Saturday Night NBA DFS features a small slate this holiday weekend. Football takes center stage during the Thanksgiving weekend, but there is still NBA DFS action to be had. Let’s dig into some research and make some picks, as we gear up for the four-game main slate that starts at 7 p.m. ET.
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Guard
Studs
Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks at Los Angeles Clippers, $11,700 — After several weeks of disappointing DFS performances, the Weekend Targets Article wasn’t worried last week. Luka broke out of his slump. He scored 60.25 DKFP on Saturday and 56 DKFP on Sunday. On Wednesday, he went further with 64 DKFP. This is a four-game slate with one game in particular receiving all of the attention. Doncic is an interesting pivot from the chalk.
Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks at Washington Wizards, $9,500 — This is a dream matchup. Every game is great for Young. The Hawks play fast and little defense. That style requires plenty of offense from Young every night. That hasn’t been a problem. Young has scored 44 DKFP in 11 of the last 12 games. In the last two games, he’s scored 58.25 and 67.5 DKFP. Saturday night presents his best matchup of the season.
Value
Tyus Jones, Washington Wizards vs. Atlanta Hawks, $5,600 — What happens when the two worst defenses that play at the two fastest paces matchup against each other? The four-game slate becomes even smaller. This might be a one-game slate with all of the correct NBA DFS picks coming from Hawks vs. Wizards. Jones isn’t great, but he’s been productive lately — 29.25 and 43.75 DKFP in the last two games. He doesn’t need to be great in this matchup. He just needs to be out there. PG/SG Jordan Poole ($6,500) will be out there. His price disqualifies his status as a pure value pick, but he could be the best point-per-dollar producer on Saturday’s NBA DFS slate.
Forward
Studs
LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers at Cleveland Cavaliers, $9,600 — The narrative is real. Some are silly and invented. They’re fodder for NBA DFS YouTube chats. LeBron returning home is real. Check the game log — 56.25, 76.75, 75 and 62.5 DKFP in his last four trips to the Connecticut Western Reserve (aka the Firelands or Cleveland for the historically ignorant). If the narrative is not enough, James has been on fire. He has just two blemishes on his recent game log, but those were both 30-point blowout wins.
Value
Saddiq Bey, Atlanta Hawks at Washington Wizards, $4,700 — Where’s the value this weekend? The way to save is in Washington when the Wiz host the Hawks. After four strong performances in a row and nine in 11 games, Bey did not slay on Wednesday. When Bey played for the Pistons, he never put up numbers like he is currently doing for the Hawks. It’s the Hawks wonky system — play fast and try to outscore opponents in nightly shootouts. The over/under is 248.5. Load up the guns. Load up on any Hawk or Wizard.
Bogdan Bogdanovic, Atlanta Hawks at Washington Wizards, $5,700 — The forward position is not loaded with a lot of obvious DFS value picks at the time of publish. Things always change. It’s the NBA. The injury report is never blank. Sit tight. For now, Bogdan is a place holder. His minutes are consistent. His usage is consistent. The veteran provides a safe floor. The problem is the lack of upside. That problem can be corrected by this matchup. Bogdanovic has not broken a slate because he’s missing too many shots. The shots could go down smoothly on Saturday night.
Center
Studs
Jonas Valanciunas, New Orleans Pelicans at Utah Jazz, $6,900 — There is a significant step down in price and talent from C Anthony Davis ($9,700). The concern with Davis is that he could assume a deferential role when King James makes his annual pilgrimage to Believeland. If somehow James sits (James has a questionable questionable tag in his return), then play all off the Davis. Otherwise, the spend-up option is Valanciunas. The Pelicans are on the back of a back-to-back. Jo-Val could have an even bigger role if rotation regulars rest on Saturday night. He has returned 5.9x value in five of the last eight games.
Value
Daniel Gafford, Washington Wizards vs. Atlanta Hawks, $5,600 — Daniel Gafford week continues on Saturday. On Wednesday, Gafford was a free square with his egregious $4,200 price tag. His price has risen, but not enough for this matchup. Gafford has scored 27.25, 39 and 30.75 DKFP in the last three games. Gafford should start and play 30 minutes in a premium DFS matchup.
Onyeka Okongwu, Atlanta Hawks at Washington Wizards, $4,800 — Atlanta’s back-up center is featured as a value NBA DFS pick in the Weekend Targets Article every week. By now, it should be understood that the Hawks vs. Wizards should be the focus of the slate. Okongwu’s production has dropped off lately, but those were tough matchups. The Wizards matchup is not.
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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is greenflagradio2) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.