This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Saturday brings seven games in the NBA with elite teams like the Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers and San Antonio Spurs all in action. There will be plenty of high-end players to choose from for your DraftKings entry, but you'll need to find some value plays as well to fit them in. Let's take a look at some options across the price scale to hopefully help you end your night a winner.
Guards
Tyreke Evans, MEM at GS ($7,700): Evans is on a tear right now, having scored at least 41.8 DraftKings points in five of his last six games. The only game he didn't reach that benchmark over that stretch came against the Warriors, but he still put up a respectable 30 DraftKings points. He shot only 4-of-16 from the field in that game, which is very out of character considering his 46.8% field goal percentage this season. The price is right to take a chance that his shots are falling Saturday.
Courtney Lee, NY at NO ($5,200): Lee continues to play heavy minutes with Tim Hardaway, Jr. (leg) out, logging at least 34 minutes in four straight games. He's been productive, scoring at least 29.3 DraftKings points in three of those game. Saturday brings a great matchup against a Pelicans team that not only plays at the sixth-fastest pace (101.9) in the league, but also allows the fourth-most DraftKings points per game (43.5) to opposing shooting guards.
Shabazz Napier, POR at ATL ($5,000): Napier has done an excellent job filling in for Damian Lillard (hamstring), scoring at least 33 DraftKings points in all three games that Lillard has missed. Lillard is questionable for Saturday's game, making Napier someone you want to play if he sits again. The Hawks allow the seventh-most points per game (108.5) in the league, so Napier looks primed for another valuable performance if he gets extended playing time.
Forwards
Kristaps Porzingis, NY at NO ($8,400): Although the Knicks have lost four in a row, Porzingis continues to be productive, scoring at least 40.3 DraftKings points in all four of those games. He's going to provide a high floor most nights, averaging a career-high 19.5 shot attempts per game while posting the fifth-highest usage rate (33.1%) in the league. The Pelicans allow the third-most DraftKings points per game (49.5) to opposing power forwards, making Porzingis someone to consider for your entry.
Dario Saric, PHI at DEN ($6,200): The Sixers will be without Joel Embiid (rest) on Saturday, which is good news for Saric's value. In the last five games that Embiid has missed, Saric is averaging 17.2 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.8 three-pointers per contest. The Sixers play at the second-fastest pace (103.3) in the league, so expect Saric to continue to have plenty of opportunities to produce with an expanded role Saturday.
Trey Lyles, DEN vs. PHI ($4,900): After averaging only 13 minutes per game in November, Lyles has played his way into a bigger role in December, averaging 27 minutes per game for the month. He hasn't done anything wrong to lose the extra minutes, averaging 14.6 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.1 three-pointers during that stretch. Considering the fast pace at which the Sixers play and their lack of size up front with Embiid out, Lyles is a viable option again at this price.
Centers
DeMarcus Cousins, NO vs. NY ($10,700): Cousins had one of the more impressive games of the season Saturday, scoring 83 DraftKings points against the Dallas Mavericks. With the third-highest usage rate (33.8%) in the league, he has the potential for massive production on any given night. The Knicks do have much more quality size up front than the Mavericks, but don't expect them to be able to slow down Cousins on Saturday.
Bismack Biyombo, ORL vs. MIA ($5,300): Biyombo continues to do a nice job filling in for Nikola Vucevic (hand), posting a double-double in his last game against the Detroit Pistons. His first start in place of Vucevic came against these same Heat on Tuesday when he finished with 27.5 DraftKings points. He's not a consistent offensive option, but his price is still low enough to consider for your lineup based on his rebounding and blocks.
Richaun Holmes, PHI at DEN ($4,200): Like Saric, Holmes is one of the main beneficiaries when Embiid is out. In the last five games that Embiid has missed, Holmes is averaging 11.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.0 block per game. He's averaging 17 minutes per game this season, but played at least 20 minutes in all five of those games with Embiid out. At this cheap price, he is a viable option if you want to save money at center.
