Sunday features a nine-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
With Malik Monk and Kevin Huerter sidelined, De’Aaron Fox has seen a significant increase in his production. Over his last five games without Monk and Huerter, Fox is averaging 28.3 points, seven assists, and five rebounds per game with a 31.8% usage rate. Fox is coming off a 40-point game in a one-point loss to the Celtics where he shot a ridiculous 16-for-29 from the field, including seven made 3-pointers. Priced at only $9,100, Fox has an 85% Bargain Rating and 10 Pro Trends.
The Kings are 7.5-point road favorites against the Nets, implied for 112.5 points. They are hoping to climb out of the play-in tournament in the Western Conference. After back-to-back losses against the Knicks and Celtics, expect a bounceback from the Kings in this matchup against the Nets, who rank 21st in defensive rating. Fantastic spot to pay up for Fox tonight.
Value
Leading the way with the highest projected Plus/Minus on the slate by far is Warriors veteran point guard Chris Paul. Not only is $5,200 an incredibly cheap price point, but Stephen Curry is out for the Warriors on Sunday. Jonathan Kuminga and Andrew Wiggins are also listed questionable, which would make Paul look even better. The 38-year old Paul is averaging fewer than 10 points per game for the first time in his career, but he will get a great chance to wind back the clock in this spot.
In the 15 games Paul has started this season, he is averaging 12.6 points, 7.5 assists, and 4.4 rebounds per game. He is projected to start and play around 30 minutes in this cupcake matchup against the Jazz. Paul is also projected for the highest ownership on the slate at over 50% tonight. He is an elite cash-game play and a great value in tournaments Sunday.
Fast Break
On the opposite side of the Warriors-Jazz matchup is rookie point guard Keyonte George. With so many players out for the Jazz, George will get the keys to the car. He has a poor recent game log, but the rookie from Baylor is averaging 14.2 points per game when starting this season. Priced in the mid-range at $6,100, George is projected for 20% ownership. The Jazz are double-digit road underdogs, but this matchup has the second-highest total on the slate at 227.5 points tonight.
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
Jordan Poole continues to be the pay-up shooting guard to target despite his relatively cheap $7,500 salary. Poole has the highest projected Plus/Minus at the shooting guard position and the second-highest projected ceiling. His point-guard and shooting-guard eligibility make it easy to fit Poole into any lineup build. Poole has recorded a positive Plus/Minus in seven of his last eight games and is averaging 21.6 points and 8.3 assists per game with two double-doubles during that time.
The Wizards are only 4.5-point road underdogs against the Raptors, who are coming off their first victory in 16 games. Kyle Kuzma is questionable to play, and his status is important to monitor. With Kuzma off the floor this season, Poole has a team-high +5.7% usage rate and a +8.43 DraftKings Plus/Minus. He is a great play who will look even better if Kuzma is out.
Value
Klay Thompson is another player worth getting exposure to if Kuminga and Wiggins are also out for the Warriors. The 11-year sharpshooter has had an up-and-down season, but he had a ceiling performance against the Rockets two games ago. Thompson shot 11-for-15 from the field and 7-for-11 from behind the arc, proving that he still has a little juice left in the tank.
The Jazz are the perfect matchup for a sniper like Thompson. Opponents are making a league-high 14.8 3-pointers per game against them while shooting 39.7% from behind the arc. Thompson in particular has dominated this matchup in their two meetings this season, averaging 30.5 points per game while shooting 58.5% from the field and 50% from deep. At his $5,800 salary, Thompson is another strong play in all formats, especially if Kuminga and Wiggins are unable to play.
Fast Break
Similar to George, Collin Sexton has had a mediocre game log recently, but he looks like a great option Sunday. With over half of the regular starters out for the Jazz, Sexton is projected to play 32 minutes and have a 29% usage rate. Sexton is projected for the highest ownership at the shooting guard position. He has scored 20 or more points in 11 of his last 13 games and will need to look to score in this depleted Jazz backcourt. Sexton is a strong mid-range option in this matchup.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
The Boston Celtics are another team to monitor from an injury standpoint. They are hosting the Trail Blazers and are slate-high, 16-point home favorites. The Celtics are implied for 116 points despite Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown both being questionable. Tatum has by far the highest ceiling projection among the small forward options and would look even better if Brown was unable to play. If both Tatum and Brown are out, look to forward Sam Hauser to get an increase in ownership.
The Trail Blazers rank 23rd in defensive rating and 21st in rebounding percentage. This would be a fantastic matchup for Tatum, who leads the Celtics in points and rebounds this season. The Celtics have already locked up the top seed in the Eastern Conference, so it wouldn’t be surprising if they start to rest their starters the closer we get to the end of the season.
Value
Julian Champagnie has been an incredible asset for the Spurs recently with the injuries to Devin Vassell and Cedi Osman. In his last five games, Champagnie is averaging 12.8 points and 26.8 DraftKings points per game. He has a positive Plus/Minus and has scored over 21 DraftKings points in each of his last five games. The consistency of Champagnie is what makes him a strong value play in all formats. He has the highest projected Plus/Minus at the small forward position and is only $4,300.
Champagnie is drawing over 20% ownership and has an 89% Bargain Rating. The Spurs are 6.5-point home underdogs against the 76ers tonight, which is surprising with the 76ers at nearly full health. This is a revenge matchup for Champagnie, who was drafted by the 76ers last season. Even if you aren’t into the revenge factor, he is one of the best values available.
Fast Break
Josh Hart was ejected last game after only playing 11 minutes and was a big reason why the Knicks lost on the road to the Bulls. With Julius Randle out for the year and Bojan Bogdanovic questionable, Hart will continue to look like a fantastic option at his mid-range salary. In 31 games without Randle this year, Hart is averaging a double-double with 11.7 points and 10.5 rebounds per game while playing over 40 minutes a night. The playing time and productivity make Hart a great option.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
Giannis Antetokounmpo sat out Friday’s game and is another star who is questionable to play Sunday. With the Bucks losing each of their last three games as heavy favorites, it would be surprising if Giannis did not suit up for this matchup against the Knicks. The Bucks are four-point home favorites and are only 1.5 games ahead of the Cavaliers for the second seed in the Eastern Conference. The Knicks have been a favorable matchup for the Greek Freak in four games this season.
Giannis is averaging 29.3 points per game while shooting 61.6% from the field against the Knicks. He has recorded a positive Plus/Minus in five of his last six games and has the third-highest projected ceiling on this nine-game slate. Coming in at under 5% projected ownership, Giannis is a great way to get different at the top and will be a contrarian pay-up option.
Fast Break
Value
Draymond Green is yet another Warriors player worth getting exposure to in this matchup against the Jazz. Green can stuff the stat sheet in a variety of ways and is always a threat for a triple-double when the Warriors are short-handed like they are tonight. Over his last four games, the versatile Green is averaging 10.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game with 13 total steals and four blocks. At $6,100, Green will have more than enough opportunity to exceed his salary in this spot.
The Jazz have been absolutely dominated in the paint recently. They rank 22nd in the league for the season, allowing 51.6 points per game in the paint, and they allowed 70 in their most recent game. Nearly all of Green’s scoring production comes from layups at the rim. Green will be the most popular power forward option, and rightfully so without a majority of his teammates.
Fast Break
With small-forward and power-forward eligibility, Miles Bridges is one of the only bright spots for the Hornets this season. With Mark Williams still out and Nick Richards questionable, Bridges has a great opportunity to rack up another double-double in this matchup. The Hornets are nine-point home underdogs, but the Thunder continue to get dominated on the glass. They rank 28th in rebounding percentage at 48.2%. Expect a big game from one of the few Hornets starters left.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Leading the slate with 12 Pro Trends is soon-to-be Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama. At $11,000, Wembanyama has the highest projected ceiling and an 89% Bargain Rating. The young phenom is averaging 28 points, 14 rebounds, 7.3 assists, four blocks, and two steals per game in his last four games. Given his upside, Wembanyama is drawing around 15% projected ownership and that may still be too low. He is doing everything he can to help the Spurs play spoiler this year.
Wembanyama vs. Joel Embiid is going to be an incredible matchup to watch tonight. Embiid got the better of the young center last game, but Wembanyama still finished with a team-high 33 points in only 28 minutes. Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich has since unleashed Wembanyama, and he is projected to play 34 minutes tonight. Great spot to pay up for this stud.
Value
Jazz center Omer Yurtseven has the second-highest projected Plus/Minus on the slate. With John Collins, Walker Kessler, and Lauri Markkanen all out for the Jazz, Yurtseven is projected to start and play around 27 minutes. He is also projected for the second-highest ownership at 32%. In his last two games, Yurtseven has scored in double figures in both games and is shooting 11-for-20 from the field. He is also averaging 6.5 rebounds per game in his last two contests.
Yurtseven is center-only eligible, but his $4,600 price tag is very appealing, especially in this matchup against the Warriors. Yurtseven is not just a stiff center. He has versatility and can even make perimeter jump shots. He will not get run off the floor with the Warriors small-ball lineup. This game is juicy, and Yurtseven is one of the best options to target from it Sunday.
Fast Break
Getting Joel Embiid back may help the 76ers get back into the playoff mix. They are one game back from the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference. Before his injury, Embiid was leading the league in usage rate and points per game. In 23 minutes last game, Embiid had a 30-point, 12-rebound double-double. He scored a career-high 70 points in his last meeting against the Spurs. This is an elite matchup for the superstar, with the Spurs ranking 28th in points allowed in the paint this season.
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