Sunday features a five-game main slate starting at 7 p.m. ET.
Let’s dive into some of the top plays on the slate 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
LaMelo Ball ($9,600) has gone for 67.25 and 45 DraftKings points in two games against Detroit this season. The Hornets scored 140 and 141 points! Charlotte plays at the second-fastest pace, while Detroit is 12th. The Pistons are 25th in defensive efficiency while boosting the FPPM to point guards by 12.29%.
Value
Luke Kennard ($4,600) has played 25, 23, and 34 minutes over the last three games, producing 24.5, 36.5, and 32 DraftKings points. He’s scored in double figures in each contest while racking up at least one steal. With Norman Powell out and Terance Mann entering the starting lineup, Kennard is THE guy off the bench. Houston is the juiciest matchup for fantasy, as they play at the fastest pace while being the worst team defensively.
Fast Break
Kevin Porter Jr. is questionable, so if he’s unable to go, then Dennis Schroder ($5,100) should enter the starting lineup. Schroder averages 0.91 FP/Min and went for 46 DraftKings points against Phoenix three games ago.
Shooting Guard
Stud
CJ McCollum ($8,900) has averaged 36.3 minutes, 21.2 field-goal attempts, 29.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.3 steals in six games since being acquired by New Orleans. He’s gone over 40 DraftKings points in five of those games with three above 50. The usage rate has been above 28% in all but one of those contests. The Lakers are sixth in offensive pace and boost the FPPM to point guards by 8.64%.
Value
Kelly Oubre Jr. ($5,500) can go for 50 DraftKings points or score in the single digits on any given night, which usually happens when he’s highly rostered. If you’re willing to embrace the variance, the matchup is a good one.
Fast Break
Brandon Ingram ($7,800) has seen his production fall off with the acquisition of McCollum. He’s scored fewer than 30 DraftKings points in three of those games. That said, he’s coming off a 44.25-DraftKings-points performance against the Suns, and the usage rate has gone back up to 28.4%. It’s likely that it just took time for Ingram and McCollum to learn how to play with each other, so both should be able to eat now.
Small Forward
Stud
LeBron James ($10,900) is questionable but should play, especially considering that Anthony Davis is out, the Lakers are sitting in the ninth position in the Western Conference, and they just lost to the eighth-place Clippers on Friday. On the season, James is averaging 1.49 FP/Min.
Value
Talen Horton-Tucker ($4,600) is shooting 41% from the field and 28% from downtown on the season. Over the last five games, though, he’s shooting 51% from the field and 50% from downtown. That efficiency can’t be expected to continue, but there have been some encouraging developments. He’s averaging 28.1 minutes and has contributed 4.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.4 blocks. On Friday night against the Clippers, the Lakers often put the ball in his hands in crunch time.
Fast Break
Aaron Gordon ($5,900) should be more of a fantasy force due to his athleticism, but it is what it is. He’s averaging 0.89 FP/Min and has gone over 30 DraftKings points in five of the last eight games, with a high of 41.25. Portland is 28th in defensive efficiency.
Power Forward
Stud
Miles Bridges ($7,900) is the best option in a barren power-forward landscape. He has double-doubled in three straight games, dished out seven assists in two of those contests, and blocked two shots. The usage rate has been 20.9%, 26.3%, and 26.7%.
Value
Jaxson Hayes ($4,900) has been in and out of the lineup over the last month. There have been glimpses of brilliances and epic failures. That said, the ceiling is high, as he’s been as high as 42.25 DraftKings points and has gone over 30 DraftKings points three times. He should get the start tonight against a Lakers team that plays fast and boosts the FPPM to power forwards by 22.36%.
Fast Break
Marvin Bagley III ($3,800) has played 21, 24, 27, and 19 minutes over the last four games, contributing at least 20 DraftKings points in three of those contests. He averages 0.92 FP/Min and is cheap.
Center
Stud
Nikola Jokic ($12,600) averages a ridiculous 1.82 FP/Min and has the highest floor/ceiling combo in the game. He scored fewer than 50 DraftKings points only nine times all season while going over 70 DraftKings points 11 times, with a high of 93! He’s triple-doubled 16 times this season and should feast on a Portland team without Jusuf Nurkic.
Value
Dwight Howard ($3,000) received the start last game and played 26 minutes, producing 44.5 DraftKings points. He likely won’t match that output today, but he does average 1.07 FP/Min and should start and play in the high-20s for minutes. That’s not bad for the stone minimum.
Fast Break
Drew Eubanks ($3,900) will likely start with Jusuf Nurkic out today. He averages 1.03 FP/Min.
