The NBA schedule is absolutely loaded this weekend, including 10 games to choose from on Saturday for your DraftKings daily NBA fantasy leagues. Building the perfect lineup is about maintaining the balance between the best talent on the board and the best value and as is always the case, one or two undervalued sleeper picks could make the difference between a win and a loss. Here is a quick look at the best bets for your starting five in daily leagues for Saturday’s NBA action.
PG – Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors) @ Dallas Mavericks
There are a number of positions where there are strong value plays available that can put up elite fantasy numbers but when it comes to the point guard position – and in particular for Saturday night’s game – it makes sense to stick with the cream of the crop. Curry has garnered the most attention as the league’s MVP even though he has sat out 16 fourth quarters because the Warriors have dominated all year. Now he should get a chance to play a full four quarters against a Mavericks team that has been sloppy defensively of late. Rajon Rondo and Monta Ellis won’t be containing Curry in any way, shape or form, so start him and expect big things.
SG – Evan Turner (Boston Celtics) @ Toronto Raptors
Turner is one of the most added guards in NBA fantasy leagues around the country as managers scramble to add his production to their lineup for playoff matchups. He has three triple-doubles since the All-Star break, which is only second to Russell Westbrook.
His recent highlights include an incredible performance in Wednesday’s win over the Indiana Pacers when he registered 13 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds. As long as he continues to perform at an elite level, the Celtics will continue to turn to him. Since the All-Star break, he’s averaging 10.8 points per game, 6.7 assists, 5.8 rebounds and 1.0 steals. He should be a quality value play with another big performance visiting Toronto on Saturday.
SF – Gerald Henderson (Charlotte Hornets) vs. Philadelphia 76ers
The Hornets have been searching desperately for a starting five that works and with Lance Stephenson unable to stay in the fold, it has been Henderson that has taken on a bigger role in terms of production. Stephenson continues to get DNP-ed, which has allowed Henderson to average 16.6 points and 5.4 rebounds per game over the last two weeks. He doesn’t fill a lot of other categories save for those two but he won’t hurt your percentages and is likely to chip in a three-pointer per outing. A home date against the 76ers should be another perfect opportunity for a strong fantasy performance.
PF – Nikola Vucevic (Orlando Magic) @ Milwaukee Bucks
Another underrated fantasy asset over the past couple of weeks is Vucevic, who has averaged 18.8 points and 10.6 rebounds per game over the last 15 days while also chipping in with a pair of assists and a block on a nightly basis. The Magic haven’t looked very good in terms of their overall team play all season but Vucevic has stood out among their top fantasy performers. He gets the green light for this matchup against the Bucks on Saturday, even though they are a decent defensive team.
C – Anthony Davis (New Orleans Pelicans) @ Portland Trail Blazers
New Orleans is battling for its playoff lives right now and that means every single game down the stretch has the “must-win” distinction attached to it. That means Davis should be an absolute stud in daily fantasy leagues whenever the Pelicans play and he will need a big performance in Portland on Saturday to try and help New Orleans salvage a win. Davis has averaged 24.4 points, 10.2 rebounds and nearly four blocks per game over the past two weeks and if fantasy managers are going to go all-in in any one category, it should be by taking the Pelicans MVP big man (and maybe league MVP contender) at the center spot.
