NBA DFS Picks Breakdown on DraftKings (Tuesday, December 3)

Tuesday features an eight-game main slate starting at 7 p.m. ET.

Let’s dive into some of the top plays on the slate using the FantasyLabs tools and projections.

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.

You can also use our SimLabs Lineup Generator, a tool that creates the most user-friendly lineup generation process.

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.

Stud

Scottie Barnes continues to produce big numbers for the Raptors. He’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in five straight games, and he’s scored at least 59.0 DraftKings points in two of them. That gives him an elite floor and an elite ceiling. He’s producing in virtually every category across the board, posting a triple-double two games ago and falling just one assist shy in his last outing. Overall, he’s averaged 1.46 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, which trails only Ja Morant and Luka Doncic among Tuesday’s point guards.

Barnes should continue to provide elevated production for as long as Immanuel Quickley is sidelined, and he draws a strong matchup vs. the Pacers. They’re 25th in defensive rating for the year, and they’ve also played at the sixth-fastest pace. This game has the second-highest total of the day at 238.5 points, and Barnes leads the position with 13 Pro Trends. He’s an outstanding way to start your lineups.

---

Value

When it comes to LaMelo Ball, maybe we just can’t have nice things. Ball was in the midst of a breakout season after injuries forced him to miss much of the past two years. Unfortunately, Ball went down with another injury recently. The good news is that he’s only expected to miss a few weeks, so he should be back sooner rather than later.

In the meantime, Vasilije Micic should see a spike in value. He hasn’t been a particularly good fantasy producer this season, averaging just 0.63 DraftKings points per minute, but he’s projected for 32 minutes vs. the 76ers. Historically, players with comparable salaries and minute projections have averaged a Plus/Minus of +2.59 (per the Trends tool).

Micic has also proven that he can take advantage of an expanded workload. He played at least 28 minutes in 17 games with the Hornets last season, and he averaged 29.32 DraftKings points and a +3.50 Plus/Minus in that split. He will likely be significantly more expensive in his next outing, so this is definitely the time to buy.

---

Fast Break

Tyrese Maxey is another potential stud target on this slate. The 76ers did get Paul George back in their most recent outing, but he was limited to less than 26.4 minutes. With Joel Embiid still sidelined, that leaves Maxey to do most of the lifting offensively. He’s increased his production to 1.20 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and he’s scored at least 47.5 DraftKings points in back-to-back games.

Malcolm Brogdon is a good basketball player, and he’s starting to get more opportunities for the Wizards. He played more than 30 minutes for the first time all season in his last outing, and he responded with more than 50 DraftKings points. He’s underpriced at $5,900 on DraftKings, resulting in an 87% Bargain Rating.

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

Jordan Poole is another option for the Wizards on Tuesday. He’s been a solid producer all season, averaging 1.20 DraftKings points per minute, but his minutes have been plagued by playing for an awful Wizards’ squad. They’ve lost 14 straight games, so he’s seen reduced minutes in a lot of blowouts.

Unfortunately, that could be in the cards again on Tuesday. They’re taking on one of the best teams in basketball, and the Cavaliers are listed as 16-point home favorites.

That clearly makes Poole a risk, but if this game does stay competitive, he’s underpriced at $6,900. He’s averaged 43.25 DraftKings points and a +7.84 Plus/Minus in five games with a comparable salary where he’s played at least 28.5 minutes. Poole has even more upside than usual with Kyle Kuzma out of the lineup, so if you can stomach the blowout risk, there’s plenty of potential.

---

Value

Stephon Castle has had a really nice stretch for the Spurs recently. He failed to return value in his last game, but he’s still averaged a +3.29 Plus/Minus in his past 10 outings. He’s managed to return positive value in eight of them, and he’s increased his production to 0.86 DraftKings points per minute over the past month.

Castle should continue to play plenty of minutes for the Spurs, and he’s projected for 32 minutes vs. the Suns in our NBA Models. Before his last outing, Castle had scored at least 27.0 DraftKings points in five straight games, making him underpriced at $5,200.

---

Fast Break

Bennedict Mathurin is up to $7,000 on DraftKings, so he’s not as appealing as he’s been for most of the past few weeks. However, he still has the ability to pay off that price tag. He had 46.0 DraftKings points vs. the Blazers three games ago, and he draws one a strong matchup vs. the Raptors. They’re 23rd in defensive efficiency this season, and they’ve also played at an above-average pace.

If you’re looking to go really cheap at the position, Cason Wallace deserves consideration for the Thunder. He’s played big minutes with Alex Caruso out of the lineup recently, and he’s projected for another 30 minutes on Tuesday. He’s not the greatest per-minute producer, but he’s still scored at least 29.5 DraftKings points in two of his past three outings.

Be sure to check out all the pick’ems Sleeper has to offer with Sleeper promo code LABS1 for a $1500 deposit match.

NBA DFS Small Forward Picks

Stud

Brandon Miller has been a strong choice for DFS players recently, posting a +8.54 average Plus/Minus over his past 10 games. That alone makes him worth considering vs. the 76ers.

Of course, Miller has the potential for even more than usual with Ball out of the lineup. LaMelo has been dominating the possessions for Charlotte this season, leading the league with a 39.6% usage rate. That’s a sky-high figure, and it’s going to open up plenty of opportunities for the rest of the roster.

Miller figures to be one of the biggest beneficiaries. He’s increased his usage rate by +3.99% with Ball off the court this season, bringing him to a team-high 30.9% in that split. He’s also seen a slight boost in production, averaging 1.18 DraftKings points per minute, and he’s projected for 37 minutes on Tuesday’s slate.

Ultimately, Miller leads all players in our NBA Models in projected Plus/Minus, making him one of the top overall options.

---

Value

Small forward stands out as a good spot to pay up at on Tuesday, with no one really standing out from a value perspective. However, Harrison Barnes is one possible exception. He’s had some big games recently, going for at least 36.5 DraftKings points in three of his past six outings, so he has some upside at just $4,400.

That said, he also has some downside. He’s coming off just 26.8 minutes in his last contest, so his minutes are trending in the wrong direction. 

---

Fast Break

George saw limited minutes in his first game back for the 76ers, but he could take a step forward on Tuesday. We have him projected for 30 minutes in our NBA Models, and that’s enough for him to potentially pay off his $7,500 salary. George has averaged 1.15 DraftKings points per minute for the year, and he’s seen a team-high usage bump with Embiid off the floor.

R.J. Barrett is another potential option for the Raptors. He’s a bit cheaper than Barnes, but he has comparable median and ceiling projections vs. the Pacers. He’s averaged 1.25 DraftKings points per minute for the year, and he’s scored 48.75 DraftKings points in five of his past eight games.

NBA DFS Power Forward Picks

Stud

Jalen Williams has failed to return value in three straight games, which has caused his price tag to dip below $9,000 on DraftKings. That makes him a potential buy-low target vs. the Jazz. Utah has been a fantastic matchup so far this season, ranking 29th in defensive efficiency.

Williams also continues to thrive when on the floor. He’s averaged 1.35 DraftKings points per minute for the year, and he’s increased that figure to 1.40 over the past month. With Caruso and Chet Holmgren currently on the shelf, Williams should continue to deliver solid production.

The only real concern here is whether or not the Jazz can keep this game competitive. OKC is favored by 13.5 points, so there’s definitely a scenario where he spends the end of the game on the bench.

---

Value

Tidjane Salaun was the No. 6 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, and he’s another member of the Hornets who sees a boost in value with Ball sidelined. Salaun has already shown some upside recently, logging 32.0 DraftKings points vs. the Heat and 27.0 DraftKings points vs. the Knicks, but he came crashing back to reality in his last outing. That said, he played just 22 minutes in that contest, but he played at least 34.9 in his previous two. We have him projected for a conservative 27 minutes on Tuesday, but he has upside for more if he’s playing well. Regardless, he still grades out as the top value at the position.

---

Fast Break

No matter how deep you think your NBA knowledge is, there’s always someone new to learn. Case in point: Oso Ighodaro. The rookie second-rounder came seemingly out of nowhere to play more than 30 minutes in his last outing, and with Jusuf Nurkic out of the lineup, he could see another expanded role on Tuesday. He hasn’t been great when on the floor this season (0.77 DraftKings points per minute), but anyone with the potential to play 30 minutes has value at $3,800.

Evan Mobley struggled to get anything going vs. the Celtics his last time out, snapping a string of three straight games with a positive Plus/Minus. That includes a game with more than 60 DraftKings points, so he has significant upside at $7,800 in an elite matchup.

NBA DFS Center Picks

Stud

Isaiah Hartenstein remains priced at a massive discount on DraftKings. His $7,300 salary comes with an 88% Bargain Rating, and he’s done nothing but dominate since joining the Thunder’s rotation. He’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in all five outings, and he’s had at least 43.0 DraftKings points in three of them. Overall, he’s averaged a stout 1.34 DraftKings points per minute.

There’s no reason not to go right back to the well with him on Tuesday. Until his price tag catches up to his production, he’s one of the top options at the position.

---

Value

The Wizards have a pair of strong options to consider at center, but Jonas Valanciunas gets the nod from me. Valanciunas may not be playing a ton for Washington, but he continues to absolutely dominate whenever on the floor. He’s averaged 1.33 DraftKings points per minute for the year and 1.36 DraftKings points per minute over the past month.

Additionally, Valanciunas was able to top 30 minutes in the team’s last outing. If he’s going to continue to play that much, he should be able to absolutely smash his current price tag. Kuzma will miss his second-straight game, so it’s possible that Valanciunas sees another expanded workload on Tuesday. That’s too tempting to pass up.

---

Fast Break

Alex Sarr is the other center option for the Wizards, though he also has PF eligibility. That’s great news for DFS players, making it possible to play him alongside Valanciunas and Hartenstein if you so choose. Sarr hasn’t been quite as effective as Valanciunas on a per-minute basis, but he should see more minutes in this spot. He’s projected for 28 minutes in our NBA Models, but he saw more than 36 in his last outing.

Jakob Poeltl’s salary has plummeted of late. He’s down to just $7,200 after being priced above $8,000 at points last week. Poeltl has still managed at least 40.5 DraftKings points in back-to-back games, so that doesn’t feel particularly justified. He’s also projected for significantly less ownership than the other centers mentioned, making him an interesting pivot for tournaments.