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
At the point guard position, no one comes close to the ceiling projection of Bucks’ point guard Damian Lillard. The veteran benefited last game with Giannis Antetokounmpo unable to play due to injury. He is listed as questionable tonight, which is the biggest news to monitor on the slate. Without Giannis, Lillard poured in 36 points with a season-high 41% usage rate. It was his second straight 35+ point game.
The Utah Jazz have been one of the most fantasy-friendly matchups so far this season. They rank 23rd in defensive rating and play at the fifth-fastest pace in the league. Lillard has been on a scoring frenzy lately, which makes him the best pay-up point guard to target. Even if Giannis is able to play, Lillard has proven upside with Khris Middleton still out. However, he would be the best play on the slate if Giannis is out.
Value
Projected for the second-highest ownership on the slate at 45% is Timberwolves’ starting point guard Mike Conley. Priced at $4,600, Conley also has the second-highest projected Plus/Minus. He is expected to play around 25 minutes against a Bulls team that leads the league in pace at 106.19. This is a strong up-tempo matchup for Conley who has posted a positive Plus/Minus in three of his last five games.
Conley is a cheap way to get exposure to a Timberwolves offense that is favored by nearly double-digits and has a 118.25 implied team total. The Bulls defense has been susceptible to the long ball this season. They are allowing opponents to attempt 39.5 3-pointers per game, which is tied for the fifth-highest in the league. That bodes well for Conley, who has buried at least two 3-pointers in five of his last six games.
Fast Break
Chris Paul is another popular point guard option at his mid-range $6,900 price tag. Paul has recorded a double-digit positive Plus/Minus in four of his last five games. During that time, Paul is averaging 14.4 points and 9.2 assists per game with three double-doubles. Paul’s matchup against the Trail Blazers is a positive one. They are allowing 27.8 assists per game, which is the sixth-highest in the league. Capturing another double-double is certainly within reach in this matchup making Paul an elite mid-range play.
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
Leading the league in 3-pointers made is none other than Anthony Edwards. He has over doubled his 3-pointers made from last season making 5.1 3-pointers per game and connecting on 45% of his shots from long distance. That alone boosts Edwards’ ceiling, especially in this matchup against the Bulls. He has the fourth-highest projected ceiling and is drawing only 17% ownership, making Edwards a contrarian play.
Despite having a high ceiling, Edwards is still a boom-or-bust fantasy producer. In his last two games, he has posted a double-digit negative Plus/Minus even though his salary continues to rise. His upside is still proven, being the top option on the team. On this three-game slate, I would recommend keeping your Edwards’ exposure to tournaments only. There are a couple of other pay-up options who are safer to target.
Value
Staying in the Timberwolves’ backcourt, Donte DiVincenzo has been a valuable addition to this roster. In his first season with the Timberwolves, DiVincenzo is averaging double-digit points, 3.4 assists, and 3.3 rebounds per game. Despite coming off the bench, the journeyman is averaging 27 minutes per game. With point guard and shooting guard eligibility and being only $4,900, DiVincenzo is a strong value play.
The sharpshooting guard has connected on 2.3 3-pointers per game. Attempting nearly 75% of his shots from behind the arc, DiVincenzo will also benefit in this perimeter matchup against the Bulls backcourt. Pairing two of the three Timberwolves’ guards is fine, but I would not recommend all three in one lineup. There are too many other guards to get exposure to at all pricing tiers for this three-game slate tonight.
Fast Break
Zach LaVine is another player who is questionable for tonight’s action after missing last night’s game in Dallas. Leading the Bulls with 22.7 points per game, LaVine is shooting 49.5% from the field and a career-best 45.8% from behind the arc this season. He has made five 3-pointers in three of his six games played. LaVine has a high ceiling if he is able to play tonight. However, if he is unable to play, there are several guards that would be worth getting exposure to, including Coby White, Josh Giddey, and Ayo Dosunmu.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
After a hot start to the season, Lauri Markkanen has missed the Jazz’s last three games due to a back injury. However, he was able to put in a full practice yesterday, so he should be able to suit up for tonight’s game against the Bucks. Markkanen has only played in three full games before his injury. In those three outings, he is averaging 21.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 36.7 DraftKings points per game.
The Bucks have surprisingly been a great matchup for opposing teams. They rank 21st in defensive rating and are allowing 118.3 points per game. Even if Giannis is unable to play, that would make this matchup even better for Markkanen. The versatile forward can fill it up from all over the court, making him a difficult matchup for any defense. With a favorable $7,900 salary, Markkanen is a good pay-up option.
Value
Arguably, the best value option on this three-game slate is Spurs’ rookie Stephon Castle. The UCONN product is projected for a slate-high 56% ownership on this three-game slate. Priced at $4,400 with shooting guard and small forward eligibility, Castle is easy to fit into any lineup build. He leads the slate with the highest projected Plus/Minus despite having a negative Plus/Minus in six straight games.
The main reason why Castle is popping in our model so much is due to the injury situation for the Spurs. Not only are Tre Jones and Keldon Johnson still out, but so is Jeremy Sochan, who is second on the team in scoring with 15.4 points per game. Castle started the last game with Sochan out and played 25 minutes. Projected to start and play around 28 minutes tonight, Castle is going to be a staple in cash games.
Fast Break
Jaden McDaniels has been a disappointment this season, mainly due to foul trouble. When McDaniels can keep his hands to himself, he is able to play upwards of 35 minutes. His projection currently sits at 30 minutes and he is coming in around 25% projected ownership with the second-highest projected Plus/Minus at the small forward position. Despite being a career 35% perimeter shooter, McDaniels is only shooting 23.1% from long distance this year. Expect him to increase his production in this matchup.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
As previously mentioned, Giannis Antetokounmpo has the highest projected ceiling in our models tonight. When Giannis is healthy and he plays, he is dominant. He is currently second in the league in scoring and fifth in rebounding, averaging a double-double with 31 points and 12.3 rebounds per game. He recorded a near triple-double last game with 34 points, 16 rebounds, and nine assists for 71 DraftKings points.
The Jazz have been an average rebounding and interior defensive team this season. Matchups do not phase Giannis, but it is beneficial to get him in a positive one for his ceiling. If Giannis is able to play tonight, he is the top pay-up option on the slate. The Bucks are currently 1-6 after losing six straight games. They are nearly double-digit home favorites in a spot where they absolutely need to get a win.
Value
Harrison Barnes is another Spurs player who will benefit due to their injuries for tonight’s game. The veteran forward has started in all eight games this season and is tied for the second-most minutes per game on the team. Projected for 31 minutes tonight, Barnes is drawing nearly 30% ownership and he is the only power forward on the slate with a positive projected Plus/Minus. He is a good play in all formats.
Priced under $5,000 with dual forward eligibility, Barnes is a cheap and easy way to get exposure to the Spurs 111.5 implied team total. The Spurs are only 3-5 this season but are four-point home favorites against the Trail Blazers tonight. Barnes has had a wide variety of production this season. He can score anywhere from 30 to 3 DraftKings points. Keep him to tournaments only, but he is quite cheap tonight.
Fast Break
Jerami Grant has also produced a wide variety of outputs this season. He started off hot averaging 50 DraftKings points per game against the Pelicans in back-to-back games, but has since bounced all over the place with his production. Coming into tonight, Grant has back-to-back games with a positive Plus/Minus, averaging 34.5 DraftKings points per game during that time. The Trail Blazers have a slate-low 107-point team total, but Grant is in play due to the slate size and the potential for a ceiling performance.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Victor Wembanyama would be the clear-cut pay-up option if Giannis is unable to play tonight. This is a back-to-back for the Spurs, so always keep that in mind. Luckily, the Spurs got beat by 27 points against the Rockets last night, and Wembanyama only played 25 minutes. He was not very productive, scoring only 29 DraftKings points. However, he had over 70 DraftKings points in his previous game proving his upside.
Wembanyama is one of four players projected for over 40% ownership. A big part of his ceiling comes from his defensive stats. Wembanyama led the league in his rookie season with 3.6 blocks per game and is well on his way to leading again with 3.8 blocks per game this season. The Trail Blazers are allowing opponents to get 6.5 blocks per game, which is the fifth-highest in the league. It’s a great spot for Wemby.
Value
Brook Lopez has seen a bit of scoring decline to start the season, but that is reflected in his $5,700 salary. With no Giannis last game, Lopez had one of his best games of the season. He finished with 13 points, six rebounds, four steals and two blocks in 36 minutes played. Projected for 32 minutes tonight, Lopez is a strong play in all formats even if Giannis is able to play. The Bucks are the top team to target on this slate.
The Jazz allowed 58 points in the paint in their last game and have a 50% rebounding percentage. Lopez can not only score the easy buckets in the paint but he also becomes a major threat behind the arc. He averaged nearly two 3-pointers per game last season and is on the same track for a similar output this season. If Giannis is out, Lopez and Bobby Portis are great options at this position for the Bucks tonight.
Fast Break
Rudy Gobert is yet again another boom-or-bust fantasy option to target in tournaments. In his last five games, Gobert has recorded over 40 DraftKings points in two games and under 20 DraftKings points in two others. The positive for Gobert in this matchup is the Bulls currently rank dead last in points allowed in the paint with 57.3 points per game. Being an average rebounding team as well, Gobert can easily capture another double-double in this matchup. He is also reasonably priced at only $7,000 for this slate.
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