We’ve got a modest, five-game NBA slate on tap tonight, and there’s one game I’ll be heavily targeting: Suns and Bulls. The matchup between two of the NBA’s best teams should prove to be quite a boon thanks to the 228 over/under and 2.5-point spread. There are some potent fantasy scorers on each side, and all of them should be in play here.
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
Chris Paul comes in at a modest salary on both DraftKings ($9,600) and FanDuel ($10,200), despite sporting a ceiling of at least 63 points on each site.
Paul has averaged 18.6 points, 13.6 assists, 6.0 rebounds and 1.6 steals across his last five games while posting a double-double in four of those. The matchup with Phoenix boasts a 228 over/under, the highest on the slate, so there should be ample opportunity for Paul to rack up fantasy points in this one.
Value
Josh Giddey is a bit pricey on DraftKings at $7,800, but he’s a tremendous value on FanDuel at only $6,500 with a 97% Bargain Rating.
With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander still out, Giddey has been called upon to handle a more significant workload recently, and he’s stepped up to the challenge with some healthy stat lines. Over his last three, the Wizard of Aus has averaged 18 points, seven assists, six rebounds, a steal and a three. Expect more of the same tonight.
Fast Break
Stephen Curry is a pretty easy fade for me tonight at $10,500 on DraftKings and $9,800 on FanDuel. Golden State is -12.5 in a game with a 212 over/under. There’s a great chance that Curry plays little (if at all) in the fourth quarter in what should be an easy win.
Shooting Guard
Stud
Devin Booker is just $8,900 on FanDuel and DraftKings, and he should exceed value easily at that price against Chicago. Booker has scored at least 30 in seven of his last 12 games and has averaged 30.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 2.6 triples and 1.0 steals in that span. He’ll need to be at his best against one of the top teams in the East, and the line on this one is 228 with a 2.5-point spread.
Value
Ayo Dosunmu is still dangerously underpriced at just $6,200 on DraftKings and $6,100 on FanDuel, so we’ve got to take advantage. Over his last five games, the rookie has excelled in the assists department, averaging 10.8 points, 9.8 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.2 steals. Don’t expect his hot play to cool off tonight in a highly favorable game environment against the Suns.
Fast Break
Gary Trent‘s price has fallen again, and he’s currently just $6,300 on DraftKings and $6,600 on FanDuel. His price has been driven down so much it’s almost like people forgot he scored 31 points in five straight just over a week ago. Trent’s averaged 17.5 points, 2.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 3.0 triples and 1.5 steals over his last two, so it’s not exactly like he’s fallen off the map after his blistering heater.
Small Forward
Stud
DeMar DeRozan went off for a season-high 45 points Sunday against the Sixers in his second game without Zach LaVine in the lineup. LaVine is questionable to return tonight, but even if he’s in, DeRozan is a smash play.
Over his last seven, DeRozan averaged 31.0 points, 7.3 assists and 6.7 rebounds. The scoring has improved a little bit, but he’s improved his assist and rebound numbers significantly as of late. In a game with the highest over/under on the slate and a narrow point spread, DeRozan is an excellent play.
Value
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has averaged just 16.7 fantasy points over his last 10 games, so there’s reason to be concerned. There are also plenty of reasons to be optimistic, though. Over those 10 games, he’s averaging 27.8 minutes and shooting just 36.7% from the field. He’s due for some positive regression in the efficiency department, and his price is friendly enough. I won’t touch him on FanDuel at $4,700, but you better believe I’ll play him at $3,600 on DraftKings!
Fast Break
Gordon Hayward scored zero points in his last game out, marking his most minutes in a scoreless game (22) and his most shot attempts (7) in such a contest as well. He’s just $5,200 on DraftKings and $5,000 on FanDuel, making him an interesting tournament pivot who should carry low ownership after his dud.
Power Forward
Stud
Over his last 10 games, Pascal Siakam has failed to score 20 points only twice and averaged 22.5 points, 9.4 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 2.8 stocks. Spicy P has been doing it all lately, and he’s been a favorite target of mine in DFS contests.
Over that span, he’s provided four double-doubles and scored a season-high 33 points against Atlanta. Tonight, he gets another excellent matchup with a Charlotte team that operates at one of the fastest paces and plays little defense. He’s just $9,200 on DraftKings and $9,700 on FanDuel.
Value
Darius Bazley ($5,400 DraftKings and $5,300 FanDuel) has played at least 36 minutes in each of his last three games (two starts) and averaged 11.7 points, 10.0 rebounds and 3.0 stocks in that span.
A guy who can post a double-double average with strong stocks is someone to target in DFS, especially when his team is struggling. OKC is +12.5 for this one, but garbage-time points still count toward your final score.
Fast Break
Mamadi Diakite comes in near the minimum salary on both sites at just $3,700 on DraftKings and $3,900 on FanDuel, and he’s started three in a row for the shorthanded Thunder. In that span, Diakite averaged 7.7 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks while scoring 23 fantasy points per game. That type of production has been good for 6x value, which is what we’re looking for in a player at this price point.
Note: Diakite is eligible at PF on DraftKings and C on FanDuel
Center
Stud
Bam Adebayo has been huge in the stocks department recently, and he’s totaled at least three of them in five straight. In that span, he’s averaged 19.2 points, 11.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 4.2 stocks.
Sure, his assist numbers are down from a season ago, but Bam is still scoring, rebounding and racking up defensive numbers at an alarmingly productive rate. He’s facing a Washington frontcourt that’s been decimated by opposing big men this season, and Adebayo should be a popular play at just $9,000 on DraftKings and $9,400 on FanDuel with an incredible Opponent Plus/Minus.
Value
Udoka Azubuike has started each of the last two games for Utah and averaged 9.0 points, 10.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks.
Rudy Gobert remains out, while Hassan Whiteside will be available. Whiteside missed a game due to a back injury, but he came off the bench in favor of Azubuike after he returned. That should be the case tonight when the Jazz take on a weak Knicks frontcourt.
Fast Break
Nikola Vucevic has been absolutely dominant recently, averaging 26.2 points, 13.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.0 stocks over his last five games with four double-doubles to his credit. He gets a strong Pace Differential, and though the matchup isn’t amazing defensively, Vooch has played too well recently not to receive consideration in lineups tonight.
