Tuesday features a six-game slate starting at 7 p.m. ET.
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
The Cavaliers’ play has slipped since the All-Star break, but they at least have Darius Garland back in the lineup. He’s their maestro on offense, averaging the eighth-most touches per game this season, and he has to carry an even larger role than usual given the team’s injury situation. They’re still without Caris LeVert, leaving Garland as one of the team’s only capable ball-handlers.
Garland has also been producing from a fantasy perspective of late. He’s increased his production to 1.29 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and he’s scored at least 43.75 DraftKings points in three of his past four games. He’ll have the opportunity for another big performance vs. the Pacers, who rank just 26th in defensive efficiency.
Value
It’s basically impossible to avoid Cameron Payne at $5,300 on DraftKings. It results in a Bargain Rating of 96%, and he has the potential to produce like a stud vs. the Magic. He’s taken over as the team’s primary ball-handler with Chris Paul and Devin Booker sidelined, averaging 1.26 DraftKings points per minute over his past three games. He’s also logged at least 32.4 minutes in his past two contests, and he’s scored at least 39.5 DraftKings points in both.
The Magic are also a great matchup for Payne, resulting in an Opponent Plus/Minus of +2.93. That’s one of the top marks at the position.
Fast Break
LaMelo Ball is another player with an excellent matchup on Tuesday. He’s taking on the Nets, resulting in an Opponent Plus/Minus of +3.03. The game between the Hornets and Nets also leads the slate with a 239.5-point total, and the Nets are listed as just three-point favorites. That suggests a high-scoring, back-and-forth affair. Ball is an excellent buy-low target on FanDuel given his Bargain Rating of 95%.
Jalen Suggs is a game-time decision for the Magic, but he was not able to participate in shootaround on Tuesday morning. That’s not a good sign for his availability. If he’s ruled out, Cole Anthony should take on a larger role than usual. He’s increased his usage rate by +2.4% and his assist rate by +1.9% in 14 games without Suggs this season, resulting in an average of 36.46 DraftKings points per game.
Shooting Guard
Stud
Khris Middleton never seems to get the love that he deserves, but perhaps that will change following his last outing. He exploded for 64.5 DraftKings points over 35.9 minutes in a victory over the Suns.
Middleton is in another great spot on Tuesday. The Bucks are taking on the Thunder, and they lead the slate with an implied team total of 122.0 points. There are some blowout concerns – the Bucks are currently listed as 13-point favorites – but Middleton has excellent upside if this game stays competitive.
Value
Cody Martin stands out as a nice source of value on Tuesday. He’s priced at just $3,500 on DraftKings, resulting in a Bargain Rating of 86%, and he’s currently projected for 30 minutes in our NBA Models. Historically, players with comparable salaries and minute projections have averaged a Plus/Minus of +4.54 (per the Trends tool).
Fast Break
The Warriors’ injury report is going to be important to monitor on Tuesday. They were without virtually their entire starting lineup on Monday, and Klay Thompson is the only player who has yet to be confirmed as available. If they’re shorthanded once again, Thompson is going to be asked to carry the scoring load. He’s averaged 1.31 FanDuel points per minute with Steph Curry and Andrew Wiggins off the court this season, so he would be extremely appealing if both players are sidelined. Thompson is also underpriced on FanDuel given his Bargain Rating of 96%.
Landry Shamet is another potential source of savings at the position. He’s not all that impactful on a per-minute basis, but he’s currently projected for 34 minutes in our NBA Models. That’s a ton of playing time for someone priced at just $3,700, so he’s a good bet to return value.
Small Forward
Stud
Kevin Durant is a bit pricy on DraftKings, but his $10,300 salary on FanDuel comes with a Bargain Rating of 94%. Regardless, Durant’s upside on Tuesday’s slate is undeniable. He’s coming off a monster performance in his last game, finishing with 58.2 FanDuel points over 38.9 minutes. The Nets are in rough shape at the moment, so they’re going to have to push Durant hard just to guarantee a spot in the play-in tournament.
Durant will have Kyrie Irving back in the lineup on Tuesday, but he still owns a monster ceiling vs. the Hornets. They rank second in pace and 20th in defensive efficiency, which is an elite combination for DFS. The Nets’ implied team total of 121.25 trails only the Bucks, and they don’t have nearly the same blowout concerns. Durant has a legit claim to the title of top stud on the slate.
Value
Jae Crowder has been a fantastic source of value recently, posting an average Plus/Minus of +6.29 over his past 10 games on DraftKings. Despite his production, his price has stayed pretty stagnant on DraftKings, and his current $5,100 salary comes with a Bargain Rating of 93%.
He should continue to thrive with Booker and Paul sidelined. He’s increased his usage rate by +5.4% and his assist rate by +9.9% with Booker, Paul, and Cameron Johnson off the floor this season, resulting in an average of 1.04 DraftKings points per minute.
Fast Break
Cedi Osman has logged at least 31.9 minutes in back-to-back games, and he’s scored at least 24.5 DraftKings points in four of his past five. He could see a slight reduction in playing time if Rajon Rondo returns to the lineup, but he’s still underpriced across the industry.
Miles Bridges is another excellent buy-low target for the Hornets on FanDuel. He’s been priced down to $6,900, resulting in a Bargain Rating of 95%, and he’s historically averaged a Plus/Minus of +8.64 with a comparable salary. He has major appeal in the best fantasy matchup of the day.
Power Forward
Stud
Giannis Antetokounmpo owns the highest ceiling projection on Tuesday’s slate, just like he does virtually every time he takes the floor. The only thing that has been able to stop him this season has been playing time. He’s averaged 1.77 DraftKings points per minute this season, so unsurprisingly, he’s averaged a Plus/Minus of +4.82 in 23 games with at least 34 minutes. In the 27 games where he’s played less than 34 minutes, his Plus/Minus drops to -7.75.
With that in mind, Giannis is riskier than usual on Tuesday. The Bucks have the potential to blow the doors off the Thunder, meaning Giannis could spend the fourth quarter watching this game from the bench. Fading Giannis is always a gamble, but I’d rather roll with Durant.
Value
Jordan Nwora is significantly cheaper for the Bucks – he’s priced at just $3,100 on DraftKings – and he doesn’t possess nearly the same blowout concerns. He should also benefit from the team’s current injury situation. Grayson Allen, George Hill, and Pat Connaughton are all sidelined, leaving the Bucks without three key role players. That should open up a few additional minutes for Nwora, who is capable of taking advantage. He’s been projected for at least 26 minutes in 15 previous games, and he’s averaged a Plus/Minus of +7.53. Overall, he’s one of the strongest values on the entire slate.
Fast Break
Kevin Love has quietly been playing a few additional minutes for the Cavaliers recently. He’s coming off 29.5 minutes in his last outing, and Love has massive upside with that much playing time. He’s averaged 1.29 DraftKings points per minute this season, and he has numerous games with more than 40 DraftKings points in far less playing time.
Jaxson Hayes has taken over as the Pelicans starting power forward, and he’s delivered excellent value in that role. He’s posted an average Plus/Minus of +3.28 over his past 10 games on FanDuel, yet he remains very reasonably priced at $4,400. His current price tag comes with a Bargain Rating of 91%, and his matchup vs. the Grizzlies results in an elite Opponent Plus/Minus of +6.66.
Center
Stud
Deandre Ayton doesn’t have the same offensive game as some of the other top young centers in basketball, but he’s still a capable fantasy producer. He’s averaged 1.15 DraftKings points per minute this season, and he carries a bit more offensive upside than usual with Paul and Booker sidelined. He posted a usage rate of 29.6% in his last outing, which represents a massive increase compared to his season average of 20.9%. He responded with a season-high 30 points. If he can keep up that level of aggression on offense, he’s undoubtedly underpriced at $6,600.
Value
Kevon Looney was one of the only Warriors who didn’t get the night off on Monday, and he responded with 34.2 FanDuel points over 29.2 minutes. Overall, Looney has averaged 1.06 FanDuel points per minute over the past month, so he’s an interesting option at $4,400 on FanDuel. He would be more appealing if the team is shorthanded again, but he should be able to return value even if they’re at full strength.
Fast Break
Jonas Valanciunas leads the position with 11 Pro Trends on FanDuel, where his $7,000 salary comes with a Bargain Rating of 89%. Valanciunas has taken a backseat to C.J. McCollum of late, but he’s still posted a positive Plus/Minus in six of his past seven games. His ceiling might not be as high following the trade deadline, but he’s still capable of paying off this salary.
Bobby Portis is another member of the Bucks worth consideration on Tuesday. He’s struggled in back-to-back games, but he continues to play around 32 minutes per night. Portis has averaged 1.12 DraftKings points per minute this season, so better production should be on the way.
