Saturday night in the Association brings us a seven-game DFS slate on DraftKings. We could be in for a night of close games with four of the seven games coming in with a Vegas line of fewer than five points and none of the games featuring a double-digit favorite. The Vegas totals are, of course, high once again in the “year of offense” around the NBA and NFL, which should supply us with plenty of fantasy production.
My lineup construction seems to be taking a more balanced approach on this slate with some of the high-priced studs questionable due to injury and the lack of dirt cheap value options, at least at the time of this writing.
Note that some of the stats referenced in this article are my custom DvP calculations that combine both season and last five games data along with blending similar positions production allowed together.
Create Optimal DraftKings lineups using our DFS Lineup Optimizer tool 
One Stud
DeMar DeRozan (SG/SF – SA): $9,400 vs. NO
There are some question marks around the high-priced studs on Saturday’s slate with Anthony Davis questionable and James Harden potentially returning after missing three games. So, that leaves with either paying up for LeBron James against a solid Blazers defense or taking the easier path by saving some coin and using DeRozan as a “value” stud in a favorable game environment. DeRozan has exceeded 60 DraftKings points in three of his last five games and gets a plus matchup against the Pelicans who have allowed increase production in points, assists and steals to opposing SGs this year.
Saturday night in the Association brings us a seven-game DFS slate on DraftKings. We could be in for a night of close games with four of the seven games coming in with a Vegas line of fewer than five points and none of the games featuring a double-digit favorite. The Vegas totals are, of course, high once again in the “year of offense” around the NBA and NFL, which should supply us with plenty of fantasy production.
My lineup construction seems to be taking a more balanced approach on this slate with some of the high-priced studs questionable due to injury and the lack of dirt cheap value options, at least at the time of this writing.
Note that some of the stats referenced in this article are my custom DvP calculations that combine both season and last five games data along with blending similar positions production allowed together.
Create Optimal DraftKings lineups using our DFS Lineup Optimizer tool
One Stud
DeMar DeRozan (SG/SF – SA): $9,400 vs. NO
There are some question marks around the high-priced studs on Saturday’s slate with Anthony Davis questionable and James Harden potentially returning after missing three games. So, that leaves with either paying up for LeBron James against a solid Blazers defense or taking the easier path by saving some coin and using DeRozan as a “value” stud in a favorable game environment. DeRozan has exceeded 60 DraftKings points in three of his last five games and gets a plus matchup against the Pelicans who have allowed increase production in points, assists and steals to opposing SGs this year.
Core Plays
Goran Dragic (PG – MIA): $6,500 @ ATL
I want to get some piece of the Heat in their matchup against the fast-paced Hawks on Saturday. Either Dragic or Hassan Whiteside are the best candidates due to their more stable minutes then the plethora of wing players. The Hawks have allowed the increased production across the board to opposing PGs this season. Be sure to watch Dragic’s status to ensure he plays as he is currently considered questionable.
Rudy Gay (SF/PF – SA): $6,500 vs. NO
The PF position is a little light on options Saturday night. You either have to pay all the way up for James or else probably roster one of the PF eligible options from the Spurs. I’ll opt to save a few bucks and plug Gay into the PF slot over LaMarcus Aldridge as Gay has outscored Aldridge in two of his last three games.
C.J. McCollum (PG/SG – POR): $6,400 vs. LAL
Another team that I want to make sure to get exposure to is the Trail Blazers who are at home against the Lakers in the game with the highest Vegas total on the slate, not to mention a tight line. McCollum hasn’t had that blow-up game yet this season but with a plus-plus matchup with the Lakers in a pace up spot, this could be the night. The Lakers have allowed increased production in points (+19.3%), rebounds (+9.2%) and assists (+37.6%) to opposing SGs this season.
Ricky Rubio (PG – UTH): $5,800 @ DEN
The use of Rubio largely depends on the availability of Donovan Mitchell for Saturday’s game against the Nuggets. Mitchell missed Friday’s game and is considered questionable for Saturday. With Mitchell out on Friday, Rubio jacked up a season-high 17 shots on his way to 22 points, while adding in 11 assists against the Grizzlies. Saturday’s matchup with the Nuggets offers a more offense-friendly environment which could lead to another big night for Rubio if Mitchell sits out.
Value Plays
Wendell Carter Jr. (C – CHI): $5,500 vs. HOU
Carter has exceeded 31 DraftKings points in each of his last four games. The rookie has played 22 or more minutes in each of those contests including a season-high 38 when facing a team with a legit big man with Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets. Saturday’s matchup against Clint Capela and the Rockets could offer a similar matchup that requires Carter’s presence on the court for extended minutes while the Bulls continue to be short-handed up front.
Gordon Hayward (SG/SF – BOS): $5,200 @ IND
Hayward has seen his minutes slowly rise over the course of the season including a season-high 27 minutes in the last game where he put up a season-high 18 points and 33.5 DraftKings points. Hayward’s salary remains very affordable for his matchup with the Pacers on Saturday. The Pacers have allowed an increase in points (+13.5%) to opposing SFs this season which could allow him to duplicate his effort from his previous outing.
Darren Collison (PG – IND): $4,400 vs. BOS
Collison was in a 50/50 timeshare of the PG duties over the first five games of the season but appears to have moved into the primary role over the last four games playing 30-plus minutes in three of them. With the increase in minutes, of course, comes an increase in overall numbers and fantasy production for the cheaply priced PG. The matchup against the Celtics isn’t ideal but if the game remains close as the Vegas line suggests than Collison’s minutes should equal fantasy production that exceeds his salary.
Antonio Blakeney (PG – CHI): $3,400 vs. HOU
Blakeney has taken a lead role at the PG spot for the Bulls over the last three games scoring at least 15 points in each contest. He played 26 minutes in their last game and has exceeded 20 DraftKings points in each of his last three efforts. Blakeney’s salary remains near the minimum and gives you the flexibility to pay up for either a higher-priced stud than DeRozan or get to a second “value” stud to pair with DeRozan.
Brad Richter is a correspondent at FantasyPros and a contributor at DailyOverlay and GoingFor2. For more from Brad, you can view his archive or follow him @RotoPilot.
