We’ve got 13 games to choose from on a massive Wednesday slate in the NBA. 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
After four lackluster performances (by his standards), Stephen Curry erupted Monday in the Dubs’ victory over the Hawks. He was masterful, pouring in a season-high 50 points (including nine triples) to go with 10 dimes, seven boards, three steals, and a block with just two turnovers.
Tonight, he’ll face Minnesota in a game with the third-highest over/under on the slate at 222.0. After his season-best showing, Curry will look to keep the positive momentum rolling in a friendly game environment.
Value
Kyle Lowry is firmly in play as a value option tonight, though he’s much more affordable on FanDuel with a 96% Bargain Rating.
Over his last two games, Lowry’s stat lines have been anything but consistent, going 20/12/10 against the Jazz then following it up with an 0/3/4 dud against the Nuggets.
Lowry looks like a feast or famine play on tonight’s slate, which is why he’s not recommended for cash games. He gets a juicy Opponent Plus/Minus of +4.98 facing the Lakers.
Fast Break
It’s no secret that De’Aaron Fox and Damian Lillard have been majorly underwhelming this season, but after a fortnight of disappointing performances, both players’ prices have begun to creep down.
Lillard remains an avoidable play on DraftKings at $10,200, but he’s just $8,200 on FanDuel tonight. That’s too friendly a price not to have at least some exposure to on this evening’s massive slate.
Fox, on the other hand, is in play on both sites, as his price has fallen to just $8,200 on DraftKings and $7,400 on FanDuel. Underwhelming or not, when a player’s price drops too far below his potential ceiling, it’s a good time to take advantage.
Shooting Guard
Stud
Devin Booker has lit up the boxscore over his last three, averaging 27.7 points, 8.0 boards, 5.0 dimes, 3.7 triples, and 2.4 combined blocks/steals. He’s nearly $10,000 on DraftKings, but he has a Bargain Rating of 97% and a Leverage Rating of 90% on FanDuel, thanks to an affordable $8,500 price tag.
It’s no coincidence that Booker’s boost in scoring and rebounds have coincided with Deandre Ayton’s absence due to a lower leg injury. Ayton will miss his third straight game tonight, so expect Booker’s hot streak to continue.
Value
We’re going bottom of the barrel with this one. Alec Burks is just above the minimum salary on both sites with a price of $3,100 on DraftKings and $3,800 FanDuel.
He’s logged at least 21 minutes in three of his last four games and has three games with at least 20 fantasy points this season. If you’re looking for a dirt-cheap tournament flier with a relatively-safe minutes floor, Burks should be your man.
Fast Break
Tyler Herro has commanded a healthy 27.8% usage this season, and he’s scored at least 22 points in four of his last six games. He gets a great draw with the Lakers tonight and is clearly in play as an upside option at a mid-range salary.
After a two-game absence due to an ankle injury, D’Angelo Russell returned to post his best game of the season with a 30/5/7/1/1 line. He gets a friendly draw against the team that drafted him back in 2015.
Small Forward
Stud
After a pair of difficult matchups against Boston and Utah, Jimmy Butler had a bounce-back performance against the Nuggets on Monday to deliver his sixth 50-fantasy-point performance in his last eight games.
Butler is just $9,600 on DraftKings and $9,700 on FanDuel, giving him a strong combination of ceiling, floor, Projected Plus/Minus, and Fantasy Pts/Sal to go with positive Opponent Plus/Minus and increased pace.
Value
Kyle Anderson is one of our model’s favorite values on tonight’s slate, and it’s not hard to see why. Slow Mo is fresh off his best game of the season (a 12/9/7 line with a block), yet his salary remains quite affordable.
He gets the benefit of playing in a game with the highest projected over/under on the slate (228.5) and facing a Hornets frontcourt defense that has been vulnerable this season.
Fast Break
Sophomore slump? Not for Anthony Edwards, who’s averaged career highs across the board with 23.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 3.0 triples, and 2.2 combined blocks/steals. His price hasn’t risen high enough to compensate for his ceiling, making the budding superstar a player worth considering on every slate.
Kevin Durant has gone nuclear in his last four games, posting averages of 32.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 5.3 assists in that span while commanding a 36.3% usage rate. Tonight’s matchup with the rebuilding Magic isn’t intimidating.
Power Forward
Stud
Domantas Sabonis has averaged 19.3 points, 10.9 boards, 3.9 assists, and 1.5 steals per game this season, but he’s got a chance to blow past those averages tonight against a decimated Nuggets frontcourt.
Denver will be without Nikola Jokic (suspension) and Michael Porter Jr (back), leaving the Pacers’ big man to have his way. Sabonis sits behind only Giannis Antetokounmpo as the highest-ceiling option among players with PF/C eligibility.
Value
Jaden McDaniels is an interesting tournament play tonight after he posted his best game of the season against Memphis on Monday. McDaniels can rack up boards and blocks in a hurry, though his minutes and production have been anything but consistent this season. Still, he’s worth a look, thanks to his price and favorable matchup.
Fast Break
Pascal Siakam played well in his season debut, going 15/4/1/1/2 across 25 minutes. He’s priced at $8,300 on both FanDuel and DraftKings, though he’s not worth playing until his minutes and production trend steadily up.
For now, Precious Achiuwa and Scottie Barnes can still be deployed in DFS lineups as tournament options. Achiuwa logged 27 minutes off the bench and went 13/8/1/1 in Siakam’s debut, and Barnes remained in the starting lineup, going 8/7/4/5 over 31 minutes.
Center
Stud
Ranked 10th in pace, Minnesota faces Golden State in a pace-up spot against the Association’s fifth-fastest paced team. Karl-Anthony Towns checks in as a bona fide stud against Stephen Curry and Co. in what figures to be an excellent game environment.
The stretch five is a near-lock for a double-double with strong assists and elite defensive numbers.
Value
With Jakob Poeltl out for at least one more week, a pair of Spurs land in the value section today. Thaddeus Young and Drew Eubanks can each be utilized as salary-savers on tonight’s busy slate.
Over the last three games without Poeltl, Eubanks has averaged 9.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.0 combined blocks/steals, while Young has averaged 10.0 points, 6.0 boards, 3.7 helpers, and 3.7 combined blocks/steals.
Both are in play tonight on each site thanks to recent production and favorable game environment, though Young is a much better value on FanDuel with a 96% Bargain Rating.
Fast Break
Julius Randle faces the Bucks tonight, and if history repeats itself, he should be in for a big performance. Randle crushed Milwaukee last week with a 32/12/4 line that included two swats.
Anthony Davis has gone off without LeBron James in the lineup, accumulating at least 65 fantasy points in two of his last three games. He’ll face a tough challenge against Miami’s solid frontcourt defense, which offers a paltry -3.56 Opponent Plus/Minus.
