Wednesday features a six-game slate starting at 7:30 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.
NBA DFS Point Guard Picks
Stud
Luka Doncic continued his dominance last night with a 45-point, 14-assist, nine-rebound performance in the Mavericks two-point loss. He finished with 87.25 DraftKings points, which was his fourth-highest total of the year. That was against the second-best defense in the league. Tonight Doncic will draw a juicy matchup against the Raptors who rank 23rd in defensive rating this season. He is leading the league in points per game and usage rate; expect another ceiling performance from him.
Playing on the second leg of a back-to-back hasn’t slowed down Doncic one bit. In the last four games under this scenario, he is averaging a triple-double with 30.3 points, 12.5 assists, and 11 rebounds per game. Despite an extremely high salary, Doncic has 10 Pro Trends on both DraftKings and FanDuel and is one of the top pay-up options on this slate.
Value
Jordan Goodwin‘s 10-day contract was set to expire, but the Grizzlies signed him to a two-way contract and released Jacob Gilyard, giving Goodwin the keys to the Grizzlies backcourt the rest of the season. In his last two games before the All-Star Break, he put up back-to-back double-digit point games and averaged 25.25 DraftKings points in 26.5 minutes per game. Priced under $4,500 across the industry, Goodwin is projected to play 26 minutes and be a great value.
The Grizzlies continue to be decimated by injuries. Not only are their stars out, but guards Luke Kennard and Scottie Pippen Jr. are also unable to play tonight. Goodwin had a 19.8% usage rate in his last two games, but we expect that to rise a little bit with Kennard and Pippen Jr. out. The matchup against the Timberwolves is difficult, but Goodwin is too cheap.
Fast Break
With Paul George out, James Harden receives a significant boost to his production. With George off the floor this season, Harden has a +4.27% usage rate and a +5.37 DraftKings Plus/Minus. His game log leaves a lot left to be desired, but this is a great spot for Harden to get back on track. The Clippers are 3.5-point favorites in the Battle of LA. The Lakers have been susceptible to the perimeter shot, allowing opponents to make 14.2 3-pointers per game, which bodes well for Harden.
Don’t forget to check out our NBA SimLabs Lineup Generator to create advanced DFS lineups using the power of simulation:
NBA DFS Shooting Guard Picks
Stud
Anthony Edwards has recorded a positive Plus/Minus in nine straight games. During that time, the Timberwolves star is averaging 31.7 points per game with a 31.5% usage rate. Karl-Anthony Towns was out last game due to personal reasons, and his status for tonight’s game is up in the air. If Towns is out, that increases the outlook for Edwards. With Towns off the floor, Edwards has a +3.26% usage rate and a +4.78 DraftKings Plus/Minus. Expect another big game from him tonight.
The Timberwolves are a slate-high 12-point home favorites against the Grizzlies, implied for 111 points. Both teams have been elite defensively, which is why this total of 210 combined points is so low. Even in negative game scripts, Edwards has shown the ability to post ceiling games. Prioritize him on DraftKings, where he is $8,900 with a 91% Bargain Rating.
Value
Terance Mann is a cheap way to get exposure to the Clippers team that is in a great spot against the Lakers. Mann has recorded a positive Plus/Minus in four straight games while popping off for over nearly 45 DraftKings points in his first game back from the All-Star Break. Mann is not a high-usage player but he can stuff the stat sheet in a variety of ways. During that stretch, he is averaging 13.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, and five assists per game. That is more than enough to pay off his salary.
Starting at shooting guard for the Clippers, Mann has seen his playing time rise recently. He is coming off a season-high 39 minutes in their last game. He is projected for a modest 33 minutes tonight and still looks like one of the best values on the slate. With dual eligibility on DraftKings and FanDuel, Mann will be one of several Clippers worth getting exposure to.
Fast Break
Even with the incredible season from Doncic, Kyrie Irving has put together a masterful season himself. He is averaging 25.8 points per game while shooting a career-high 42.7% from downtown. Playing alongside Doncic hasn’t brought Irving’s game down one bit. He has the highest ceiling among the shooting guards and has recorded a positive Plus/Minus in 13 of his last 18 games. He doesn’t have the ceiling of Doncic but is a cheaper way to get exposure to the Mavericks offense.
Be sure to check out all the pick’ems Sleeper has to offer with Sleeper Fantasy promo code LABS1 for a $500 deposit match.
NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
Scottie Barnes is coming off his second triple-double in his last six games and is still reasonably priced across the industry. He finished last game with 21 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists, totaling 67 DraftKings points, which was the third-highest of the season. Over his last six games, Barnes is averaging a near triple-double with 19.8 points, 10 rebounds, and 8.7 assists per game. Barnes is also extremely active defensively, shown in his last game where he recorded five blocks.
Barnes will face a Mavericks team that is playing much faster than year’s past. They rank 28th in rebounding percentage at 47.8%, which should put him in a great spot to keep his double-double streak alive. DraftKings sportsbook has Barnes at -105 to record a double-double and +700 to record a triple-double. The third-year pro is a great fantasy play in all formats.
Value
Leading the slate in projected Plus/Minus on DraftKings and FanDuel tonight is Clippers’ small forward Norman Powell. With Paul George off the floor, it is Powell who has played the most minutes on the team with 714. Powell drew his first start of the season last game and delivered with a team-high 21 points. Expected to start again and projected play 33 minutes, is the highest-owned player on the slate. Priced at $4,800 on both DraftKings and FanDuel, Powell is easy to fit into all lineups.
As previously mentioned, the Lakers struggle to defend the perimeter. That is where Powell thrives. The veteran is shooting a career-high 45.6% from behind the arc this season and has made 14 3-pointers in his last three games. He doesn’t provide much other than his scoring, but this is a great matchup to fill it up from distance, and he is priced at a strong value.
Fast Break
Kawhi Leonard is likely more of a cash-game play than a tournament option due to his consistency. However, he does still have a ceiling and stands out at a weak small forward position. Leonard is shooting a career-best 52.8% from the field and has the highest projected ceiling at this position for this slate. In his last game against the Lakers, Leonard posted his only triple-double of the season and second in his career. He finished that game with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
Staying in the Battle of LA, LeBron James is the top power forward to target on this six-game slate. It is gut-check time for the Lakers who are currently 10th in the Western Conference standings. For some reason, he has seen a major dip in his salary on DraftKings. He is only $9,100, which is resulting in a 94% Bargain Rating and 11 Pro Trends. The decrease doesn’t make much sense when James is averaging 29 points, 10.5 assists and seven rebounds since the All-Star Break.
James has recorded over 50 DraftKings points in four of his last five games, which is more than enough to pay off his salary. The Clippers are an above-average defense, but James has had his way in this matchup. In his two games against the Clippers this season, James is averaging 30 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists while shooting 63.2% from the field.
Value
Lamar Stevens is another Grizzlies value who is popping in our models. He has the highest Projected Plus/Minus at the power forward position on DraftKings and has recorded a positive Plus/Minus in five straight games. Despite only playing 24.6 minutes a night in his last five games, Stevens is averaging 12.4 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. He has exceeded 20 DraftKings points in each game. His salary has risen, but he still remains cheap enough where he is a value.
The matchup for Stevens is very difficult. The Timberwolves have the best defensive rating and rank second in least amount of points allowed in the paint. However, Stevens’ cheap salary negates the tough matchup and fills a position that is lacking value. Unlike most value plays, he surprisingly has a high usage rate, averaging 26.6% in his last eight games.
Fast Break
Pelicans’ Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and CJ McCollum are all questionable to play. Make sure to keep an eye on all of their statuses, but Williamson is the best option of the bunch. McCollum is the most likely to miss after sitting out the last two games. With no McCollum against the Bulls, Williamson nearly had a triple-double with 19 points, 11 assists, and eight rebounds. Playing in an up-tempo game with the highest total on the slate at 238.5 points, the Pelicans look great.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
The center position is loaded with studs on this six-game slate, but no one can reach the ceiling of Nikola Jokic. The Nuggets star broke another NBA record becoming the first player to record at least 14 rebounds and 14 assists in three consecutive games. During that three-game stretch, Jokic is averaging 27.3 points, 16.7 rebounds, 15 assists, and 80.5 DraftKings points per game while shooting 68.6% from the field. To no surprise, Jokic has the highest ceiling on the slate.
Jokic will draw a familiar matchup against Domantas Sabonis and the Kings. He erupted in their first meeting against the Kings with a 36-point, 14-assist, 13-rebound triple-double, but struggled in their last two matchups, in which the Nuggets lost both. Given how well he has played recently, Jokic remains an elite pay-up option on DraftKings and FanDuel in all lineups.
Value
Due to the matchup, Andre Drummond will likely draw another start like he did the last time the Bulls faced the Cavaliers frontcourt. In that game, Drummond finished with a 10-point, 15-rebound double-double in 28 minutes. Last game, he also recorded a double-double in 28 minutes. This all comes down to playing time and opportunity for Drummond tonight. He is projected to start and play 28 minutes again and has the second-highest projected Plus/Minus behind Powell on both sites.
Priced under $6,000 on DraftKings and FanDuel, Drummond provides not only value but also a ceiling play. He has a great chance to crack the optimal lineup based on his salary and opportunity. In the nine games that Drummond has started this season, he is averaging a double-double with 17 points, 13.8 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game. He is one of the best values tonight.
Fast Break
Domantas Sabonis has gotten the better of Nikola Jokic in their last two meetings and has been playing like one of the best players in the league recently. Leading the league with 21 triple-doubles, Sabonis has recorded a triple-double in eight of his last 10 games. During that time, he is averaging 20.1 points, 14.4 rebounds, and 10.8 assists per game. He also has a positive Plus/Minus in eight of those 10 games. It is hard to find a more consistent fantasy producer than Sabonis right now.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
NBA DFS Picks Breakdown (Monday, Jan. 2): Caris LeVert is a DraftKings Lock
NBA DFS (Wednesday, Jan. 25): Top Model Picks and Value Plays on DraftKings and FanDuel
NBA DFS Picks Breakdown on DraftKings and FanDuel (Tuesday, Nov. 28)
NBA DFS (Friday, Dec. 1): Top Model Picks and Value Plays on DraftKings and FanDuel
