The NBA Player Models are the base of our NBA product here at FantasyLabs. They house our projections for each player, but that’s just the beginning of what you’ll find inside. You’ll also find our Trends and On/Off tool, Vegas Dashboard, and so much more.
Let’s dive into our models for NBA DFS going position by position, looking at guys with some of the best projections and players standing out as values with our predictive Projected Plus/Minus metric.
Also, don’t forget that for large-field tournaments, you can utilize our Lineup Optimizer to effortlessly create up to 300 lineups, or use our Lineup Builder if you like to hand-build your teams.
You can also use our SimLabs Lineup Generator, a tool that creates the most user-friendly lineup generation process.
Note: Projections, Ownership projections, and Leverage Scores/Ratings may change throughout the day as news comes out after this article is posted. Consult the Player Models directly for any updates.
NBA DFS Point Guard Picks
Top Ceiling: Luka Doncic at Orlando Magic – $12,300 DraftKings
After a seven-game absence, LeBron James returned Saturday night, but that did not slow down Luka Doncic. The stud point guard had 34 points, eight rebounds, and six assists last game, accumulating 53.5 DraftKings points, while shooting 10-for-18 from the field and 8-for-13 from behind the arc. That was not enough to pay off his high price tag, but Doncic still leads this entire six-game slate in projected ceiling.
The Lakers are four-point road favorites against the Magic, but this is one of the worst matchups for opposing teams. The Magic rank second in defensive rating this season, allowing a league-low 106.1 points per game. Their second-lowest pace brings all games to a scratching halt. Despite the low team total and difficult matchup, there is plenty of value on this slate to get exposure to a $12,300 Doncic.
Top Value: Immanuel Quickley at Washington Wizards – $6,600 DraftKings
Immanuel Quickley sat out last night’s game due to rest and is likely returning tonight in an elite matchup against the Wizards. For tonight, Quickley is one of the best guards to target with his relatively cheap $6,600 price tag. He has recorded five straight games with a positive Plus/Minus and during that time, Quickley is averaging 21 points, 6.2 assists, 5.4 rebounds, and over 40 DraftKings points per game.
The Raptors are a slight road underdog, but the Wizards rank 28th in defensive rating this season, while allowing a league-high 120.7 points per game. They also rank fourth in pace, so expect an up-tempo game environment between these two teams. Expected to return tonight, Quickley is drawing a respectable 25% ownership tonight on this six-game slate. If he is able to play, Quickley is an elite value.
Don’t forget to check out our NBA SimLabs Lineup Generator to create advanced DFS lineups using the power of simulation:
NBA DFS Shooting Guard Picks
Top Ceiling: Quentin Grimes at New Orleans Pelicans – $9,000 DraftKings
Seeing Quentin Grimes at $9,000 is a little bit of a sticker-shock, but he has recorded over eight-straight games with over 40 DraftKings points. He has two double-doubles during that time, but most of his production comes from scoring the ball. In that eight-game stretch, Grimes is averaging 30.3 points and 50.1 DraftKings points per game. Grimes leads all shooting guards with the highest projected ceiling.
Another big reason why Grimes price tag is so high is due to this matchup against the Pelicans, who have the worst defensive rating in the league at 119.3 per game. Grimes has only played 20 games for the 76ers since being acquired at the trade deadline, and he is averaging a career-high 22.2 points per game while shooting 50% from the field. The 76ers have so many injuries, making Grimes the priority option. He is projected for a 31.8% usage rate and is one of the best pay-up guards for this six-game slate tonight.
Top Value: Jordan Hawkins vs. Philadelphia 76ers – $4,000 DraftKings
In the same Pelicans vs. 76ers game environment, Jordan Hawkins has the highest projected Plus/Minus among shooting guards tonight. The second-year pro has received increased playing time and has been a valuable contributor. In his last three games, Hawkins is averaging 16 points and 27 DraftKings points per game with a double-digit positive Plus/Minus. He is projected to start again and play around 30 minutes.
Hawkins has scored double-digit points in 12 of his last 16 games. He is coming off a great performance against the Pistons, scoring 25 points while shooting 8-for-13 from the field, including 6-for-11 from long distance. The sharpshooter who is making two 3-pointers per game will be able to take advantage of the 76ers perimeter defense. They are allowing opponents to shoot 37.5% from behind the arc, which is the second-highest in the league. Hawkins does not have to do much to pay off his cheap $4,000 price tag.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Top Ceiling: Josh Giddey at Denver Nuggets – $9,100 DraftKings
The Bulls have won seven of their last nine games, and point guard Josh Giddey has been performing like one of the best players in the league since the All-Star Break. In his last 11 games, Giddey has been remarkable, averaging 22.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, 9.1 assists, 1.7 steals, and 55.6 DraftKings points per game. He has posted seven double-doubles and two triple-doubles while shooting 53.1% from the field over that time.
Giddey has seen his salary skyrocket to $9,100, but he has also recorded a positive Plus/Minus in 10 of his last 11 games and is coming off a game where he posted a near quadruple-double with 15 points, 17 assists, 10 rebounds, and eight steals. The Bulls are three-point underdogs against the Nuggets, but this matchup has the highest total on the slate at 239 points. Giddey is a fantastic option in all lineup builds.
Top Value: Justin Edwards at New Orleans Pelicans – $5,000 DraftKings
Another 76ers value player popping in our models is dual forward eligible Justin Edwards. He has posted over 30 DraftKings points in four consecutive games. Most of Edwards’ production comes from scoring the ball, but he has averaged 21 points per game in his last four games with a 21.2% usage rate. He has also made at least three 3-pointers in each of those four games and is a strong value in all lineup builds.
The 76ers are the best team to target from a value perspective. The Pelicans are that bad defensively, and it would not be shocking if Zion Williamson misses a third straight game due to a back injury. After Grimes, Edwards is projected to have the second-highest usage rate on the team at 23.1%. He is currently drawing the fifth-most ownership at 30%, and Edwards is projected to play around 34 minutes tonight.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Top Ceiling: Paolo Banchero vs. Los Angeles Lakers – $9,900 DraftKings
The Magic are starting to turn things around, winning three of their last five games in large part due to Paolo Banchero. During that stretch, Banchero is averaging 32.4 points, 9.2 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 56.3 DraftKings points per game with a 35.3% usage rate. His salary has climbed to just below $10,000, but Banchero has the third-highest projected ceiling on the slate. He is a strong pay-up option in all formats.
The Lakers did get James back from injury, but they also gave up 74 points in the paint in their last game and have averaged 58.7 per game in their last three games, which is a league high. They have also fallen in the rebounding department, making this a fantastic matchup for Banchero to record his fourth double-double in his last six games. Drawing less than 15% ownership, Banchero is a strong contrarian option.
Top Value: Chuma Okeke at New Orleans Pelicans – $4,500 DraftKings
The last 76ers player to target is power forward Chuma Okeke. He has only played six games for the 76ers this season but has started the last two games and has played over 30 minutes in each of his last three. Projected to play 32 minutes tonight, Okeke is an easy value player to get exposure to at his $4,500 price tag. He has recorded a positive Plus/Minus in each of his last three games, including a ceiling game against the Thunder with a 14-point, 15-rebound double-double. Okeke does have upside at his low salary.
Both the Pelicans and 76ers rank in the bottom four in rebounding percentage this season. A double-double is not out of reach for Okeke in this matchup. He also nearly had one last game with eight points and eight rebounds. Playing over 30 minutes, Okeke will have plenty of time to return value in this spot.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Top Ceiling: P.J. Washington at Brooklyn Nets – $8,200 DraftKings
The center position on this six-game slate is a dumpster fire, especially when looking at pay-up options. Leading the way in projected ceiling at this position is P.J. Washington at his $8,200 price tag. Washington has power forward and center eligibility and has been a monster for the Mavericks over the last three games. During that time, Washington is averaging 27.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 41 DraftKings points per game with one double-double. He is also shooting 56.9% from the field with a usage rate close to 30%.
Anthony Davis has been upgraded to questionable, but it remains to be seen if he will play and the impact that he will provide. However, it is worth keeping an eye on his status, and if there is any news regarding his playing time the closer we get to lock. Whether Davis plays or not, Washington is in a great spot against a Nets team that ranks 20th overall in defensive rating and 24th in rebounding percentage.
Top Value: Jakob Poeltl at Washington Wizards – $5,800 DraftKings
One of the most popular center options to target will be the Raptors’ big man Jakob Poeltl. Similar to Quickley, Poeltl rested last night, so he should be good to go for tonight’s action. What a fantastic spot to come back to against a Wizards frontcourt that has been disappointing all season. They have allowed the fifth-most points per game in the paint and rank 29th in rebounding percentage at 48.1% this season.
Poeltl does not play many minutes compared to most centers, but he is very productive in his playing time. He has recorded a positive Plus/Minus in five of his last six games and during that time is averaging 16.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 34.4 DraftKings points per game. That is phenomenal value at a mid-range salary of $5,800. This is a great spot to get exposure to the Raptors’ big man against an awful frontcourt.
