Bryan Armetta breaks down Saturday’s five-game featured NBA slate to find three undervalued players to slot into your lineups.
Saturday offers up an enticing five-game featured NBA DFS slate for hoops fans. Even with just one-third of the association available, fantasy basketball managers will have several superstars to choose from. Names such as Tyrese Maxey, Jalen Brunson, Kevin Durant and Jalen Johnson are all expected to play tonight.
Still, any successful fantasy lineup requires both high-priced and undervalued players. Which lesser known options can help you win big tonight? Here are three under the radar picks for your lineups this evening in DFS and season-long formats.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $150K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st]
PG/SG Caleb Love, Portland Trail Blazers at SAS ($4,600)
Injuries abound for the Trail Blazers, with Jrue Holiday (calf), Jerami Grant (Achilles) and Scoot Henderson (hamstring) ruled out tonight. That means another busy evening is in store for guard Caleb Love. The Arizona alum has gained some trust in recent weeks from interim head coach Tiago Splitter. Over his last six outings, the 24-year-old is averaging 17.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists. During that time, he’s shooting 48% from the field (45% 3PT).
It helps that Portland plays at the association’s seventh-quickest pace on offense, generating plenty of extra possessions. Tonight, the Blazers will take on a Spurs team missing their defensive anchor in Victor Wembanyama (knee). In the Frenchman’s absence, backup Luke Kornet ($4,800) will start down low. That should make scoring inside even easier for the visitors on Saturday. Love, as a starter or sixth man, should demand plenty of usage in this matchup.
PF/C Collin Murray-Boyles, Toronto Raptors at ATL ($3,900)
Jakob Poeltl remains out of commission due to a back injury. That’s bad news for the Raptors, who are quite thin in the front court. Sandro Mamukelashvili ($5,000) has gotten most of the starts at center recently. However, the sharpshooter is a bit limited on defense. The opposite is true for Collin Murray-Boyles, the high-flying rookie out of South Carolina. Through 28 games, he’s recorded 6.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 0.7 steals and 0.5 blocks per game (16.5 FPTS).
CMB has logged at least 25 minutes in each of his previous three appearances. In each of those games, he’s accounted for at least 25.0 fantasy points. Assuming Trae Young (quads) sits, Atlanta’s offense will run primarily through its frontcourt. That makes it essential for Toronto to slow down names such as Jalen Johnson ($9,700) and Onyeka Okongwu ($7,200). In addition, the Hawks are giving up the tenth-most fantasy points to opposing centers this season. At a salary below $4,000, Murray-Boyles is worth a closer look from fantasy managers on Saturday.
PF Tidjane Salaun, Charlotte Hornets at CHI ($3,800)
Keeping with today’s theme, the Hornets aren’t at 100% on Saturday. Down low, both Ryan Kalkbrenner (elbow) and Moussa Diabate (wrist) are questionable to suit up tonight. Neither center took the floor on Friday, so it’s unlikely they are activated on the second leg of a back to back. To make matters worse, fellow big man Mason Plumlee (groin) underwent surgery earlier this week. That leaves just PJ Hall ($3,900) as Charlotte’s lone traditional center. Last night, the 23-year-old took the floor for only 19 minutes.
Rather than scramble for size, the best move for the Hornets might be a small-ball lineup. That means more minutes for the team’s forwards, including Tidjane Salaun. The former first-round pick is a defensively-minded player, which makes his fantasy contributions somewhat erratic. This season, he’s posted just 7.0 points and 4.1 rebounds per game. Still, he’s earned 20+ minutes in five of his previous six contests. Tonight’s opponent, the Bulls, are surrendering the most fantasy points to power forwards. Given his dirt-cheap cost, Salaun is someone to consider.
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