FanDuel has excluded the earlier Saturday games and is opting for a four-game offering that begins at 7:00 p.m. ET. As usual, I'll be highlighting my favorite selections for FanDuel's wide array of contests, and I recommend an emphasis on cash games due to the number of games available.
SLATE OVERVIEW
For the latest spreads and over-unders, visit RotoWire's NBA Odds page. There, you can also find player props, futures, picks articles and sportsbook bonus codes.
The ORL/WAS game is the total hero of the night, and we spread equal exposure for both of these teams. We were able to access options for all four games on this slate, although the numbers want us to move off of the DAL/DET game. Key absences for Dallas give us some valuable opinions that are difficult to avoid, however.
INJURIES
For all the latest updates, visit RotoWire's NBA Injury News page and our comprehensive NBA Injury Report. Below are some of the most recent and relevant injuries for Saturday. Keep in mind that this is not a complete list. Use your best judgment when evaluating ongoing injury scenarios elsewhere on the slate.
IND Several absences
Indiana is still riddled with the same long-term absences. Ben Sheppard ($5,000) and Jarace Walker ($5,900) remain the key pivots.
DAL Anthony Davis (calf) - OUT
DAL D'Angelo Russell (knee) - QUESTIONABLE
DAL Daniel Gafford (ankle) - QUESTIONABLE
DAL Dereck Lively (knee) - OUT
I'll identify my key pivot for Dallas in a moment. There's no timetable for Davis' return right now, and the situation will be in flux for the next couple of weeks.
ELITE PLAYERS
We have no players with five-figure salaries tonight, so we'll be able to grab some blue-chip options without breaking the bank. As we peruse the three players available in the $9k range, Pascal Siakam ($9,500) comes to the forefront. Outside of James Nesmith, Siakam is the only regular starter playing for the Pacers tonight, and he'll have to put up a monster line to avoid a loss against Golden State. Cade Cunningham's ($9,800) matchup against Dallas isn't very appealing, but Alperen Sengun ($9,100) could be in a smash spot against the Celtics, who are still figuring out their frontcourt rotation.
We have four players in the $8k range, and I think Paolo Banchero ($8,800) is the safest option in the group. Jaylen Brown ($8,300) and Kevin Durant ($8,700) will square off against each other, and I think opting for Banchero is better than selecting the more popular names for diversification reasons. Indiana's current injury struggles make Stephen Curry ($8,200) worthy of consideration as well.
EXPECTED CHALK AND MID-RANGE OPTIONS
Amen Thompson, HOU ($7,600) @ BOS
I'd like to see a little more consistency from Thompson, but his impressive 41.6-FDFP performance against Toronto earlier in the week persuades me to include him. He's the obvious backcourt threat for the Rockets, as the team is still tinkering with who to line up alongside him. He'll face some stalwart competition from the Celtics, but the do-it-all playmaker should prevail.
Jimmy Butler, GSW ($7,500) @ IND
Butler has three games over 40 FDFPs so far this season, and the Pacers' injury situation is a favorable spot for most of Golden State's producers. Pascal Siakam's attention will probably be elsewhere, and it'll allow Butler and Curry to pick apart the defense with relative ease. There's a good chance for a value-beating number in this spot.
P.J. Washington, DAL ($6,500) @ DET
Washington is the Dallas pivot I mentioned earlier. Davis' extended absence will force Washington to exert maximum effort in Dallas' frontcourt, and it's especially true tonight, where most of the options for the five are banged up. Based on the scenario alone, Washington could easily exceed 6x value relative to his salary.
Payton Pritchard, BOS ($6,400) vs. HOU
I'm almost always a fan of Derrick White, but Pritchard comes at a $1,000 discount and is currently posting similar numbers for the Celtics. Pritchard has managed to keep Anfernee Simons on the bench with his impressive early play, and I expect White will be Amen Thompson's primary focus. Pritchard could get loose with some open off-the-ball shooting, and his salary is just good enough to consider seriously.
Jalen Duren, DET ($6,200) vs. DAL
Although Sengun looks more and more appealing as we peruse the center options, it's sensible to consider Duren given Davis' absence and the overall lack of options in Dallas' frontcourt. It's unclear who will start at center for Dallas. I think Duren and Washington will correlate positively, as it's unlikely that Duren will venture out that far to defend him. Washington has a good perimeter game, and Duren can't keep up with that. He'll get his share by standing under the basket and grabbing rebounds.
Also consider: Kyshawn George, WAS ($6,600) vs. ORL
VALUE PLAYS
Some of our best value plays are in the injury section, but we have a few more sub-$6k options below that you won't want to miss.
CJ McCollum, WAS ($5,700) vs. ORL
McCollum is at a very compelling salary, although he isn't someone I'd use if I've already selected Kyshawn George. The Magic are currently weakest in the backcourt, and it's where the Wizards will have the most success. I think McCollum and George represent an either-or proposition since I would rather diversify my guard selections, but moving to the veteran is sensible if you're feeling a salary crunch.
Josh Minott, BOS ($5,500) vs. HOU
I like Minott a bit better than Neemias Queta ($5,100) due to his impending battle with Sengun, but Minott's numbers are definitely safe enough compared to his current salary. Quality production will be essential for Boston to get past the Rockets tonight, so I expect them to lean on Minott tonight.
Also consider:
- SG/SF Khris Middleton, WAS ($4,900)
- PG/SG Brandin Podziemski, GSW ($5,200)
- PG RayJ Dennis, IND ($5,000)
- SG/SF Duncan Robinson, DET ($4,200)
- PF Jabari Smith, HOU ($5,400)
