Saturday's Slate: Who's Worth the DFS Splurge?

Look, Saturday's NBA schedule is a mixed bag, seven games deep, and there are some spots you just have to attack for your daily fantasy lineups. Forget about the big names playing safe — we’re looking for guys ready to pop off. And honestly, if you’re not eyeing the Lakers-Nuggets nightcap, you’re missing out on the best fantasy environment of the evening. That game alone could decide more DFS contests than people want to admit.

Here’s the thing: everyone’s going to gravitate towards Nikola Jokic, and for good reason. He’s averaging 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 9.0 assists. Those numbers are insane. But his price tag is going to be astronomical. You need to find value elsewhere to afford him, or you need to fade him entirely and build a contrarian lineup that still competes. My hot take? Fade Jokic. Seriously. The Lakers have enough big bodies, even without Anthony Davis, to make him work for it, and that could depress his fantasy output just enough to make him a bust at his price. Instead, let's look at some guys who can punch above their weight class.

The Value Plays You Can't Ignore

First up, let’s talk about the Atlanta Hawks. They’re hosting the Memphis Grizzlies, a team that’s given up the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing power forwards this season. That screams Clint Capela. He’s been a rebounding machine, pulling down double-digit boards in six of his last eight games. If Trae Young is dishing dimes, Capela's going to eat on the offensive glass and grab easy putbacks. He had 15 points and 17 rebounds against the Bulls last week. That kind of production at his projected cost is a steal.

And don’t sleep on the Oklahoma City Thunder. They’re facing the Charlotte Hornets, a team that plays at a blistering pace but struggles defensively against opposing guards. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is always a strong play, but I’m looking at Josh Giddey here. He’s a triple-double threat any given night, and his usage rate has been creeping up. He notched 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists against the Blazers two nights ago. If he gets anywhere near that against a fast-paced Hornets team, he’s going to crush his fantasy projection. This is a prime spot for him to showcase that all-around game.

DFS Locks and Late-Night Gems

For a higher-priced guy I'm still willing to spend on, Tyrese Haliburton is in a fantastic spot against the New York Knicks. The Pacers run an uptempo offense, and the Knicks, despite their defensive reputation, have shown vulnerability to elite playmakers. Haliburton had 22 points and 12 assists against them back in early December. He’s the engine of that Pacers offense, and his assists upside is through the roof. He’s been averaging over 11 assists per game in his last five outings. He’s a lock for me.

Then there's the Golden State Warriors and the Phoenix Suns. This game has blowout potential, but if it stays close, there will be fantasy goodness. Klay Thompson has been lights-out from deep recently, hitting seven threes against the Jazz on Wednesday. If Stephen Curry draws extra attention from the Suns' defense, Thompson could feast. He's a volatile play, sure, but the upside is immense if he catches fire. He's shown flashes of his old self, and a matchup against a strong offensive team often brings out the best in him.

My bold prediction for Saturday night? Josh Giddey logs his third triple-double of the season against the Hornets, and he does it with at least two steals.