The NBA continues a busy week on Tuesday with eight games on the main DFS slate on DraftKings and FanDuel. A great matchup between the Suns and Nuggets is the late-night matchup on national TV, but that game is off the main DFS slate on Tuesday. Of the 16 teams that are on the slate, the Nets are the only team on the second game of a back-to-back, although the Hawks, Cavaliers, Rockets, Magic, and Sixers do have another game coming up on Wednesday to keep in mind.
Especially at this point in the season, keeping up to date with the latest injury news is extremely important. As news breaks throughout this Tuesday, be sure to refresh the NBA Models for the latest updates and adjustments.
Let’s dive into some of the top plays on the slate using the FantasyLabs tools and projections.
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
As the Mavs host the Pacers, Luka Doncic has the highest ceiling, median, and floor projections of any player at any position. He has the highest salary on the board on both DraftKings and FanDuel by a wide margin, but he appears to be under-priced since he has the second-highest Projected Plus/Minus on the entire slate on DraftKings and the sixth-highest on FanDuel.
Luka is averaging an impressive 1.76 DraftKings points and 1.65 FanDuel points per minute on the season, but he has been even better over the last month. In his last 11 games, he produced 1.92 DraftKings points and 1.81 FanDuel points per minute in 37 minutes per game. He exceeded salary-based expectations in eight of those 11 games despite his high salary. Kyrie Irving played all 11 of those games as well, and the two have found a nice rhythm together in the backcourt after each battling injuries earlier this season.
On Tuesday’s slate, the Mavs have the highest implied team total on the board by a margin of five points. The Mavs-Pacers game has the highest over/under and should feature plenty of points in an up-tempo game filled with fantasy goodness. Doncic is officially listed as questionable for this contest due to an ankle injury, but he has been able to post great numbers despite the issue lately. As long as he’s active, building around Luka is a great place to start your Tuesday lineups since he comes carrying such a high ceiling in this excellent game environment.
Value
After being acquired by the Hornets at the NBA Trade Deadline, Vasilije Micic landed in a situation that has given him a chance to thrive. The 30-year-old rookie was averaging just 12.0 minutes per game in the 30 games he played in and didn’t even see the floor in 21 games for Oklahoma City. For Charlotte, though, he has played 22.9 minutes per game in his 10 games since joining the team and moved into the starting lineup for the first time this season on Sunday.
In that start, Micic delivered 12 points and six assists to exceed salary-based expectations by a significant margin for the third time in his last five games. He has at least six assists in five of his last seven games since the All-Star Break and has produced 0.83 DraftKings points and 0.81 FanDuel points per minute over that stretch.
On Tuesday, when his Hornets host the Magic, Micic has the highest Projected Plus/Minus of all point guards on FanDuel and the third-highest at the position on DraftKings. He comes with an 89% Bargain Rating on FanDuel, where his salary is still under $5,000. He has a projection of 31.8 minutes and should stay in a large role while LaMelo Ball (ankle), Seth Curry (ankle), and Cody Martin (ankle) remain sidelined.
Fast Break
With Trae Young (finger) out, Dejounte Murray will continue to run the Hawks’ offense. Murray has exceeded salary-based expectations on FanDuel in each of his last five games, with four double-doubles during that stretch. He averaged 1.42 DraftKings points and 1.37 FanDuel points per minute in 34.6 minutes per game in those five contests, with a 28.5% usage rate and a 44.6% assist percentage.
The Nets have given Dennis Schroder consistent playing time since he arrived at the Trade Deadline. He has averaged 16.6 points and 6.2 assists in 30 minutes per game over his last five contests while producing 1.09 DraftKings points and 1.04 FanDuel points per minute. He should continue to be busy against the 76ers on Tuesday, especially if Ben Simmons (back) and Cam Thomas (ankle) remain sidelined as they were on Monday.
If you’re bargain shopping at point guard, Marcus Sasser is worth a look. He has the highest Projected Plus/Minus of all point guards priced under $5,000 on DraftKings and the second-highest in that salary range on FanDuel. The second-round rookie played 25 minutes in his return from a four-game absence on Sunday and should continue to get minutes and usage off the Pistons bench, especially with Quentin Grimes (knee) doubtful.
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
Stud
Due to multiple injuries to the rest of his team, Immanuel Quickley is in a huge spot to step up over the next few weeks for the Raptors. He has the second-highest Projected Plus/Minus of all point guards on both DraftKings and FanDuel, where he brings extra shooting guard eligibility. At shooting guard on FanDuel, he has the highest Projected Plus/Minus and the second-highest ceiling projection.
For Tuesday’s game against the Pelicans, Quickley will have to carry the load since Scottie Barnes (hand), Bruce Brown (knee) and Jakob Poeltl (finger) have all been ruled out. Since joining Toronto, Quickley has had a 23.5% usage rate with Barnes off the floor and has produced 1.03 DraftKings points and 0.98 FanDuel points per minute in that situation.
IQ has exceeded salary-based expectations in five of his six games since the All-Star Break, producing 1.23 DraftKings points and 1.17 FanDuel points per minute in 35.5 minutes per game with a 23.1% usage rate.
Value
On DraftKings, Sam Merrill has the highest Projected Plus/Minus of all shooting guards on the entire slate and an 84% Bargain Rating. He has strong projections on FanDuel as well, but his salary is a little higher, dropping him to sixth in Projected Plus/Minus at the position.
Merrill should remain very involved for the Cavs while Donovan Mitchell (knee) and Max Strus (knee) are out, and he could get even more work if Caris LeVert (elbow) also stays out.
When given a chance earlier this season, Merrill has shown the ability to step into a larger role and deliver. He had 21 points in 29 minutes on Monday against the Knicks and scored double-digit points in five straight games in January while playing 20+ minutes per contest. If he comes near his projection of 28.7 minutes on Tuesday, he should be a great value against Boston and brings a high ceiling if he gets hot from long range.
Fast Break
Devin Vassell continues to put up good numbers for the Spurs, who come into their matchup with the Rockets after winning back-to-back games over the Thunder and Pacers. Vassell has exceeded salary-based expectations in seven of his last nine games, averaging 1.19 DraftKings points and 1.14 FanDuel points per minute and logging over 34 minutes per game. He has the highest Projected Plus/Minus of all shooting guards over $7,000 on DraftKings and the second-highest of shooting guards over $6,000 on FanDuel behind only Quickley.
Quickley isn’t the only guard value opened up in the Raptors rotation with Barnes and Brown out. Gary Trent, Ochai Agbaji and Gradey Dick all have excellent Projected Plus/Minus and are expected to pick up more work. Agbaji had 13 points and nine boards while starting in place of Barns on Sunday. He’s only eligible at small forward on DraftKings and only at shooting guard on FanDuel.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
In a favorable matchup against the visiting Pistons, Jimmy Butler is a strong small forward play on Tuesday’s slate. He matches more Pro Trends than any other player on the slate on FanDuel and is tied for the most on DraftKings as well. He has the second-highest median, ceiling and floor projection at the position on both DraftKings and FanDuel behind only Jayson Tatum, who is significantly more expensive. Butler has the highest Projected Plus/Minus of all small forwards on FanDuel and the second-highest on DraftKings.
Butler is coming off a season-high 37 points in 36 minutes on Saturday against the Jazz. He has only played 11 games since Jan. 27, but when available, he has put up good numbers. He averaged 1.38 DraftKings points and 1.39 FanDuel points per minute in those games and exceeded salary-based expectations in nine of those 11 games on both DraftKings and FanDuel.
Value
It has been a roller-coaster of a season for Jeremy Sochan with the Spurs, but he has produced very good numbers in his last two games and offers a top-six Projected Plus/Minus at small forward and power forward on DraftKings. On FanDuel, he has point guard and power forward eligibility and is a little more expensive, although he still has a positive Projected Plus/Minus.
Sochan has held to just one total point in games against the Jazz and Timberwolves but then roared back with a double-double against the Thunder and another strong 12-point, eight-rebound performance in Sunday’s win over the Pacers. He shot a combined 14-for-22 (64%) in those two games after going a combined 0-for-7 from the field in his two games before that.
While he definitely has been boom or bust, the Spurs continue to give the 20-year-old forward plenty of opportunities, giving him excellent upside against the Rockets. He might be a little too high-risk for cash games but brings enough upside for GPP consideration after his last two strong showings.
Fast Break
Brandon Ingram, when available, has been a very consistent producer for the Pelicans. He is averaging 1.18 DraftKings points and 1.15 FanDuel points per minute on the season. Against the short-handed Raptors, Ingram has the second-highest Projected Plus/Minus of all small forwards on FanDuel and the third-highest on DraftKings. He has scored 22+ points in four straight games, exceeding salary-based expectations on FanDuel in each of those contests.
Josh Hart continues to put up huge numbers while helping the Knicks deal with multiple injuries. With Jalen Brunson (knee) questionable in addition to the other big-name absences, Hart could be in for even more work on offense on Tuesday in a favorable spot against the Hawks. Hart has exceeded salary-based expectations in seven straight games by producing 1.09 DraftKings points and 1.04 FanDuel points per minute and playing a massive 43.3 minutes per game. He posted a triple-double on Sunday when Brunson left after just one minute.
As a more affordable play, Dillon Brooks also continues to log heavy minutes for the Rockets and can be a streaky contributor. He has the third-highest Projected Plus/Minus of all small forwards on DraftKings and the fourth-highest at the position on FanDuel.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
With the injury issues in Cleveland, Evan Mobley will be another member of the Cavs who has to step up over the next few games. He has a top-10 ceiling projection at power forward on both DraftKings and FanDuel on Tuesday in his tough matchup with the Celtics and also ranks in the top 12 in Projected Plus/Minus at both center and power forward on both sites.
Mobley has exceeded salary-based expectations in five straight games on both DraftKings and FanDuel and 12 of his last 14 on DraftKings. Since the All-Star Break, he has averaged 1.33 DraftKings points and 1.36 FanDuel points per minute while playing 31.6 minutes per game.
With Mitchell off the floor, Mobley has seen an increase of almost two percentage points in usage this season and has produced 1.34 DraftKings points and 1.34 FanDuel points per minute in that scenario. As long as the game stays competitive on Tuesday, he should play big minutes and produce big numbers for the Cavs.
Value
Since the Nets continue to be short-handed, Cameron Johnson has stepped up in the last three games for Brooklyn and finally seems to be finding his stride. He has a top-10 Projected Plus/Minus at power forward on both DraftKings and FanDuel, where he can also slide over to small forward and brings a 79% Bargain Rating.
Johnson has scored double-digit points in five of his last six games, with 18+ points in each of his last three, exceeding salary-based expectations in each of those contests.
During the year, he has averaged 0.95 DraftKings points and 0.91 FanDuel points per minute, but in his last three games, those numbers have jumped to 1.14 DraftKings points and 1.09 FanDuel points per minute. If Thomas and Simmons stay sidelined, Johnson should continue to get enough usage to be a strong value option as the Nets host the Sixers to finish their back-to-back.
Fast Break
Although he struggled in the Pelicans two straight matchups with the Pacers, our projections like Zion Williamson to bounce back in a big way against the Raptors. He has the second-highest Projected Plus/Minus of all power forwards on FanDuel and the third-highest at the position on DraftKings.
Paolo Banchero bounced back from a few down games and a few missed games due to illness, with 29 points in each of his last two games. He looks like he’s ready for the stretch run and has a good matchup on Tuesday against the Hornets. He has the fourth-highest ceiling projection of all power forwards on DraftKings and the sixth-highest on FanDuel.
If you need a cheaper option at power forward, Dorian Finney-Smith has the highest Projected Plus/Minus of the options with salaries under $5,000 on FanDuel and the second-highest in that range on DraftKings. Jordan Nwora is the only player that beats him out on DraftKings, and he has the second-highest Projected Plus/Minus at the entire position. On FanDuel, Nwora is a small forward and also brings elite value potential since he is likely to step into a larger role with the Raptors’ injury issues.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Only Luka Doncic has a higher ceiling projection on Tuesday’s slate than rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama. Like Luka, Wemby is questionable, so be sure that he’s playing before paying all the way up. If he is in the lineup, though, there’s no arguing with his recent production. He has the highest median, ceiling and floor projections of all centers and ranks in the top six in Projected Plus/Minus on both DraftKings and FanDuel. He has a 96% Bargain Rating on DraftKings and can slide to power forward on either site if that works better for your roster construction.
While the 20-year-old has impressed all season, he has gone to another level over his last nine games. He exceeded salary-based expectations in each of those matchups by averaging 2.10 DraftKings points and 2.06 FanDuel points per minute on 24.2 points, 10.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 4.9 blocks per game. He has scored 22+ points in four of his last five games and posted six straight double-doubles.
The Spurs have even won their last two games, giving everyone a look at their very bright future. Wemby should be in a great spot against the Rockets as long as his shoulder injury doesn’t keep him sidelined.
Value
With a new contract to celebrate and Poeltl sideline, Kelly Olynyk has the highest Projected Plus/Minus on the entire slate on FanDuel and the highest of all centers and power forwards on DraftKings. He can be a good fit at either spot on both DraftKings and FanDuel and offers a high ceiling in a bigger role against the Pelicans.
After bouncing around the league the last few seasons, Olynyk came home to Toronto at the NBA Trade Deadline. In his nine games with the Raps, Olynyk has produced 1.13 DraftKings points and 1.16 FanDuel points per minute while playing 20.7 minutes per game. He had a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double in Friday’s loss to the Warriors and should step into the starting lineup on Tuesday with a chance to stuff the stat sheet in multiple categories.
Fast Break
If Wemby is out, Alperen Sengun will get a soft matchup against a thin Spurs front line. Sengun had 21 points and 10 boards on Saturday against the Suns and has four double-doubles in his last five games. On the season, Sengun is averaging an impressive 1.33 DraftKings points and 1.30 FanDuel points per minute and has reliably contributed at an elite level.
As a midrange play, Myles Turner brings a lot of upside as his Pacers visit Luka and the Mavs. Turner has exceeded salary-based expectations on DraftKings in seven of his last eight games, producing 1.29 DraftKings points and 1.27 FanDuel points per minute.
The best bargain play at center in our projections is Jonathan Isaac on DraftKings and Mo Bamba on FanDuel. Zach Collins would also be a good cheap option if Wemby does end up sitting out against the Rockets.
