Saturday Night NBA DFS features a star-studded roster this weekend. Two of the biggest names in fantasy basketball will be in action. Let’s take a look at the NBA DFS search and make some fantasy basketball picks, as we prepare for the six-game main slate that begins at 7 p.m. ET.
Define your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $300,000 fade [$100K to 1st]
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Guard
Studs
Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks has Detroit Pistons$12,200 — There are two DraftKings NBA DFS stars on this list. Both are playing against bad teams. A difficult decision must be made: Doncic or Nikola Jokic. The simplest solution is to embrace the breakouts and ease them both. Good luck with that. Fading Jokic is reasonable, but not Donic. For dramatic effect, here is Doncic’s DKFP game log going back to February 12: 71.25, 54.25, 77.75, 56, 87.25, 74.25, 73.5, 71.75, 72 and 73.25 DKFP. That’s a lot of seventies. NOTE: It is doubtful Doncic will play Saturday. For up-to-the-minute news, analysis and lineups, download the DK Live app. You can also follow the DK network on Twitter @DKNetwork.
Klay Thompson, Warriors of the Golden State against. San Antonio Spurs$6,300 — Is Doncic too expensive? No. Could Thompson be a better points-per-dollar pick that fits into a stronger DraftKings lineup? Yes. It’s a fast-paced game and the Spurs are playing terrible defense. The biggest storyline is that Stephen Curry is out. The timing is perfect for Thompson to return to his former status. He made 21 shots and scored 35.75 DKFP in 28 minutes on Thursday. All of these numbers should increase significantly given his role and Saturday’s game.
Value
Malaki Branham, San Antonio Spurs vs. Golden State Warriors, $4,400 — Over the last nine games, Branham has returned 5x value in seven of those games. Both failures were due to playing less than 20 minutes. Playing time is no longer a problem. Branham is approaching 30 minutes per game and he has a 25% usage rate for the Spurs’ speedy second unit. He has fantastic scores of 34, 25.75 and 35.25 DKFP in the last three games.
Before
Studs
Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics has Phoenix Suns$9,300 — So much for the “MVP” speech. Tatum scored 15 points in the Celtics’ loss to the defending champions on Thursday. In the postgame interview, he resigned himself to the fact that he might not be the best player in the NBA. He told reporters he wouldn’t hijack a game on national television to improve his stats. It’s the correct answer, but the fact that he considered it is attractive. During one of the biggest games of the Celtics season, that thought crossed his mind. He planned to grab the ball and put on a show. These are the thoughts of high-potential DraftKings tournament picks. This idea is still on Tatum’s mind. After a terrible performance on Thursday, Tatum could be looking for redemption. He’s not the type of player to give up trying to prove himself.
Value
Keldon Johnson, San Antonio Spurs vs. Golden State Warriors, $5,500 – PF/C Victor Wembanyama is absent again on Saturday. There’s a lot of use to give away. Keldon Johnson was a top-10 pick per dollar in NBA DFS in a similar situation on Thursday. He had 35.25 DKFP in 28 minutes with a 27.5% usage rate for the second unit. He may not be the best NBA DFS pick for the Spurs, but this is the play to target. Both teams play basketball at a fast pace.
Lonnie Walker IV, Brooklyn nets has Charlotte Frelons$4,900 — The Nets’ injury report is long, and the Hornets’ injury report is just as long. Substitutes for both teams will get plenty of minutes on Saturday. Not only is Charlotte shorthanded, but they are on their second straight night. This is a positive matchup for Walker. Walker scored 30 DKFP on March 5 and 7 in 29 and 30 minutes. He shot 14 3-pointers on March 7 and made five of them. The minutes and volume are sufficient at this price. On another side, PF Davis Bertans ($4,500) is an equally attractive NBA DFS value pick, but Walker has multi-position eligibility (SG/SF).
Center
Studs
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets against. Utah Jazz$11,500 — Fears of an eruption loom. The match is awesome. It’s so great. Utah’s defensive efficiency is 116.6, sixth worst in the NBA. Breakouts are always bad. If the Nuggets score a lot of points, it will likely be at the hands of Jokic. He has scored over 70 DKFP in four of the last eight games with a high of 90.5 DKFP on February 25. NOTE: It is doubtful whether Jokic will play on Saturday. Keep your eyes on the @DKNetwork Twitter account to follow programming updates ahead of lockdown Saturday evening.
Value
Daniel Gafford, Dallas Mavericks vs. Detroit Pistons, $4,400 — Will Gafford do it again on Saturday? He deserves to start. He scored 16 points and pulled down 10 rebounds in 21 minutes on March 5 (42 DKFP). This performance earned him a start in the Mavs’ final game on March 7. He wasn’t as hot, but he scored 24.75 DKFP in 21 minutes. A start and 20 minutes against the Pistons works at this price.
Peyton Watson, Denver Nuggets vs. Utah Jazz, $3,600 — This should be a blast. The Nuggets are expected to unload their bench Saturday night. In the last two games, the Nuggets’ 2023 first-round pick played 17 and 23 minutes. He scored 24 and 21 DKFP in these contents. If Watson gets 20 minutes against a bad Utah defense, then he should easily return 6x value. If Jokic is unable to play, Watson could be the best pick of the night. Additionally, Watson has multiple position eligibility (PF/C).
Define your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $300,000 fade [$100K to 1st]
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I’m a promoter at DraftKings and I’m also an avid fan and user (my username is greenflagradio2) and I sometimes get to play the games I offer advice on on my personal account. Although I have expressed my personal views on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings. and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers must use their own skill and judgment in creating queues. I may also deploy different actors and strategies than those I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
