Sunday features a three-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
Trae Young ($10,300) is the top option at the position by a wide margin. He is questionable, so make sure he’s good to go. He averages 1.39 FP/Min and is projected for 35 minutes. The Hornets are second in offensive pace and 27th in defensive efficiency, so the game environment should be a juicy one. Over the last six games, Young has produced at least 45 DraftKings points in all, with two above 60.
Value
Armoni Brooks ($3,700) will make his first start of the season as Kevin Porter Jr. is out. While he hasn’t started a game, Brooks has played significant minutes when Porter has left games early or in blowouts. In four games receiving at least 20 minutes, Brooks has gone for 32.5, 12.5, 20.75, and 31.25 DraftKings points. Brooks averages 0.84 FP/Min and is projected for 32 minutes. The Wizards boost the FPPM to point guards by 6.08%.
Fast Break
Ish Smith ($4,800) will likely get the start since LaMelo Ball is in COVID protocols. He is projected to play 35 minutes and is averaging 0.68 FP/Min.
Shooting Guard
Stud
Brandon Ingram ($8,800) hasn’t had the best of seasons from a fantasy perspective as he’s averaged a negative 4.75 Plus/Minus and exceeded point expectations only 30% of the time. Over the last three games, though, he’s gone for 41.75, 36.5, and 57 DraftKings points. He’s garnering a usage rate near 30% and faces a Houston team that is first in offensive pace and boosts the FPPM to small forwards by 15.21%.
Value
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope ($4,200) isn’t exciting as the matchup isn’t great, but it’s a three-game slate, and value options are scant, especially since I wrote up Armoni Brooks in the point guard section. KCP scored 12.25 DraftKings points in the last game, but he only played 20 minutes due to a blowout. Prior to that, he had gone for at 20 DraftKings points in four straight with a high of 33.5.
Fast Break
Kelly Oubre ($6,100) will likely enter the starting rotation with Terry Rozier out. Oubre averages 0.91 FP/Min and is projected for 35 minutes.
Small Forward
Stud
Gordon Hayward ($7,000) averages 0.95 FP/Min and is projected for 33 minutes. That is close to the projections for Scottie Barnes and Miles Bridges, who are $1,000 more expensive. With Ball and Rozier out of the lineup, Hayward could see an uptick in usage.
Value
Gary Trent ($5,900) isn’t cheap, but I don’t like the other options outside of Caldwell-Pope, who I wrote up above. Trent only averages 0.87 FP/Min, but he’s projected for 35 minutes, and Nick Nurse loves to play his guys. Trent is averaging a positive 3.37 Plus/Minus and has exceeded point expectations 70% of the time. He’s gone for at least 30 DraftKings point seven times this season with a high of 42.5.
Fast Break
Cam Reddish ($3,300) is questionable, but so is Kevin Huerter. If Reddish plays and Huerter is out, he should see more than the 25 minutes he’s projected for and exceed salary and point expectations.
Power Forward
Stud
John Collins ($7,100) has been remarkably consistent for much of the season. He’s scored at least 30 DraftKings points in eight of the last nine games, but he’s only gone for 40 three times, so the ceiling is limited. That said, he’s averaging 1.06 FP/Min and is projected for 33 minutes. He’s projected to score in a similar range to both Miles Bridges and Scottie Barnes, who are $1,000 more expensive.
Value
Danilo Gallinari ($4,700) only averages 0.82 FP/Min, but he’s played at least 20 minutes in 10 straight and is averaging a positive 4.44 Plus/Mins while exceeding point expectations 60% of the time on the season. There’s volatility to his game as he can score 8 DraftKings points or 33. That said, over the last 10 games, he’s gone for at least 20 in six of those contests with two games over 30.
Fast Break
Alperen Sengun ($4,200) has scored at least 15 DraftKings points in six straight, with three of those games above 20. He’s done this despite playing fewer than 20 minutes in five of those contests. He’s averaging 1.17 FP/Min and is projected to play 18 minutes.
Center
Stud
Clint Capela ($8,200) gets the best matchup for centers, as the Hornets boost the FPPM by a whopping 18.83%. The last time he faced Charlotte, he went for 20 points, 15 rebounds, and two blocks which translated to 45.25 DraftKings points. On the season, he’s gone for at least 40 DraftKings points six times, with three of those contests above 50.
Value
Precious Achiuwa ($4,500) is only averaging 0.84 FP/Min, but he’s projected to play 33 minutes. He’s a low-usage player, so don’t expect many points, but he grabs rebounds and contributes defensive stats. Achiuwa has scored at least 20 DraftKings points six times this season.
Fast Break
Christain Wood ($9,600) has been on quite the heater recently. Outside of the game, he left early due to an injury. He’s gone for 50, 2, 60.25, 63.5, and 43 DraftKings points in the last five games. Memphis is 27th in defensive efficiency and boosts the FPPM to centers by 3.54%.
