This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Saturday presents a unique schedule in the NBA because even though there are seven games, three of them start in the afternoon. As a result, only four games make up the main slate on DraftKings. Consider using the players below who have favorable matchups to hopefully end your evening on a high note.
Guards
John Wall, WAS vs. BKN ($9,800): Wall has been dominant in his last six games, scoring at least 45.3 DraftKings points in each contest and topping 50 DraftKings points four times. Always an excellent passer, he has averaged 25.3 points in that six game stretch. Saturday brings an excellent matchup against a Nets team that plays at the fifth-fastest pace (102.3) in the league and allows eighth-most DraftKings points per game (47.7) to opposing point guards. Don't be afraid to pay up to get him into your entry.
Delon Wright, TOR vs. GS ($5,600): Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry (back) is listed as questionable for Saturday against the Warriors and there is a very real possibility that he will miss his third-straight game. Wright scored 32.3 DraftKings points in place of Lowry in the first game, but was limited to just 18 DraftKings points in the second contest. Most of that was because the Raptors blew out the Cavaliers, so he only logged 18 minutes. If Lowry indeed sits again, Wright should have plenty of opportunities to produce against the Warriors, who play at the fourth-fastest pace (102.4) in the league.
Dwight Buycks, DET at CHI ($3,800): Buycks has done an excellent job backing up Ish Smith and has firmly overtaken Langston Galloway on the depth chart. While his numbers don't jump off the page, Buycks has scored at least 22 DraftKings points in four of his last five games. Considering his cheap price, that's enough to make him worth consideration for your entry.
Forwards
DeMar DeRozan, TOR vs. GS ($8,900): Like Wright, DeRozan saw limited playing time in the blowout win against the Cavaliers, resulting in only 30.3 DraftKings points. DeRozan's 30% usage rate ranks inside the top-15 in the league, so he's going to have a high floor on most nights. His upside is excellent as well, scoring at least 51.3 DraftKings points in three of the last six games. The Raptors are going to need all the offense they can get from him to keep up with the Warriors, which could lead to another big stat line Saturday.
Nikola Mirotic, CHI vs. DET ($5,600): Mirotic is set to return Saturday after missing two games due to an illness. He only scored 11 DraftKings points in his last game a week ago against the Pacers, but the Bulls were blown out by almost 40 points. Prior to that disappointment, Mirotic had scored at least 32 DraftKings points in five straight games. Zach LaVine (knee) will also return Saturday and could eventually take some shots away from Mirotic, but that's not a big concern yet since he will be on a minutes restriction. Mirotic's price is low enough that he can still provide value for your entry.
Markieff Morris, WAS vs. BKN ($5,000): Morris has played at least 27 minutes in four of his last five games, scoring at least 29.3 DraftKings points in three of those four contests. He should see similar playing time Saturday against a Nets team that likes to deploy small lineups. The Nets have had difficulties defending power forwards, allowing the seventh-most DraftKings points per game (48) to the position. His upside isn't extremely high, but he's priced low enough that he might be worth taking a chance on in tournament play.
Centers
LaMarcus Aldridge, SA vs. DEN ($8,700): The Spurs were missing several key players in their last game Thursday against the Lakers and finished the game with only 81 points. Aldridge scored 20 of them, which is not surprising considering his 28.7% usage rate ranks inside the top-20 in the league. He continues to be the focal point of the offense with Kawhi Leonard (shoulder) out, who is listed as questionable for Saturday. Even if Leonard does return, he might be on a minutes restriction, making Aldridge an excellent option yet again.
Serge Ibaka, TOR vs. GS ($6,200): Ibaka missed Thursday's game against the Cavaliers due to a suspension, but will be back in action Saturday against the Warriors. Before he was ejected for throwing a punch Tuesday against the Heat, Ibaka had scored at least 32.3 DraftKings points in three of his last four games. He could see a lot minutes in small lineups against the Warriors, which may result in considerable value at this price.
Robin Lopez, CHI vs. DET ($4,700): Lopez saw a lot of playing time with Mirotic and Bobby Portis out at the start of the season, but has started to see his minutes dwindle as the Bulls have shifted towards smaller lineups. However, they might not be able to do that Saturday facing Andre Drummond. In the last three games that Lopez has played at least 30 minutes, he is averaging 32.4 DraftKings points. With increased playing time possibly on tap, Lopez makes for a viable cheap option with upside in tournament play.
