The NBA tips off February with nine games on the schedule, and the core of those matchups make up the six-game main slate for DFS fantasy basketball on DraftKings. The main slate of contests begins at 7:00 p.m. ET and includes the games that tip off at 8:00 p.m. ET and 8:30 p.m. ET. The Hornets, Nuggets, and Spurs are on the second night of back-to-back games, so be sure to keep a close eye on their injury reports as they come out. From the injury reports already released, there are several injuries to monitor as well, so be sure to update the projections and modify your roster as news breaks throughout the day.
Let’s dive into some of the top plays on the slate using the FantasyLabs tools and projections.
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.
You can also use our SimLabs Lineup Generator, a tool that creates the most user-friendly lineup generation process.
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 Jalen Williams (wrist) ruled out, it should be a smash spot for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on Saturday night against the Kings. The Kings have played at the fastest pace of any team in the NBA over their last 10 games, and SGA should thrive in the uptempo environment of this matchup at home with so much work to carry.
This game has the highest point total on the slate, and the Thunder have the highest implied team total. SGA is coming off a 52-point game against the Warriors that earned him 63.25 DraftKings points and has over 55 DraftKings points in four of his last six games, highlighted by 81.5 DraftKings points against the Jazz.
Gilgeous-Alexander has the highest median, ceiling, and floor projections of all point guards for Saturday night, and his already high usage rate of 34.8% climbs to 40.6% with Williams off the floor. Even though he’s an expensive option, he’s a stud worth considering with so much work in such a good spot.
Value
One of the exciting new features this season on FantasyLabs is our partnership with ShotQuality. In both the FantasyLabs and ShotQuality projections, KJ Simpson has the highest Projected Plus/Minus of all point guards.
Simpson is a two-way guard who has spent most of the year with the Greensboro Swarm in the G League. Without LaMelo Ball (ankle), the team has used Simpson more this week, especially with Vasilije Micic dealing with a chest injury. On the second night of the team’s back-to-back, they could give Simpson more work, and since his salary is under $4,000, he is a great bargain value if he does get time.
On Wednesday, Simpson played 27 minutes against the Nets. He struggled to score, shooting just one-for-10 from the field, but he still finished with 16.75 DraftKings points. On Friday, he played 25 minutes and again was very aggressive, taking 11 shots. He shot a better percentage and finished with nine points and 20.25 DraftKings points.
He is still a wild card coming off the bench behind Micic, but if the game gets lopsided of he finds his way to 20+ minutes once again, he could be a great way to unlock salary you need to pay up for SGA and the other superstars highlighted lower in this post.
Fast Break
Jalen Brunson has been red hot lately, exceeding salary-based expectations in six of his last nine games, averaging 48.0 DraftKings points per contest. He lit up the Nuggets with 30 points, 15 assists, and 65.5 DraftKings points on Wednesday, and he will look to take down another big-time Western Conference foe when the Lakers come to Madison Square Garden on Saturday night. He’s a great way to get an elite ceiling while still spending under $9,000.
As a mid-range play, Stephon Castle continues to emerge as a great fantasy play at either guard spot. He has the third-highest Projected Plus/Minus at point guard and the fourth-highest at shooting guard in the ShotQuality projections. Castle had another monster game with 20 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and 40.5 DraftKings against the Bucks on Friday, and more playing time could be coming his way soon depending on upcoming trades. Keep a close eye out for the Spurs’ injury report as well, as they finish their back-to-back by hosting the Heat.
With Williams out, Cason Wallace is another bargain play that makes sense at his salary just over $4,000. He has exceeded salary-based expectations in seven of his last 10 contests even with Williams available, and could get more work on Saturday.
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
The Timberwolves have a great matchup against the Wizards on Saturday night, and they have the second-highest implied team total behind only the Thunder. As the focal point of their offense, Anthony Edwards has the top median, ceiling, and floor projections at shooting guard by a wide margin in both the FantasyLabs and ShotQuality projections. He was added to the injury report as questionable with an illness, but if he’s good to go, he’ll be in a smash spot against Washington.
Edwards and the Wolves will be without Julius Randle (groin) which will put even more on the extremely capable 23-year-old guard. Mike Conley (thumb) is questionable, and his absence would also add to Edwards’ play-making workload in the backcourt. Without Conley on Thursday, Edwards posted his third double-double of the season, totaling 36 points, 11 assists, and 69 DraftKings points against the Jazz. He has over 48 DraftKings points in three of his last four games, exceeding salary-based expectations each of those three contests.
The Timberwolves faced the Wizards on January 13, and Edwards torched them for 41 points and 66 DraftKings points. Since the Wizards give up more fantasy points to point guards than any team in the NBA, Edwards should be ready to put up a big total in the rematch on Saturday as long as his health doesn’t hold him back.
Value
Without Jalen Williams, the Thunder will be a great source of value across the board, and Isaiah Joe is one of the best value plays to consider. He has the top Projected Plus/Minus at shooting guard in both the ShotQuality and FantasyLabs projections.
Joe missed two games with illness last week, but in his two games since returning, he has looked very effective. He had 16 points and 24 DraftKings points against the Trail Blazers and followed that up with 17 points and 23 DraftKings points against the Warriors.
In the past month, Joe has shown the ability to go off with big scoring games, dropping 31 points and 38.75 DraftKings points against the Knicks. The rest of the Thunder value options are good plays as well, but Joe has one of the higher floors and still comes in at under $4,000 while offering both guard and forward eligibility.
Fast Break
With Russell Westbrook (hamstring) out and a good matchup against the Hornets, Jamal Murray has the second-highest median, ceiling, and floor projections at shooting guard, and since his salary is much lower, he actually has a slightly higher Projected Plus/Minus than even Edwards. Murray has exceeded salary-based expectations in four straight games after posting 52.25 DraftKings points in Wednesday’s loss to the Knicks.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker started in place of Conley on Thursday and chipped in 15 points, five assists, and 31.5 DraftKings points. He also had 31 DraftKings points in his previous game against the Suns, playing 35 minutes off the bench. If Conley is out, NAW would be a great value option at $4,000 in that juicy matchup against the Wizards.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
Small forward is tricky on this slate since there aren’t many elite options eligible at this spot. Amen Thompson can be a strong play but is volatile and very expensive. Instead, I’d rather pay down for an option that brings a high ceiling from a mid-range salary. One option that stands out to me is Devin Vassell of the Spurs, who is under $6,000 but has the fourth-highest ceiling and median projection at the position in both the FantasyLabs and ShotQuality projections.
Vassell exceeded salary-based expectations in seven of his last 10 games, although he came up just short of that mark in each of his last two contests, which is why his salary has slid a touch. Since January 1, he averaged 33.0 DraftKings points per game and 0.99 DraftKings points per minute.
Vassell is a key part of the Spurs’ long-term plan, so his role should be secure at the Trade Deadline, and he may even get more work on Saturday depending on if any of his teammates take a break on the second night of the back-to-back.
Value
Michael Porter Jr. is another good spot to find value for the Nuggets since he’ll get more usage with Westbrook out. He has the fourth-highest Projected Plus/Minus at small forward in both sets of projections and the highest of all small forwards over $4,000.
Porter’s usage rate increases to 21.8% with Westbrook off the floor, and he has produced 0.98 DraftKings points per minute in that scenario this season. MPJ had 24 points and 34.5 DraftKings points on Friday night against the Sixers and has 27+ DraftKings points in six of his last eight games.
The Hornets have been a favorable matchup most of the season, and with multiple forwards out on Saturday, it should be a favorable spot for Porter to produce value.
Fast Break
Josh Hart is questionable with a knee injury, but if he plays and gets his normal work like he has been, he’ll be a solid target if you have the salary. He has the second-highest median, ceiling, and floor projection at small forward and could get a boost from facing his old team, the Lakers.
Spurs’ forward Keldon Johnson has the highest Projected Plus/Minus at small forward in the FantasyLabs projections and the second highest in the ShotQuality projections. He had a big game with 24 points and 34 DraftKings points on Friday night against the Bucks. While his usage can be erratic at times, he has lots of upside if work is available for him.
Another value play from the Thunder, Aaron Wiggins has the highest Projected Plus/Minus of all small forwards in the ShotQuality projections. He hasn’t been scoring as regularly as Joe lately, but he has shown more non-scoring production upside. He showed that upside with 23 points, nine rebounds, and 44.75 DraftKings points three weeks ago against the Wizards.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
The ageless wonder LeBron James brings the highest ceiling, median, and floor projections at power forward in both the FantasyLabs and ShotQuality projections. He’ll be taking on the Knicks at Madison Square Garden, which he has said is his favorite road venue, and he’ll be without Anthony Davis (abdominal), so he should get even more usage.
In his four games without AD this season, LeBron has averaged 54 DraftKings points per contest with a 34.0% usage rate. On Thursday without Davis, LeBron only had to play 27 minutes against the Wizards but quickly handed out 11 assists to go with his 24 points on his way to 46.25 DraftKings points.
With his salary over $10,000, he’ll need to do even better than that to return value on Saturday, but in a competitive outing at MSG, I think The King will show up with another big game. Last year, he didn’t have a great game in New York, but in 2023, he had a triple-double with 28 points, 11 assists, 10 rebounds, and a steal while leading the Lakers to a six-point win.
Value
In both sets of projections, Aaron Gordon has the highest Projected Plus/Minus of any player on the entire slate. He’s still a little underpriced from his extended ramp-up after his return from injury, and Westbrook’s absence should open up even more opportunity in this favorable matchup against the Hornets.
Gordon returned to the lineup for the first time since his injury on Wednesday, and he produced 15 points and 23.5 fantasy points against the Knicks. On Friday, he started and played 32 minutes against the Sixers, totaling 18.75 DraftKings points with 11 points, three assists, and three rebounds.
If he gets 30+ minutes again on Saturday against Charlotte, Gordon should have no trouble returning value with his salary barely over $4,000. He has averaged 0.78 DraftKings points per minute overall this season, but that dramatically increases to 1.01 DraftKings points per minute in the time he has played with Westbrook off the floor.
Fast Break
With Kal’el Ware regularly starting next to him, Bam Adebayo now has power forward eligibility. He has the second-highest median, ceiling, and floor projection of all power forwards in the ShotQuality projections, which rank him very highly, with the fifth-highest Projected Plus/Minus at the position as well. He had four straight double-doubles before coming up just one rebound short on Wednesday. He was just one assist short of a triple-double on Monday and finished with 54 DraftKings points, showing his high ceiling.
The ShotQuality projections also really like Kings’ forward Keegan Murray as a mid-range option. He has exceeded salary-based expectations in nine of his 12 games in 2025, averaging 28.6 DraftKings points per game. Without Jalen Williams, Murray’s matchup could be a little easier in OKC.
The Lakers are working Jarred Vanderbilt back into their rotation slowly after the forward had offseason surgery on both feet. He has played just three games for the Lakers, but he had 23.25 DraftKings points in 16 minutes on Thursday in Washington, and he has multi-category upside as he works his way back to full strength. He’s risky since his minutes are uncertain, but he’s very affordable at only $3,300.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Nikola Jokic has the highest median, ceiling, and floor projections on the entire slate, and even at $12,000, he’s a hard play to pass up given his immense upside.
On Friday, The Joker fell just short of a triple-double in a three-point win over the Sixers. He had 62.25 DraftKings points on 28 points, 13 rebounds, and nine assists in 37 minutes. He has 60+ DraftKings points in six of his last eight games, highlighted by his massive game with 35 points, 22 rebounds, 17 assists, and 99.0 DraftKings points against the Kings.
Jokic has an extremely high ceiling in any matchup, and going against the shorthanded Hornets should be a great spot for him. Charlotte has allowed the fifth-most DraftKings points per game to centers this season, and the only downside is that the game could turn very lopsided. However, we’ve seen Jokic post huge games without even playing the fourth quarter, so if you have the salary available, he makes a lot of sense as a pay-up play on Saturday.
Value
Since the Timberwolves won’t have Julius Randle, Naz Reid should be an excellent play. He has the second-highest projected Plus/Minus on the entire slate in the FantasyLabs projections and the second-highest at center in the ShotQuality projections, behind just Aaron Gordon.
Reid has been incredibly consistent coming off the bench for the Wolves, with at least 12 points in 13 straight games. He has averaged 1.15 DraftKings points per minute and 31.3 DraftKings points per game over that stretch.
Whether the team opts to keep him in the second unit or move him into the starting five, he should be set up for more work and plenty of success against the Wizards, who have been an extremely generous matchup for power forwards and centers this season.
Fast Break
Pretty much any time the Spurs are on the slate, Victor Wembanyama has the potential to go off and carry your team to victory. He had 30 points, 14 rebounds, and 64.5 DraftKings points on Friday night against the Bucks and has over 55 DraftKings points in three of his last four. He’s cheaper than Jokic and could be a solid pivot play if you’re concerned about the Hornets not being able to keep the game in Charlotte competitive.
Without Randle, Rudy Gobert could be more involved in the offense as well. He’s a relatively safe mid-range play at center and showed his potential upside with 42.25 DraftKings points on Friday in the game that Randle left early. He also had a double-double and 33.25 DraftKings points against the Wizards last month.
With Mark Williams (foot) back, Moussa Diabate will return to a reduced backup role. Diabate has been a great value punt play at the position, but if you’re looking to go cheap on Saturday, Timberwolves backup Luke Garza is the name to know. Garza should get more work without Randle, and he scored 16 points in 14 minutes against the Jazz on Thursday. Garza hasn’t gotten many minutes this season, but this matchup with the Wizards should be a good one for him to produce if he gets on the floor.
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