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 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.
NBA DFS Point Guard Picks
Stud
It is the day after Christmas, and there are a plethora of injuries to monitor on this seven-game slate. The point guard position is also loaded with top-tier talent. Leading the way in projected ceiling is Hawks’ stud point guard Trae Young. He is the only player in the league averaging double-digit assists with a career-high 12 per game and has recorded a points and assists double-double in 21 of his 28 games.
This Eastern Conference battle between the Hawks and Bulls is by far the best game environment on the slate. The total is currently a slate-high 242.5 points, with the Hawks implied for 124.5 points while being a 6.5-point home favorite. Both teams rank second and third in pace this season, and the Bulls rank 25th in defensive rating. Young is questionable with a nagging heel injury, but he has played through it lately.
Value
The 19-12 Orlando Magic are now playing for the foreseeable future without both Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, their two best players. With Banchero and Wagner off the floor this season, it has been Jalen Suggs leading the way for the Magic with a team-high +3.99% usage rate increase (per our Trends tool). Behind Young, Suggs has the second-highest projected Plus/Minus at the point guard position.
Despite not having Banchero or Wagner, the Magic are still favored at home against the Heat. That is mainly due to the Magic’s ridiculous 12-2 home record. With a 35% projected usage rate, it is impossible to ignore Suggs at his $7,800 mid-range price tag. He is currently drawing the most ownership on the slate at 35%. Suggs is a staple in cash games, and one of the best tournament plays on the slate tonight.
Fast Break
LaMelo Ball and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are both projected for under 10% ownership and make for strong contrarian pay-up options. Ball has the highest projected ceiling despite being $300 cheaper and is averaging a double-double with 24 points and 10.7 assists per game since returning from injury and eight steals in his last three games. Gilgeous-Alexander is a great option due to his boom-or-bust style of play. In his last game, he stuffed the stat sheet with 41 points, nine rebounds, three assists, three steals, and three blocks while shooting 14-for-25 from the field. Both electric point guards are great plays in tournaments.
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
It is becoming more possible by the day that Jimmy Butler is on his way out of Miami. The veteran is doubtful to play, while Terry Rozier is also questionable. If both are ruled out, that will make Tyler Herro a strong play in all formats. Herro has the highest projected ceiling at the shooting guard position and is projected for a 27% usage rate. He has recorded a positive Plus/Minus in six of his last eight games.
Herro is coming off a near triple-double against the Nets last week, where he recorded 17 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists. It was his second points and rebounds double-double in his last three games. Priced under $8,000, Herro is a great mid-range option. Without Butler on the floor this season, Herro draws a +1.86% usage rate increase, and that will increase even more if Rozier is unable to play tonight.
Value
Amen Thompson is coming off one of his best games of the season against the Hornets Monday night, where he drew his third start of the season. The second-year pro recorded a double-double with 19 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, three steals and one block. Dillon Brooks is out for tonight’s game, while Tari Eason is also questionable to play. That will likely draw another start for Thompson tonight.
Thompson played 38 minutes last game and is projected to play a modest 33 minutes tonight. Priced at $6,000, Thompson has the highest projected Plus/Minus at the shooting guard position tonight. His usage rate is not that high, but playing that many minutes will be more than enough time to pay off his price tag. With shooting guard and small forward eligibility, Thompson is a strong play in all lineup builds.
Fast Break
Desmond Bane has put up back-to-back monster games for the Grizzlies. He has averaged 22 points, 7.5 assists, and 7.0 rebounds per game with six steals in his last two games. Bane’s 48.25 DraftKings points per game in those two meetings was enough for a double-digit Plus/Minus. This matchup against the Raptors is the second-best game environment on the slate. The Grizzlies are double-digit favorites at home, implied for 125.5 points. Bane is a cheaper way to get exposure to this high-powered offense.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
Both Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett are great options for the Raptors, who are still without Immanuel Quickley and Jakob Poeltl. They are each projected for less than 5% ownership. Barnes gets the slight edge between the two due to his versatility. He is averaging 19.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game this season in his 17 games played. His upside is north of 60 DraftKings points in any matchup.
The Grizzlies lead the league in pace at 105.12 per game, which is ideal for a ceiling Barnes performance. Not only do they play fast, but they also allow 91.6 field goal attempts per game, which is tied for the fifth-highest in the league. Barnes has triple-double upside in this matchup and can compete with the highest ceiling on the slate. At 5% ownership, he is an easy way to differentiate lineups on this slate.
Value
Wizards’ small forward Bilal Coulibaly is questionable to play tonight after missing his last game with a groin injury. However, if he is able to suit up, Coulibaly is an elite value play tonight. In his most recent game, Coulibaly had a 20-point, 12-rebound double-double with five assists, three steals, and one block. He currently has the highest projected Plus/Minus at the small forward position if he is able to play.
Coulibaly is projected for 30% ownership in a cupcake home matchup against the Hornets. Kyle Kuzma is still out for the Wizards, which will provide a significant usage rate and production boost for Coulibaly. Despite being five-point favorites, the Wizards are still implied for over 110 points. Coulibaly has been one of the most improved players in the league from his rookie season and is a great value play tonight.
Fast Break
Zach LaVine is a pure boom-or-bust fantasy producer. He has put up back-to-back bad performances, but three games ago had a ceiling game on the road against the Celtics, scoring 36 points in a road victory. He shot 11-for-19 from the field and 6-for-11 from behind the arc against arguably the best defense in the league. At $7,100, LaVine is also a contrarian pay-up option that will differentiate lineups in a positive game environment. LaVine will likely lead the Bulls in usage rate and be their best fantasy contributor.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
Leading the slate in projected ceiling is Giannis Antetokounmpo. He was one of the few stars who did not play on the Christmas Day slate last night. Giannis has missed back-to-back games due to injury, but is questionable to play tonight. Keep an eye on his status and the status of Damian Lillard who is also questionable. If Giannis is able to play, he is the best pay-up option to target on this seven-game slate.
The Bucks are double-digit home favorites against the Nets, who are also dealing with the injury bug. They are implied for 111.75 points, with the Nets ranking 26th in defensive rating this season. Giannis leads the league in points with 32.7 points per game while shooting 61.7% from the floor. He is also averaging 11.6 rebounds per gam,e with the Nets ranking tied for last with 47.8% rebounding percentage.
Value
Grizzlies’ forward Santi Aldama is one of the best pure punt plays on this seven-game slate. The four-year pro is averaging a career-high 13.3 points per game while shooting 50.6% from the field and 38.8% from behind the arc. Aldama has also increased his rebounding production with 7.4 per game with eight double-doubles. That type of double-double upside is difficult to find at his $5,100 price tag on this slate.
The Raptors have been one of the better rebounding teams in the league this season, but they are also without Jakob Poeltl, who is averaging a team-high 11 rebounds per game. Aldama can stretch the floor and provide rebounding upside, making him a strong play in all formats. In a game with a near 240-point total, getting exposure to a cheap Aldama is a perfect way to attack the Grizzlies team in tournaments.
Fast Break
Another value player to target with power forward and center eligibility is Wizards big man, Alex Sarr. He has recorded a positive Plus/Minus in six consecutive games with one 40-point DraftKings outing. Sarr has double-digit points in each of those six games while averaging 13.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 30.5 DraftKings points per game during that stretch. At $5,400, Sarr is a popular value play that is drawing nearly 30% ownership. The Hornets have been a strong interior defense, but Sarr is simply too cheap.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Rockets’ center Alperen Sengun is averaging a double-double for the first time in his four-year career. He is averaging 18.6 points, 10.1 rebounds, and one block per game. Sengun has posted a double-double in four of his last six games and displayed a consistency that is worth getting exposure to. At $8,600, Sengun is drawing the fourth-most ownership at the center position at 18% and is a great pay-up option tonight.
The Pelicans are one of the best matchups for opposing big men. They are allowing the second-most points in the paint at 54.1 per game and also rank 24th in rebounding percentage. This is a great spot for Sengun to post yet another double-double. The Rockets are 7.5-point road favorites and Sengun has a good chance to lead the team in points and rebounds. He is a popular and strong play in all formats.
Value
Despite posting four straight games with a negative Plus/Minus, Clint Capela is one of the most popular plays on the slate. He was a rebounding monster at the beginning of December but has taken a little bit of a step back recently. However, his backup, Onyeka Okongwu, is out for tonight, which is boosting Capela’s upside. He is projected to play 24 minutes and have an 18% usage rate against the Bulls tonight.
This is another stellar matchup for opposing big men. The Bulls are allowing a league-high 56.5 points per game in the paint and rank 22nd in rebounding percentage. Capela gets a majority of his points on lobs from Trae Young, so it would be beneficial if Young is able to suit up tonight. Regardless, this matchup is too good not to get exposure to Capela who has a great opportunity for a double-double at $5,200.
Fast Break
Rookie Zach Edey has not missed a beat since returning from injury. In his last four games Edey is averaging 8.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. Dating back to early November, Edey has recorded a positive Plus/Minus in eight of his last nine games. He should feast in this matchup without Jakob Poeltl. Edey is projected to play 25 minutes, which is more than enough to pay off his $5,100 salary in this spot.
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