Wednesday features a 14-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
After starting off the season with three straight games of over 70 DraftKings points, Luka Doncic has four consecutive games with a negative Plus/Minus. Despite Doncic’s lack of production recently, he still has the second-highest usage rate per game in the league at 34.1%. Even with Kyrie Irving healthy again, the 6-1 Mavericks’ run through Doncic, who leads the team in points, rebounds, and assists. His ceiling remains the second-highest on DraftKings and third on FanDuel.
Playing against the Raptors backcourt isn’t the best matchup for Doncic, as they have several long defenders to throw his way. Through seven games, the Raptors rank sixth in Defensive Rating and are playing at the second-slowest Pace. Despite the difficult matchup, Doncic over the last three seasons is averaging 31.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 8.5 assists per game.
Value
The Wizards have had a tough stretch of opponents recently as they’ve lost four straight games by an average of 13.3 points per game. Their starters have seen a dip in playing time due to the lack of competitive games. No one on the team has averaged 29 or more minutes per game, including starting point guard Tyus Jones. With his sub-$6,000 salary on both sites, Jones is popping as one of the best guard values on the slate. The newly acquired Jones is due for a breakout game.
Now is the time to deploy the Wizards in DFS, as they will play on the road against the Hornets. Both teams rank in the bottom five in Defensive Rating and top five in Pace. This is a perfect game environment to rack up fantasy points, as the total has climbed to 240.5 points. Exposure to this matchup is a necessity, and Jones is a great way to do so while saving salary.
Fast Break
Coming off a 30-point, 13-assist, 10-rebound triple-double, LaMelo Ball at his sub-$9,000 salary on DraftKings and FanDuel looks incredible. Terry Rozier remains out with an injury, as Ball has a team-high +11.5% DraftKings Plus/Minus with Rozier off the floor this season. Playing against the Wizards, who are last in Defensive Rating, but first in Pace, is a perfect matchup for Ball, who plays an up-tempo brand of basketball. Ball looks like an elite point guard to get exposure to on both sites.
NBA DFS Shooting Guard Picks
Stud
Donovan Mitchell can’t stop scoring 30+ points. Regardless of whether the Cavaliers are healthy or not, Mitchell is letting it fly. He is tied for the league lead in scoring with 32.5 points per game as he has a 33.3% usage rate. Mitchell is off to the best start in his career as he is averaging career highs in points, rebounds, assists, and field goal percentages. Shooting 53.8% from the field, Mitchell is a mismatch for any team. Even with Darius Garland healthy, Mitchell’s production hasn’t slowed.
The Cavaliers are 2.5-point road favorites against the Thunder who they lost to earlier in the season. That game is when the Mitchell fireworks truly began as he scored 43 points, shooting 15 for 27 from the field. A repeat performance is unlikely, but Mitchell has proven to have the upside in any matchup. He is a great contrarian pay-up option for DraftKings and FanDuel.
Value
Jordan Hawkins is projected for the highest ownership on the slate on DraftKings and FanDuel. CJ McCollum is out with an injury, which will move Hawkins to the starting point guard role. In the last game with McCollum sidelined, Hawkins shot the lights out with 31 points on 10-for-19 shooting, including seven 3-pointers. Hawkins had a season-high 25.6% usage rate in 38 minutes despite the Pelicans losing by 18 points. His salary didn’t budge, which makes him the best value on the slate.
Hawkins is priced under $5,000 on both sites, but his $4,300 salary on FanDuel is absurd. He has a 90% Bargain Rating, which is causing his ownership to skyrocket to over 60%. Hawkins is a fantastic cash game play and looks like a perfect pay-down option for tournaments. Hawkins may not shoot as well as last game, but his opportunities to do so will be there.
Fast Break
Malcolm Brogdon has the highest Projected Plus/Minus on both sites tonight, as Scoot Henderson remains out for the Trail Blazers. Brogdon will draw another start as he has looked amazing in back-to-back starts, averaging a double-double with 22 points, 10.5 rebounds, and seven assists per game. Brogdon has recorded a positive Plus/Minus in all seven games this season, and tonight should be no different. Playing against the up-tempo Kings, expect another big game from Brogdon.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
LeBron James has shown no signs of slowing down this season, as he is shooting 56.1% from the field while leading the Lakers in scoring and steals. James has scored 30+ points in two of his last three games while shooting 59.6% over that time. He is also second on the team in rebounding and assists, proving his versatility in his 20th season is still there. James has the highest projected ceiling at the small forward position as the Lakers are 2.5-point road favorites against the Rockets.
The Rockets have been a formidable defense to start the season, but they will have their hands full with the Lakers tonight. The small forward position is always difficult to fill, which is why paying up for James on either site will be a contrarian move. Monitor the status of Anthony Davis who is questionable with an injury, which would boost James’ production even more.
Value
Gordon Hayward has recorded a positive Plus/Minus on FanDuel in every game that he has played this season. The veteran small forward continues to get heavy minutes for the young Hornets roster. Hayward has played 30+ minutes in each game and attempted a season-high 23 field goals in their last game. He has the highest projected Plus/Minus at the small forward position and should play around 35 minutes tonight in the best game environment this slate has to offer.
With Terry Rozier out, the Hornets need perimeter scoring. Rookie Brandon Miller is still coming off the bench, and although he has shown promise, Hayward is the player to target between the two. Projected for around 20% ownership on both sites, Hayward will be looking for his shot early and often and is a great mid-range value play to fit in the studs.
Fast Break
Brandon Ingram will have the luxury of playing without CJ McCollum and Zion Williamson. Priced at $8,300 on both sites, Ingram has yet to have that explosion game, but it feels like only a matter of time. With McCollum and Williamson off the floor last season, Ingram had a team-high +5.01% usage rate. Jordan Hawkins was not on the team and will take some of that usage away, but expect it to be the Ingram and Hawkins show for the Pelicans tonight against the Timberwolves.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
Giannis Antetokounmpo finally broke out of his little slump last game with 36 points and 12 rebounds while shooting 15 for 27 from the field. He still attempted an absurd seven 3-point attempts, but Giannis was able to control the paint against an undersized and injured Nets frontcourt. He could do the same thing tonight, especially if Pistons starting center, Jalen Duren, is out for the second consecutive game. At a reasonable salary, Giannis looks like a strong pay-up option tonight.
Giannis still feels underpriced across the industry, but especially on FanDuel at $10,100. He has a 90% Bargain Rating while being projected for just over 20% ownership. Khris Middleton will be out due to injury maintenance, which will boost the production and usage rate for Giannis. The power forward and center positions are loaded, but Giannis looks fantastic.
Value
Naz Reid on DraftKings is a great way to get away from the Hornets value chalk, as he is priced at $4,600 with power forward and center eligibility. The Timberwolves have done a great job of rotating their three big men while playing them all together at times as well. Off the bench, Reid is averaging a career-high 15.7 points per game while shooting 55.7% from the field. He has scored double-digits in every game this season and has made two or more 3-pointers in four of his last five.
Playing off the bench, Reid will get the luxury of playing against Larry Nance Jr. instead of Jonas Valanciunas. With Zion Williamson out, there will be more rebounds to go around, and Reid has four or more rebounds in all but one game this season. He has recorded a positive Plus/Minus in four of his last five games and should be prioritized on DraftKings.
Fast Break
Lauri Markkanen has displayed his upside with two 50-point DraftKings games, which have been predicated by his rebounding. He will likely flirt for another double-double tonight now that Walker Kessler has been downgraded to doubtful. Expect Markkanen’s ownership projections to rise throughout the day as the Jazz need his rebounding production against Pacers’ center Myles Turner. Markkanen looks great on FanDuel at $8,100 with a 93% Bargain Rating and 11 Pro Trends.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
With Jamal Murray sidelined, Nikola Jokic has the highest projected ceiling for in our NBA Model for both sites. Last game with Murray out, Jokic exploded for a 35-point, 14-rebound, 12-assist triple-double while shooting 15 for 24 from the field. Jokic recorded a season-high 79 DraftKings points and will now get a matchup against the Warriors that he has dominated during the regular season. In his last five games, Jokic has averaged 27.6 points, 14 rebounds, and 11.2 assists per game.
Jokic without Murray is a spot worth targeting, even at Jokic’s high price tag. He is currently projected for around 10% ownership on DraftKings and FanDuel, but if more value opens up throughout the day, expect that to rise. Jokic is a walking triple-double, and with Draymond Green out for the Warriors, he should have no trouble against this Warriors’ frontcourt.
Value
Mitchell Robinson claims he is ready to face Victor Wembanyama, but time will tell. He will get a chance against the No. 1 overall pick tonight, and if he can stay out of foul trouble, Robinson is going to blow his price tag out of the water. Robinson has been an absolute monster on the glass this season, averaging a career-high 12.4 rebounds per game. This matchup sets up well, as the Spurs are tied for the third-worst Rebounding Percentage in the league despite adding Wembanyama.
Robinson’s scoring is always up in the air, but he did score a season-high 13 points last game. All of his scoring comes from inside the paint, which is another spot the Spurs struggle. They have allowed 53.4 points per game in the paint this season, which is the seventh-highest in the league. Robinson is way too cheap for this matchup against the Spurs frontcourt.
Fast Break
Joel Embiid leads the league, averaging a 37.1% usage rate per game. That is 3% more than the next closest player, which is a big reason why Embiid is worth getting exposure to despite the difficult matchup and high price tag. The season is young, but the Celtics already look stout defensively and are likely the most talented team in the league. Embiid will have his hands full, but given how much of the 76ers offense runs through him, he is impossible to ignore on any slate.
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