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
It took a halfcourt heave from Trae Young for the Hawks to beat the Jazz and get back in the win column after three straight losses. Not only did Young hit the game-winner, but he finished with an incredible 24 points and 20 assists. It was his third 20-assist game of the season, bringing his league-leading averages to 12.2 assists per game. Young is a walking points and assists double-double with his 25.7% usage rate.
Another benefiting factor for getting Young exposure tonight is the Hawks are playing in the best game environment on the slate. Their road matchup against the Jazz has the highest total on the board at 238.5 points. With Young running the show, the Hawks play at the second-fastest pace in the league, while the Suns rank 22nd in defensive rating. His salary has increased, but this is still a fantastic spot for Young.
Value
Terry Rozier has seen his playing time flip flop all over the board recently. He has played upwards of 41 minutes down to 18 over his last six games. However during that time, Rozier has been productive with a positive Plus/Minus in five of those six games. Priced at an even $5,000 with dual guard eligibility, Rozier is a strong value play in all lineup builds tonight, especially in this cupcake matchup against the Jazz.
The Heat are four-point road favorites against the Jazz, who continue to rank dead last in defensive rating at 118.4. Other than that dud where Rozier scored less than 10 DraftKings points in 18 minutes, he has been a consistent fantasy producer recently. He currently has the sixth-highest projected Plus/Minus on the slate. He is behind his teammate Alec Burks ($3,000), but I do not believe his salary savings is needed.
Fast Break
Cade Cunningham is the perfect tournament option for this seven-game slate. He is the second-most-expensive player on the slate behind Trae Young but has the highest projected ceiling. Cunningham recorded a negative Plus/Minus in four of his last six games, but in those two games where it was positive, he averaged over 60 DraftKings points. The Warriors have a top-10 defense this year, but Cunningham is projected for a 33.5% usage rate, which is the second-highest on the slate. He is a great tournament play.
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
Moving Bradley Beal to the bench has opened the floodgates for Devin Booker‘s assist numbers. He has recorded back-to-back points and assists double-doubles. Booker is still finding a way to be aggressive offensively scoring 39 points last game while shooting 14-for-25 from the field. Priced at $9,000, Booker has the highest projected ceiling at the shooting guard position in a strong matchup against the Hawks.
The Hawks play an up-tempo brand of basketball while also ranking 20th in defensive rating and are still playing without Jalen Johnson, who is one of their best defenders. They have given up 127.5 points per game in their last four games. Behind Young and Cunningham, Booker has the third-highest projected ceiling on the slate. The great matchup and double-double opportunity make him an elite pay-up option.
Value
Currently leading the slate by a wide margin in projected Plus/Minus is Cavaliers’ guard Caris LeVert. Priced at only $4,100 with point guard and shooting guard eligibility, LeVert is the best value play on the board. This is mainly due to the Cavaliers being 15.5-point home favorites against the Raptors. LeVert is simply a cheap way to get exposure to the Cavaliers’ slate-high 125.5-point total in a potential blowout.
LeVert has not started a game yet this season but is shooting career-best numbers across the board. He is shooting 49% from the field and 44.5% from behind the arc while averaging 11.3 points per game. The veteran shooting guard is capable of producing a poor performance, but at his cheap salary, it will not take much for him to pay off his salary tonight. He also has a relatively high 20% projected ownership.
Fast Break
This slate is filled with players like Malik Beasley, who is yet another boom-or-bust fantasy producer. Beasley has scored 23 points in two of his last three games, but in the other game he only scored five on 1-for-10 shooting. However, at $5,600, Beasley has to be in play, being projected to start and play around 30 minutes. The Pistons are still without Ausar Thompson and Jaden Ivey. With those two off the floor this season, Beasley has posted a team-high +3.43 DraftKings Plus/Minus (per our Trends tool).
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
The Jazz are decimated with injuries right now. Three of their best players are unable to play once again tonight including Jordan Clarkson, Keyonte George, and John Collins. With those three high-usage players off the floor, Lauri Markkanen unsurprisingly leads the Jazz with a +5.98% usage rate increase. Markkanen is projected for a slate-high 34.9% usage rate tonight, which immediately puts him in play.
Markkanen tied his season-high last game with 35 points while shooting 11-for-21 from the field and 8-for-15 from behind the arc. The matchup against the Heat is not ideal, but Markkanen, at $7,700, has the highest projected ceiling at the small forward position due to his high usage rate. Expect the entire offense to be run through Markkanen making him one of the best mid-range pay-up options on the slate.
Value
Arguably, the best pure punt option for this seven-game slate is Hawks’ forward Garrison Matthews. At $3,400 with guard and forward eligibility, Matthews is easy to fit into any lineup build. He has finished with over 20 DraftKings points in five of his last six games. Matthews can fill it up from the perimeter in a hurry. He is shooting 41.8% from behind the arc with over 80% of his field goal attempts coming from long distance. That bodes well in this matchup, with the Suns allowing 36.3% shooting from downtown.
Matthews is the cheapest way to get exposure to this extremely high total game environment. He is playing well and is a strong value play despite being projected to only play 19 minutes. His cheap salary may not be needed with the lack of star power, but Matthews can still find his way into the optimal build.
Fast Break
Amen Thompson is starting to shine in his new role with the Rockets while Jabari Smith Jr. is out and Tari Eason is still doubtful to play. In his last two games, Thompson is averaging a massive double-double with 21.5 points and 15.5 rebounds per game while shooting 66.7% from the floor. He has played 41 minutes in back-to-back games and averaged over 50 DraftKings points per game. Thompson has a double-double in four of his last six games and is the perfect combination of upside and value tonight.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
Kevin Durant continues to lead the Suns, averaging 27.4 points per game and shooting 51.7% from the field and 40.8% from distance. He has scored 20+ points in 23 of his 25 games played this season. The consistency that Durant provides is difficult to find on this seven-game slate, making him a strong play in cash game contests. His ceiling may not reach the level of Young and Cunningham, but Durant is a steady fantasy producer which does have value, especially when he has power forward and center eligibility.
For Durant to reach his ceiling, he will need to have high peripherals. Unfortunately the Hawks are a strong rebounding team, but they do allow 28.7 assists per game, which is the third-highest in the league. That will likely bode better for Booker, but Durant is still capable of putting up high assist numbers. At only 5% projected ownership, Durant is a contrarian pay-up option in what will be a high-scoring game.
Value
The power forward position is littered with value plays who have a low usage rate, but can still provide value in a variety of ways. Kyle Anderson is the perfect example of that. In 27 minutes last game, Anderson stuffed the stat sheet with five points, five rebounds, four assists, three steals, and two blocks for 27.25 DraftKings points. A repeat performance will be more than enough to pay off his $3,400 salary.
Anderson is projected for only 22 minutes, but the Warriors may be punting this game away. Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski are out, while Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Dennis Schroder, and Moses Moody are all listed as questionable for tonight’s game. Keep an eye on the Warriors’ starting lineup the closer we get to lock. Anderson is a great value now but could look even better throughout the day.
Fast Break
The Cavaliers have won 11 consecutive games and lead the league with a 32-4 record. The emergence of Evan Mobley has been a big reason for their success. He is averaging a career-high 18.9 points and 8.7 rebounds per game this season while shooting 57.3% from the field and 40.4% from behind the arc. He has provided a double-double in two of his last three games and should thrive in this matchup against the Raptors, who are allowing 50.1 points per game in the paint, which is the sixth-highest in the league.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Leading all centers in projected ceiling is Rockets’ big man Alperen Sengun. He is coming off a ceiling performance against the Wizards with a 26-point, 10-rebound double-double, where he also added six assists and two steals while shooting 12-for-23 from the field on a 38.5% usage rate. That was Sengun’s eighth double-double in his last 13 games. He has been a monster for the Rockets on the glass this year.
Tonight will be an absolute battle on the boards. Both the Rockets and Grizzlies rank first and second in rebounding percentage, with the Rockets leading the way at 52.9%. Capturing another double-double may be a little more difficult tonight, but Sengun is averaging a career-high 10.4 rebounds per game this season. Sengun is only drawing around 10% ownership, which makes him a contrarian pay-up option.
Value
Onyeka Okongwu is currently questionable but is also leading all centers in projected Plus/Minus. The Hawks’ backup center has been extremely consistent in his 23.6 minutes per game. He is averaging a career-high 10.9 points and 6.8 rebounds per game while shooting 53.9% from the field. Okongwu is also attempting a career-high 1.6 3-pointers per game but is still only shooting 22.4% from behind the arc.
This matchup sets up well for Okongwu. The Suns are a below-average interior defensive team. They rank 19th in both points allowed in the paint and rebounding percentage. They also moved Jusuf Nurkic to the bench in favor of Mason Plumlee for defensive purposes. However, coming off the bench himself, Okongwu will get a favorable matchup with Nurkic. Okongwu is a good value if he is able to suit up.
Fast Break
With no Jimmy Butler, the Heat have become the Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo show. In his last two games without Butler, Adebayo is averaging a double-double with 18.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 45.4 DraftKings points per game. He has added six steals and two blocks during that stretch. Adebayo is currently projected for the most ownership at the center position at 23%. The Jazz are a great rebounding team, but Adebayo is playing too well to ignore. He is also projected for a sizable 25% usage rate tonight.
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