This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Saturday brings us a five-game slate on DraftKings, with the first tip at 1:00 EST, that will see the Clippers take on the Trailblazers. Portland is the one team on the slate with the most to play for as they still sit one game back of the Grizzles for the eight seed. Only a few regular season games remain, some teams have opted to rest their starters at various points so it's always important to stay updated on news ahead of each games lock time.
Slate Overview
Games to Target
Trail Blazers vs. Clippers (-3.5) O/U 233
The Trail Blazers are in must-win mode. It should be all hands on deck for this group, which makes it a team that should be on our fantasy radar. The game in projected to be close, with the usual targets in Damian Lillard and Jusuf Nurkic as the standout options with both capable of dropping 50-plus fantasy points any given day.
Games to Avoid
Pacers vs. Lakers (-8) O/U N/A
It's hard to say to avoid any game with only five available but from a spread and motivational standpoint it's probably the least appealing. Both teams are securely in the playoff picture and we have seen Lakers coach, Frank Vogel take it easy with a few of his starters so far. On the other side the Pacers have been playing some great basketball with the emergence of TJ Warren due to various injuries throughout Indiana's roster since the restart launched.
Injury Situations To Monitor
LeBron James (groin) - Questionable
James sat out against the Rockets and they may choose to take it easy with him the rest of the way until Playoffs. Kyle Kuzma took advantage of some extra playing time and usage and could see a similar opportunity today if James were to sit again.
T.J. Warren, Myles Turner (foot), (ankle) - Questionable
Both players enter the game with Q tags, so definitely stay posted on their availability before tip. The Pacers would be extremely thin should they sit with the likes of Edmond Sumner and JaKarr Sampson soaking up the extra minutes.
Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert, Mike Conley (leg), (rest), (knee) - Questionable
All three sat out their last game for what is most likely rest purposes despite the injury designations. They may decide to play it safe again with only a few games left. Look to Jordan Clarkson and Tony Bradley to benefit the most in their absence.
Jimmy Butler, Goran Tragic (foot), (ankle) - Out, Questionable
Butler remains sidelined with a foot injury and Goran Dragic sat out last game with an ankle issue. Kelly Olynyk, Tyler Herro and Andre Iguodala have seen their roles expand with them missing time and should continue if they sit out again.
Elite Players
Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL ($10,800) vs. DAL
It's difficult to recommend any player higher than 10K as there is just way to much uncertainty with their minutes and usage when they don't have much to play for rest of the way. Giannis is the one I'd be willing to pay up for since he has shown the ability to rack up fantasy points in limited time. He put up 76 fantasy points in 34 minutes when these teams faced off earlier this season and should be able to get close to that if he can stay in the game long enough. He sits only behind his opponent on the other side of the ball Luka Doncic in usage (37.1) so it's just a matter of playing time in this case.
Kristaps Porzingis, DAL ($8,400) vs. MIL
We stay in the same game here. I like the idea of running it back and taking the discount from Doncic to Porzingis. He's really come alive during the NBA restart scoring over 50 fantasy points in three of the last four. He roasted Bucks earlier this season for 53.5 fantasy points and since moving exclusively to center he should have no issues handling Brook Lopez or who ever they try to throw at him in the paint.
Expected Chalk
Michael Porter Jr., DEN ($7,200) vs. UTA
It's not a great match up on paper but between the minutes and usage Porter has seen the last three, it shouldn't matter. He has played over 30 minutes a game since getting the starting nod due to multiple Nuggets sidelined with injuries and he's fully taken advantage of the moment scoring over 50 fantasy points in all of them. This kind of reminds me of the TJ Warren situation, price keeps climbing but the opportunity outweighs everything. The fact is $7,200 is to cheap given his current role and will most likely be one of the most popular players to roster on the slate.
Key Values
Gary Trent Jr., POR ($4,800) vs. LAC
Despite not starting this is a guy averaging more than 30 minutes per game since the restart. He basically runs the second unit and soaks up all of the usage, with his most impressive display coming in lasts game against the Nuggets where he dropped 43.8 fantasy points in 36 minutes. He seems to have a secure role with the team trying to fight it's way into the playoff picture, so at $4,800 it makes him one of the best value plays of the day.
Cameron Payne PHO ($3,600) vs. MIA
Payne as been backing up Ricky Rubio, while averaging over 20 minutes over the last four games. He doesn't have the highest ceiling but reliably has chipped in 20 or more fantasy points in each of the Suns bubble games and should have a decent role carved out going forward with Kelly Oubre still sidelined.
