We’re starting the week off right with a big, 11-game NBA slate! 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
Who could it be now? Of course, Steph Curry is the featured stud at PG on tonight’s small slate. Over his last four games, Curry has averaged 34.8 points, 7.8 assists, 5.8 rebounds, 2.3 steals, and 6.0 triples while posting one game of 40 points and one game of 50.
Curry is in the midst of another MVP-caliber season, averaging 28.1 points, 6.7 assists, and a career-high 6.2 rebounds. He should have some extra juice tonight, facing former teammate and fellow MVP contender Kevin Durant as well as former Western Conference rival James Harden.
Value
Eric Bledsoe has apparently awoken from the slumber he was in a season ago, as he’s played solid basketball in his return to the Clippers this season.
Bledsoe has been especially productive in his last four, averaging 16.8 points, 5.3 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.0 each of steals and blocks in that span while averaging 34.6 fantasy points. He gets a positive Opponent Plus/Minus and a pace-up spot, so there’s no reason the good times should stop rolling with the 12-year vet.
Fast Break
Patty Mills has been a boom-or-bust option this season, but when he’s boomed, he’s been a huge value for those who play him. Over his last two, Mills has scored 29 points and zero points respectively, so he’s totally worth a gamble in tournaments in the hope he catches fire from deep off the bench.
Shooting Guard
Stud
James Harden is one of three superstars from the Warriors/Nets game included in the Stud section of today’s article (Kevin Durant, Steph Curry), though he’s the riskiest of the trio.
Harden’s production has been elite yet again, though his numbers have failed to align with his jumbo salary on many occasions. Still, if we’re talking ceiling, you won’t find one loftier than Harden’s at SG tonight. He’s one of just a handful of players with 60-point upside on this small slate.
Value
Derrick White is in the midst of a four-game skid, which makes him an interesting tournament pivot on tonight’s slate. In that span, White has averaged 4.3 points, 5.3 assists, 2.5 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 0.8 blocks in that span. That’s a far cry from the 13.7 points, 5.7 assists, 3.4 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 1.0 blocks he posted over the first nine games of the season. White’s ability to stuff the stat sheet gives him plenty of upside on any slate, and our model likes him to break out of his slump tonight.
Fast Break
Seth Curry is averaging a career-high 16.2 points per game this season, and he’s posted five games with at least 22 points. Still modestly priced at just $5,400 on DraftKings and $5,700 on FanDuel, he’s worth a look on the small slate.
Small Forward
Stud
Carrying the Clippers this season, Paul George is an MVP candidate thanks to his strong play. Thus far, he’s averaged 26.5 points (second-most of his career) to go with career highs in rebounds (8.2), assists (5.2), and steals (2.2).
San Antonio presents a favorable matchup for PG, who gets a positive Opponent Plus/Minus and a positive Pace Differential.
If you’re looking to pay up at SF, George is your guy.
Value
Bojan Bogdanovic draws all his fantasy value from scoring, though he’s shown a propensity for getting hot throughout his career. Hot off a season-best 26 points and six triples, our model likes him to keep the strong production going tonight.
Fast Break
Doug McDermott is a much better play on DraftKings (94% Bargain Rating) than he is on FanDuel, and our model loves him as a top value on the slate. Over his last three contests, Dougie McBuckets has scored at least 22.5 fantasy points twice. He’s too inconsistent to play in cash games, but if you need an upside flier with a bottom-of-the-barrel price in tournaments, McDermott is worth a look.
Power Forward
Stud
Kevin Durant is firmly entrenched as an MVP contender this season, and it’s easy to see why. The superstar forward is averaging 29.6 points (his most since 2013-14) and a career-high 8.4 rebounds to go with 5.1 assists and 2.0 triples.
On the season, he’s posted six double-doubles and a triple-double, and his motivation should be heightened in this marquee matchup versus his former team. Durant has easily the highest ceiling of any SF on the slate.
Value
Thad Young has taken full advantage of his increased role since Jakob Poeltl (COVID-19, conditioning) went out. In those six games, “Thadgic Johnson” has averaged 12.2 points, 5.5 boards, 4.3 assists, and 2.5 combined blocks/steals. Keep going to him at his affordable price tag.
Fast Break
Tobias Harris has seamlessly transitioned back into the Sixers’ lineup after six games out due to health and safety protocols. In two games since his return, he’s posted 51 points, 18 rebounds, and 10 assists.
Center
Stud
Andre Drummond edges out Rudy Gobert as tonight’s featured stud, despite the similarities the two have in Ceiling Projections, and salary. Drummond is a little pricier, but he’s got the highest ceiling of any player on FanDuel and the second-highest on DraftKings.
In four games without Joel Embiid (COVID-19), Drummond has averaged 11.3 points, 18.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 2.3 blocks while grabbing at least 20 boards twice. In the battle of premier rebounders, Drummond is worth paying up for tonight.
Value
Over his last six games, Ivica Zubac has averaged 11.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 2.0 combined blocks/steals while notching four double-doubles. The Spurs have allowed the 10th most fantasy points to opposing centers this season, making Zubac an excellent value at the position.
Fast Break
Jakob Poeltl (conditioning) remains out tonight, so Drew Eubanks remains in play as a value option on the slate. He’s posted 10.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.7 combined blocks/steals across 22.2 minutes in six starts. In that span, he’s racked up a double-double and two multi-block games. At just $4,400 on DraftKings, he’s a much better value (88% Bargain Rating) than he is on FanDuel at $5,300.
