Sunday features a seven-game main slate starting at 6 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
Jordan Poole ($7,000) will likely slide down to point guard with Steph Curry out. In 891 minutes with Curry off the floor this season, Poole has seen a 30.7% usage rate, an increase of 5.7%. The matchup is a good one, as the Spurs boost the FPPM to point guards by a league-leading 18.68% above the league average.
Value
Markelle Fultz ($4,400) only averages 18 minutes per game. That said, he’s at 1.26 FP/Min, and his usage rate is in the 26% range when he’s on the court. The Thunder boost the FPPM to point guards by 5.79% above the league average.
Fast Break
Delon Wright ($4,900) went for 44.25 DraftKings points on Friday as he filled in for Trae Young, who is questionable for Sunday’s game. Wright would likely get the start again if Young is out.
Shooting Guard
Stud
James Harden ($10,100) no longer garners the massive usage rate of 40% from the golden years, as Joel Embiid is the alpha of the Philadelphia offense. That said, Harden is playing around 40 minutes per game and is still a threat to triple-double on any given night. He will likely end up in the 50-DraftKings-points range but has 80-DraftKings-points upside, as he displayed against the Knicks nine games ago.
Value
Immanuel Quickley ($5,200) doesn’t start, but he’s been averaging 28.2 minutes, 15.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.0 steals over the past eight games. He’s scored at least 20 DraftKings point in all of those contests with three above 30 and two above 40.
Fast Break
Nickeil Alexander-Walker ($3,800) has played 33 and 23 minutes over the last two games, as the Jazz have been dealing with a plethora of injuries. They have multiple players out again on Sunday, so NAW could see significant run. He’s produced 26 and 28 DraftKings points over the last two games.
Small Forward
Stud
Jayson Tatum ($10,000) has been the offensive catalyst for a Celtics team that has won 18 of its last 21 games. He’s averaged 29.3 points while shooting 47% from the field. He’s gone over 50 DraftKings points with three above 60. This game has the tightest spread on the slate, so it should be a competitive affair with Tatum and Jokic exchanging haymakers.
Value
Aleksej Pokusevski ($5,100) has averaged 26.9 minutes, 11.9 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.7 blocks over the last 10 games. On Friday, he got the start and played 34 minutes, putting up 38.75 DraftKings points against a tough Heat squad. He should get the start on Sunday and gets the best matchup for small forwards, as the Magic boost the FPPM to the position by 27.65% above the league average.
Fast Break
Scottie Barnes ($8,300) has gone for 64.25, 23, 45.25 and 58 DraftKings points over the last four games. Fred VanVleet is out Sunday and Barnes plays point-forward when he’s out, so expect a higher usage rate for the rookie phenom.
Power Forward
Stud
Pascal Siakam ($9,100) averages 1.15 FP/Min. With the tight rotations that Nick Nurse employs, Siakam will often play 40 minutes or more per game. The 76ers boost the FPPM to power forwards by 2.62% above the league average, and Siakam went for 50 DraftKings points the last time these teams met back in late December.
Value
Darius Bazley ($5,700) has a wide range of outcomes, as he can score in the teens or pop off for 50 DraftKings points. Over the last four games, he’s been playing over 30 minutes and chucking up over 15 shots per game. The usage rate has been in the 25% range. The Thunder and Magic are 10th and 11th in offensive pace, while the Magic are 21st in defensive rating, so there should be plenty of opportunities for fantasy goodies. The Magic boost the FPPM to power forwards by 9.47% above the league average.
Fast Break
Jaxson Hayes ($5,200) has started the last 12 games, but the playing time has been inconsistent. Over the last four games, though, he’s averaged 30 minutes, 16.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 0.8 steals and 1.5 blocks. He’s gone for 24.75, 35, 22.5 and 35 DraftKings points over that span.
Center
Stud
Nikola Jokic ($12,600) averages a ridiculous 1.84 FP/Min and has the highest floor/ceiling combo in the game. He’s 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 18 times this season. The Celtics have neutralized the FPPM to centers by 13.9% below the league average this season, but Jokic put up 65 DraftKings points against them back in February.
Value
Kevon Looney ($4,200) has been averaging 1.05 FP/Min over the last month. Over the last six games, he’s gone for at least 20 DraftKings points in every contest with two above 30. He’s averaging around 25 minutes per game and faces a Spurs team that boosts the FPPM to centers by 7.6% above the league average. Back in February, Looney went for 34 DraftKings points against the Spurs.
Fast Break
Joel Embiid ($11,300) has had a usage rate over 35% in each of the last six games with three games above 40%. He’s gone for at least 50 DraftKings points in five of those contests, with two of those over 70.
