Wednesday features an eight-game slate starting at 7 p.m. ET.
Let’s dive into some of the top plays on the slate using the FantasyLabs tools and metrics.
Also, don’t forget that for large-field tournaments, you can utilize our Lineup Optimizer to effortlessly create up to 300 lineups, or use our Lineup Builder if you like to hand-build your lineups.
Note: Projections and Leverages Scores/Ratings may change throughout the day after this article is posted. The NBA DFS landscape changes quickly.
Consult the NBA Player Models directly for any updates as we get closer to lock.
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NBA DFS Point Guard Picks
Stud
Luka Doncic had potentially the worst game in his career last night scoring only 16 points with two rebounds, two assists, and a shocking eight turnovers. The Mavericks got beat by 21 points as Doncic only played 26 minutes, so he should be well-rested for this back-to-back. Doncic has the highest projected ceiling in our NBA Model and is in a fantastic bounce back spot against the Wizards. Doncic ranks second in the league with 31.1 points per game and has a 34.4% usage rate.
This game has by far the highest-total on the slate at 244.5 points. The Wizards lead the league in Pace, while the Mavericks aren’t too far behind coming in sixth. Both teams also rank in the bottom sixth in Defensive Rating, so expect a plethora of points in this fantasy-friendly game environment. The price tag is high, but this is a great spot for Doncic tonight.
Value
Despite playing well for the Bulls and returning a positive Plus/Minus in six-straight games, Coby White‘s price tag has barely moved at all. White looks like one of the best values on the slate as the Bulls will be playing without DeMar DeRozan, while Alex Caruso is listed as questionable. Using our On/Off Tool, White has a team-high +7.66% usage rate and a +9.35 DraftKings Plus/Minus with DeRozan off the floor this season. Those numbers look even better if Caruso didn’t play tonight.
White’s salary on both sites and the potential to play without DeRozan and Caruso negates the difficult and slow matchup against the Magic. This total has fallen down to a slate-low 216.5 points with the Bulls being a two-point home favorite. Even in a potential low-scoring game, White is projected to be one of the highest-owned guards on the slate for DraftKings.
Fast Break
Trae Young sat out last night due to the birth of his child, so his status for tonight’s game is also up in the air. In his absence, Dejounte Murray erupted for a 32-point, 10-assist double-double. He shot 11-for-21 from the field and grabbed five rebounds on his way to 60.25 DraftKings points. Murray’s usage rate and production increases significantly without Young. He would look like a great way to spend salary even with a tough matchup against the Knicks. If Young plays, he can be considered as he has had four 40-point games against the Knicks in his career.
NBA DFS Shooting Guard Picks
Stud
Darius Garland is out once again for the Cavaliers, paving the way for another monster game for Donovan Mitchell. Averaging a career-high in points, rebounds, and assists, Mitchell is doing everything he can to keep the Cavaliers afloat. In three games without Garland this season, Mitchell is averaging 33 points per game while shooting 50.7% from the field. He has a ridiculous 36.8% usage rate in those games on 23 field goal attempts per game. He is impossible to ignore tonight.
Everything is aligning for Mitchell to have a great game, including the cupcake matchup against a depleted Trail Blazers backcourt. The Cavaliers are double-digit road favorites, implied for 115 points. Mitchell has shot the ball poorly in his last three games at 33.3% from the field, but with his salary falling on both sites, he looks like another bounce-back candidate.
Value
Sticking with the Cavaliers backcourt, Caris LeVert will also benefit in Garland’s absence. He has the highest projected Plus/Minus on FanDuel and the third-highest on DraftKings. In his three games without Garland, LeVert is averaging five more points per game with a 28.5% usage rate. Projected to play 36 minutes tonight, LeVert is drawing around 30% projected ownership. LeVert and Mitchell can be rostered together despite having the same position on both sites.
With Donovan Mitchell’s shooting struggles recently, LeVert has picked up the slack. In his last three games, LeVert is averaging 24 points per game while shooting 48.9% from the field, including two made 3-pointers in each game. His usage rate of 26.5% over that time has also been positive. He is third on the team in usage rate behind Mitchell and Garland.
Fast Break
Priced under $8,000 on DraftKings and FanDuel, Zach LaVine will get all of the usage that he can handle without his sidekick DeMar DeRozan. In seven games without DeRozan last season, LaVine averaged 28.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game with a 30.7% usage rate. Lavine is a boom-or-bust fantasy producer, but if his shot is falling, his upside is massive. LaVine already has a 51-point game this season and will likely attempt at least 20 field goals in this matchup.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
The Boston Celtics core four of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Jrue Holiday, and Kristaps Porzingis have played in all 10 games this season, which makes it extremely difficult to roster any of them in DFS. However, Brown is questionable to play tonight with an illness, which would finally open things up for the rest of the Celtics stars if he were to sit. It remains to be seen who will benefit the most, but Tatum has to be in the discussion as he leads the team in points, steals, and rebounds.
Tatum is shooting a career-high 52.6% from the field this season while averaging 28.4 points per game. In his last two seasons against the 76ers, Tatum is averaging a double-double with 21.2 points and 11.3 rebounds per game. He already has the highest projected ceiling at the small forward position and would look even better if Brown did not suit up tonight.
Value
Third on the slate for FanDuel in Projected Plus/Minus is Wizards small forward Deni Avdija. In the best game environment, Avdija is projected to play 33 minutes as his playing time has ramped up in his last three games. Avdija does a great job of stuffing the stat sheet when he is in averaging a career-high 12.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game while shooting 50% from the field. He is averaging 28.4 DraftKings points per game while scoring 21+ in every game this season.
The consistent play from Avdija makes him a strong cash game option, especially on FanDuel at his $5,700 salary that has a 92% Bargain Rating. The Mavericks are a poor rebounding team playing with a young frontcourt and have allowed the fifth-most assists at 27.8 per game. Prioritize Avdija on FanDuel, but he looks fantastic on both sites in this matchup.
Fast Break
After missing his first game of the season, LeBron James returned last night and didn’t need to do much in the Lakers’ 27-point blowout victory. He only played 23 minutes, so he should be well-rested for this second leg of their back-to-back. The last time the Lakers and Kings played this season, the total points scored was 259. Both teams want to play fast, which should create a ton of opportunity for James to rack up stats. In their last meeting, James had a near triple-double with 28 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists. He shot 11-for-19 from the field and had 56.75 DraftKings points.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
Giannis Antetokounmpo is back. He had a slow start to the season, but Giannis is all the way back, as he has scored 35+ points while grabbing double-digit rebounds in four of his last five games. In those four explosion games, Giannis shot 64.6% from the field and had a 40.95% usage rate. He is currently second in the league with a 36.5% usage rate, so even the addition of Damian Lillard hasn’t slowed him down that much. Giannis is another pay-up option to get exposure to.
The Bucks have struggled on the road with a 1-3 record, but they are 2.5-point road favorites against the Raptors tonight. Before his rough game against the Raptors earlier this season, Giannis recorded back-to-back triple-doubles in this matchup last year. He can exploit this spot, especially with the Raptors being below average in points allowed in the paint.
Value
Patrick Williams is capable of putting up absolute duds due to his poor shooting, but he also has incredible upside at his cheap price tag across the industry. Williams is $4,300 on FanDuel and $3,900 on DraftKings and will benefit from the absence of DeRozan and potentially Caruso. With both off the floor this season, Williams is averaging a team-high +11.94 DraftKings Plus/Minus. Projected for around 30% ownership on DraftKings, Williams is worth getting to in cash games.
Williams had his best game of the season Monday night with 13 points, three rebounds, three blocks, two assists, and two steals. He can stuff the stat sheet, especially on the defensive end with his Kawhi-like frame. The Magic have allowed the eighth-most steals and ninth-most blocks per game. Williams will play enough to record fantasy points in a variety of ways.
Fast Break
Evan Mobley is averaging a double-double for the first time in his career with 16.1 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. He has shot over 50% in all three seasons and is leading the Cavaliers in rebounds and blocks. His consistency makes him a strong cash game option, especially with Garland sidelined. The Trail Blazers are an exploitable matchup for Mobley as they are a below-average rebounding team and have allowed the third-most points in the paint with 57.2 per game this season.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Leading the league in usage rate and scoring is reigning MVP Joel Embiid. He is averaging a career-high 33.1 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game while shooting 50.5% from the field. Embiid also leads the league in free throws made and attempted as he went a perfect 17-for-17 last night. With James Harden out of town, Embiid is getting the ball in his hands early and often. Embiid has 10 Pro Trends on DraftKings and is only projected for 10% ownership at this moment.
The new-look Celtics have been phenomenal defensively, with the second-highest Defensive Rating through their first 10 games. However, Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis could be out tonight, which would make this an elite spot to get exposure to Embiid. He has the second-highest projected ceiling on both sites and could be primed for a great game tonight.
Value
Center value doesn’t look great at the moment, but it could open up later in the day when more news breaks. However, Magic starting center Goga Bitadze has the second-highest Projected Plus/Minus at the center position on FanDuel. Priced at only $4,600, Bitadze is projected to play 25 minutes as he has a 93% Bargain Rating. Since moving into the starting lineup, he is averaging 9.0 points and 6.6 rebounds while shooting 60% from the field. Over that time, he has eight blocks and four steals.
The Bulls have been a fantastic matchup for opposing big men as they rank 29th in Rebounding Percentage. Bitadze recorded a double-double in his first start this season and could add another one in this matchup. His ownership will likely remain low, but Bitadze is a strong value play when not playing Embiid on FanDuel. He is too cheap for his projected upside.
Fast Break
Nikola Vucevic is coming off back-to-back games with 20+ points and 12 rebounds. He surpassed 50+ DraftKings points in each game and now will get the luxury of extra usage playing without DeMar DeRozan. Year in and year out, Vucevic continues to dominate the paint. He is averaging a double-double for the seventh straight season. In his last three games, Vucevic is averaging 24.3 points per game, including at least two 3-pointers made in each game. Great spot for Vucevic.
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