Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) looks to pass against the Toronto Raptors during the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 4, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
We've got a shorter slate of NBA games on Saturday evening. Let's break down some cash plays for FanDuel and DraftKings.
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Opponent - CLE
Proj Pts FD - 28.49 DK - 30.31
White was a popular option on Friday evening and that was with good reason. He took over the starting role for the injured Tomas Satoransky and Zach Lavine is also on the shelf for the next few games at least. The Bulls lost, but White finished with the second-most shots on the team at 17. He had 27 points, seven assists, and five rebounds in a performance that completely crushed his price on both sites. He’s set up to do something similar against Cleveland on Saturday. I suspect he’s one of the highest-owned plays on the shorter slate of games.
Opponent - WAS
Proj Pts FD - 19.84 DK - 20.66
Hayes was a total chalk option on DraftKings on Friday with the rookie getting the start and the Pistons really short on backcourt options. It’s shaping up to be the case again on Saturday with the price sticking right in the same area as a punt play. I’d caution that the five steals aren’t repeatable and the 27 minutes is definitely a concern even though this was a close win for the Pistons. It’s a great price which makes it easier to stomach but the defensive stats which feel rather outlier-ish definitely helped the line look a lot better than it could have been. All that being said, he’s almost too cheap to fade on a smaller slate.
If Bradley Beal sits out the second half of the back-to-back then I think you can fire up Russell Westbrook (FD $11400 DK $10900) even at these crazy prices. He’s just been that good lately.
Opponent - WAS
Proj Pts FD - 27.51 DK - 28.02
A lot of this play depends on the state of the Pistons on Saturday. It’s just so hard to figure with this team seeing as how they are fully in the tank with the minutes of even the starters reflecting that reality. That being said, Jackson got up 16 shots in just 27 minutes with Jerami Grant off the court and finished with 29 points and seven rebounds. That’s about as efficient as it gets with the scoring on that kind of run. We are going to need to keep an eye out for what Detroit’s plans are with sitting players, but if he’s back in the starting lineup then I think Jackson is good to go in the mid-$5K range.
If he plays the second half of the back-to-back then Bradley Beal (FD $8300 DK $8700) is almost too cheap to get away from on FanDuel and DraftKings even though Russell Westbrook has been monopolizing so much of the team's fantasy production.
There are injury issues to wade through at this position. If Oubre is out again, then Andrew Wiggins (FD $7000 DK $7000) comes into play even against the Celtics.
It's a weaker position so you might end up rolling a guy like Dillon Brooks (FD $5000 DK $5400)
Opponent - GS
Proj Pts FD - 45.74 DK - 47.19
Brown has been really good all season long and especially over the last ten days or so. In that time, five games worth, he’s averaging 28 points, seven rebounds, and three assists along with about two blocks+steals per game. The price isn’t coming up to reflect the opportunity he’s getting even with both Kemba Walker and Jayson Tatum in the lineup. This is a very good matchup against the Warriors who despite a top-10 defense still play at the second-fastest pace in the league.
We are going to need to keep an ear out for some injury notes on Saturday for the other small forward plays. If Kelly Oubre sits out again then Kent Bazemore (FD $4800 DK $5100) would likely get the start one more time. The latter got in foul trouble last game which buzzed off his minutes some.
Also, if Beal is out I like Rui Hachimura (FD $4700 DK $5800) who would see an uptick in both minutes and usage.
If neither of them works out then you can maybe make do with Kyle Anderson (FD $6400 DK $5900)
Opponent - WAS
Proj Pts FD - 27.97 DK - 27.06
If Mason Plumlee is out again then Stewart might end up being 100% owned on this slate. He was a chalk option on Saturday and did he ever deliver. The dude put up an absolute monster with 15 points and 21 rebounds in his 32 minutes. It was a slate breaker and folks would have no issue going back to the well again if he was in the starting lineup. The price is just too cheap on both sites.
Opponent - CLE
Proj Pts FD - 26.64 DK - 26.08
Theis actually drew the start on Friday, getting the nod over Thaddeus Young. The Bulls opted to go double-big with Theis playing the four next to Vucevic. It will be interesting to see if they go that way again on Saturday. They might considering Cleveland does trend a little bigger. He only played 20 minutes but the Bulls were getting blown out which probably lopped off about five minutes. That being said, they could go back to Thaddeus Young (FD $4900 DK $5800) who did end up playing 22 minutes off the bench and got up 15 shots. Keep an eye on this situation.
If there are just cheap, great plays everywhere else then Jayson Tatum (FD $9400 DK $9500) could be a solid pay-up option against the Warriors.
Opponent - CHI
Proj Pts FD - 43.5 DK - 43.83
Allen missed some time due to injury, but he’s fully back in the mix now. He’s played 30 and 35 minutes respectively over the last two games since returning and averaged 16 points and 11 rebounds in that time. The defensive stats haven’t been there as much, but those could come against this Bulls team. The price is way too cheap on both sites for the double-double upside he brings and the minutes aren’t a concern at all short of a blowout.
Opponent - MEM
Proj Pts FD - 28.58 DK - 27.84
With Giannis on a minutes limit last game and the Bucks playing a little shorthanded, Lopez actually got out there for 31 minutes against the Hawks. He finished with one of his better games of the season scoring 19 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. That is a little high to be the expectation, but the minutes should be there against especially with Jonas Valanciunas operating in the low post. Lopez is coming at a reasonable price on both sites.
You may run into an issue with just too much value out there and then paying up for Nikola Vucevic (FD $9000 DK $9800) wouldn’t be a bad idea.
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