Sunday features a five-game main slate starting at 6 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 150 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 Player Models directly for any updates as we get closer to lock.
Point Guard
Stud
I kind of like Russell Westbrook ($10,500) today, but it will depend on the projected ownership numbers. Russ has scored fewer than 30 DraftKings points in three of the last four games but has five games over 60 on the season. The Magic are 10th in offensive pace, 29th in defensive efficiency, and they boost the FPPM to point guards by a league-leading 11.93%.
Value
Jalen Brunson ($5,300) will likely make his seventh start on the season because Luka Doncic is out. The Thunder boost the FPPM by 9.57% to point guards, and they are 22nd in defensive efficiency, so the matchup is a good one. In the prior six starts, Brunson went for 37.75, 53, 42.25, 41, 42, and 31.25 DraftKings points.
Fast Break
Cam Thomas ($3,500) could get the start since James Harden is out. Even if he doesn’t start, he should play a significant amount as he’s received 25 and 32 minutes in the last two contests. Thomas is only averaging 0.72 DraftKings points per minute on the season, but he’s gone for 21.5 and 23 DraftKings points in the last two.
Shooting Guard
Stud
D’Angelo Russell ($8,800) is questionable and has missed the last two games, but he’s been working out and was close to playing on Friday. Keep an eye on the updates. Prior to the injury, Russell went for 44.25, 32.75, and 52 DraftKings points. Portland is 27th in defensive efficiency and boost the FPPM to point guards by 3.85%.
Value
Gary Harris ($3,900) has exceeded points expectations 70% of the time this season. Surprise, surprise! He’s produced at least 20 DraftKings points in eight of the last nine games and now faces a Lakers team that is second in offensive pace and boosts the FPPM to shooting guards by 12.19%.
Fast Break
Cade Cunningham ($7,500) has had his moments this season, going over 50 DraftKings points in three games. Like most rookies, though, there’s been inconsistency as well. That said, he’s playing a ton of minutes and is garnering a usage rate in the 30% range. Jerami Grant is out for this one, so Cade should handle as much as possible. The Nets boost the FPPM to shooting guards by a league-leading 13.31%, so the matchup is a good one.
Small Forward
Stud
Kevin Durant ($11,000) will be without James Harden today, so he should get as much usage as he can handle. With Harden off the court, Durant sees a 3.2% usage rate increase to 34.8%. Durant has contributed at least 50 DraftKings points in four of the last six games with a high of 70.25.
Value
Hamidou Diallo ($3,600) doesn’t start, and the playing time is inconsistent, but he has shown the ability to access a ceiling. He’s gone for 24.75 and 21 DraftKings points in the last two games despite playing 29 and 16 minutes. On the season, he has a high of 32 DraftKings points in 21 minutes. Could he play nine minutes and score four DraftKings points as he did five games ago? Sure, but there’s a reason why he’s priced where he is.
Fast Break
Norman Powell ($6,200) sees a 6.5% usage rate increase with CJ McCollum off the court. There’s a chance that both Damian Lillard and Anfernee Simons are unable to go as well. In that scenario, the usage rate bump is 9.6%. Powell averages 0.81 DraftKings points per minute and has scored at least 30 DraftKings points in eight games this season, with two of those coming in the last two.
Power Forward
Stud
LeBron James ($10,800) has gone for at least 50 DraftKings points in six of the last seven games, with two of those above 60. The Magic play at the 10th-fastest pace and are 29th in defensive efficiency. Against power forwards, they boost the FPPM by 8.63%. There is the risk of a blowout since the Vegas Dashboard has the Lakers favored by a slate-high 10.5 points, but if that scenario transpires, James would have likely been a big reason why.
Value
Josh Jackson ($3,200) could get the start in place of Jerami Grant. Jackson averages 0.94 DraftKings points per minute and has gone for at least 30 DraftKings points twice this season.
Fast Break
Kristaps Porzingis ($8,000) has a 29% usage rate with Luka Doncic off the floor. Well, Doncic is not playing today, and it just so happens to be that the Thunder boost the FPPM to power forwards by a whopping 24.54%.
Center
Stud
Jonas Valanciunas ($8,400) leads the league with 21 double-doubles. The fantasy production has been all over the map, as he has four games with fewer than 30 DraftKings points, but he’s gone for at least 50 eight times with a high of 70.75. The Spurs boost the FPPM to centers by 5.96%.
Value
Jusuf Nurkic ($7,100) had a usage rate in the 22% range for most of the season. With CJ McCollum out, that number has spiked to 40% and 32% over the last two games. Now, Damian Lillard and Anfernee Simons are questionable. If they all miss, then Nurkic will be THE guy for Portland. The matchup is great as Minnesota boosts the FPPM to centers by 12.07%. The only issue for Nurkic is the minutes, as he rarely plays more than 30 minutes. Portland may have no choice in this one, though.
Fast Break
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl ($3,600) has been splitting the center duties with Derrick Favors. Usually, when the opposing team has a big bruiser down low, Favors is the option. The Mavericks don’t have that roster construction, so Robinson-Earl could see plenty of minutes in this one. He played 26 minutes in the last game and went for 21.25 DraftKings points. He’s gone over 20 DraftKings points 10 times this season with three over 30.
