Saturday’s eight-game NBA DFS main slate offers a blend of high- and low-scoring environments, along with a couple of games carrying notable blowout risk.
The Oklahoma City Thunder versus the Miami Heat headlines the slate with a 234.5-point total. Washington Wizards versus Denver Nuggets and Charlotte Hornets versus Golden State Warriors sit just behind at 233.5. On the other end, the Phoenix Suns versus the New York Knicks has the lowest total at 223.5.
Blowout potential is something to monitor, as both the Indiana Pacers versus the Detroit Pistons and the Washington Wizards versus the Denver Nuggets feature spreads north of 12 points.
With a wide range of game totals, multiple teams managing injuries and several clubs playing on zero days of rest, pinpointing the right spots and leveraging lineup differentiation will be key. Below are some of the top plays and value options to target for Saturday’s slate.
View the best player prop bets for tonight’s slate with our NBA Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer
NBA DFS Core Plays
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (PG – OKC)
- DraftKings: $10,300
- FanDuel: $10,700
The FantasyPros lineup optimizer projects Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as the top overall fantasy scorer on Saturday, and the case is straightforward. Gilgeous-Alexander remains one of the league’s premier point guards and continues to shoulder a massive offensive workload for the Oklahoma City Thunder, combining elite usage with strong efficiency and consistent production. His ability to contribute across every category gives him one of the highest floors on the slate, while his scoring upside keeps a ceiling firmly intact for tournaments.
The matchup further strengthens his profile, as Oklahoma City faces a Miami Heat team that has played at the second-fastest pace over its last four games while ranking 23rd in defensive efficiency during that span. Miami’s backcourt is also navigating multiple injuries, which should make it difficult to contain Gilgeous-Alexander at the point of attack. In a projected up-tempo environment, he is well-positioned for another slate-defining performance.
LeBron James (SF, PF – LAL)
- DraftKings: $8,900
- FanDuel: $9,400
The Los Angeles Lakers will be without Luka Doncic (groin) on Saturday, removing the team’s primary offensive engine after he led the roster with a 35.8% usage rate over the last four games. With Doncic sidelined, LeBron James is the clear beneficiary, as he already owns the next-highest usage rate at 32.1% and should be asked to carry an even heavier workload as both a scorer and facilitator.
James has also been in excellent form, which only strengthens his appeal in this spot. Over his last four games, he is averaging 27 points, 7.8 rebounds, 7.3 assists and 1.8 steals, showcasing his ability to fill every category. With added offensive responsibility and elite all-around production, James profiles as one of the safest high-end options on the slate.
NBA DFS Cash Game Targets
Jake LaRavia (SF, PF – LAL)
- DraftKings: $5,600
- FanDuel: $5,600
With Luka Doncic (groin) sidelined, Jake LaRavia is a player the Los Angeles Lakers could lean on more heavily. Despite posting just a 15.3% usage rate over his last two games, LaRavia is averaging 17.5 points during that span, which ranks third on the team.
With Doncic unavailable, additional scoring will need to come from somewhere beyond LeBron James, and LaRavia has quietly positioned himself as a viable candidate to step up. He has been aggressive when opportunities arise and has shown confidence offensively, which could translate into an expanded role on offense.
Caleb Love (PG, SG – POR)
- DraftKings: $5,800
- FanDuel: $5,700
The Portland Trail Blazers are navigating several injuries, with Deni Avdija (back) listed as doubtful and both Jrue Holiday (calf) and Jerami Grant (Achilles) carrying questionable tags. If all three are sidelined, Love would be in line for a noticeable bump in usage and minutes, making him a strong play in all formats. Even if one or more of those players suit up, Love has already carved out a reliable role in the rotation and would simply shift more toward a tournament-only option.
Love has been remarkably consistent of late, recording double-digit points in each of his last 13 games while averaging 16.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists during that stretch. He draws a favorable matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers, who rank 28th in defensive efficiency over their last four games, further boosting his upside. Given his recent production and the potential for expanded opportunity, Love profiles as a solid target in an appealing spot.
NBA DFS GPP Targets
Deandre Ayton (C – LAL)
- DraftKings: $6,300
- FanDuel: $5,800
Deandre Ayton is managing knee soreness and is listed as questionable for Saturday’s game, but he stands out as an appealing tournament option if he suits up. The matchup is a favorable one, as he would be facing the Portland Trail Blazers, who have allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing centers over their last seven games.
Ayton has also found consistent success against his former team, adding another layer of upside in this spot. Across his last five matchups against Portland, he is averaging 20.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.4 blocks, highlighting both scoring efficiency and defensive production. If active, Ayton brings strong ceiling potential at the center position.
Tre Johnson (PG, SG – WSH)
- DraftKings: $5,000
- FanDuel: $5,100
Tre Johnson does not receive much attention among this year’s rookies, but he has quietly been a bright spot for the Washington Wizards. As the season has progressed, Johnson has carved out a larger role in the rotation and has taken advantage of the increased opportunity with steady, confident play.
Over his last five games, Johnson is averaging a team-best 15.8 points while adding three rebounds, three assists and 1.2 steals. His growing offensive responsibility, combined with his ability to contribute across multiple categories, makes him an intriguing option.
NBA DFS Value Plays
Justin Champagnie (SF, PF – WSH)
- DraftKings: $4,700
- FanDuel: $5,200
Bilal Coulibaly (back) missed Friday’s game against the Sacramento Kings and will remain sidelined on Saturday, opening the door for Justin Champagnie to take on a larger role once again. Champagnie made the most of his increased opportunity on Friday, posting 15 points, seven rebounds and two assists across 26 minutes.
With Coulibaly still out, Champagnie should be in line for a similar workload, and his role could expand even further if the Washington Wizards opt to rest additional players on the second leg of their back-to-back. That combination of stable minutes and potential upside makes him a viable value option.
Kasparas Jakucionis (PG – MIA)
- DraftKings: $3,500
- FanDuel: $4,100
Kasparas Jakucionis turned in an encouraging performance in his most recent outing against the Boston Celtics, finishing with 12 points, five rebounds and a career-high eight assists across 27 minutes. He showed poise as a playmaker and took advantage of his opportunities, which could lead to another expanded role on Saturday.
Jakucionis is expected to see increased responsibility again with Davion Mitchell (shoulder) and Jaime Jaquez Jr. (knee) already ruled out, while Tyler Herro (toe) is questionable and could also miss today’s game. That said, Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra is notoriously unpredictable with his rotations, particularly when it comes to rookies. Because of that volatility, Jakucionis is best viewed as a punt play for tournaments rather than a cash-game option.