Sunday features a seven-game main slate starting at 6 p.m. ET.
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 Leverage 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
The Pistons have been on a hot streak of late. They’ve won four straight games, with the last three all coming by at least 15 points. It’s moved them into sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings, which would give them the final guaranteed postseason spot if the season ended today.
Those big wins have hurt Cade Cunningham from a fantasy standpoint. He’s played less than 27.5 minutes in two of his past three outings, and he’s scored 40.5 DraftKings points or fewer in both of them.
That said, Cunningham is still producing at an elite rate. He’s averaged 1.44 DraftKings points per minute for the year, and he’s up to 1.49 over the past month. Only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been better among Sunday’s point guards, and he draws a significantly tougher opponent Sunday. The Pistons will be squaring off with the Hawks, and they’re implied for 120.5 points in that matchup. That’s the fourth-highest mark on the slate and represents a significant increase from their season average.
Value
Immanuel Quickley continues to stand out as a clear buy in DFS. His production this season has been capped by a lack of playing time, but he is finally back to playing a full workload. He’s coming off 37.6 minutes in his last outing, and while that game did go to overtime, it still puts him on pace for 32-plus minutes Sunday. Quickley has averaged better than a fantasy point per minute when he’s been on the floor this season, so he’s underpriced at $6,400 if he’s going to continue to play that much.
Fast Break
It has been a tumultuous week for the Spurs, who have lost both Victor Wembanyama and head coach Gregg Popovich for the season. Chris Paul has had two vastly different performances in his past two outings without Wembanyama, finishing with 40.25 and 5.5 DraftKings points. That gives him a wide range of outcomes Sunday vs. the Pelicans, but the absence of Wembanyama figures to be a positive for his fantasy production overall. He’s seen a team-high +4.65% bump to his usage rate with Wembanyama off the floor this season, resulting in an average of 1.13 DraftKings points per minute.
Jose Alvarado is back for the Pelicans, and he’s been a big part of their rotation of late. He’s logged at least 30.5 minutes in three straight games, and he’s responded with at least 28.75 DraftKings points in each. Alvarado has averaged 1.00 DraftKings points per minute for the year, so he should continue to produce as long as his minutes stay consistent.
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
De’Aaron Fox is another player who is going to have to do some heavy lifting for the Spurs moving forward. He hasn’t been in San Antonio for long, but he’s been very effective in a small sample without Wembanyama. He’s averaged 1.36 DraftKings points per minute with the uber-talented big man off the floor this season, and he’s coming off 48.75 and 56.25 DraftKings points in his past two games.
The Spurs also draw one of the best possible matchups Sunday vs. the Pelicans. New Orleans is dead last in defensive efficiency, and they’ve also played at an above-average pace. The total on this game sits at 240.5 points, which is the second-highest mark of the day.
Value
Cole Anthony is coming off back-to-back big games for the Magic, scoring 35.25 DraftKings points vs. the Hawks and 44.25 vs. the Grizzlies. He’s logged at least 31.8 minutes in both outings, and Anthony has averaged an excellent 1.08 DraftKings points per minute for the year.
He’s projected for another 28 minutes on Sunday in our NBA Models, making him a prime target at just $5,100. Anthony has had a comparable salary and minute projection in just three previous games this season, and he’s averaged 33.67 DraftKings points and a +8.72 Plus/Minus (per the Trends tool). Anthony also stands out as one of the best pure values at the position, checking in with an 87% Bargain Rating.
Fast Break
The matchup between the Grizzlies and Cavaliers has the potential to be one of the highest-scoring of the season. The total currently sits at an eye-popping 249.5 points, making Donovan Mitchell an interesting pay-up option. He’s currently projected for just 13.4% ownership, with most people expected to gravitate toward Fox or Anthony Edwards at the top of the pricing spectrum.
Dyson Daniels has been balling for the Hawks of late. He’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in 11 of his past 13 outings, including seven games with at least 40.0 DraftKings points. Despite that production, his price tag has actually decreased to $6,800 for Sunday’s matchup vs. the Pistons. He’s a nice combination of value and upside.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
Small forward is one of the weaker positions on Sunday’s slate. However, Zion Williamson did recently gain SF eligibility on DraftKings, and he remains an elite per-minute producer. He’s averaged 1.60 DraftKings points per minute for the year, and he’s up to 1.69 DraftKings points per minute over the past month.
Williamson isn’t playing a full workload for the Pelicans at the moment, but that hasn’t stopped him from putting together some big performances. He’s had at least 44.0 DraftKings points in four of his past five outings, including two games of at least 53.5. He has significant upside vs. the Spurs, who figure to be one of the worst defensive teams in basketball moving forward without Wembanyama.
Value
It has been a disastrous season for the Suns, who are currently on the outside looking in of the Western Conference play-in tournament. They’ve struggled to find a consistent rotation that works around Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, who remain two of the best scorers in the game.
Royce O’Neale has gotten more opportunities of late, which is great news for DFS players. O’Neale is a capable per-minute producer – he’s averaged 0.88 DraftKings points per minute for the year – and he’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in six of his past eight games. That includes a ceiling performance of 46.0 DraftKings points two games ago.
O’Neale is projected for another 32 minutes Sunday, making him an excellent value target at just $4,800. His price tag comes with an 87% Bargain Rating, and he’s showing up in the optimal lineup simulations at the highest rate at the position.
Fast Break
Max Strus is another potential value option at the position. He’s increased his production to 0.92 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and he’s currently projected for 27 minutes in an elite game environment. The Cavs could also be without Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen on this slate, as both players are listed as questionable, which would open up even more playing time.
Devin Vassell is an intriguing tournament option for the Spurs. His optimal lineup rate is more than 10% higher than his projected ownership in Sim Labs, making him the best source of leverage at the position. He hasn’t played particularly well of late, but he’s projected for 32 minutes and has the potential to score more for the Spurs moving forward.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
Paolo Banchero is back, baby. He missed 34 games earlier this season, and it’s taken him a bit to get back up to speed. However, he’s turned things around over his past four games. He’s scored at least 46.5 DraftKings points in three of them, and he’s posted a massive 38.6% usage rate over that stretch.
Now, Banchero gets one of the best matchups in fantasy. He’s taking on the Wizards, who currently rank fourth in pace and 28th in defensive efficiency. The Magic’s 114.75 implied team total doesn’t jump off the page, but it represents an increase of more than 10 points compared to their season average (104.2). If they’re going to do that much additional scoring, there’s a good chance that Banchero has his hand in it.
Value
On the other side of that matchup, Kyshawn George is a potential option for the Wizards. The only thing Washington is playing for at this point is the future. They’re looking to get as many minutes as possible for their young players while maximizing their chances at the No. 1 pick.
George has been one of the biggest beneficiaries. He’s seen at least 34.3 minutes in four of his past five outings, and he’s projected for another 34 minutes vs. the Magic. That’s a lot of playing time for someone who costs just $4,900. Historically, players with comparable salaries and minute projections have averaged a Plus/Minus of +2.49.
Fast Break
Santi Aldama is a cheap way to get exposure to the Grizzlies-Cavaliers game. His workload is volatile on a night-to-night basis, but he’s coming off 31.3 minutes in the team’s last outing. He’s also averaged an elite 1.15 DraftKings points per minute for the year, so he doesn’t necessarily need a ton of minutes to potentially return value.
Jaren Jackson Jr. is the more expensive option for Memphis. He hasn’t provided a ton of fantasy value recently, but his ceiling remains as high as anyone’s at the position. It should result in reduced ownership, and no PF has a greater disparity between projected ownership and optimal lineup rate on this slate.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Naz Reid is the last big man standing for the Timberwolves. They had three seven-footers last season – Reid, Rudy Gobert, and Karl-Anthony Towns – but Towns was shipped out to the Knicks this offseason. Gobert is currently sidelined with an injury, leaving Reid to handle most of the center minutes in Minnesota.
He can do serious damage when he gets the opportunity. He’s averaged 1.15 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and he’s currently projected for 36 minutes in our NBA Models. Reid has scored at least 44.25 DraftKings points in three straight games, including 60.0 two games ago vs. the Thunder. His price tag is up to $7,800 for Sunday’s rematch vs. OKC, but that’s still too cheap for the reigning Sixth Man of the Year.
Value
Wendell Carter Jr. doesn’t bring a huge ceiling to the table, but he stands out as one of the best sources of value on the slate. He’s reclaimed the starting center job in Orlando, and he’s tallied at least 29.3 minutes in back-to-back games. Carter has responded with at least 27.75 DraftKings points in both starts, and there’s no reason to expect much different Sunday. He’s averaged 0.94 DraftKings points per minute for the year, and he’s projected for another 29 minutes in an elite matchup vs. the Wizards. He ultimately leads the entire slate in projected Plus/Minus.
Fast Break
Jalen Duren is a one-man wrecking crew. He continues to gobble up points and rebounds at a remarkable pace, increasing his fantasy output to 1.37 DraftKings points per minute over the past month. He’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in 13 of his past 16 games, and he’s scored at least 39.25 DraftKings points in four of his past five. He had more than 52 DraftKings points vs. the Spurs in his last outing, so while he’s gotten more expensive, he still has a strong ceiling for his $7,000 price tag.
Alex Sarr is another member of the Wizards who figures to play a bit more down the stretch. The No. 2 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft is coming off 39.25 DraftKings points in his last outing, and he’s averaged better than a fantasy point per minute for the year. The matchup vs. the Magic isn’t ideal, but Sarr provides solid upside at a midrange salary.
