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 Leverage 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
With Luka Doncic unable to play tonight, the battle for the best pay-up option on this slate is wide open. However, despite being priced under $10,000, Cade Cunningham currently leads all players in projected ceiling while also leading the top pricing tier in projected Plus/Minus. The Pistons may be 11-16, but they are three wins from their total from last season and Cunningham has been a major reason why. The four-year point guard is averaging career-highs across the board in points, rebounds, and assists per game.
Over Cunningham’s last four games, he has had three ceiling performances that have accumulated over 60 DraftKings points. In those three games, he is averaging a triple-double with 25.3 points, 15.7 assists, and 10 rebounds per game. Another reason Cunningham looks so good tonight is the elite matchup against the Jazz, who rank dead last in defensive rating at 120.7 this season. This is a great spot for Cunningham.
Value
Over the last month, Spencer Dinwiddie is starting to find his groove again. He put up a goose egg last game, but Dinwiddie has scored double-digit points in six of his last nine games while averaging 13.1 points per game over that stretch with three 20-point games. At $3,700 and projected to play 32 minutes, Dinwiddie is arguably one of the best values on the slate and makes it easy to pay up at other positions.
This season with Luka Doncic off the floor, Dinwiddie has a +2.73% usage rate and a +5.55 DraftKings Plus/Minus (per our Trends tool). Keep an eye on the status of Kyrie Irving who is also questionable to play tonight. If Irving is out, that would make Dinwiddie even more of a priority than he already is. Winners of 12 of their last 14 games, the Mavericks are still 4.5-point home favorites against the Clippers.
Fast Break
After missing his last seven games due to a calf injury, LaMelo Ball returned and looked healthy while capturing a season-high four steals and posted his fifth double-double of the season with 15 points and 11 assists. Despite playing 26 minutes last game, Ball recorded 47.25 DraftKings points in the Hornets’ 13-point loss. In a matchup against the Wizards, who rank 29th in defensive rating and last in points allowed at 123 per game, this is a great spot to get exposure to Ball, who is only projected for 10% ownership.
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
Kyrie Irving is the top shooting guard if he is able to play tonight. He was a full participant in practice yesterday, so the expectation is that Irving will suit up. With Doncic off the floor this season, Irving’s usage rate jumps to 29.4%, which is a near 4% increase. He is a boom-or-bust fantasy producer but will greatly benefit from the absence of Doncic. Not only does Irving project for the highest ceiling at the shooting guard position, but he is also second in projected Plus/Minus behind his teammate Klay Thompson.
Irving is second on the Mavericks in nearly every statistic behind Doncic this season. He is averaging 23.9 points, 5.3 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game while shooting an efficient 50.4% from the field and a career-high 46.8% from behind the arc. The Clippers rank fifth in defensive rating while playing at a snail’s pace. However, given his $8,200 salary with dual guard eligibility, Irving is a priority on this 11-game slate.
Value
Priced under $5,000 with shooting guard and small forward eligibility, Klay Thompson is yet another Mavericks player worth getting exposure to. He leads this position in projected Plus/Minus and is also projected for 20% ownership. Playing all three of Thompson, Irving, and Dinwiddie is not recommended, but Thompson needs to be included based on how well he has shot the ball recently. In his last three games, the Mavericks’ sharpshooter is averaging 22.7 points per game while shooting 50% from distance.
The Clippers defense ranks middle of the pack in 3-pointers allowed per game, but Thompson is always hunting for his shot. Most of his fantasy production does come from behind the arc, but at a $4,900 salary, it does not take much for Thompson to exceed his salary-based expectations. At least one Mavericks player should be in every lineup, and do not forget about Thompson, who is shooting the lights out.
Fast Break
Another boom-or-bust fantasy option is Rockets shooting guard Jalen Green. He leads the team, scoring 19 points per game, but his efficiency has been lacking. Regardless, Green is not afraid to look for his shots, and this is a great opportunity for him to unload from deep. Green has made five 3-pointers in two of his last five games, while the Pelicans defense is allowing 14.2 3-pointers per game, which is tied for the fifth-highest in the league. If Alperen Sengun and Tari Eason ,who are both listed questionable are out, that makes this an even better spot for Green. He is reasonably priced in the mid-range at $6,200.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
The Boston Celtics continue to roll through the league with not a lot of stress, and they likely won’t be tested in this matchup against the Bulls. The Celtics are 14.5-point favorites, implied for a slate-high 128 points. It is difficult to get overly exposed to any player from the Celtics when they are healthy. However, with Kristaps Porzingis questionable to play, that opens the door for a potential ceiling game for Jayson Tatum. With Porzingis off the floor, Tatum is second on the team in usage rate and production increases.
Tatum is one of the few players worth playing on the Celtics because he leads the team in points, rebounds, and assists per game. The Bulls, who rank 25th in defensive rating, will have no answer for Tatum, but it will come down to how competitive this game is. Projected for 10% ownership with plenty of value on this slate, it is worth getting up to Tatum at his $10,100 price tag, especially if Porzingis is out.
Value
Rockets starting small forward, Dillon Brooks has been a valuable asset to the team on both ends of the floor. He leads the starters, shooting 37.4% from behind the arc, and has made at least two 3-pointers in five of his last six games. In a positive matchup for perimeter shooting, this is a good spot for Brooks, who has posted a positive Plus/Minus in four-straight starts with one game scoring over 40 DraftKings points.
Brooks will not benefit like Jalen Green without Tari Eason and Alperen Sengun in the lineup, but if they were to miss it would certainly increase the playing time for Brooks. He has the third-highest projected Plus/Minus at the small forward position and is in a spot that could get better throughout the day. Brooks is capable of getting hot from deep and will play enough that he could pop into the optimal lineup.
Fast Break
With Cam Thomas continuing to be out for the Nets, Cameron Johnson is the number one option on the team. He has scored over 20 points in four of his last five games and has been a model of consistency. He is averaging a career-high 18.6 points per game but has also contributed to his peripherals this season, averaging a career-high in assists. Despite his price tag rising to $7,100, Johnson is still projected for over 10% ownership in a relatively good matchup against the Raptors who rank 22nd in defensive rating.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
After beating the Cavaliers in back-to-back games, the Hawks have used that momentum to win seven of their last nine games. They are barely underdogs on the road tonight against the Spurs in what will be one of the best game environments on the slate, with a total of 233.5 points. The Hawks rank third in pace at 104.36. Starting power forward Jalen Johnson has turned himself into a star. He is averaging a career-high in points, rebounds, and assists per game with a points and rebounds double-double this season.
With Onyeka Okongwu out for the Hawks, expect Johnson to be relied upon even more on the glass. His 10.1 rebounds per game continue to lead the team. On this 11-game slate, Johnson has the second-highest projected ceiling behind Tatum among power forwards and is projected for 20% ownership, which is the most at this position. He has posted a double-double in four straight games. Let’s make it five.
Value
Despite being 60% owned on his last slate and only recording 11.5 DraftKings points, Jonathan Mogbo is still looking like one of the better values on this slate. Scottie Barnes may be back, but now Jakob Poeltl is unable to play. The Raptors continue to be a carousel for who is in and out of their starting lineup. Mogbo is still projected to start and play around 30 minutes, which is fantastic for his $4,900 price tag.
Mogbo is capable of having a big game on the glass. He posted 10 rebounds two games ago and seven in his two games prior to that. A double-double may be unlikely, but he can flirt with it in this cupcake matchup against the Nets frontcourt. They rank last in rebounding percentage at 47% and 27th overall in defensive rating. Add Mogbo to the list of values on this 11-game slate that is worth getting exposure to.
Fast Break
The Grizzlies are one of the hottest teams in the league, winning 10 of their last 12 games, and are 2.5-point home favorites against the Warriors tonight. Ja Morant being back makes the Grizzlies a threat, but Jaren Jackson Jr. has played incredibly this season. He is averaging the same points per game as Morant and leads the team in steals and blocks per game. Jackson Jr. is also shooting a career-best 51.8% from the field and 36.4% from deep. Priced in the mid-range at $7,200, Jackson Jr. is a strong play in all formats.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Choosing to target Karl-Anthony Towns over Victor Wembanyama isn’t always recommended, but it is tonight. In his first season with the Knicks, Towns has been a dominant center. He leads the league with a career-high 13.9 rebounds per game and is scoring nearly 25 points per night. Towns is also shooting an incredible 52.6% from the field and 43.9% from behind the arc. He has been a great addition to the Knicks, who have won 11 of their last 15 games and rank third in the Eastern Conference with a 16-10 record.
Towns will likely get a warm homecoming welcome in Minnesota tonight, where he spent the first nine years of his career. The Timberwolves rank 18th in both rebounding percentage and points allowed in the paint, so this should be a good spot for Towns to have a strong performance. He is the preferred center to pay up for on this slate. He has posted a double-double in 22 of his 24 games played this season.
Value
After missing each of the last 12 games, rookie Zach Edey returned last game and didn’t miss a beat. He posted his third double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 rebounds in his 24 minutes played. Dating back to November 8th, Edey has also posted at least one steal and one block in six consecutive games. Even though he is only playing 20 minutes per game, Edey has been active and very productive.
Edey leads all centers in projected ownership at just over 25% and has the highest projected Plus/Minus on the slate. Even at his 22 projected minutes, Edey has an 18% usage rate and is only $4,300. He is a cheap way to get exposure to the Grizzlies who are implied to score 119 points against the Warriors. This is the cheapest that Edey has been all season. Even in a relatively difficult matchup, he is a strong value.
Fast Break
Jalen Duren is another player who has returned from injury and had a big performance in his most recent game. Duren nearly recorded a double-double with nine points and 16 rebounds. His 33.5 DraftKings points were the most he has had since late November. Priced at $5,500 and drawing a matchup against the Utah Jazz, Duren is a great mid-range value option. He will also benefit from Isaiah Stewart being unable to play tonight. With no Stewart on the floor, Duren has played the most minutes on the team at 542 and has posted a team-high 20.7% rebounding rate. He is a little too cheap with Stewart sidelined.
