NBA DFS Picks Breakdown (Monday, Feb. 13): Lauri Markkanen is a Steal on FanDuel

Monday features an 11-game slate starting at 7 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.

Use promo code LABS to get a $100 sign-up bonus for NBA player props on Prize Picks.

NBA DFS Point Guard Picks

Stud

Trae Young has put together some big performances for the Hawks recently. He’s coming off 24 points, 17 assists, and 58.5 DraftKings points in his last outing, and he had 66.25 DraftKings points in the game prior. Overall, he’s increased his production to 1.39 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, which trails only Damian Lillard and Luka Doncic among Monday’s backcourt options. Both players are significantly more expensive than Young on this slate, so he’s arguably the best value of the bunch.

Young also benefits from one of the best possible matchups. He’s taking on the Hornets, who rank seventh in pace and 24th in defensive efficiency. The Hawks’ resulting implied team total of 122.5 is the top mark on the slate.

---

Value

Collin Sexton’s price tag has started to tick up, but it is 100% deserved. He’s started each of the past three games for the Jazz, and he’s responded with 37.75, 43.75, and 24.5 DraftKings points. His most recent performance was his worst outing of the trio, but he played slightly less than usual after fouling out. He played more than 36 minutes two games ago, and Sexton has averaged 0.93 DraftKings points per minute this season. That’s a lot of potential production for just $5,200.

Sexton also has a very favorable matchup vs. the Pacers. They rank fourth in pace and 25th in defensive efficiency, and the Jazz’s implied team total of 119.5 ranks fourth on the slate.

---

Fast Break

The Spurs have the potential to be pretty thin on Monday. Tre Jones and Romeo Langford have already been ruled out, while Devin Vassell remains out with a long-term injury. That opens the door for Blake Wesley to draw the start at point guard. He hasn’t exactly thrived when on the floor this season, averaging just 0.64 DraftKings points per minute, but he should be able to return value through sheer volume. He’s projected for 25 minutes in our NBA Models, and min-priced players have historically averaged a Plus/Minus of +3.58 with a comparable minute projection (per the Trends tool).

Anfernee Simons has put together some big games recently, posting an average Plus/Minus of +5.48 over his past 10 games on FanDuel. He remains underpriced for Monday’s matchup vs. the Lakers, and his $6,200 salary comes with a Bargain Rating of 96%. The Lakers are also a solid matchup, resulting in an Opponent Plus/Minus of +1.56.

NBA DFS Shooting Guard Picks

Stud

Brandon Ingram’s positional eligibility is a bit odd. He’s previously been available at both forward positions, but he has just shooting guard eligibility on DraftKings for Monday’s matchup vs. the Thunder. However, the biggest selling point is his salary. He remains underpriced at $7,800, and he’s scored at least 42.25 DraftKings points in four straight games.

Ingram should be able to keep the production rolling vs. the Thunder. They’ve played at the third-fastest pace this season, and the Pelicans are currently implied for 117.0 points.

---

Value

The Heat are another team with plenty of minutes available on Monday. The team is still without Kyle Lowry and Victor Oladipo, while Tyler Herro has been downgraded to doubtful. That solidifies Max Strus’ minutes. He’s played at least 34 minutes in back-to-back games, including 39.2 minutes in his most recent outing. He responded with 28.0 DraftKings points, and Strus has averaged 0.76 DraftKings points per minute for the year.

---

Fast Break

Josh Richardson was moved from the Spurs to the Pelicans before the trade deadline, and he’s expected to make his team debut. It’s unclear exactly what his role will be in New Orleans, but he’s averaged more than a fantasy point per minute over the past month. He should see at least 20 minutes in this spot, making him a nice punt play at the absolute minimum. His role would only grow if C.J. McCollum is unable to play through a questionable designation.

Bennedict Mathurin stands out as a solid value option on FanDuel, where his $4,400 salary comes with a Bargain Rating of 89%. He also draws an outstanding matchup, resulting in an Opponent Plus/Minus of +4.7, and he could see a sizable boost in value if Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner are ultimately ruled out. He’s seen a +3.1% usage bump with Haliburton off the floor, resulting in an average of 0.93 FanDuel points per minute.

NBA DFS Small Forward Picks

Stud

For an 11-game slate, the forward options are not particularly impressive. We’re missing some of the usual top options at the position – Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jayson Tatum, LeBron James – and there are only four players priced above $8,500. There are 12 guards and seven centers who fit that description, so there aren’t nearly as many studs to choose from.

Lauri Markkanen is my favorite of the group. He’s struggled a bit recently, failing to return value in four of his past five games, but he did put together a decent outing in his last contest. He finished with 47.25 DraftKings points in a subpar matchup vs. the Knicks, despite shooting just 9-23 from the field and 3-10 from 3-point range. Markkanen has the potential to improve upon those numbers vs. the Pacers.

Markkanen is a viable option on DraftKings, but he’s a downright steal at $7,600 on FanDuel. He owns a Bargain Rating of 99%, and he owns the top projected Plus/Minus on the entire slate.

---

Value

Talen Horton-Tucker has taken on a much larger role for the Jazz following the trade deadline. He’s been one of their first options off the bench in each of their past three games, and he’s coming off 27.4 minutes in his last outing. When Horton-Tucker gets consistent playing time, he tends to provide excellent fantasy value. He’s averaged 1.01 DraftKings points per minute this season, and he’s increased that figure to 1.16 over the past month.

Horton-Tucker has historically played at least 24 minutes in 57 career contests, and he’s averaged 28.37 DraftKings points in those outings. He’s played at least 24 minutes in seven games as a member of the Jazz, and he’s averaged 32.25 DraftKings points. Overall, he’s simply too cheap at $3,900, especially in a juicy matchup vs. the Pacers.

---

Fast Break

Jae’Sean Tate seems like another winner from the trade deadline. With Eric Gordon no longer in Houston, Tate moved into the starting lineup in his most recent contest. He’s played at least 24.4 minutes in back-to-back games, and he has historically been an excellent per-minute producer. He’s historically averaged 23.24 DraftKings points with a comparable minute projection, which is more than enough to return value at his current salary.

Gordon Hayward deserves some consideration for the Hornets. He’s a bit priced down at the moment, and he’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in three straight games. He’s currently projected for 33 minutes in our NBA Models, and his matchup vs. the Hawks comes with an Opponent Plus/Minus of +2.44.

NBA DFS Power Forward Picks

Stud

Draymond Green has been a steady contributor for the Warriors of late. He’s exceeded salary-based expectations in nine of his past 11 games, and he racked up 41.75 DraftKings points on 12 points, 10 assists, and seven boards in his last contest. Overall, Green has increased his production to 1.07 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and he’s had to take on more offensive responsibilities with Steph Curry out of the lineup.

---

Value

The Hawks made some upgrades at the trade deadline, but they have a few key names on the injury report on Monday. John Collins and Bogdan Bogdanovic are both questionable, and if either player is ruled out, De’Andre Hunter should see most of the minutes at power forward. Hunter should play a sizable role even if both players are active, making him a solid selection at his current price tag across the industry.

---

Fast Break

Kelly Olynyk dealt with some foul trouble in his last game, which limited him to just 26.1 minutes. However, he racked up 32.3 minutes two games ago, so he could see a boost in playing time on Monday. Olynyk has averaged 0.91 DraftKings points per minute this season, so he’s a nice buy-low option vs. the Pacers.

Drew Eubanks stands out as one of the best per-dollar options at the position on FanDuel. He’s projected for 27 minutes in an elite matchup vs. the Lakers, resulting in an Opponent Plus/Minus of +5.44. He’s only eligible at center on DraftKings, but he has dual PF/C eligibility on FanDuel.

NBA DFS Center Picks

Stud

There are plenty of appealing value options on this slate, so we’re going to have to pay up somewhere. Joel Embiid is questionable with a foot injury, but as long as he’s in the lineup, he’s an outstanding stud target vs. the Rockets. Embiid has been on the injury report a bunch recently, but it hasn’t stopped him from dominating. He racked up 35 points, 11 boards, and six assists on the front end of a back-to-back on Friday and followed that up with 37 points and 13 boards on Saturday. He ultimately finished with at least 60.75 DraftKings points in both contests.

His past two games were against the Knicks and Nets, and Monday’s matchup vs. the Rockets should be significantly easier. The Rockets rank 28th in defensive efficiency, and Embiid has been one of the most high-volume scorers in basketball. He’s on pace to lead the league in scoring for the second straight year, while his 37.4% usage rate represents a new career high.

---

Value

Mark Williams has been outstanding in limited playing time this season. He’s averaged 1.20 DraftKings points per minute, but his upside was capped playing behind Mason Plumlee. Plumlee was having a solid year in his own right, so Williams was limited to around 16 minutes per game.

With Plumlee now out of the picture, Williams has the potential for a big second half of the season. He racked up more than 30.5 minutes in his first game without Plumlee, resulting in 32.5 DraftKings points. He might not get to 30 minutes on Monday, but he should be locked in for mid-20s minutes vs. the Hawks. That gives him the potential to be one of the best values of the day.

---

Fast Break

Walker Kessler stands out as massively underpriced on DraftKings, where his $5,600 salary comes with a Bargain Rating of 99%. Kessler has increased his production to 1.20 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and with Jarred Vanderbilt now in Los Angeles, he should be locked into a big role. He’s played at least 30 minutes in three straight games, so he’s definitely in play vs. the Pacers.

Nick Richards is an interesting tournament pivot off Williams. He should check in with significantly lower ownership, but Richards actually played more minutes than Williams in their last game. That’s not something I would expect on a consistent basis, but it’s within the range of outcomes.