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
Leading this six-game slate in projected ceiling by a comfortable margin is newly acquired Lakers’ star Luka Doncic. It was a rough transition period for Doncic, who struggled in his first few games with his new team, but now he is looking like the same player who led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals last season. During the Lakers recent seven-game winning streak, he is averaging 27 points, 9.0 rebounds, 8.8 assists, and 58.4 DraftKings points per game with four double-doubles and one triple-double. Doncic is back.
Looking for their eighth win in a row, the Lakers are four-point home favorites against the Knicks. After ranking in the top 10 last year in defensive rating, the Knicks have been below average this season. Given his recent performances, Doncic is the best pay-up option on the slate at his respectable $11,200 salary.
Value
Brandin Podziemski has posted back-to-back ceiling performances against the Knicks and Hornets. He will now get a favorable matchup against the Nets who have lost five-straight games. The Warriors are double-digit favorites while the Nets have the third-worst net rating in the league since the All-Star Break. Podziemski has been a boom-or-bust fantasy producer, but has scored 19 points in back-to-back games.
The second-year pro has scored 17+ points in five of his last eight games with two point and rebound double-doubles during that time. The Nets rank 25th in rebounding percentage this season at 49.0% making this a sneaky double-double opportunity spot for Podziemski. Priced under $6,000 with dual guard eligibility, Podziemski is a cheap way to get exposure to one of the most lopsided matchups today.
Fast Break
Tyrese Haliburton has posted a positive Plus/Minus in seven-straight games. During that time, he is averaging a massive double-double with 23.9 points and 12 assists per game. At his $8,800 price tag, Haliburton is projected to be the highest-owned player at the point guard position at 25%. However, he is questionable with a hip injury. Make sure to monitor his status throughout the day. If Haliburton is able to play, he is a priority against the Hawks since this game has the highest total on the slate at 246.5 points.
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
Jaylen Brown has recorded 40+ DraftKings points in three consecutive games. During that stretch, he is averaging 25.7 points with a 33.9% usage rate per game. Both Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis have missed the last three games for the Celtics and Jayson Tatum missed last night’s game with a shoulder injury. With those three starters off the court this season, Brown’s numbers skyrocket. He averages a team-high +6.77% usage rate and a +11.22 DraftKings Plus/Minus in 295 minutes (per our Trends tool).
The Celtics are an absurd 14.5-point home favorite against a depleted 76ers roster. Their starting lineup will dictate where ownership will be going on this slate. The Celtics have plenty of options, but Brown is the preferred choice with the anticipated injuries. He is only $8,300 with guard and forward eligibility.
Editor’s note: Brown has been ruled out. Check the NBA Player Models for updates.
Value
In his first year with the Hawks, guard Dyson Daniels has been a weapon on both ends of the floor. He is averaging a career-high across the board in points, rebounds, and assists, while also leading the league with exactly three steals per game. The Pacers do a great job of not turning the ball over, but Daniels will still find a way to be productive. In the one game Daniels played against the Pacers this season, he shot the lights out, scoring 23 points while shooting 8-for-15 from the field and 2-for-3 from behind the arc.
Daniels’ salary has come down recently, which does not make any sense. The steal merchant has recorded a positive Plus/Minus in 15 of his last 19 games. Playing in the best game environment on the slate, there will be plenty of opportunities for Daniels to pay off his price tag. He is a fantastic mid-range option today.
Fast Break
Rockets point guard Fred VanVleet missed an entire month, returned to play 35 minutes, and is now set to miss his third straight game with an ankle injury. The veteran has not been able to stay healthy recently, which bodes well for Jalen Green, who has seen the biggest boost in his production on the team when VanVleet is off the floor. Green currently leads the shooting guard position in projected Plus/Minus and ranks third in projected ceiling, so it should not be surprising to see his 25.6% projected ownership. He is a great play.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
After eight games of averaging 54.6 DraftKings points per game, the rejuvenated LeBron James has seen his price tag rise back up to $10,500. He has accumulated a point and rebound double-double in three of his last five games and has the second-highest projected ceiling on the slate behind his teammate Luka Doncic. However, being $700 cheaper than Doncic, James is drawing a higher ownership projection today.
The Knicks were one of the best interior defenses in the league last season but have dropped off a cliff this year. They are allowing 50.2 points per game in the paint this season, which is the sixth-highest in the league. That bodes well for James, who can still seemingly drive the lane at will. Despite the salary rising, James is arguably the best pay-up option on the slate due to the great matchup and his recent success.
Value
Another Hawks’ value player to target tonight is rookie Zaccharie Risacher. His inconsistent play has kept his salary and ownership in check. However, Risacher has started all but two games this season for the Hawks and is averaging double-digit points. He has shown the capability to finish with less than double-digit DraftKings points but has also recorded at least 20+ DraftKings points in seven of his last 10 games.
The Hawks play at the second-fastest pace in the league, while the Pacers are not too far behind, ranking eighth. This will be an up-tempo game environment, which will feed into Risacher’s skillset. In his game earlier this year against the Pacers, he recorded 17 points and five rebounds, with the game total reaching 159 points. Risacher is a cheap way to get exposure to this fantastic game at his $4,400 price tag tonight.
Fast Break
Franz Wagner has posted a negative Plus/Minus in eight consecutive games, but what better way to bounce back than a home matchup against the Bulls? Wagner still leads the Magic in scoring with a career-high 25 points per game and is currently projected for the highest ownership at the small forward position. The Bulls have simply nothing to play for and make for an excellent matchup. They rank third in the league in pace and 26th in defensive rating. He has struggled lately, but Wagner will feast in this spot.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
Jayson Tatum missed the last game with a shoulder injury and is questionable to play tonight. However, if he is able to suit up and the Celtics injury report breaks his way, this is a great spot to get exposure to Tatum who continues to lead the Celtics in points, rebounds, and assists per game this season. The Celtics are trying to hold on to the second seed in the Eastern Conference and should cruise against the 76ers today.
Projected for a little over 15% ownership, Tatum has displayed a ceiling that is capable of breaking this slate. Against the Cavaliers last week, Tatum erupted for 87.5 DraftKings points. He accumulated a near triple-double with 46 points, 16 rebounds, and nine assists with a 46.4% usage rate. The 76ers are in tank mode, but if Tatum is able to play tonight, this is an incredible matchup for another ceiling performance.
Value
The pesky Dillon Brooks is in play for a value option at his cheap $4,700 salary tonight. He is only power forward eligible, but this is a weak position to target on this six-game slate. Brooks has scored double-digit points and recorded a positive Plus/Minus in four of his last five games. He is another player on the Rockets who benefits with the absence of Fred VanVleet. Brooks is easy to fit into all lineup builds tonight.
The Rockets have lost three straight games but still hold the fifth seed in the Western Conference. They also draw a road matchup against the Pelicans, who have the second-worst record in the conference. The Rockets are 4.5-point favorites while the Pelicans rank 29th in defensive rating at 118.3 per game. Brooks has proven to be capable of filling up the stat sheet, and this is another strong matchup to provide value.
Fast Break
Pacers’ power forward Pascal Siakam is currently projected for the highest ownership on the slate, just shy of 30%. Leading the Pacers in scoring and rebounding this year, Siakam is shooting an impressive 52.1% from the field and 40.2% from behind the arc. At his mid-range $7,500 salary, Siakam is one of the best plays on the slate. If Haliburton is unable to play, that will provide a significant boost to Siakam’s production. He is a fantastic option regardless, but he would look even better if Haliburton is not suiting up.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Karl-Anthony Towns missed the last game due to personal reasons but is expected back tonight. This is a great game to come back to against the Lakers, who, without Anthony Davis, have pretty weak interior defense. Towns, who is having an incredible season, will have no trouble against the Lakers frontcourt. He is averaging a massive double-double with 24.5 points and a career-high 13.4 rebounds per game, while shooting an outstanding 53% from the field and 42.5% from downtown. Towns has been a star this year.
Currently projected for less than 5% ownership, Towns at $9,900 is arguably the best contrarian pay-up option on the slate. His versatility to score in the paint and on the perimeter is a mismatch for so many teams, including the Lakers. It is recommended to get over 5% exposure on Towns in tournaments today.
Value
Whoever draws a matchup against the Bulls frontcourt immediately jumps to being one of the best plays on the slate. Tonight that would be Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. Projected for around 20% ownership, Carter is easy to fit into all lineup builds at his $5,300 price tag. This is the first year where he is averaging less than double-digit points per game, but Carter has still been a steady fantasy producer this season.
The Bulls are allowing a league-high 55 points per game in the paint this season, which is more than three points per game than the next closest team. They also rank 24th in rebounding percentage, and their starting center Nikola Vucevic is doubtful to play. All signs point to a monster game from Carter tonight. Projected to play 28 minutes, Carter will have more than enough time to pay off his salary in this spot.
Fast Break
Once again the game to target tonight is the Hawks and Pacers, which is why the Hawks’ starting center Onyeka Okongwu is drawing the most ownership at the center position. Okongwu is averaging a career-high in both points and rebounds per game this season and has posted a positive Plus/Minus in five of his last six games. During that time, he is averaging a double-double with 15.1 points and 10 rebounds per game. It will be difficult to ignore his value on this six-game slate at his mid-range $6,400 price tag.
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