This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
We're down to just a single-game slate Saturday, as the Trail Blazers and Grizzlies face off in what could be one of two play-in games for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. As such, we're dealing with FanDuel's single-game contest rosters, which are comprised as follows:
- MVP - (Garners points at 2x the normal rate)
- STAR - (Garners points at 1.5x the normal rate)
- PRO - (Garners points at 1.2x the normal rate)
- Two Utility spots - (Garner points at normal rate)
With the pricing also being different than in conventional FanDuel contests on multi-game slates and top players inevitably headed for heavy rostering, there are definitely strategic elements particular to building single-game rosters. Finding key value plays for the two utility spots is undoubtedly pivotal, as it enables you to fill out the multiplier spots with some of the top projected producers.
We'll proceed to examine the key injuries for the day below and will also break down the positional outlook, before reviewing possible chalk plays and some of the value plays that could help you round out your lineups with a couple of superstars.
Before delving into the slate, a reminder that FanDuel has reverted to its previous format of NOT dropping the lowest scoring in lineups after a one-year experiment with that feature. Therefore, it will be important to be prudent with each selection, as each player's total will count toward your final score.
Without further ado, let's dive into Saturday's single-game slate!
Slate Overview
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Memphis Grizzlies (Projected total: 232.5 points)
The two teams have met on two previous occasions this season, with the series tied 1-1. The first game finished with a total of 215 points, as the Grizzlies prevailed by a 111-104 score on Feb. 12 at FedEx Forum in Memphis. Ja Morant led the Grizz on that night with 20 points and also dished out nine assists, while Jonas Valanciunas generated a 12-point, 18-rebound double-double, although it should be noted Jusuf Nurkic was still out for the Blazers with his leg injury at the time.
The second encounter took place in an Orlando seeding game, with the Trail Blazers notching a 140-135 victory in overtime on July 31. Jaren Jackson, who is now out until next season with a knee injury, led Memphis with 33 points, including six three-pointers. Morant posted a 22-point, 11-assist double-double. C.J. McCollum and Damian Lillard were the top scorers for Portland with 33 and 29 points, respectively, while Carmelo Anthony poured in 21.
Saturday's total seems very reasonable when considering how proficient the Blazers, in particular, have been in Orlando. Portland averaged 126 points in its eight seeding games and also allowed over 120 points in six of them, including over 130 in each of their last three. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies have struggled in comparison in terms of scoring points, tallying at least 115 in only three subsequent seeding games after their overtime loss to the Blazers. The loss of Jackson clearly hurt their overall offensive upside, although Brandon Clarke seemed to be coming on as seeding games wound down.
Positional Breakdown
FanDuel single-game rosters don't have traditional positions that match those on a starting five, so we'll instead break down some candidates for the top three multiplier positions:
MVP (2x): Damian Lillard is the clear top choice after compiling between 65.1 and 79 FD points in four of the last five seeding games. Ja Morant is a viable pivot after recording between 42.7 and 56.3 FD points in four of Memphis' seeding games and generated an elevated 26.2 percent usage rate this season.
STAR (1.5x): CJ McCollum is playing with a serious back injury, but he toughed it out to rack up 25 points across 43 minutes against the Nets to Thursday to ensure Portland's spot in Saturday's game. As Lillard's right-hand man, he makes for an excellent STAR candidate. Jusuf Nurkic, who has been an excellent complementary piece in Orlando while corroborating he's seriously recovered from his serious January 2019 leg injury, is also a strong option here after averaging 17.6 points, 10.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 2.0 blocks and 1.4 steals in eight seeding games.
PRO (1.2x): This slot is an ideal one for players who might be a second or third option offensively on their squad, or whose lines can sometimes be mostly one-dimensional. Carmelo Anthony, who's averaging 16.5 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.1 steals through his first eight games in Orlando makes for a strong candidate on the Blazers' side. Dillon Brooks, who's proven to be a highly effective backcourt mate to Morant, is in play from the Grizzlies side after averaging 20.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists in Memphis' seeding games, including 31 against the Bucks in the finale on Thursday.
Injury Situations to Monitor
NOTE: Injury reporting is especially fluid in the NBA, where the status of multiple players can change during the course of a day. Therefore, although the following serves as a foundation for the latest injury report as of the time the article is written (usually late morning Eastern time), check back throughout the course of the day with RotoWire for the latest news regarding the status of all players on that night's slate.
Nassir Little, POR (illness)
Little will probably carry a questionable tag at beast after sitting out Thursday's game due to dehydration.
Tyus Jones, MEM (knee)
Jones is considered doubtful to face the Trail Blazers.
Long-term injuries of note: Jaren Jackson, MEM
Elite Players
Lillard ($16.5K), Nurkic ($14K) and Morant ($13.5K) are the three highest-priced players on the slate, and given Lillard's performances in Orlando, he's the clear top choice in this contest. There's no reason to think the star point guard will see any drop in usage, especially with McCollum dealing with his back injury. Nurkic could have some trouble living up to his salary while in a tough matchup against Jonas Valanciunas, but Morant, who played well in both prior games against the Blazers as noted earlier, may offer an excellent return on his salary if used in one of the top two multiplier spots.
Expected Chalk
Needless to say, a substantial amount of starters on both sides should be very popular Saturday. Lillard, Morant, Nurkic and McCollum should lead the way, with Valanciunas, Brooks and Anthony likely in the second tier.
Key Values
Note: On a multi-game slate, I typically try to highlight players that would be considered under-the-radar plays in this section. Naturally, with such a limited player pool, there will be very few low-rostered players that are likely to also be viable from a DFS perspective, so I'll instead focus on two of the best candidates for the two Utility spots in single-game lineups:
Gary Trent, POR vs. MEM ($8,500)
Trent makes for an excellent value consideration Saturday after averaging 16.9 points (on 51.6 percent shooting, including 50.7 percent from three-point range), 1.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.1 steals across 34.1 minutes in eight seeding games. Trent posted 24.2 FanDuel points across 26 minutes against the Grizzlies in the first contest in that sample back on July 31, and he's clearly a trusted member of the backcourt rotation that's been an excellent source of scoring off the bench. He'll have a favorable matchup statistically against a Memphis squad that's allowed the third-highest three-point percentage (38.3) to backcourts, and the eighth-highest offensive efficiency rating (44.3) to second units.
Grayson Allen, MEM vs. POR ($8,000)
Allen has sort of been a poor man's Trent for the Grizzlies in the Orlando bubble, averaging 13.6 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists across 27.8 minutes over eight games. He seems to have locked down an important role in Memphis' second unit with the help of his 50.7 percent shooting in seeding games, a figure that includes a 48.0 percent success rate from behind the arc. Allen has logged at least 24 minutes in each of the last seven contests, so you can expect him to have a solid role again in Saturday's do-or-die matchup. Like Trent, who he'll likely often find himself one-on-one with, he'll be in a good matchup, as the Blazers are allowing the fourth-highest offensive efficiency rating (46.2) to second units, including the fourth-highest three-point percentage (37.4).
Other value plays to consider: Gorgui Dieng, MEM ($7,500); Anthony Tolliver, MEM ($6,000)
