Sunday features a small four-game slate starting at 6:00 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 300 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 NBA Player Models directly for any updates as we get closer to lock.
NBA DFS Point Guard Picks
Stud
The top of the point guard position features a great matchup between De’Aaron Fox and Damian Lillard. Fox has the slight upper hand with the higher projected ceiling and cheaper price tag on both DraftKings and FanDuel. Since trading for Lillard, the Bucks have been an exploitable matchup for opposing guards. They rank fourth in pace and are allowing 119.4 points per game, which is the seventh-highest mark in the league. Fox has struggled recently, but this is a great bounceback spot.
On the other side, Lillard is coming off his best game in over a month. Last night he recorded 27 points, seven assists, and six rebounds in an 11-point win against the Warriors. The Kings defense has been susceptible to the long ball, which sets up well for Lillard. They are allowing opponents to shoot 38.7% from behind the arc, which is the fourth-highest in the league.
Fox and Lillard can be played together, especially considering this game has a slate-high 248-point total.
Value
Sticking with the Kings backcourt, Malik Monk has the highest projected Plus/Minus on DraftKings and the fourth-highest on FanDuel on Sunday. Monk is a cheap way to get exposure to the best game environment on the slate. Continuing to come off the bench, Monk currently has the second-best odds to win Sixth Man of the Year. He is averaging a career-high 15 points and 5.4 assists per game. Monk can also take advantage of the weak Bucks defense with his 39.5% shooting from distance.
Monk has displayed his ceiling already in the calendar year with 37 points and nine assists in a double-overtime win against the Magic. He made a season-high seven 3-pointers in that contest and finished with over 60 DraftKings points. Leading the second unit, Monk ranks second on the team behind Fox with a 24.4% usage rate. He is a strong value play on both sites.
Fast Break
Mike Conley is another value play worth getting exposure to on this small four-game slate. Conley has averaged a 10-point, 10-assist double-double in his last two games. He leads the Timberwolves in assists and is shooting a career-best 45.8% from behind the arc. Priced at $5,800 on DraftKings and FanDuel, the veteran point guard is an easy way to save salary on this slate. He would also benefit if Anthony Edwards is unable to play. Make sure to monitor his status throughout the day.
NBA DFS Shooting Guard Picks
Stud
Despite the Suns being fully healthy, Devin Booker has displayed a ceiling with his scoring and distributing abilities. Booker is coming off another 50-point DraftKings performance Thursday night against the Lakers, where he recorded 31 points, five assists, and five rebounds. He had a 34.9% usage rate in that contest, which was his highest total in the last month. As the Suns’ starting point guard, Booker continues to lead the team in assists and ranks second in both scoring and usage rate.
Booker comfortably has the highest projected ceiling at the shooting guard position Sunday. Prioritize him on DraftKings at his $9,000 salary, which comes with an 88% Bargain Rating. Having dual eligibility on DraftKings also makes him easier to build around. The Suns draw a great matchup against the Trail Blazers, which makes Booker even more appealing Sunday.
Value
Just when Kevin Huerter got back into the starting lineup and had finally found his groove again, he hurt his ankle. Huerter missed last game with the injury and is questionable to play Sunday. If Huerter is a go, he looks like one of the best value plays on the slate. Priced at $4,600 on FanDuel and $4,500 on DraftKings, Huerter is currently drawing 30% projected ownership on both sites. Similar to Monk, Huerter is a cheap way to get exposure to the Kings’ 121-point implied total.
If Huerter is unable to play, it would be Chris Duarte drawing another start. He would look like a decent value play in this high-paced game environment, but not nearly as good as Huerter. Nearly 60% of Huerter’s field-goal attempts have come from long distance this season, which sets him up perfectly in this matchup. If he is healthy, Huerter is a great value play.
Fast Break
After his 38-point, 11-assist performance, Anfernee Simons seems to have lost his powers to the Monstars. His last three games have resulted in 10.3 points per game while shooting an abysmal 8-for-37 from the field and 6-for-17 from downtown. Simons is still getting all the usage he can handle, it just comes down to whether his shot is falling. His inconsistent play has kept his salary in check and makes him a fantastic tournament option, especially on this small four-game slate.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
Once again we have to decide between Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, and yet again the decision is quite clear based on contest selection. Being the cheaper of the two, George is the better cash-game play. He is projected for more ownership across the industry and has been consistent all season long. Leonard looks like the better option in tournaments due to his higher projected ceiling. He leads the slate on DraftKings and FanDuel with 12 Pro Trends and is still priced under $9,000.
The Clippers are 1.5-point road favorites against the Timberwolves, who hold the best record in the Western Conference. This matchup will likely be a defensive battle, with the total sitting at a slate-low 222.5 points. Even in a low-scoring, close game, George and Leonard can both easily return value. Difficult matchup against the Timberwolves, but plenty of upside.
Value
Grayson Allen is currently projected for the second-highest ownership on FanDuel at over 40%. Allen’s shooting-guard and small-forward dual eligibility helps make him an elite value play. The last two games have been a struggle for Allen, but he has recorded a positive Plus/Minus on FanDuel in 12 of his last 15 games. His salary has dropped over $1,000 since last week, which is resulting in a 93% Bargain Rating. He is impossible to ignore on FanDuel at his cheap $5,100 price tag.
The Suns are double-digit road favorites against the Trail Blazers, implied for 122.25 points. Over their last six games, the Trail Blazers are allowing 126.5 points per game, which is well above their season average. Injuries have taken a toll on their defense, and we can expect more of the same tonight with this Suns’ explosive offense. Opponents are shooting 49.5% from the field, which is tied for the fifth-highest in the league. Allen is another cheap way to get exposure to a great offense.
Fast Break
Priced under $8,000 on both DraftKings and FanDuel, Hornets forward Miles Bridges is playing phenomenal basketball lately. He has scored 24-plus points in five of his last six games while averaging 39.5 FanDuel points per game. He is small-forward eligible on FanDuel, but he’s power-forward and center eligible on DraftKings. The Hornets have a slate-low 107.5-point total in a tough matchup against the Heat, but with so many injuries, Bridges will get plenty of opportunity to succeed.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
Giannis Antetokounmpo clearly has the highest projected ceiling in our Player Model tonight. There is enough value on this four-game slate to get exposure to the top of the pricing tier with Giannis. He failed to return value in three-straight games, but on such a small slate, his raw points will matter much more. Giannis is third in the league in usage rate with 33.1% and is averaging over 31 points for the second-straight year. He is also shooting a career-high 60.9% from the field.
The Kings have been an average defensive and rebounding team, despite having Domantas Sabonis leading the league with 12.7 rebounds per game. Giannis is matchup-proof, especially when he is being aggressive. Over his last 10 games, Giannis is averaging 32.8 points, 13 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game with two triple-doubles and nine double-doubles.
Value
Kings sharpshooter Keegan Murray has been dialed in from long distance recently. Over his last six games, Murray is shooting 56.6% from the field and 46.2% from behind the arc, while averaging 21 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 37.5 DraftKings points per game. Priced in the mid-range, Murray is a strong value option and is yet another player on the Kings that can take advantage of the Bucks’ perimeter defense. His aggressiveness makes him a fantastic play in all formats Sunday.
In his second year in the league, Murray has taken a big step forward. He is averaging a career highs across the board in points, rebounds, assists, and usage rate while maintaining strong field-goal percentages. His perimeter shooting alone can put him in the optimal lineup, but he does have two double-doubles in his last six games, which helps increase his ceiling.
Fast Break
Kevin Durant leads the Suns with 29.3 points per game and a 30.4% usage rate this season. There are games like their last victory where he takes a backseat to Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, but Durant can also score at will. With the Suns fully healthy, keep Durant to tournaments due to his inconsistent fantasy production. However, Durant is still very capable of breaking the slate like he did against the Rockets with a 27-point, 16-assist, 10-rebound triple-double.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Behind Giannis in projected ceiling is Kings center Domantas Sabonis. Playing in the same game, it may be difficult to roster both players due to their high price tags on DraftKings. However, it is possible on FanDuel, which is the preferred plan of attack. Sabonis is projected for only 10% ownership on DraftKings, but he’s at nearly 30% on FanDuel. He has recorded a positive Plus/Minus in eight of his last 12 games on FanDuel with six triple-doubles and six double-doubles over that time.
The Bucks have allowed opposing centers to have good games this season, which is uncharacteristic. However, we have to take advantage of this spot with Sabonis. The Bucks are allowing 53.5 points per game in the paint this season, which is the sixth-highest in the league. Prioritize Sabonis on FanDuel, where he has 12 Pro Trends and is a great pay-up option tonight.
Value
Jusuf Nurkic has the highest projected Plus/Minus on FanDuel and the fourth-highest on DraftKings among all centers. His production has been a rollercoaster, making him more of a tournament option than a cash-game play. For example, Nurkic had an 18-point, 19-rebound double-double last week and then followed that up with eight points and three rebounds in the second leg of the back-to-back. Being priced under $7,000 across the industry, Nurkic is popping as a fantastic value option.
Matchups are important for Nurkic, and this is a phenomenal one against the Trail Blazers frontcourt. Deandre Ayton has missed 10 consecutive games with a knee injury and is questionable for Sunday’s game. If he is out, this spot looks even better. The Trail Blazers rank 25th in rebounding percentage at 48.5%, increasing the odds for a Nurkic double-double.
Fast Break
Bam Adebayo continues to deliver good games with Jimmy Butler sidelined. He has a double-double in nine of his last 10 games while averaging 22.1 points and 11.9 rebounds per game. Adebayo will draw a cupcake matchup against a Hornets frontcourt that is still missing Mark Williams and likely P.J. Washington. Priced just over $9,000 on both DraftKings and FanDuel, Adebayo is drawing around 25% ownership. In this matchup, Adebayo has a great chance at another ceiling game.
