After a tiny three-game Thursday slate, we’ve got 11 games on tap in the NBA tonight! Let’s dive into some of the top plays 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
Russell Westbrook ($11,200 DraftKings, $9,900 FanDuel) has easily the highest ceiling on tonight’s slate after two huge games in a row.
Over his last two contests, Brodie has averaged 21 points, 14 assists, 12 rebounds, and three combined blocks/steals while posting two straight triple-doubles and two straight 60-fantasy-point games.
LeBron James will be out again tonight, and the Lakers/Wolves game clocks in with the highest over/under on the slate at 224.5 between two teams ranked top-10 in pace.
Value
After starting the season strong, Kemba Walker ($5,000 DraftKings, $4,600 FanDuel) has struggled over his last four games. He’ll get a bounce-back opportunity tonight against his former team.
New York is ranked 26th in pace, and Charlotte is ranked third. It’s a great pace-up spot for Walker, and he should have some extra motivation. The Knicks/Hornets game has the second-highest over/under at 223.5.
Fast Break
Damian Lillard ($9,800 DraftKings, $8,500 FanDuel) has now scored 25 in three straight, and he remains in play on FanDuel (97% Bargain Rating) despite his early-season struggles. Given his price on DraftKings, he’s not an advised option.
Shooting Guard
Stud
Dejounte Murray ($9,400 DraftKings, $9,500 FanDuel) has been on an absolute tear this season, averaging career-highs in points (18.4), assists (8.2), rebounds (7.9), and steals (2.2). He has one triple-double to his credit through 11 games, though he has that upside every single night.
Murray has been especially productive as a scorer over his last four games, scoring at least 20 points in three of those contests. With just 2-4% ownership on DraftKings and 9-12% on FanDuel, Murray boasts a strong 99% Leverage Rating and 93% Leverage Rating on those sites, respectively.
Note: Murray is eligible at PG/SG on FanDuel and only PG on DraftKings
Value
Malik Beasley ($4,300 DraftKings, $4,500 FanDuel) has struggled mightily over his last two contests, though he scored at least 20 fantasy points in four games prior.
Beasley’s paltry point totals have come as Anthony Edwards scored 75 points in that span. In tonight’s matchup with the Lakers (224.5 over/under), there should be enough scoring to go around, and our models love Beasley as a salary-saving option.
Fast Break
Despite a 12-point dud in Wednesday’s win over the Blazers, Devin Booker ($9,500 DraftKings, $8,400 FanDuel) still has a 60-fantasy-point upside at just $8,400 on FanDuel. Over his last five, Booker has averaged eight boards and two combined blocks/steals, thanks in large part to Deandre Ayton’s absence. Ayton is expected to miss tonight’s matchup with the Grizz, and if Booker can get back on track in the scoring department, he could return a ton of value.
He’s much less desirable on DraftKings at an inflated $9,500 price.
Small Forward
Stud
Anthony Edwards ($8,100 DraftKings and FanDuel) is coming off a career-high 48 points, and he gets an excellent draw with the Lakers tonight in what should be a high-scoring game.
Edwards is on a heater over his last two games, as he’s averaged 37.5 points on 51.0% shooting from the field and 50.0% from three with 5.5 triples made per game.
His most recent scoring outbursts have boosted his scoring average to 25.9 points – tied for seventh in the Association with Donovan Mitchell and Zach LaVine. At this price point, Edwards is a near must-play on tonight’s slate, given his incredibly high ceiling.
Value
Kelly Oubre ($4,400 DraftKings, $5,100 FanDuel) just went off for a season-high 37 points, and our models love him to return value on tonight’s slate.
His minutes have been inconsistent this season, but in eight games with at least 27 minutes played, Oubre has averaged 19.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.1 steals. Our models project him for 27.87 minutes tonight.
Fast Break
Will Barton ($6,900 DraftKings, $6,700 FanDuel) has flown dangerously under the radar despite his latest four-game surge. Over his last four, Barton has averaged 24.0 points, 5.5 dimes, 5.3 boards, and 2.0 combined blocks/steals while posting better than 43 fantasy points per contest.
Power Forward
Stud
Julius Randle ($10,200 DraftKings, $9,400 FanDuel) is coming off one of his worst games of the season, though that contest got out of hand quickly as the Bucks cruised to any easy victory. Randle gets a great chance at a bounce-back game against Charlotte tonight.
The Hornets rank third in pace and 28th in defensive rating. Charlotte has been especially vulnerable to opposing big men. Here are some notable frontcourt players who have faced the Hornets over the last four games:
- Steven Adams: 13 rebounds, two blocks
- Anthony Davis: 32 points, 12 rebounds, five blocks, three steals
- Ivica Zubac: 14 points, 11 rebounds, two blocks
- Richaun Holmes: 23 points, 20 rebounds
On the season, Randle has averaged 21.9 points, 10.5 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.7 combined blocks/steals.
In a tremendous matchup, expect him to have a strong performance.
Value
Kyle Anderson ($4,300 DraftKings, $4,900 FanDuel) has topped 21 fantasy points in six of his last seven games and posted at least 27 fantasy points four times in that span.
The matchup with Phoenix sports a healthy 220.5 over/under, and Anderson is our model’s favorite value at the SF position on tonight’s slate.
Fast Break
Jayson Tatum’s production has been a bit unpredictable this season, but he’s had two big games in a row heading into tonight’s matchup with the Bucks. Over his last two, Tatum has averaged 27.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 2.0 combined blocks/steals while posting back-to-back double-doubles. He’s just $9,600 on FanDuel tonight (96% Bargain Rating). With Jaylen Brown (hamstring) out for the next week or two, expect Tatum’s increased production to continue.
Center
Stud
Anthony Davis ($10,900 DraftKings, $10,800 FanDuel) understandably struggled against Miami’s stifling defense in his last game out, but in two prior games in which he finished the contests, Davis posted fantasy-point totals of 72 and 64.
He gets a highly favorable Opponent Plus/Minus of +4.45 and will face the Timberwolves in a game with the highest implied point total on the slate. Don’t be afraid to spend up for AD tonight.
Value
Frank Kaminsky ($5,500 DraftKings, $5,200 FanDuel) should be a popular play tonight after erupting for a career-high 31 points in Wednesday’s victory over the Blazers.
Deandre Ayton (leg) is unlikely to play tonight, and in his last three games (all without Ayton), Kaminsky has averaged 19.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.0 blocks across 27.7 minutes.
Memphis has allowed the most points and fantasy points to centers this season, providing Kaminsky the perfect storm of opportunity and matchup.
Fast Break
Sacramento has allowed the second-most rebounds and second-most fantasy points to the center position, so Derrick Favors or Jeremiah Robinson-Earl are both in play tonight as bottom-barrel salary-savers, depending on who draws the start against the Kings.
