Sunday features a five-game main slate starting at 7 p.m. ET.
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.
Stud
James Harden has had a slow start to the season. He’s averaging just 21.5 points per game, thanks mostly to a dreadful 38.5% field-goal percentage. His 29.8% usage rate is nearly 10 points higher than it was last season; he just hasn’t been able to put the ball in the basket.
That said, Harden has still managed to average 1.41 DraftKings points per minute. If he can produce like that despite failing to score efficiently, it gives him elite upside on nights when his shot is falling. We’ve seen that in back-to-back games, with Harden scoring 55.0 and 66.0 DraftKings points in his past two outings.
Harden could also benefit from the Clippers’ injury situation Sunday. They’ve already ruled out a handful of players, and Norman Powell is listed as questionable. With Powell off the floor this season, Harden has seen a +4.14% usage bump and averaged 1.47 DraftKings points per minute. He’s ultimately in play regardless of Powell’s status, but he would be an even stronger play in that scenario.
Value
Spencer Dinwiddie has been a fantastic source of value for the shorthanded Mavericks of late. Luka Doncic has missed five straight games, and he was doubtful before getting ruled out Saturday vs. the Jazz. It does appear like he’s getting closer to a return, but I’m not expecting him to suit up Sunday.
That should lead to another expanded role for Dinwiddie off the bench. He’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in six straight games, and he’s logged at least 27.9 minutes in each of his past four. He’s responded with at least 29.75 DraftKings points in each.
Dinwiddie is projected for another 31 minutes Sunday, making him an elite source of savings at just $4,400. In 10 games with a comparable salary and minutes projection, he’s historically averaged a Plus/Minus of +7.52 (per the Trends tool).
Fast Break
Fred VanVleet has posted a negative Plus/Minus in three of his past four games, but he provides one of the best ceilings in basketball at his price range. He had 57.5 DraftKings points two games ago, and he’s capable of putting up big numbers when his shot is falling. His matchup Sunday vs. the Thunder is far from ideal, but he’s a viable target.
Keyonte George is another potential midrange option. He’s priced at $6,000 vs. the Lakers, but he’s scored at least 29.5 DraftKings points in four of his past six games. The Jazz are on the second leg of a back-to-back Sunday, so make sure to monitor their injury report before lineup lock. They could choose to rest some of their veterans in this spot, which would give the younger guys like George a boost in value.
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
Kyrie Irving is another potential target for the Mavericks if Doncic is out again. He hasn’t seen as large of a usage bump as you might imagine with Doncic off the floor (+2.76%), but he has averaged 1.26 DraftKings points per minute in that split.
More importantly, the Mavericks have one of the best matchups of the day. They’re taking on the Trail Blazers, who have played at the 12th-fastest pace this season. The Mavericks are 11th in that department, so this should be one of the faster-paced games on the slate. The total for this game currently sits at 218.5, while the Mavericks’ 118.0 implied team total is tied for first on the slate.
Value
The Amen Thompson breakout is happening. Thompson is oozing with potential, but his opportunities have been limited to start his NBA career. He played just 22.4 minutes per game as a rookie, and he’s at 26.7 through 20 games this season.
That said, he’s seen a big spike in playing time of late. He’s still coming off the bench, but he’s played at least 34.9 minutes in three straight contests. When Thompson is on the floor, he’s capable of racking up fantasy points extremely quickly. He’s averaged 1.04 DraftKings points per minute for the year, and he’s up to 1.12 over the past month. If he’s going to continue to see 30-plus minutes per night, he has the potential to do some serious damage.
Thompson has posted a positive Plus/Minus in four straight games, and he’s had more than 39 DraftKings points in three of them. His $5,700 salary has yet to reflect his increased role, resulting in a position-best 87% Bargain Rating on DraftKings.
Fast Break
Terance Mann would be another potential target for the Clippers if Powell is ultimately ruled out. He’s priced at just $3,300 on DraftKings, and he’s averaged 0.79 DraftKings points per minute with Powell off the court this season. He wouldn’t need a ton of minutes to potentially return value at his current salary.
Dalton Knecht, aka Knecht Four, has been one of the most impressive rookies in basketball this season. That’s not a huge shocker after being one of the best players in college last season, but it’s nice to see him succeeding for the Lakers. He’s scored at least 36.5 DraftKings points in back-to-back games and has solidified his standing in the rotation after playing a minor role to start the year. He’s another player who is underpriced on DraftKings, resulting in an 83% Bargain Rating.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
The SF position is easily the weakest on Sunday’s slate, and “paying up” for Thompson is probably your safest bet. He has dual SG/SF eligibility, and he brings the fourth-highest ceiling projection at the position at just $5,700. It’s tough to beat that combo.
However, if you wanted to go in a different direction, Lauri Markkanen stands out as the best of the traditional pay-up options. He has the highest projected ceiling of the group, and he’s averaged a respectable 1.08 DraftKings points per minute for the year.
Markkanen is also projected for just 7.3% ownership, so he’s an interesting way to differentiate your lineups. He doesn’t stand out as the best pure value, but if he hits his ceiling, he could certainly find his way into the optimal lineup.
Value
Quentin Grimes is another priority target for the Mavs on Sunday. He’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in four of the past five games without Luka, and he’s scored at least 31.25 DraftKings points in two straight. He’s increased his production to 0.91 DraftKings points per minute with Doncic off the floor, and he’s playing roughly 30 minutes a night with Doncic unavailable. That makes him too cheap at $4,300.
Fast Break
Harrison Barnes has posted a positive Plus/Minus in five straight games, and he’s gone for at least 36.5 DraftKings points in three of them. That gives him a solid ceiling at just $4,400 against the Kings.
Max Christie has been a pretty dreadful fantasy producer this season, averaging just 0.67 DraftKings points per minute. That said, he’s projected for 24 minutes in our NBA Models, and he’s priced at just $3,200. That’s a lot of playing time for someone who is priced near the minimum. He had 22.0 DraftKings points two games ago, so he has just a smidge of upside vs. the Jazz.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
What LeBron James has done in his 22nd professional season is mind-boggling. He’s not quite as dominant as he was in his prime, but he’s still an absolute force on the basketball court. He’s averaging 22.3 points, 9.1 assists, and 8.2 rebounds per game this season, so he’s giving Father Time a serious run for his money.
LeBron has averaged 1.39 DraftKings points per minute for the year, and he’s increased that figure to 1.46 over the past month. He hasn’t been at his best recently, posting a negative Plus/Minus in three of his past four games, but he’s had to navigate some tough matchups.
Sunday’s contest vs. the Jazz is the opposite of tough. They’re 28th in the league in defensive efficiency, and they’ve also played at an above-average pace. He easily leads the position in median and ceiling projection, and he’s second in projected Plus/Minus as well.
Value
Derrick Jones is yet another potential value target for the Mavericks. He’s scored 15.5 DraftKings points or fewer in three straight games, but the minutes are expected to be there Sunday. He’s currently projected for 26 minutes in our NBA Models, and he’s averaged a respectable 0.77 DraftKings points per minute for the year. That gives him a solid chance to return value at $3,600, especially against the Nuggets. Jones owns an elite +9.21 Opponent Plus/Minus, while his salary comes with an 83% Bargain Rating.
Fast Break
P.J. Washington has seen a solid price hike in recent games, but he’s been worth every penny. He’s seen one of the largest scoring bumps with Doncic off the floor this season, and he’s scored at least 37.25 DraftKings points in five straight games. With that in mind, $7,100 still isn’t quite expensive enough for a matchup vs. the Blazers.
Jabari Smith is impossible to trust for cash games, but he does provide a solid ceiling for tournaments. He’s priced at just $4,900, but he’s had at least 35.2 DraftKings points in two of his past three games.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Center is easily the strongest position on this slate. There are a host of elite players to choose from, including arguably the best player in fantasy in Nikola Jokic.
However, Anthony Davis gets the nod at the top of the pricing spectrum Sunday. The matchup vs. the Jazz is a good one, and Davis is putting together his best season in the purple and gold. He’s taken on a larger offensive burden for the Lakers this season, posting his highest usage rate since leaving New Orleans. He’s responded with nearly 30 points per game, and he’s averaging 1.55 DraftKings points per minute.
Davis got as high as $11,100 earlier this season, but his salary is back down to $10,700 on Sunday. That’s significantly cheaper than Jokic ($12,200), but both players have comparable ceiling projections.
Value
I wouldn’t go too cheap at center Sunday. There are simply too many strong options at the position, so going with a true value is going to put you behind the 8-ball.
Ivica Zubac is about as cheap as I’m willing to go. Zubac continues to provide steady value for the Clippers, posting a positive Plus/Minus in eight straight games. He’s playing consistent minutes for one of the first times in his career, and Zubac has always been a solid per-minute producer. He’s averaged 1.15 DraftKings points per minute so far this season, and he’s coming off nearly 34 minutes in his last outing.
Fast Break
Isaiah Hartenstein is another phenomenal target at center. He’s played four games for the Thunder this season, and he’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in each. That includes 45.5 DraftKings points vs. the Lakers in his last outing. He should continue to handle most of the center minutes in OKC with Chet Holmgren out of the lineup, and he’s averaged 1.29 DraftKings points per minute through his first four outings. He’s simply too cheap at $7,000, resulting in an 85% Bargain Rating.
Deandre Ayton probably won’t garner as much attention as the other centers mentioned previously, making him an interesting pivot for tournaments. However, Ayton has scored at least 41.5 DraftKings points in back-to-back games, and he’s averaged 1.10 DraftKings points per minute over the past month. His median and ceiling projections are very comparable to Zubac and Hartenstein, but he should check in with significantly lower ownership.
