Sunday features a five-game main slate starting at 6 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
It has been an absolutely disastrous year for the Pelicans. They were expected to take a step forward after acquiring Dejounte Murray during the offseason, but they’ve taken a step back instead. They’re currently sitting at just 6-29, tied for the worst record in basketball. They’ve dealt with a host of injuries, and both Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram remain out of the lineup Sunday.
Murray is also questionable, but if he’s able to suit up, he stands out as an interesting option vs. the Wizards. It’s one of the best possible matchups. Washington ranks fourth in pace and 28th in defensive efficiency, and the Pelicans’ 118.75 implied team total is the second-highest mark on the slate.
At his best, Murray is capable of racking up fantasy points in a variety of different ways, and he’s averaged 1.25 DraftKings points per minute over the past month. He had 43.0 DraftKings points in just 28.3 minutes vs. the Wizards on Friday, and he should play a bit more if Sunday’s game is more competitive.
Value
Cole Anthony is undoubtedly the strongest option on Sunday’s slate. The injuries continue to pile up for Orlando, with Jalen Suggs now joining Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner on the sidelines. Even Anthony Black is questionable, leaving Anthony as one of the lone remaining playmakers in this offense.
Anthony had 31.5 DraftKings points in 33.8 minutes in his last outing, and he has the potential for even more production moving forward. He’s seen a team-high +4.74% usage bump with Banchero, Wagner, and Suggs off the floor this season, resulting in an average of 1.26 DraftKings points per minute. Anthony is projected for 31 minutes in an elite matchup vs. the Jazz, making him a near must-play at $5,300. His projected Plus/Minus is the top mark on the slate by a wide margin, and he has eligibility in both backcourt spots.
Fast Break
Dennis Schroder could be finding his footing with his new team. He has at least 34.5 DraftKings points in back-to-back games, though Steph Curry was sidelined for the Warriors’ last outing. He’ll return to the lineup Sunday, which decreases Schroder’s value, but he still stands out as a strong target in our models. He’s projected for 27 minutes at just $5,400, and he’s averaged just under a fantasy point per minute for the year.
Austin Reaves has been on a bit of a heater recently. He’s posted an average Plus/Minus of +10.93 over his past 10 outings, and he’s increased his production to 1.24 DraftKings points per minute over the past month. His price tag is up to $7,200 for Sunday’s matchup vs. the Rockets, but that’s still arguably too cheap. It results in a Bargain Rating of 82%, and his ceiling is clearly higher with D’Angelo Russell no longer in town. In four games without Russell, he’s averaged 51.63 DraftKings points across 37.33 minutes per game, and he’s increased both his usage rate (+5.33%) and assist rate (+8.67%).
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 Kings are another team dealing with a big injury Sunday. They’re expected to be without De’Aaron Fox, who is currently listed as doubtful. Fox leads the team in both points per game and usage, so his absence would create some value with the rest of the roster.
Malik Monk is one player who should see a boost in production. He’s seen a massive bump to his assist rate with Fox off the court this season, and he’s seen a modest bump to his usage rate as well. Overall, he’s averaged 1.10 DraftKings points per minute in that split, and he’s projected for 34 minutes vs. the Warriors.
Value
Sticking with the Kings, it’s hard to look past Keon Ellis at $3,600. Ellis is projected for 32 minutes in our NBA Models, and that’s a ton of playing time for someone priced near the minimum. Historically, players with comparable salaries and minute projections have averaged a Plus/Minus of +4.69 (per the Trends tool). Ellis has also been more productive with his minutes of late, averaging 0.86 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and he’s averaged 0.81 DraftKings points per minute with Fox off the court this season. He’s simply too cheap.
Fast Break
Caris LeVert stands out as one of the best pure values on DraftKings. His $4,300 price tag comes with a Bargain Rating of 92%, which is the third-best mark at shooting guard. He’s not playing a ton of minutes at the moment, but he’s still very capable when he’s on the floor. He’s averaged better than a fantasy point per minute for the year, and he’s coming off 32.0 DraftKings points in his last outing.
Buddy Hield has become an afterthought in Golden State, but he’s still a dangerous 3-point shooter. He’s averaged 0.97 DraftKings points per minute this season, and when he gets hot from behind the arc, he can fill it up quickly. He had 21.5 DraftKings points with Curry out of the lineup Saturday despite not seeing a huge jump in playing time. He’s expected to see around 20 minutes again Sunday, giving him some upside at $3,700.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
DeMar DeRozan is another potential pay-up option for the Kings on Sunday. His transition to the Kings hasn’t been seamless, and his average of 20.8 points per game is his lowest mark since 2014-15.
Still, DeRozan is a proven scorer, and he should have more opportunities to put that on display with Fox out of the lineup. He’s seen a 5.51% usage bump with Fox off the floor this season, and he’s averaged 1.12 DraftKings points per minute in that split. That represents a significant increase from his average of 0.92 DraftKings points per minute over the past month.
DeRozan’s price tag is also down to just $7,000 on DraftKings, making him a strong buy-low option. He’s historically averaged a Plus/Minus of +2.14 with a comparable price tag.
Value
Andrew Wiggins is coming off an excellent showing without Curry on Saturday, finishing with 24 points and 39.5 DraftKings points in 36.2 minutes. He also had 31.75 DraftKings points in just 26.1 minutes in his previous outing, so he’s put together back-to-back strong performances.
Wiggins will see a reduction in value with Curry back in the fold, but he’s underpriced at $5,600 regardless. He’s averaged 1.03 DraftKings points per minute, and he should see 30-plus minutes even with Curry available. His price tag comes with an 89% Bargain Rating, and his matchup vs. the Kings gives him a +1.51 Opponent Plus/Minus.
Fast Break
Amen Thompson is not grading out well in our models, but there’s no denying his upside for the Rockets. They’re going to be without Jabari Smith Jr. for at least the next six weeks, while Tari Eason is doubtful vs. the Lakers. That opens the door for Thompson to play significant minutes in his first game back from suspension. Thompson has averaged 1.01 DraftKings points per minute for the year, and he’s historically averaged 39.16 DraftKings points in 24 career games with at least 30 minutes of playing time. Thompson could also command reduced ownership in his first game back, making him an intriguing tournament option.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is another player who could have to do a bit more scoring than usual for Orlando. He already plays a ton of minutes, but he’s been pretty dreadful on a per-minute basis. However, with Suggs, Banchero, and Wagner off the floor, his production increases to 0.79 DraftKings points per minute. That gives him a bit more upside, and his salary remains very reasonable at $4,800.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
The Cavaliers have been one of the best teams in basketball this season, and they’re getting contributions from a host of different players. Evan Mobley has been one of them of late. He’s turned in some big performances recently, going for at least 44.75 DraftKings points in four of his past six outings. He’s had more than 50 in three of them, including one of his best games of the season Friday vs. the Mavericks.
That gives Mobley a very solid ceiling for his $7,700 price tag, especially in a juicy matchup vs. the Hornets. They haven’t been quite as poor defensively as they were last season, but the Cavs’ 119.5 implied team total is still the top mark on the slate.
Value
Keegan Murray is currently questionable for the Kings, but he’s another potential target if he’s able to suit up Sunday. He’s taken a step back in his third professional season, averaging 3.6 fewer points per game than he did last year, but it’s due mostly to poor shooting numbers. He’s shooting just 41.3% from the field and 28.6% from 3-point range, both of which are well below his career averages.
That makes him a strong progression candidate moving forward. He should also pick up a few additional opportunities with Fox sidelined, and his salary has plummeted to just $4,800 on DraftKings. He’s been as high as $7,100 this season, so he’s a strong buy-low target.
Fast Break
Draymond Green isn’t nearly as good for fantasy purposes as he was in his prime, when he was a triple-double threat every time he took the floor. Still, he’s averaged a very respectable 1.02 DraftKings points per minute so far this season. He should play around 30 minutes vs. the Kings, making him a viable target at $5,700.
Herb Jones has posted a negative Plus/Minus in back-to-back games, but it hasn’t been due to a lack of opportunities. He’s playing plenty of minutes for the shorthanded Pelicans, including nearly 39 two games ago. He’s projected for another 34 minutes Sunday, which should give him a good chance to return value vs. the Wizards.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Domantas Sabonis had a slow start to the year, but he’s started to turn things around recently. He’s posted an average Plus/Minus of +4.45 over his past 10 games, and he’s increased his production to 1.53 DraftKings points per minute over the past month. Sabonis has the potential to dominate games in multiple areas, and that has been on full display recently.
Sabonis hasn’t had the same spike in value with Fox off the floor as some of his teammates, but he still stands out as an outstanding target on this slate. He leads all centers with 12 Pro Trends, and his matchup vs. the Warriors results in an Opponent Plus/Minus of +1.51. He leads all centers in projected Plus/Minus despite being one of the more expensive options at the position.
Value
On the other side of that matchup, Trayce Jackson-Davis has plenty of appeal for the Warriors. He’s been an amazing DFS value of late, posting a positive Plus/Minus in nine of his past 10 games. That includes at least 35.25 DraftKings points in three of his past four outings.
Jackson-Davis has been an excellent per-minute producer so far this season, and he’s taken things to another level recently. He’s averaged 1.22 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and he’s also picked up a few additional minutes of late. He’s projected for 27 minutes Sunday vs. the Kings, and if he can get back to that threshold, he’s a great bet to pay off his $5,000 salary.
Fast Break
Goga Bitadze is priced nearly smack dab in the middle of Sabonis and Jackson-Davis, which could make him a bit overlooked. However, he’s going to be one of the Magic’s primary scoring threats Sunday. He’s already been fantastic of late, and he’s going to have to do even more with Suggs now out of the lineup as well. He’s averaged 1.26 DraftKings points per minute with Suggs, Banchero, and Wagner off the floor, and his matchup vs. the Jazz is absolutely elite; he leads all centers with a +10.88 Opponent Plus/Minus.
Mark Williams is up to $6,000 on DraftKings, which is getting closer to what he should be priced at. However, it’s still a bit too cheap. He’s been dominant on a per-minute basis, averaging 1.42 DraftKings points per minute for the year, and he’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in six straight games.
