We have an intriguing six-game slate on tap for Saturday, and I'll combine RotoWire's world-class NBA projections and our customizable NBA DFS optimizer to provide you with an excellent set of options for DraftKings' wide array of contests.
SLATE OVERVIEW
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INJURIES
For all the latest updates, visit RotoWire's NBA Injury News page and our comprehensive NBA Injury Report. Below are some of the most recent and relevant injuries for Saturday. Keep in mind that this is not a complete list. Use your best judgment when evaluating ongoing injury scenarios elsewhere on the slate.
WAS Alex Sarr (thigh) - OUT
WAS Khris Middleton (illness) - QUESTIONABLE
There are several injuries on the Wizards' roster at the moment, but the only pivot I am looking at with any confidence is Marvin Bagley ($5,200).
GSW Stephen Curry (quad) - OUT
GSW Jimmy Butler (knee) - QUESTIONABLE
GSW Draymond Green (foot) - QUESTIONABLE
Green will probably try to play with his injury, so we should still consider Brandin Podziemski ($6,600) the best pivot for this squad. A Butler absence would complicate things, but Pat Spencer ($3,900) is finally getting into a groove. I'm compelled to pass on this scenario.
CLE Jarrett Allen (finger) - OUT
CLE Darius Garland (toe) - QUESTIONABLE
Garland could return, but we still have to keep Evan Mobley ($8,600) in mind while Allen is out. Jaylon Tyson ($6,000) is getting expensive, but he's played well in a fill-in capacity.
MIL AJ Green (shoulder) - QUESTIONABLE
MIL Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) - OUT
I doubt we will see Green unless there's a drastic improvement. More pressure will be on Kyle Kuzma ($5,000) to perform in this spot, and we'll probably see some movement for Gary Trent ($4,100) if Green is out.
MIA Tyler Herro (toe) - DOUBTFUL
A scratch from Herro isn't etched in stone, but you should funnel more usage to the other starters if he is absent.
HOU Alperen Sengun (illness) - QUESTIONABLE
Steven Adams ($3,800) would start against the Mavericks if Sengun can't make it, but I'll be looking at some other Rockets shortly.
ELITE PLAYERS
We have two healthy players above $10k today. Should we play either of them? Jalen Johnson ($10,200) has a great matchup, but his usage might dip in a blowout scenario. Cade Cunningham ($10,500) has faced Milwaukee twice and produced one good result, and Johnson had one of his worst totals of the season against the Wizards. Overall, I'm not thrilled with either player.
We already mentioned Mobley in the $9k range, and I'll also buy up on Anthony Edwards ($9,800) based on strong results against the Kings and recent recency. We have eight players in the $8k tier, and we have a mix-and-match situation between Kevin Durant ($8,100) and Amen Thompson ($8,000). I think either player works fine against the Bucks, but Durant has a slight edge due to a great result earlier in the season against the Bucks and a better recent floor.
Also consider: Donovan Mitchell, CLE ($9,400) vs. GSW, Kawhi Leonard, LAC ($8,100) @ MIN
EXPECTED CHALK AND VALUE PLAYS
There's an interesting trend with tonight's slate. Poor backcourt salaries aren't generating a lack of viable guard value tonight, so a lot of our recommendations are in the frontcourt. I've tried to redeem myself by sticking in a couple of guard options, but it only proves that looking at guys like Edwards, Thompson and Mitchell might be the way to go tonight.
Bam Adebayo, MIA ($7,700) vs. SAC
Regular readers of our DFS columns may think that I'm going to Adebayo too often, but you have to take a guy like this when he's below $8,000. He may cross that threshold very soon, but he should be the glue that holds the team together if Herro is still sidelined. The floor can't be beat, and he's almost always going to give you a jump with good rebound and block numbers.
DeMar DeRozan, SAC ($6,400) @ MIA
Zach LaVine's floor can't be trusted right now, but DeRozan has established a flip-flop pattern where he alternates between mediocre and value-beating numbers. After a blah game against Houston, it's time for the pendulum to swing back against the Heat. The Heat are a different team without Herro directing the offense, and I like this pick even better if he remains out. I'm also fine with Russell Westbrook ($7,400) in this game.
Kyshawn George, WAS ($6,700) vs. ATL
Washington has injuries up and down the roster, and I predict George will be a significant offensive catalyst in this game. George was a DNP in the Wizards' only game against Atlanta, so George's participation will be a new experience for the Hawks. The home crowd presents a slight advantage.
Naz Reid, MIN ($5,900) vs. LAC
While it makes a lot of sense to go with other Minnesota standouts, Reid's lower salary caught my eye. Upon a bit of exploration, I see a window where the Timberwolves might look to change the pace while tackling Ivica Zubac and John Collins. Morale is also a little low with the Clippers right now, and they're still getting clobbered in the press about Chris Paul's release.
Jabari Smith, HOU ($5,700) @ DAL
I am good with opting for Smith if Sengun is out, and I would only stack him with Durant/Thompson unless this game script is in effect. Although Smith has independent value, my better Houston choices could rob him of the production I need, and it'll be a significant drop if Sengun is in.
Bobby Portis, MIL ($5,300) @ DET
Portis will come off the bench against Detroit, and although some other aspects of Milwaukee's gameplay have done reasonably well without Giannis in the lineup, Portis has been the historic fill-in for the All-Star, and he'll power the second unit while serving that role. While higher Milwaukee salaries may not be able to provide consistency, Portis is cheap enough to be viable against the Pistons.
Also consider: Cooper Flagg, DAL ($7,100) vs. HOU
