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.
Tuesday features a seven-game slate starting at 7 p.m. ET.
Point Guard
Stud
Steph Curry got off to a fantastic start this season, leading the Warriors to an 18-2 record and emerging as the massive favorite to take home his third MVP. Unfortunately, he has cooled off substantially since then. He’s shooting just 41.9% from the field and 37.9% from 3-point range this season, both of which would be the worst full-season marks of his career.
However, Curry has started to turn a corner. He’s made at least six 3-pointers in two of his past three games, and he’s scored at least 52.6 FanDuel points in both contests. Curry has been priced down substantially across the industry, and he stands out as one of the best values of the day at just $9,300 on FanDuel.
Editor’s note: Curry has been ruled out.
Value
It was recently reported that Spencer Dinwiddie is not wanted in Washington by his teammates. That’s obviously not good, but the Wizards are going to need Dinwiddie with Bradley Beal currently sidelined. Dinwiddie may not be the same player that he was in his prime, but he has still provided excellent fantasy value in nine games with Beal sidelined. He’s averaged 34.5 minutes and 42.81 DraftKings points in that situation, making him an elite value vs. the Bucks.
Fast Break
Derrick White rested in the Spurs last game – along with half the roster – but he should be back in the lineup on Tuesday. He’s been a nice option on DraftKings recently, posting a positive Plus/Minus in four of his past five games, yet his salary has remained reasonable. He’s averaged 1.02 DraftKings points per minute this season, so he should be able to pay off his $6,100 price tag.
No one in basketball has a wider range of outcomes than Cade Cunningham at the moment. He’s finished with 69.6, 14.4, and 57.0 FanDuel points in his past three games. Still, the ceiling is what’s important for tournaments, and Cunningham clearly has plenty of that at just $7,800.
Shooting Guard
Stud
Shooting guard doesn’t stand out as a position to spend up at on Tuesday. Going with someone like Jordan Poole makes much more sense. Klay Thompson will get the night off on the second leg of a back-to-back, which means Poole should move into the starting lineup. He should be able to eclipse 30 minutes in that role, and Poole has averaged 0.93 DraftKings points per minute with Thompson off the court this season. Poole’s salary has also decreased across the industry, making him an excellent buy-low target vs. the Spurs.
Value
Coby White is one of the top values of the day on FanDuel, where his $5,000 salary comes with a Bargain Rating of 96%. He’s seen an uptick in playing time recently given the injuries to Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso, and he’s currently projected for 30 minutes in our NBA Models. White has historically owned a comparable salary and minute projection in just 10 previous contests, and he’s averaged a Plus/Minus of +6.16 (per the Trends tool).
The Bulls also own one of the best matchups of the day vs. the Magic, and their implied team total of 115.25 ranks fourth on the slate.
Fast Break
Gary Payton II is another member of the Warriors who should see a slight boost in value on Tuesday. He’s averaged 0.99 DraftKings points per minute this season, so he doesn’t need a ton of playing time to pay off his minimal salary.
The Pelicans’ injury report will be important to monitor on Tuesday. They’ve listed Brandon Ingram as questionable, and his absence would open up some additional minutes and shot attempts for the rest of the roster. Devonte’ Graham would be one of the biggest beneficiaries, and he’s underpriced at $5,400 on FanDuel. He also owns one of the best individual matchups of the day, resulting in an Opponent Plus/Minus of +2.53.
Small Forward
Stud
The Suns continue to play without Deandre Ayton and Jae Crowder, which solidifies Cameron Johnson’s role in the rotation. He’s logged at least 35.8 minutes in four straight games, and Johnson is capable of paying off his $5,400 price tag on DraftKings with that much playing time. He managed just 18.0 DraftKings points in his last outing, but he posted a positive Plus/Minus in each of his three previous games. He’s also had two performances with at least 35.0 DraftKings points over that time frame, so he has some upside as well. The Suns’ implied team total of 117.75 is also the second-highest mark on Tuesday’s slate.
Value
Deni Avdija has started to take on a larger role for the Wizards recently. He’s averaged 25.7 minutes over his past five games, and that number doesn’t figure to decrease with Beal out of the lineup. Overall, Avdija has averaged 0.82 DraftKings points per minute this season, and he’s currently projected for 31 minutes in our NBA Models. That’s an excellent combination for someone who costs just $3,800.
Fast Break
Doug McDermott was one of the Spurs’ offensive focal points in their last outing, finishing with 34.8 FanDuel points over 28.3 minutes. I wouldn’t expect a repeat performance on Tuesday, but he doesn’t need to match those numbers to pay off his current salary. He’s priced at just $3,700 on FanDuel, resulting in a Bargain Rating of 92%.
Josh Hart continues to get the job done for fantasy owners. He’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in seven straight games on FanDuel, and he’s scored at least 30.5 FanDuel points in six of them. Hart is capable of contributing in every category across the board, and he’s averaged a strong 0.92 FanDuel points per minute this season. He’s underpriced at $6,800.
Power Forward
Stud
Giannis Antetokounmpo headlines the PF position, and he’s priced at a discount at $11,000 on FanDuel. It results in a Bargain Rating of 95%, and Giannis has averaged a Plus/Minus of +3.64 with a comparable salary this season.
Giannis is coming off a disappointing 47.8 FanDuel points in his last outing, but he was limited to just 30.8 minutes in a blowout loss. He’s in a prime bounce-back spot Tuesday vs. the Wizards. They rank just 21st in defensive efficiency, and the Bucks’ implied team total of 119.5 is the top mark on the slate.
Value
Wendell Carter Jr. has played in the past five games for the Magic, and he is back to playing his normal workload. He racked up 33.2 minutes in his last contest, and WCJ is capable of doing some serious damage with that much playing time. He’s averaged 1.14 DraftKings points per minute this season, so Carter stands out as significantly underpriced at $6,200 on DraftKings.
Fast Break
Bobby Portis is another player who deserves attention for the Bucks. He’s been in a bit of a slump recently, which has caused his price tag to dip to just $6,000 on FanDuel. Still, Portis is routinely playing more than 30 minutes per night for the Bucks, and he’s averaged 1.07 FanDuel points per minute this season. He also draws an elite individual matchup vs. the Wizards, resulting in an Opponent Plus/Minus of +3.13.
Kelly Olynyk is not listed on the injury report for the Pistons, which suggests he’ll suit up vs. the Pelicans. He likely won’t see a ton of playing time, but Olynyk is capable of racking up fantasy points quickly. He’s averaged 1.22 FanDuel points per minute this season, and he’s averaged 1.45 FanDuel points per minute in his two games over the past month. He’s worth some tournament consideration at $5,100.
Center
Stud
Nikola Jokic is currently questionable for the Nuggets, but he is definitely worth considering if he’s able to suit up. Jokic has been the unquestioned best player in fantasy this season, averaging 1.83 DraftKings points per minute. He put his full skill set on display in his last contest, racking up 60.25 DraftKings points in just 28.2 minutes in a demolition of the Bucks. Reduced playing time in blowouts has been the only thing that can stop Jokic this season, and he’s rattled off at least 60.25 DraftKings points in seven of his past eight games.
Jokic is in a solid spot Tuesday vs. the Timberwolves, who have played at the fourth-fastest pace this season. The total on this game sits at 230.0 points, which is the top mark on the slate.
Value
The Nets’ frontcourt is going to be a bit thinner than usual on Tuesday. LaMarcus Aldridge and Paul Millsap will both miss this contest, and Kevin Durant remains sidelined with a long-term injury. That should result in a few additional minutes for Nicolas Claxton. He’s played 17.3 minutes or fewer in each of his past two games, but he could approach 25 minutes vs. the Suns. Claxton has averaged 0.95 DraftKings points per minute this season, making him an appealing option at his current price tag across the industry.
Fast Break
The Suns’ backup centers should continue to provide value with Ayton sidelined. Bismack Biyombo has earned the majority of the minutes recently, but JaVale McGee should still see enough playing time to stay relevant. McGee has averaged 1.32 DraftKings points per minute this season, and he’s significantly cheaper than Biyombo on DraftKings. That makes him the superior option on a points-per-dollar basis.
Kevon Looney is another low-cost center that should provide value. He’s seen an uptick in playing time with Draymond Green out of the lineup, and he’s averaged 0.99 DraftKings points per minute over the past month.
