The weekend before Christmas is a busy time in the NBA and Saturday morning in Australia (Friday night in the US) brings a festive 10 game slate. Our NBA lead writer is currently celebrating a successful year and will be back for his preview for the last slate before Christmas. The usual array of massive DFS games across are on offer across all platforms:

 

 

Injuries

 

There has been a significant amount of injury news around the NBA but the real story is the short-handed Toronto Raptors decimated by injuries. Pascal Siakam, Marc Gasol and Normal Powell all out with Guard Fred VanVleet questionable with a Knee injury. Superstar Luka Doncic is still out with an ankle injury. Other players of note to keep an eye on for news:

 

Karl Anthony-Towns (Questionable)

Devin Booker (Questionable)

Julius Randle (Questionable)

Blake Griffin (Questionable)

Gordon Hayward (Questionable)

 

Access our FREE Data Tools for Saturday's NBA here

 

Value Plays

 

With the Raptors short-handed, there will be plenty of usage including Pascal Siakam’s 30%+ usage rate. This is Siakam’s first game missed of the season but we should see bumps to Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (DS $6,540 DK $4,100) and Chris Boucher (DS $6,920 DK $3,300).

Luke Kennard is doubtful with a knee injury which will see Langston Galloway (DS $7,090 DK $3,300) in line of a start and up to 30+ minutes.

Mid Priced Plays

With Karl Anthony-Towns questionable against the Nuggets, if he is indeed out for Saturday, Andrew Wiggins (DS $14,060 $8,000 DK) had 30% usage against the Pelicans but will face a tougher test against the Nuggets. 

 

 

Serge Ibaka (DS $15,140 $7,400 DK) is going to be very popular and rightly so when your starting Power Forward and Centre are missing. Draftstars obviously cranked the price right up which we scare a few away but is projected for a lot of fantasy points.  

Premium Plays

With Power Forward and Centre covered by value then we can pay up in the Guard position. I am looking at Bradley Beal (DS $17,590 DK $9,100) to ball out in Toronto. The Wizards are still short handed with Hachimura, Bryant and Wagner still out. It has been the Beal and Bertans show at the Wizards. Bertans 3-point bombs are not sustainable so Beal should continue running the offense in Washington. With the Raptors banged up, I can’t see this game been blown out early.

 

Draftstars Suggested Team

Always remember to gamble responsibly. When the fun stops, stop. If gambling is having a negative impact on your life, seek support at Gambling Help Online.  18+ only.