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, yo u 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
The top two point guards on this four-game slate match up against one another tonight. LaMelo Ball and Cade Cunningham have two of the top four projected ceilings on the slate and will both benefit from their respective matchups. Ball has the slight edge in our models, being $200 cheaper on DraftKings, but has the higher projected ceiling. He also has the second-highest projected Plus/Minus at this position.
Ball was uncharacteristically benched last game in the Hornets’ one-point loss against the Nets. The coach said backup point guard Tre Mann was helping the team more on both ends of the court, which is wild. In his previous six games before the benching, Ball averaged 31 points, 7.8 assists, 5.5 rebounds, and 53 DraftKings points per game. If there are no coach antics, Ball has a chance to be the highest scorer on the slate.
Value
Timberwolves’ starting point guard Mike Conley has been a boom-or-bust fantasy option recently. Over his last six games, Conley has two games with over 35 DraftKings points and three under 19, including one game where he failed to reach double-digit DraftKings points. Much of his production comes from how aggressive Conley is on the offensive end of the court. Will he attempt double-digit shots or two?
Conley has by far the highest projected Plus/Minus at the point guard position and the third-highest on the slate. The only concern is whether he will play tonight. Conley comes into tonight’s game with a questionable tag, so make sure to monitor his status the closer we get to lock. His teammate Donte DiVincenzo is also questionable. If Conley is a go, he is an elite value. Keep his exposure to tournaments due to his volatility.
Fast Break
Chris Paul is another point guard option who is questionable to play due to a thumb sprain. The Spurs have a plethora of injuries right now, including their star Victor Wembanyama who is out tonight. If Paul is able to play, he will benefit from all of the injuries and a fantastic matchup against the Jazz, who rank 28th in defensive rating. Paul has recorded double-digit points and 11 assists in four of his last five games.
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
Anthony Edwards has taken another step forward in his career arc this season. He is averaging a career-high 28.1 points per game, while shooting a career-best 42.1% from distance with a league-best 4.8 3-pointers made per game. His peripherals have gone down, but that is not a surprise when Edwards is attempting 21 field goals per game. Expect another aggressive Edwards against the Raptors tonight.
The Raptors are another defense to take advantage of. They rank 25th in defensive rating while allowing 119.5 points per game. The Timberwolves are implied for a slate-high 117.5 points and are seven-point road favorites. With the shooting guard position being weak at the top, Edwards is a cut above the rest. His ownership will not match his pricing peers, which makes him a strong contrarian play.
Value
Rookie shooting guard Stephon Castle currently has the second-highest projected Plus/Minus on the slate. Not only is Victor Wembanyama out and Chris Paul questionable, but Devin Vassell and Jeremy Sochan are also out. The Spurs are running out of bodies, which will increase the usage rate and production for Castle.
With Wembanyama, Vassell, and Sochan off the floor, Castle has a +5.66 DraftKings Plus/Minus (per our Trends tool). He has recorded a positive Plus/Minus in six of his last seven games while averaging 14.4 points and 27.5 DraftKings points per game. Castle is a volume shooting guard but did contribute a career-high eight assists in their last game against a difficult Thunder defense. Priced under $5,000 on DraftKings, Castle is simply too cheap for this Spurs matchup against a pitiful Jazz defensive backcourt.
Fast Break
Along with LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller is starting to become a cornerstone Hornets player for the future. Miller has scored 22+ points in three of his last six games while averaging two steals in each contest. Miller is significantly cheaper than Ball, making him a cheaper way to get exposure to the Hornets’ offense. His shooting guard and small forward eligibility makes him easy to fit in all lineup builds tonight.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
It is year 21, and LeBron James is not slowing down. He already has recorded five triple-doubles this season including four in his last six games. James is averaging 23.5 points, 9.4 assists, and 8.1 rebounds per game while shooting 51.5% from the field and 41.6% from behind the arc. It is difficult to slow James down with how much he has the ball in his hands. The price has risen, but he is a strong pay-up option.
The Lakers have won six straight games and are 10-4 this season. They are a perfect 7-0 at home and are 4.5-point home favorites against the Magic tonight, who are just 2-7 on the road. This is another great matchup to load up on the Lakers. Rostering one of James or Anthony Davis feels like a necessity on this four-game slate. James is $1,000 cheaper and has displayed a ceiling that is worth getting exposure to.
Value
The top three small forward eligible players who have the highest projected Plus/Minus are all on the Spurs. Julian Champagnie leads the way by a significant margin after scoring double-digit points in eight of his last nine games. The third-year pro has started all 15 games for the Spurs and is averaging 10.9 points and a career-high 5.4 rebounds per game. He has been a valuable asset for the Spurs this season.
Champagnie has shooting guard and small forward eligibility and will greatly benefit from all of the Spurs’ injuries tonight. With Wembanyama, Vassell, and Sochan off the floor this season, it is Champagnie who leads the team with a +4.78% usage rate increase. Priced at $4,600, Champagnie is one of the best value plays on the slate. He has also made at least two 3-pointers in eight of his last nine games this season.
Fast Break
RJ Barrett has put together back-to-back incredible performances. Against the Celtics, Barrett recorded a 25-point, 15-assist, 10-rebound triple-double and then followed that up with 39 points, nine rebounds, and five assists against the Pacers. In those games, Barrett is averaging 62.9 DraftKings points per game. Scottie Barnes may be back, but this is still a great spot for Barrett to continue his amazing recent play.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
With no Paolo Banchero, the Magic have resorted to the Franz Wagner show. In his last nine games, Wagner has averaged 26.3 points and 46.7 DraftKings points per game. He has scored at least 22 points in every game during that stretch except for his last where he only scored 14 against the Clippers in a double-digit loss. If the Magic can keep this game competitive, then he has a chance for a ceiling game.
Wagner has seen his salary jump $2,000 on DraftKings from opening night. Even with the price increase, Wagner is projected to be the highest-owned power forward on the slate. His usage rate has skyrocketed with Banchero out of the lineup. He is projected for a 31.5% usage rate tonight in a positive matchup against the Lakers who rank 24th in defensive rating. Wagner is a great way to get exposure to the Magic.
Value
Grant Williams leads all power forwards by a significant margin in projected Plus/Minus. He has been productive recently since moving into the starting lineup. Williams has recorded a positive Plus/Minus in seven consecutive games. During that time, he is averaging 12.7 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. With both centers out, he has had to play big for the Hornets, which is why his rebound numbers have boosted.
The Pistons have been solid defending the paint and rebounding this season, which makes this a more difficult matchup for Williams. However, his ability to stretch the floor with his perimeter shooting will keep the Pistons defense on their toes. Opponents are shooting 36.9% from behind the arc against the Pistons this season, which is the ninth-highest in the league. Williams is simply too cheap for his new role.
Fast Break
The Jazz may be 3-11, but John Collins has had a great start to his season, averaging 17.6 points and 7.9 rebounds per game while shooting 52.8% from the field. Walker Kessler remains out, which keeps Collins in the starting lineup. Collins has two double-doubles in his last six games, including one in this same matchup against the Spurs. Without Wembanyama, Collins has a chance to feast in this spot again tonight.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
To no surprise, Anthony Davis has the highest projected ceiling on the slate. The MVP front-runner is second in the league in scoring with a career-high 30.7 points per game and is also leading the Lakers in rebounds, steals, and blocks. The 6’10” versatile center is shooting a career-best 56.7% from the field and 41.4% from behind the arc. The upside is through the roof and the best part about Davis is that he is currently only projected for 13% ownership. That is way too low for a four-game slate, regardless of salary.
The Magic do lead the league in least amount of points scored in the paint with 41.3 per game, but have not faced a true scoring center in a while. There is enough value on this slate to get up to a $11,100 Anthony Davis tonight. Especially in tournaments, Davis is a phenomenal contrarian option for this slate.
Value
Charles Bassey is yet another Spurs player who looks like a fantastic value play. With Wembanyama out the last two games, Bassey has averaged 21.5 minutes per game. Last game against the Thunder, Bassey impressed with a near double-double off the bench. He recorded 12 points and eight rebounds while shooting 5-for-6 from the field with two blocks. At $4,000 on DraftKings, that is incredible production.
With not many gamers wanting to get exposure to an expensive Anthony Davis, Bassey is currently the most popular center on the slate. The Jazz have been a slightly above rebounding and interior defensive team, but with Bassey projected to play 21 minutes tonight, it does not matter. It will not take much time for Bassey to return value in this spot. He is a near-lock for cash games and a great value in tournaments.
Fast Break
After a double-double in three straight games and seven blocks in his last two contests, Rudy Gobert is a strong mid-range option. The DraftKings sportsbook has Gobert at a -120 odds for his fourth straight double-double. At $6,600, Gobert is a cheap way to get exposure to the Timberwolves, who have the highest implied team total on the slate. Gobert will be popular but it is deserving due to his recent play.
