Tuesday features a four-game slate starting at 7 p.m. ET.
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
Tuesday’s slate is a bit light on stud options, but point guard has plenty of juice at the top on DraftKings. Devin Booker stands out as one of the best options. He’s taken on more of a distributor role for the Suns with Chris Paul sidelined, increasing his assist rate by +8.8% in games without his star teammate. Booker is already one of the best scorers in the league, so adding some increased assist upside has been awesome for his fantasy value. He’s averaged 49.92 DraftKings points in six games without CP3, including at least 55.5 DraftKings points in two of his past three.
Booker will have the chance of another big performance vs. the Pelicans, and the Suns’ implied team total of 117.5 ranks third on the slate.
Value
Ja Morant is doubtful for the Grizzlies, which means Tyus Jones will likely move into the starting lineup. That makes him nearly impossible to fade at $3,400 on DraftKings. He’s averaged a stout 1.02 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and he’s averaged 30.6 minutes in 14 games without Morant this season. The Grizzlies also own an outstanding matchup vs. the Pacers, and their implied team total of 121.0 ranks second on the slate. Jones will check in with massive ownership on this slate, but it’s hard to envision a scenario where he disappoints.
Fast Break
Jalen Suggs has been ruled out for the Magic, which leaves Cole Anthony to run the show vs. the Nets. Anthony has had a solid sophomore season, averaging 1.01 FanDuel points per minute, and he’s seen a team-high +1.8% usage bump with Suggs off the floor. He’s increased his production to 1.07 FanDuel points per minute in that situation, making him significantly underpriced at $5,800.
Cade Cunningham has been a tremendous value of late, posting an average Plus/Minus of +9.65 over his past 10 games on FanDuel. He’s questionable for Tuesday’s matchup vs. the Heat, but he’s worth consideration if he’s able to suit up. His $7,400 salary comes with a Bargain Rating of 95%, and his 11 Pro Trends trail only Anthony’s 12 at the position.
Shooting Guard
Stud
C.J. McCollum is another important name to monitor on Tuesday. He’s questionable after missing the past two games due to health and safety protocols, but he could be looking at a monster workload if he’s active. Brandon Ingram remains out of the lineup, and McCollum has increased his usage rate by +4.7% with Ingram off the floor. He’s averaged 1.42 DraftKings points per minute in that situation, and he’s averaged 50.38 DraftKings points in two full games with Ingram out of the lineup.
Value
R.J. Hampton has already been announced as the starter in place of Suggs, making him a nice value option across the industry. He’s currently projected for 27 minutes in our NBA Models, and he’s averaged 0.79 DraftKings points per minute this season. Historically, players with comparable salaries and minute projections have averaged a Plus/Minus of +3.58 on DraftKings (per the Trends tool).
Fast Break
Jones isn’t the only potential option for the Grizzlies with Morant out of the lineup. Dillon Brooks also has some appeal in his second game back in the lineup. He’s averaged 1.06 DraftKings points per minute this season, and he’s increased his usage rate to 30.1% with Morant off the floor. De’Anthony Melton should also see a few additional minutes, and he’s averaged 1.10 DraftKings points per minute sans Ja this season.
Don’t forget about Cameron Payne for the Suns. He has PG and SG eligibility on FanDuel, where his $7,000 salary comes with a Bargain Rating of 92%. He’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in all seven games since returning from injury, and he’s averaged a stout 1.21 FanDuel points per minute over that timeframe.
Small Forward
Stud
The Heat are an interesting team on Tuesday. Their implied team total of 113.75 doesn’t exactly jump off the page, and there’s also blowout concerns as 13-point favorites over the Pistons. However, the Pistons rank just 25th in defensive efficiency, so the Heat do have upside if this game stays competitive.
Jimmy Butler hasn’t played his best basketball of late, averaging just 1.08 FanDuel points per minute over the past month. That’s caused his salary to dip to just $8,500 on FanDuel, and he has some buy-low appeal at that number. Butler has owned a comparable salary in just 19 previous contests this season, and he’s averaged a Plus/Minus of +6.90.
Value
Bruce Brown is priced very fairly at $5,200 on DraftKings. He’s averaged an excellent 0.92 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and he’s currently projected for 30 minutes in our NBA Models. He’s been outstanding of late, posting an average Plus/Minus of +5.86 over his past 10 games, and he’s scored at least 34.75 DraftKings points in four of his past five.
Fast Break
Kyle Anderson is yet another option for the Grizzlies. He could see a few additional minutes with Morant sidelined, and he’s always been an outstanding per-minute producer. He’s averaged 1.00 DraftKings points per minute for the year, and he’s increased that figure to 1.09 over the past month.
Saddiq Bey stands out as one of the best pure values at the position on FanDuel, where his $5,700 salary comes with a Bargain Rating of 85%. Bey has averaged 0.86 FanDuel points per minute during his sophomore campaign, and he routinely plays at least 34 minutes. He would also be one of the biggest potential beneficiaries if Cunningham is unable to suit up.
Power Forward
Stud
Kevin Durant is the most expensive player on Tuesday’s slate, and he’s put together another fantastic season. He’s missed time with injuries, but he’s provided his usual combination of scoring volume and efficiency when he’s been on the floor. He’s shooting 52% from the field, 37.2% from 3-point range, and 89.7% from the free throw line, and he’s averaging 29.6 points per game.
Durant has also delivered plenty of fantasy value. He’s coming off a dominant performance in his last game, finishing with 74.7 FanDuel points over 42.9 minutes, and he’s scored at least 56.3 FanDuel points in three of his past four. Overall, no one is projected for more minutes on Tuesday’s slate, and his ceiling projection is at least 10 points higher than every other player’s.
Value
Jaren Jackson Jr. is a bit more expensive than a typical value option, but he’s one of my favorite plays on the slate. His playing time has been capped recently – he hasn’t cracked 30 minutes in each of his past five games – but he has the potential to increase his per-minute productivity on Tuesday. No one on the Grizzlies has seen a bigger boost in value with Morant off the floor, and Jackson has averaged 1.25 DraftKings points per minute in that situation. He’s averaged 34.06 DraftKings points in 13 games without Morant this season, and he’s done it in just over 27 minutes per game. You’ll gladly take that kind of production at his current price tag across the industry.
Fast Break
Isaiah Jackson continues to stand out as underpriced on DraftKings, where his $5,200 salary comes with a Bargain Rating of 75%. He’s averaged a stout 1.25 DraftKings points per minute this season, which is more than enough to make up for any playing time concerns.
Wendell Carter Jr. leads the position with 11 Pro Trends on FanDuel, where his $6,800 salary comes with a Bargain Rating of 91%. He’s averaged 1.12 FanDuel points per minute over the past month, and he’s coming off 39.2 minutes in his last outing.
Center
Stud
Center is usually one of the strongest positions in DFS, but Tuesday’s options are a bit underwhelming. There are a few high-priced options to consider, but none stands out as a particularly strong value.
If you are looking to pay up on FanDuel, Jonas Valanciunas seems like your best bet. His $8,200 salary comes with a Bargain Rating of 87%, and he’s increased his production to 1.28 FanDuel points per minute over the past month. He’s scored at least 53.5 FanDuel points in two of his past three games, but his usage rate should take a hit with McCollum back in the lineup.
Value
Andre Drummond is the top option at center on Tuesday. He’s gotten the opportunity to play more minutes with the Nets, and he’s taken full advantage. Drummond has averaged 1.32 FanDuel points per minute this season, so it’s not surprising that Drummond has thrived with additional playing time.
He remains underpriced at just $5,500 on FanDuel, resulting in a Bargain Rating of 85%, and his matchup vs. the Pistons gives him an elite Opponent Plus/Minus of +7.03.
Fast Break
Goga Bitadze is questionable with a foot injury after missing their last game, but he has some appeal at $3,400 on DraftKings if he’s able to suit up. Bitadze has averaged 1.40 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, so he’s capable of doing a ton of damage quickly. His Bargain Rating of 99% is also the top mark on DraftKings regardless of position.
