Wednesday features an eight-game slate starting at 7:00 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
Luka Doncic has missed three consecutive games with an ankle injury and is questionable to play tonight. With the highest projected ceiling on the slate, Doncic’s status is very important to tonight’s slate. Doncic has been one of the most consistent pay-up options this year. He has recorded over 50 DraftKings points in 18 straight games while averaging 66.6 DraftKings points per game over that time. Doncic is the only player in the league with two games scoring over 90 DraftKings points.
The Mavericks are three-point road underdogs against the Lakers in the best game environment on the slate. The total of this game has risen to a slate-high 243.5 points, with both teams ranking in the top 10 in pace this season. Despite the high-scoring environment, Doncic is projected for less than 10% ownership on both sites. If he plays, Doncic is a great option.
Value
Priced at $5,700 on both DraftKings and FanDuel, Mike Conley is one of the best values on the slate. He has the highest Projected Plus/Minus at the point guard position on FanDuel and the fifth-highest on DraftKings. Conley has recorded over 30 DraftKings points in two of his last three games, with double-digit assists in his two ceiling performances. The veteran point guard leads the Timberwolves in assists while averaging 11 points per game and shooting 45.5% from behind the arc.
He draws a cupcake matchup against the Pistons backcourt that is still without Cade Cunningham. The Pistons rank 28th in defensive rating and still hold the worst record in the league at 4-36. Keep an eye on the status of Timberwolves’ star Anthony Edwards, who is questionable with a knee injury. If he were to sit, that would be a significant boost to Conley’s projection. In the three games that he has played without Edwards, he is averaging 13 points and eight assists per game.
Fast Break
D’Angelo Russell will be another popular mid-range value option on this eight-game slate. Since coming back from injury, Russell is averaging 19.2 points and 6.2 assists per game with a 27.2% usage rate. That includes Russell’s 39-point explosion against the Jazz, where he shot 15-for-26 from the field and 6-for-11 from behind the arc. In his first full season back with the Lakers, Russell is the third scoring option and is second in assists. His price tag is enticing in this matchup.
NBA DFS Shooting Guard Picks
Stud
With Darius Garland and Evan Mobley still out and Caris LeVert questionable, Donovan Mitchell is a pay-up option worth getting exposure to once again. Even after 45-point and 34-point games in his last two, Mitchell is drawing less than 5% ownership on both DraftKings and FanDuel tonight. He is a great way to get a contrarian build with a ton of upside. Mitchell is averaging over 28 points per game for the second consecutive season and has posted a career-high 31.9% usage rate.
The Cavaliers are only 3.5-point home underdogs against the Bucks, which is enough evidence that Mitchell is a fantastic play. For this game to be competitive, Mitchell will need to have another ceiling performance. The Bucks can be beat on the perimeter. In his only game against the Bucks, Mitchell had 34 points and nine rebounds and shot 14-for-23 from the field.
Value
The Rockets are playing the last leg of their brutal six-game road trip against the Knicks tonight. They have gone 1-4 with their only win beating the Pistons by two points. However, Jalen Green has found his groove in this Rockets offense. He has had a positive Plus/Minus in three of his last four games while averaging 19 points per game over that time. However, due to the matchup against the Knicks, Green has seen his salary on DraftKings dip under $6,000 for the first time all season.
With the salary decrease and how well he has played recently, Green is a viable value option across the industry. The Knicks are also a below-average defense on the perimeter, which is where the second-year pro has made his living. Over his last 11 games, Green is averaging exactly three 3-pointers made per game. His dip in salary makes him a priority.
Fast Break
Since being acquired by the Raptors, Immanuel Quickley has returned a positive Plus/Minus in six of his eight games. During that time, Quickley is averaging 18.9 points per game while shooting an impressive 46.9% from long distance. Quickley has a 23.7% usage rate with his new team and is attempting a career-high 14.5 field goals per game. The Raptors are 1.5-point home underdogs against the Heat, but Quickley’s recent play and usage rate negates the difficult matchup.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
This is a prime spot for the Celtics to sit a few of their starters. They are a slate-high 16.5-point home favorites against the Spurs with an implied total of 126.75 points. The Celtics have yet to lose a home game with a record of 19-0, while the Spurs have a 4-16 road record. Jayson Tatum is always the best player to get exposure to on the Celtics, and this could be an even better spot tonight. Starters Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, and Derrick White are all questionable to play.
Tatum is coming off another double-double where he pulled down 14 rebounds against the Raptors. Not only do the Spurs rank 24th in defensive rating, but they also rank 26th in rebounding percentage at 48.2%. Tatum should have no trouble racking up another double-double in this matchup.
He is a great play that could look even better with the injury situation.
Value
By far, the most popular play on the slate for DraftKings and FanDuel is veteran Joe Ingles. He is projected for a slate-high 50% ownership on DraftKings and 60% on FanDuel with his sub-$4,000 salary. The Magic are still without Franz Wagner and Gary Harris, solidifying the playing time for Ingles. Even though Ingles will come off the bench, he is projected to play 20 minutes for the third straight game. While still a risky play due to inconsistent play, Ingles is a staple in cash games tonight.
There are several studs on this slate worth getting exposure to, and Ingles is a fantastic salary saver. The Hawks have been one of the best teams to attack all season. They rank 27th in defensive rating and fourth in pace while allowing the second-most points in the league at 123.5 per game. The sharpshooter can get hot from the perimeter with his 41.2% 3-point rate.
Fast Break
Similar to Tatum, Jaylen Brown looks phenomenal in our tools and could look even better if Porzingis, White, and Holiday were to miss. With all three of those starters off the floor this season, Brown leads the Celtics with a +9.87% usage rate and a +5.02 DraftKings Plus/Minus. Brown has also played extremely well recently, with three 32+ scoring games in his last four contests. His usage rate has increased, and this is a great matchup against the Spurs for Brown to showcase his skillset.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
Giannis Antetokounmpo is coming off his second triple-double in his last four games. He is the most expensive player on the slate for both DraftKings and FanDuel tonight. After a relatively slow start to the season, Giannis has been cooking lately, averaging 32.3 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 63.9 DraftKings points per game over his last 11 games. He continues to rank third in the league in usage rate and fourth in scoring. It helps that Giannis is shooting a career-high 60.8% from the field.
Giannis draws a matchup against the Cavaliers, who have been one of the best defenses in the league. They rank sixth in defensive rating and ninth in both rebounding percentage and the fewest amount of points allowed in the paint. However, in his last game against the Cavaliers, he had a 34-point, 16-rebound double-double while shooting 14-for-22 from the field.
With his projected ownership under 5% on both sites, Giannis is another contrarian pay-up option.
Value
With anticipation that Anthony Edwards sits the first leg of the Timberwolves back-to-back against the Pistons tonight, Jaden McDaniels is going to be a great value option. Priced at $4,800 on both sites, McDaniels looks much better on FanDuel. He is projected for over 40% ownership on FanDuel and is easy to fit into all lineup builds with his small forward and power forward eligibility. For the second straight year, McDaniels is averaging double-digit points while shooting 51% from the field.
In the one game that McDaniels has played without Edwards, he scored 12 points and shot 5-for-12 from the field. His usage rate jumped from 15.9% to 21.4%. Last year, McDaniels averaged 20.3 points per game without Edwards. The ceiling is achievable if Edwards sits. If he plays, McDaniels is still a strong value option on FanDuel due to his very cheap price tag.
Fast Break
Paolo Banchero has the highest projected Plus/Minus on the slate for both DraftKings and FanDuel tonight. Banchero has been dominant recently, with a positive Plus/Minus in 11 of his last 14 games. During that time, he is averaging 26.9 points and 7.6 rebounds per game with three double-doubles and one triple-double. In his second year in the league, Banchero is averaging a career-high across the board with a great chance at another ceiling game against the Hawks.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Anthony Davis is in arguably the best matchup among the stud options on this eight-game slate. That is the main reason why he is the most popular pay-up option. The Mavericks rank 24th in points allowed in the paint at 53.3 per game and also rank 29th in rebounding percentage. Davis has had his way in this matchup already this season, averaging 23.5 points and 12 rebounds per game while shooting 61.3% from the field in their two meetings. He is the best pay-up option on the slate.
Prioritize Davis on DraftKings, where he is criminally priced at $10,000. He has a 96% Bargain Rating and a slate-high 13 Pro Trends. Davis has put up 60+ DraftKings points in three of his last four games and has a great chance at another ceiling game against the Mavericks frontcourt. With power forward and center eligibility, Davis is easy to get to in all lineup builds
Value
The center position is absolutely loaded with talent in the upper mid-range. Alperen Sengun has the highest projected Plus/Minus on DraftKings, making him our value center to target on this slate. Sengun is another center that is way too cheap on DraftKings tonight. At $7,900, Sengun has a 94% Bargain Rating and is the most popular center on the slate. He is $1,100 cheaper on DraftKings than FanDuel tonight and has recorded a positive Plus/Minus in 10 of his last 15 games.
Sengun does draw a difficult matchup against the Knicks’ frontcourt, which ranks eighth in the least number of points scored in the paint this season. They also lead the league in rebounding percentage. However, Sengun can stuff the stat sheet in a variety of ways and is averaging 2.2 steals per game in his last five contests. Sengun’s salary is what makes him a great option.
Fast Break
Karl-Anthony Towns has been at his best when Anthony Edwards is not playing. With Edwards off the floor this season, Towns has a team-high +6.64% usage rate and a +8.46 DraftKings Plus/Minus. Even if Edwards plays, Towns can exploit this matchup against the Pistons’ frontcourt, which has allowed 55.2 points per game in the paint this season. Towns has scored 22+ points in seven of his last eight games. He is too cheap in this matchup, especially if Edwards doesn’t play.
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