Wednesday features a seven-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
Despite shooting an uncharacteristic 9-for-23 from the field last game, Luka Doncic recorded his seventh-straight triple-double. During that stretch, he is averaging 35 points, 11.9 assists, 11.1 rebounds, and 73.9 DraftKings points per game. He has exceeded 70 DraftKings points in each game. That type of consistency is why Doncic is arguably the best pay-up option, regardless of the slate. He will look to keep his triple-double streak in a great matchup against the Warriors.
With Stephen Curry still out for the Warriors with an ankle injury, the Mavericks are a slate-high seven-point home favorite implied for 120.5 points. After the All-Star Break, both the Mavericks and Warriors rank inside the top eight in pace. This will be an up-tempo game environment even with Curry out of the lineup. Expect another elite performance from Doncic tonight.
Value
Immanuel Quickley missed the last game with a hip injury and is questionable to play tonight. Keep an eye on his status the closer we get to lock because Quickley looks phenomenal in this spot. He has the highest Projected Plus/Minus on both DraftKings and FanDuel for this seven-game slate. Over the last six games, Quickley has averaged a double-double with 21.5 points and 10.5 assists per game. His salary continues to rise across the industry, but he is still a great value option.
Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett are out for the Raptors, which will provide a significant boost to Quickley’s production. Since the All-Star Break, Quickley has recorded a positive Plus/Minus on FanDuel in seven consecutive games. His $8,300 salary on FanDuel is resulting in an 89% Bargain Rating. He has the second-highest projected ownership on both sites tonight.
Fast Break
Priced at $8,600 on both DraftKings and FanDuel, Cade Cunningham is one of the best mid-range plays on the slate. The Pistons have surprisingly won two of their last three games and are 3.5-point home favorites against the Raptors tonight. Cunningham has been a big reason for their recent success, averaging 29 points and 9.7 assists per game in his last three games with two double-doubles. He is also averaging 24 points and eight assists in his two matchups against the Raptors.
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
During the Luka Doncic triple-double run, Kyrie Irving has taken a little bit of a backseat. He has recorded a negative Plus/Minus in six straight games, but is always capable of a ceiling performance, especially with his decrease in salary across the industry. Irving has been fantastic in his first full year with the Mavericks. Despite playing alongside Doncic, he is averaging 25.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game while shooting 48.9% from the floor and 41.7% from deep.
Irving still has a respectable 28.7% usage rate, and the Mavericks do a great job of staggering their two electric guards. With his falling price tag, he is a much cheaper way to get exposure to the best projected offense on the slate. We have not seen the ceiling lately, but Irving does have the highest projected ceiling at the shooting guard position on both sites tonight.
Value
Going back to the Raptors, Gary Trent Jr. is another cheap value on this slate. He has the highest Projected Plus/Minus at the shooting guard position, along with the highest projected ownership. Similar to Quickley, Trent Jr. has recorded a positive Plus/Minus on FanDuel in all but one of his games since the All-Star Break. Nearly all of his production comes from scoring the ball, but Trent Jr. has also attempted 24 field goal attempts per game with a 29.3% usage rate in his last two games.
Even with a modest projection of a 22.7% usage rate, Trent Jr. is popping in our Player Model. He is shooting 40.2% from behind the arc, so the more volume, the better for the Raptors’ sharpshooter. The Pistons are allowing opponents to shoot 37.7% from downtown this season, which bodes well for Trent Jr. If he plays, he is too cheap on both sites tonight.
Fast Break
The Warriors have been playing around with their starting lineup without Stephen Curry. Klay Thompson moved back into the starting lineup last game and scored over 20 points for the third-straight game. Thompson has had an inconsistent year shooting the ball, but is starting to find his groove. In his last 10 games, Thompson is averaging 18 points per game, while shooting 45% from the field and 42.9% from downtown. He has attempted 10+ 3-pointers in each of his last three games.
Be sure to check out all the pick’ems Sleeper has to offer with Sleeper Fantasy promo code LABS1 for a $500 deposit match.
NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
The small forward position is flooded with above-average plays at the top end. DeMar DeRozan looks the best due to his elite matchup against the Pacers. With Zach LaVine out for the year, the Bulls offense will continue to run through DeRozan. Leading the team in points and assists, the veteran forward has posted a positive Plus/Minus in seven of his last nine games. With 11 Pro Trends on FanDuel, it shouldn’t be a surprise that DeRozan is the most popular pay-up at this position.
He lives in the mid-range and the paint when he is at his peak scoring the ball. That is also where the Pacers have struggled the most. They are allowing a league-high 59.6 points per game in the paint this season. DeRozan has scored 20+ points in both games against the Pacers and has an incredible opportunity to make it a three-in-a-row in this spot tonight.
Value
The most popular play and the best value on the slate is Raptors forward Bruce Brown. Priced at $5,100 on both sites, Brown is projected for an absurd 65% ownership on FanDuel and 40% on DraftKings. He is coming off his second double-double of the season last game, where he had 13 points and 10 rebounds against the Nuggets in 38 minutes. Projected to play a modest 33 minutes, Brown looks amazing. He is a staple in cash games and great value in tournaments.
Brown has only started in six games since joining the Raptors at the trade deadline. With injuries to Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett, they have no choice but to start and play Brown heavy minutes. The Pistons have been an average rebounding team since the All-Star Break, which makes this an intriguing spot for Brown to potentially record another double-double.
Fast Break
Andrew Wiggins has the same exact price tag as Bruce Brown on both DraftKings and FanDuel and is the perfect pivot from Brown. However, Wiggins will also be very popular across the industry with Stephen Curry out and given the exploitable matchup against the Mavericks. Since the All-Star Break, the Mavericks have the second-worst defensive rating in the league at 120.7. Wiggins hasn’t displayed his ceiling in a while but will provide a safe floor in cash games at his cheap salary.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
Leading the Pelicans in points per game and usage rate, Zion Williamson is a strong pay-up option in all formats tonight. He has the highest projected ceiling at the power forward position with a positive Plus/Minus in seven of his last 10 games. During that stretch, he is averaging 22.3 points, 7.0 assists, and 6.3 rebounds per game while shooting 56% from the field. Williamson has flirted with a triple-double recently, but has yet to capture that elusive statistic in his career.
The Pelicans are seven-point favorites against the Cavaliers, who continue to be without Evan Mobley and potentially Donovan Mitchell. With only Jarrett Allen protecting the paint, Williamson could have himself a field day. Given his price point, Williamson can easily exceed his salary. He has been the best Pelicans player to target recently with his versatility.
Value
With power forward and center eligibility, Isaiah Stewart has been a consistent value play since returning from injury. In his last seven games, Stewart is averaging 10.7 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. He has played 32.9 minutes per game over that stretch and is projected for 32 minutes again tonight. Being priced at $5,200 on FanDuel and $5,000 on DraftKings, Stewart is easy to fit into any lineup build. Playing against the Raptors frontcourt is a fantastic matchup for Stewart tonight.
Since the All-Star Break, the Raptors have the third-worst rebounding percentage in the league at 47%. If there was ever a chance for Stewart to get back on the double-double train, it would be tonight. The Raptors also allowed 66 points in the paint in their last game. Playing this many minutes, Stewart should be able to easily exceed his price point in this matchup.
Fast Break
In the 25 games that Pascal Siakam has played for the Pacers, he is averaging 20.5 points and 7.2 rebounds per game while shooting 54.7% from the field and a career-high 38.4% from behind the arc. He has been great for the Pacers recently, with Tyrese Haliburton slowly working his way back from injury. Siakam is the best Pacers player to target tonight. Despite the Bulls ranking 29th in pace, the Pacers will continue to push the tempo and are implied for 117 points in this matchup.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
The only player who can challenge Luka Doncic for the best pay-up option on the slate is Nikola Jokic. He is currently a massive favorite to win the NBA MVP for the third time in the last four years. Jokic is coming off an incredible game against the Raptors, finishing with nearly 100 DraftKings points. He stuffed the stat sheet with 35 points, 17 rebounds, 12 assists, six steals, and two blocks. Doncic has been more consistent, but Jokic has displayed a ridiculous ceiling when he is aggressive.
Playing against Bam Adebayo and the Heat defense is the only downside for Jokic tonight. In their only meeting this season, Jokic recorded 18 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists but only shot 6-for-15 from the field. The Heat rank seventh in the league, allowing 47 points per game in the paint. Even in a difficult matchup, Jokic deserves consideration for the top spot.
Value
Going back to the Pistons frontcourt, Jalen Duren is having an incredible second-year in the league. He is averaging a career-high across the board in points, rebounds, and assists, while shooting 62.7% from the field. Duren is averaging a double-double and has captured that feat in nine of his last 11 games. He should have no trouble racking up another double-double in this matchup against the Raptors. Duren is the most popular center on DraftKings with his cheap $6,700 salary.
With Jakob Poeltl and Chris Boucher out for the Raptors, their frontcourt is weak. Kelly Olynyk will start at center, but he does not have the strength or size to compete with Duren on the glass or in the paint. Duren is less appealing on FanDuel with his higher salary and no double-double bonus. Prioritize the young center on DraftKings in this matchup tonight.
Fast Break
When Myles Turner is providing a shot-blocking upside, he is always worth of exposure. Turner has recorded 14 total blocks in his last three games against the Timberwolves, Magic, and Thunder. Tonight’s matchup against the Bulls is a much more intriguing spot for Turner, both defensively and on the glass. The Bulls are below average in both blocks allowed per game and rebounding percentage. Turner is a second behind Duren in projected ownership at this position on DraftKings.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
NBA DFS Picks Breakdown (Friday, Dec. 2): Jazz Provide Value in Matchup vs. Pacers
NBA DFS Picks Breakdown (Thursday, Dec. 15): Roll With Paul George vs. Suns?
NBA DFS (Monday, Jan. 30): Top Model Picks and Value Plays on DraftKings and FanDuel
NBA DFS Picks Breakdown (Monday, Feb. 6): Target Nets and Mavericks for Value
