The second night of the Play-In Tournament features a two-game slate on Wednesday. The battle for the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference is between the Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat, which tips off at 7 p.m. ET when contests lock. The winner of that game will advance to play the New York Knicks in the first round, while the loser will face the winner of the second game of the night for a chance to advance and face the Boston Celtics. Avoiding the Celtics is the best case scenario for the 76ers and Heat. The second game will be a much more high-scoring matchup between the Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks. The winner will get a chance at the eighth seed, while the loser will book a weekend getaway to Cancun.
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
After missing 23 games with a torn tendon in his finger, Trae Young has worked his way back to play the final three games for the Hawks. He was on a minutes restriction but ramped up his playing time in each game and averaged a double-double with 15 points and 10 assists in those three contests. Now that Young is well-rested, expect him to get a full workload. Young did have a great year despite the injury. He finished the year averaging 25.7 points and a career-high 10.8 assists per game.
Young is projected to play his full allotment of minutes but still has the lowest projected ownership among the elite options for this two-game slate. He is a contrarian option with upside when he is at full strength. Young has uncharacteristically shot 29% from the field in his two meetings with the Bulls, but he has averaged a 20-point, 13.5-assist double-double over that time.
Value
The point guard opposite of Young tonight is Bulls’ starter Coby White. After a poor season last year, White has rejuvenated his career by averaging a career-high across the board this season in points, rebounds, and assists per game. He started all but one game this year and has elevated his game without Zach LaVine on the floor. In his 54 games played without LaVine, White is averaging 20.6 points, 5.5 assists and 5.0 rebounds per game. He has helped keep the Bulls’ season afloat.
The Bulls are three-point home favorites against the Hawks, with the highest-implied total on the slate at 112.75 points. Playing against the Hawks has been a favorable matchup all season long. They ranked 27th in defensive rating this year and sixth in pace. That bodes very well for the Bulls point guard, who shot 51.9% from the field when playing in transition.
Fast Break
Tyrese Maxey has the second-highest projected ceiling behind Trae Young but has displayed an incredible upside in his fourth year in the league. Maxey is one of three players who has three 50-point games this season. He has taken his game to a new level as the primary ball-handler for the 76ers. Maxey is projected to play a slate-high 40 minutes in this matchup against the Heat. He has stuffed the stat sheet in this spot, averaging 27.3 points, 8.3 assists, and 6.5 rebounds per game.
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
Dejounte Murray is only $400 cheaper than his backcourt teammate Trae Young, but he is drawing double the ownership given how well he has played recently. Murray ended the season with a 32-point game where he shot 13-for-19 from the field and 4-for-6 from behind the arc. He also had a 29-point, 13-assist, 13-rebound triple-double a little over a week ago. His ceiling is capped playing alongside Young, but he is still fully capable of having a huge game, especially in this matchup.
Murray averaged a career-high 22.5 points per game this season with a 26.7% usage rate. He has boom-or-bust tendencies, which is perfect for tournaments. The Hawks are a trendy pick to upset the Bulls tonight, and Murray’s dual threat ability to score and pass the ball is a big reason why. His price tag has dipped considerably from where it was at the end of the year.
Value
The most popular player on this two-game slate is guard and forward eligible Alex Caruso from the Bulls. He is projected for 70% ownership and will be a staple in cash games at his $5,800 salary. Caruso is projected to start and play 35 minutes. He ended the season with three-straight games with a positive Plus/Minus. Caruso has the third-highest projected Plus/Minus on the slate behind two of his teammates. Being able to fill up the stat sheet in a variety of ways makes him an elite value.
This is the first season in which Caruso has averaged over 10 points per game. He is also averaging a career high in both rebounds and assists while shooting 40.8% from downtown. Caruso was also incredible defensively, ranking in the top five in steals per game. He averaged two per game in his two meetings with the Hawks. Caruso is simply too cheap in this spot.
Fast Break
Kelly Oubre thrived coming down the stretch for the 76ers. He posted a positive Plus/Minus in 10 of his last 14 games while averaging 18.3 points per game. Oubre has transitioned into a starter for the 76ers perfectly and has displayed the ability to take over in games when the 76ers have been shorthanded. Priced in the middle range at $6,000, Oubre is a great filler for lineups, as he has shooting guard and small forward eligibility. He is a cheap way to get exposure to the 76ers 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
Now is the time when Jimmy Butler‘s season starts. The Heat have played in two of the last four NBA Finals, and Butler is the main reason why. He has averaged over 27 points per game in his last two playoff appearances. Butler’s usage rate and production has increased dramatically in the playoffs, and we should expect nothing different tonight. Facing his old team in the 76ers will bring extra juice to an already motivated Butler. It’s hard to deny Butler’s greatness in the playoffs.
The 76ers ranked just outside the top 10 in defensive rating this season and definitely improve when they are healthy. Butler has been dominant in difficult matchups throughout this career, so that won’t be an issue. The Heat are playing without Terry Rozier tonight, which will put even more pressure on Butler to do most of the play making.
Value
Bogdan Bogdanovic is yet another player who is averaging a career high in scoring this season. He averaged 16.9 points per game and has been a great asset when Trae Young was injured. Young is back, but Saddiq Bey, Jalen Johnson, and Onyeka Okongwu remain out for the Hawks. Bogdanovic is still projected to start and play around 38 minutes, which is more than enough time to pay off his $6,400 salary. He will be a popular value play at 45% ownership, but it is deserving.
Where Bogdanovic can take advantage against the Bulls defense is on the perimeter. They rank dead last in 3-pointers allowed at 39.5 per game, while opponents are shooting a blistering 37% from distance. Nearly 60% of Bogdanovic’s field goal attempts have come from behind the arc this season. Expect plenty of open looks for the sharpshooter in this matchup.
Fast Break
Salary isn’t that much of a problem on tonight’s slate, but when looking to build a stars and scrubs lineup, Hawks’ forward Garrison Matthews needs to be involved. Matthews is only $3,100 and is projected to play around 20 minutes. He has a positive Plus/Minus in five of his last seven games. Similar to Bogdanovic, most of Matthews’ production comes from his perimeter shooting: 85% of his field goal attempts come from behind the arc, where he is also shooting at a 44% clip.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
With dual forward eligibility, DeMar DeRozan is easily the top player to target at the power forward position. The veteran ended the season with four-straight 30-point games. He averaged 33.3 points per game while shooting 55.6% from the field during that stretch. Since Zach LaVine suffered a season-ending injury in the middle of January, it has been the DeRozan show. In 55 games without LaVine this season, DeRozan is averaging 25.4 points, 5.6 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game.
DeRozan is the best pay-up option on the slate according to our Player model. He has the highest projected Plus/Minus on the slate and the second-highest projected ceiling and projected ownership. DeRozan also has a 91% Bargain Rating at his $8,400 salary. Given how well he has played and his affordable salary, he should come preloaded in cash game lineups.
Value
Tobias Harris’ salary simply does not make any sense. Despite recording a positive Plus/Minus in seven of his last 10 games, Harris has seen his price tag dip down to $6,200. That dip is resulting in a 99% Bargain Rating and nine Pro Trends. With dual-forward eligibility, Harris is a fantastic way to get exposure to the 76ers tonight. If the 76ers won tonight, they could challenge the Knicks in the first round of the playoffs. Harris is playing too many minutes and too well to be priced this low.
The matchup against the Heat isn’t ideal for the 76ers. They rank fifth in defensive rating and have played at the fifth-slowest pace this season. Expect a grind-it-out type of game with a 208-point total. However, in his only matchup against the Heat this year, Harris stuffed the stat sheet with 27 points, seven rebounds, and six assists while shooting 10-for-16 from the field.
Fast Break
De’Andre Hunter is another Hawks forward that is worth getting exposure to on this slate. Hunter is projected to be the second-highest owned power forward behind DeRozan and is projected to play around 38 minutes. Priced under $6,000, Hunter has a 20% usage rate projection and has displayed a ceiling. In his game against the Heat a little over a week ago, Hunter had a 23-point, 11-rebound double-double. He could flirt around with a double-double in this matchup tonight as well.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
After missing the last regular season game due to a knee injury, Joel Embiid has practiced in back-to-back days and is likely to play tonight. Similar to Trae Young, Embiid missed a plethora of games between February and April but has had some monstrous games since returning. In his last three contests, Embiid has recorded a double-double in each game while averaging 33 points and 12 rebounds per game. He has the highest projected ceiling by far in this two-game slate.
Make sure to monitor the status of Embiid the closer we get to lock, but expect him to suit up tonight. Similar to Trae Young, Embiid is drawing around 10% projected ownership. DFS players are opting to go with a balanced lineup instead of paying up for Embiid, which makes him an elite tournament play. No one can touch his ceiling regardless of the difficult matchup.
Value
Nikola Vucevic has the most Pro Trends on the slate with 11 and has an 87% Bargain Rating with his $7,800 salary. He has by far the highest projected Plus/Minus at the center position and has the second-highest ceiling to Embiid. Not only did Vucevic average a double-double this season yet again, but he also averaged a double-double against the Hawks with 14.5 points and 12.5 rebounds per game. The Bulls are in the best spot on the slate, and Vucevic is another great player to target.
This matchup has been favorable to opposing big men all season long. Vucevic can score in the paint and on the perimeter, which sets his skill set up perfectly in this spot. The Hawks are allowing 53.7 points per game in the paint, which is sixth-highest in the league. Rostering Bulls’ players is likely the avenue to the top of tournaments, making Vucevic a great option.
Fast Break
Clint Capela has put together some huge performances for the Hawks, especially playing without backup center Onyeka Okongwu. He has captured a double-double in 14 of his last 19 games and posted a positive Plus/Minus in 13 of those 19 contests. Capela also has displayed a blocking upside that significantly boosts his ceiling. The Bulls rank middle of the pack in both rebounding and blocks allowed per game this season. Capela will play enough minutes to be valuable tonight.
