Saturday’s five-game NBA DFS main slate features a mix of high- and low-scoring matchups, along with a couple of games carrying significant blowout risk.
The Chicago Bulls versus the Miami Heat headlines the slate with a 236.5-point total, followed by the Atlanta Hawks versus the Indiana Pacers and the New Orleans Pelicans versus the Philadelphia 76ers at 232.5. On the other end, the Dallas Mavericks versus the Houston Rockets sits at the lowest total (220.5).
Blowout potential is notable, with Houston favored by 10.5 points over Dallas and Philadelphia favored by 9.5 over New Orleans.
With a wide range of game totals, multiple teams navigating injuries and a couple of clubs playing on zero days of rest, identifying the right spots and leveraging lineup differentiation will be key. Below are some top plays and value options 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
Joel Embiid (C – PHI)
- DraftKings: $9,600
- FanDuel: $10,100
Joel Embiid has been dominant over his last four games, averaging a team-high 34 points along with 10 rebounds and seven assists in 36.8 minutes. He is no longer on a minutes restriction, and with the Philadelphia 76ers enjoying a day off on both Friday and Sunday, paying up for Embiid feels even more justified given his expected workload and high ceiling.
Embiid is going up against the New Orleans Pelicans, who are playing on zero days of rest and have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing centers over their last seven games. With his combination of scoring, rebounding and playmaking, Embiid is in an ideal spot to deliver another elite performance.
Anthony Edwards (SG, SF – MIN)
- DraftKings: $9,300
- FanDuel: $9,600
Anthony Edwards is an excellent value tonight, especially considering his recent production. Over his last six games, he’s averaging 31.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.2 steals, showing the kind of high-level output that makes him a reliable fantasy option. He’s also demonstrated remarkable consistency, posting at least 43 FanDuel points in five of those six games.
Edwards now draws a favorable matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies, who rank 23rd in defensive rating over their last four games and are playing on zero days of rest. With the Grizzlies’ defense struggling and a potentially fatigued squad, Edwards has the upside to dominate offensively and provide significant scoring and peripheral stats tonight.
NBA DFS Cash Game Targets
Bam Adebayo (PF, C – MIA)
- DraftKings: $8,300
- FanDuel: $8,300
Bam Adebayo has been outstanding over his last six games, leading the team with 24.3 points while also contributing 10.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.3 steals per contest. He has clearly found his rhythm and delivered strong, all-around production.
Adebayo now faces the Chicago Bulls again, coming off a 20-point, 12-rebound, two-assist performance in the Miami Heat’s 116-113 victory over them on Thursday. Given his recent consistency and proven success against this matchup, he profiles as a great cash game option.
Ayo Dosunmu (SG – CHI)
- DraftKings: $5,400
- FanDuel: $5,800
The Chicago Bulls could be shorthanded in the backcourt tonight, with Josh Giddey (hamstring) and Coby White (calf) both listed as questionable. If one or both are sidelined, Ayo Dosunmu is likely to see an uptick in minutes and offensive responsibility.
Dosunmu has been terrific over his last three games, averaging a team-high 20.7 points along with 4.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists. He now faces the Miami Heat, who have played at the fastest pace over their last four games, creating an ideal environment for Dosunmu to push the pace and generate fantasy value through scoring, playmaking and counting stats.
NBA DFS GPP Targets
Andrew Wiggins (SF, PF – MIA)
- DraftKings: $6,000
- FanDuel: $6,100
Andrew Wiggins finished with just 10 points, three rebounds, two assists and one steal in Thursday’s win over the Chicago Bulls, but he remains an excellent GPP option at his price. He faces the Bulls again, and the matchup is much more promising this time.
The Miami Heat will be without Norman Powell (personal), which should boost his usage. In the last three games he has played without Powell, Wiggins is averaging 17 points, five rebounds, four assists and 1.5 steals, showing that he can step up when called upon. With him expected to have increased offensive responsibility, he profiles as a strong tournament target.
Jalen Smith (PF, C – CHI)
- DraftKings: $6,100
- FanDuel: $6,200
Jalen Smith enters Saturday’s contest as questionable with calf tightness, which forced him to exit Thursday’s game against the Miami Heat after just 15 minutes. Despite the early exit, he still scored 11 points, extending his streak to 10 consecutive games with at least 10 points.
If he’s available, Smith is set for a significant boost in usage down low, especially with Nikola Vucevic (rest) listed as doubtful. He would be poised for a major role in the Bulls’ frontcourt, but if both he and Vucevic are sidelined, Chicago could be forced to rely more heavily on Patrick Williams and Julian Phillips to fill the void.
NBA DFS Value Plays
Nikola Jovic (PF – MIA)
- DraftKings: $4,100
- FanDuel: $3,900
Nikola Jovic has seen inconsistent minutes throughout January, but he could log 20+ minutes for the first time in three games on Saturday. With Tyler Herro (rib) and Norman Powell (personal) ruled out and Davion Mitchell (shoulder) listed as doubtful, a larger role is up for grabs.
Jovic has shown flashes of his potential in limited action, highlighted by his 23-point performance in 25 minutes against the Utah Jazz on January 24th. With the expected absences, he could see a boost in both minutes and usage, making him an intriguing punt option for tournaments.
Corey Kispert (SF – ATL)
- DraftKings: $3,900
- FanDuel: $3,900
As long as Zaccharie Risacher (knee) or Jalen Johnson (calf) are sidelined for Saturday’s contest, Corey Kispert emerges as a strong value play. Over his last two games, Kispert has averaged 25.6 minutes while producing 15 points, two rebounds and 1.5 assists, showing he can contribute efficiently when given consistent playing time.
Kispert has seen his opportunities increase recently, and with one or both of Risacher and Johnson potentially out, his offensive responsibility could grow even more. He draws a favorable matchup against the Indiana Pacers, who rank 22nd in defensive rating over their last four games, making him an appealing option for those seeking value and upside.