Wednesday features a seven-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.
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NBA DFS Point Guard Picks
Stud
Currently leading in the Most Improved Player voting, Tyrese Maxey has taken another leap in his career progression. In his first 17 games of the season, Maxey is averaging a career-high in points, rebounds, and assists while shooting over 40% from behind the arc for the third-straight season. He is coming off yet another 30-point game where he added eight assists in a convincing victory over the Lakers. Maxey has the highest projected ceiling at the point guard position on both sites tonight.
Expect a competitive game between the 76ers and Pelicans as the 76ers are 2.5-point road favorites, implied for 116.25 points. The Pelicans rank eighth in pace while allowing the third-most transition possessions and transition points at 24.3 per game.
This matchup sets up perfectly for the speedy Maxey, who ranks inside the top 10 in transition points per game.
Value
D’Angelo Russell is once again one of the best value point guards to target on this seven-game slate. Since joining the Lakers in the middle of last season, Russell has seen his shooting percentages increase rapidly. During the month of November, Russell is shooting 42.7% from long distance. Priced in the lower mid-range, Russell has the highest Projected Plus/Minus on DraftKings at the point guard position and second-highest on FanDuel. He is a very strong value play tonight.
The Lakers are looking to bounce back after getting beat by 44 points against the 76ers last game. This is a great spot to do so as the 2-15 Pistons have lost 14 consecutive games. The Pistons rank 23rd in defensive rating and sixth in pace, making this a fantastic matchup for the Lakers’ point guard.
Expect Russell to break out of his mini-slump in this elite matchup.
Fast Break
Fred VanVleet has recorded a positive Plus/Minus on FanDuel in six straight games. He has posted a double-double in five of those six games as VanVleet is averaging a career-high 9.2 assists per game in his first year with the Rockets. Priced at $8,000 on FanDuel, VanVleet has an 89% Bargain Rating and is projected to be one of the highest-owned players on the slate, similar to last night. The Nuggets may be without their elite center, which would make this matchup look even better.
NBA DFS Shooting Guard Picks
Stud
Bradley Beal remains out, while Kevin Durant is in danger of missing his third-straight game with a foot injury. Those two absences haven’t slowed down the Suns, who have won seven consecutive games on the back of Devin Booker. Serving as the Suns’ point guard, Booker has been sensational since returning from his early season injury. In his nine games this season, Booker is averaging a career-high in points and assists. He already has recorded four double-doubles this season.
Monitor Durant’s status the closer we get to lock, as that would make Booker look even better. With both Durant and Beal off the floor this season, Booker’s usage rate has climbed to 39.1% per game. The Raptors perimeter defenders are elite, but Booker’s recent production and usage rate negates the difficult matchup. His salary has risen, but he is worth every penny.
Value
The Magic are still without both Markelle Fultz and Wendell Carter Jr., which will make value guards Cole Anthony and Jalen Suggs strong plays on both sites. Anthony gets the slight nod over Suggs after coming off a season-high 30 points in his last game. He also added seven rebounds and seven assists as Anthony put up over 50 DraftKings points. Exposure to Anthony and Suggs is recommended, as they have point guard and shooting guard eligibility on both sites.
The matchup against the Wizards is what sets these Magic guards up for success. The Wizards rank second in pace and are tied for second in defensive rating. Opponents are averaging 124 points per game against them while shooting nearly 50% from the field.
Prioritize Anthony, but this is a great spot to get exposure to these Magic guards.
Fast Break
Paul George is coming off his worst game of the season, scoring just six points as he shot a putrid 2-for-13 from the field. Priced under $9,000 on both DraftKings and FanDuel, George has the third-highest ceiling projection at the shooting guard position tonight. Expect a bounce-back performance from George, who leads the Clippers with 24.2 points per game. His consistency of averaging over 40 DraftKings points per game will likely come back to fruition in this spot against the Kings.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
Desmond Bane is the second-highest-rated player in our Tournament Model on both DraftKings and FanDuel. With Ja Morant, Marcus Smart, and Luke Kennard all out, Bane is one of the few guards still left standing for the Grizzlies. He has taken full advantage of his new role, averaging a career-high 23.6 points per game with a 29.3% usage rate. Bane has shot the ball poorly in his last two games, but this is a fantastic matchup to get back on track against the Utah Jazz backcourt.
The Jazz are one of the best rebounding teams in the league, but rank 26th in defensive rating, allowing 120.6 points per game. In his last game against the Jazz a few weeks ago, Bane scored a season-high 37 points while dishing out eight assists. He shot 14-for-28 from the field including seven 3-pointers as he posted 62 DraftKings points. Repeat performance?
Value
Coming off the bench has been one of the best things to happen to Austin Reaves after his poor start to the season. He has scored double-digit points in five straight games, while shooting 51.9% from the field, and has one double-double during that time. Reaves also has a 22.3% usage rate and a positive Plus/Minus in four of his last five games. With his stat-stuffing play style, Reaves can score fantasy points in a variety of ways and will have no problem racking up stats in this matchup.
Similar to D’Angelo Russell, Reaves is priced in the mid-range and looks like a strong value play in all formats. The matchup is incredible, and the Lakers have been playing great, winning seven of their last 10 games. Reaves is a cheap way to get exposure to the Lakers offense that is averaging 114.1 points per game over that time.
Fast Break
Franz Wagner has a positive Plus/Minus on FanDuel in six straight games as he continues to stuff the stat sheet. Like Cole Anthony, Wagner is coming off a season-high 30 points last game as he shot 11-for-15 from the field. In another positive matchup, Wagner will be able to get several looks against the Wizards defense who can’t stop anyone. Prioritize Wagner on FanDuel, where he has 10 Pro Trends. Given his recent play and matchup, this is a fantastic spot for Wagner tonight.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
For the first time in his career, LeBron James finished a game with zero rebounds. It’s pretty shocking after playing 30 minutes, but James is still dealing with a calf injury that has him listed as questionable to play yet again. James still has a ceiling that is worth targeting, especially in this cupcake matchup against the Pistons. The Lakers are seven-point road favorites, implied for 118.5 points, which is the second-highest on the slate. James still leads the Lakers in scoring with 25.1 points per game.
James also leads the team by a wide margin in usage rate with 29.8% and assists with 6.5 per game. Even in his 20th NBA season, James can post a ceiling fantasy score. Over a three-game stretch in the middle of November, James averaged 64.6 DraftKings points per game. This is a great spot for James and the Lakers to bounce back against the pitiful Pistons.
Value
Going back to the Grizzlies, Santi Aldama has the second-highest Projected Plus/Minus at the small forward position on DraftKings, trailing only Bane. Outside of Bane, the Grizzlies need some sort of production, and Aldama has stepped in when given the opportunity. In his last six games, Aldama has averaged 18.7 points and 6.8 rebounds per game with two double-doubles. Aldama has attempted 15+ field goals in five of those six games, with a 28.2% usage rate in those five contests.
As previously mentioned, this is a difficult rebounding matchup as the Jazz rank second in rebounding percentage at 53%, but Aldama can contribute in other areas, specifically scoring the ball. Aldama is projected to play 38 minutes and be a great value play. He is power forward and center eligible on FanDuel but does have an 86% Bargain Rating at his $6,200 salary.
Fast Break
Jaren Jackson Jr. is another Grizzlies player worth getting exposure to, as he leads the slate on both DraftKings and FanDuel with the highest projected Plus/Minus. At a decreased salary across the industry, Jackson Jr. will be a very popular option in all formats. He has been disappointing recently, but Jackson Jr. can also affect the game defensively as the Jazz are allowing 9.1 steals and 6.5 blocks per game, both of which rank in the top third of the league.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
With Nikola Jokic questionable to play tonight after missing last game with a back injury, Joel Embiid is the clear-cut best pay-up option on the slate. Despite only playing 31 minutes Monday night, Embiid finished with his first triple-double of the season as he had 30 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists. It was the fourth straight game in which Embiid had a 30-point double-double. He continues to lead the league in scoring and usage rate at 35.9%. Embiid is an incredible play in all formats.
Embiid draws a great matchup against Jonas Valanciunas and the Pelicans frontcourt. The Pelicans are a below-average defensive team with their main issue being fouls. With 368 total fouls, which ranks fourth in the league, they are going to have an impossible time stopping Embiid from getting to the line. He leads the league in free throws made and attempted.
Value
After coming off the bench in back-to-back games, expect Walker Kessler to continue to have his playing time ramped up. He may even start tonight as Kessler looks great in our model despite being only projected to play a modest 25 minutes. In his last two games, Kessler is averaging a near double-double with 12.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. He has posted over 30 DraftKings points in those two games and is still exceptionally cheap at $5,900 on both DraftKings and FanDuel.
With so many frontcourt injuries on the Grizzlies, their defense and rebounding stats have plummeted. They rank 19th in defensive rating and 23rd in rebounding percentage this season. This is a complete reversal from last season, where the Grizzlies were one of the top defenses in the league. If Kessler starts or gets off a minutes restriction, he will look even better tonight.
Fast Break
Anthony Davis has been a boom-or-bust fantasy option recently but may get the luxury of playing without LeBron James if he were to miss. Even if James plays, Davis is worth getting exposure to on DraftKings as he has an 85% Bargain Rating with his sub-$10,000 price tag. Davis has recorded six consecutive double-doubles and will now get a matchup against a young Pistons frontcourt that is allowing 52 points per game in the paint this season. Prioritize Davis to tournaments only.
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