missing extended time with a knee injury. He's posted three straight 50+ fantasy point outings and gets to face a team possibly without their best center in Steven Adams. The mismatch would be hard to ignore for Towns, as he would have a field day against the undersized Nerlens Noel should Adams remain unavailable.
Andre Drummond ($9,100) is at his lowest price in over a month. The big man has been out the last two games with a swollen lip, but if he can get back on the court, he would be in a fantastic spot as he dropped 74.5 fantasy points on Brooklyn in their previous meeting. Should he remain sidelined, Christian Wood would stand to benefit tremendously in his absence seeing 25 and 28 minutes in his last two games.
Expected Chalk and Other Targets
Kevin Love ($7,900) has played well recently seeing over 30 minutes per in his last 13 games. He faced this same Bulls team a week ago and had a monster 49.3 fantasy point explosion. The Bulls are in the bottom of the league (48.1%) in rebounding efficiency so the former UCLA product should have no problem shining the glass with ease in this one.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($7,600) has been on fire as of late, averaging close to 40 fantasy points per game over his last seven. He continues to see big minutes and lit up Minnesota for 66.5 fantasy points two weeks ago. The Thunder get a pace bump here as the Timberwolves play at a top-10 pace in the league (104.9). So this should be another opportunity for the elusive guard to get up and down the court at will.
Key Values
Christian Wood ($4,700) has seen his role increase with fellow big man Andre Drummond on the shelf. He should get the bulk of the minutes at center should Drummond remain out, and with his price not changing since his solid 32.5 fantasy point outing vs Memphis, he makes for one of the best value plays on the slate.
Furkan Korkmaz ($4,500) has been playing minutes in the mid-20s and could see a slight uptick with teammate Josh Richardson out for the next couple weeks. He doesn't offer much from a peripheral standpoint, but if he can get hot from three-point land he should have no problem paying off his modest price tag vs a Lakers team that struggles covering the wing.
Reggie Jackson ($4,500) has looked sharp since returning after being out for over a month. While being on a minutes restriction he still has found a way to contribute in all categories, posting 36 and 30 fantasy points in under 25 minutes of court time. He could have his restriction loosened here making him far too cheap considering his recent production.
