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 the entire slate in projected ceiling is Mavericks’ point guard Luka Doncic. Despite playing a full year alongside Kyrie Irving, Doncic remained the top option for the Mavericks. He led the league in usage rate and scoring while nearly averaging a triple-double with 33.9 points, 9.8 assists, and 9.2 rebounds per game. Doncic came third in MVP voting last year and is poised for another stellar year for the Mavericks.
The Mavericks are eight-point home favorites against their Texas foe, the San Antonio Spurs. They are implied for 121 points, which is the second-highest on the slate. Last season, the Mavericks and Spurs both ranked in the top seven in pace. Doncic dominated in their four meetings, averaging 29.3 points, 11 assists, and 11 rebounds per game. This is a great spot to get exposure to a Doncic ceiling performance.
Value
After dismantling the Knicks in the season opener 132-109, the Celtics are massive 13.5-point favorites on the road against the Wizards. They are projected for a slate-high 125.5 points. It is difficult to project blowouts, but this is another strong matchup for a Celtics rout. Backup point guard Payton Pritchard is projected to play around 23 minutes tonight, but that may increase if this game starts to get out of hand.
Pritchard played 25 minutes in the opener but only recorded 14 DraftKings points. He shot an abysmal 1-for-10 from the field and 1-for-9 from downtown. It was an uncharacteristic shooting night from a career 39.2% shooter from behind the arc. Pritchard has the second-highest projected Plus/Minus at the point guard position tonight. This is a great bounce-back spot playing against one of the worst teams in the league.
Fast Break
Priced just under $10,000, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is coming off back-to-back seasons averaging over 30 points per game while shooting well over 50% from the field. He ranked third in scoring, third in usage rate, and tied for first in steals per game last season, proving how lethal he is on both ends. The Thunder are implied for a slate-low 111.75 points, but Gilgeous-Alexander deserves consideration for a contrarian pay-up option. It is impossible to ignore a player with a 33.2% projected usage rate.
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 Timberwolves’ late flurry in the season opener fell short against the Lakers, suffering a 110-103 loss. However, in that game, it was clear that Anthony Edwards is primed for another big year with the absence of Karl-Anthony Towns. He played 41 minutes and scored a team-high 27 points with a 31.1% usage rate. Edwards finished with just under 40 DraftKings points in that game but shot 10-for-25 from the field.
Despite losing on the road against the Lakers, the Timberwolves are once again one-point road favorites against the Kings tonight. Edwards’ price tag did not move from the last game, and he is currently projected for the highest ceiling at the shooting guard position. Projected for only 15% ownership on this four-game slate, Edwards is a strong pay-up option in tournaments, especially at this difficult position to fill.
Value
Alex Caruso ranks second on this slate in projected Plus/Minus at +5.58. Priced at $4,800 with shooting guard and small forward eligibility, Caruso is one of the best pure values available. Caruso averaged a career-high 10.1 points per game last season with the Bulls while shooting 40.8% from behind the arc. He was traded to the Thunder in the offseason and will serve as the team’s starting shooting guard this year.
Playing in the same backcourt with Gilgeous-Alexander, Caruso will likely have a lower usage rate. However, he can fill up the stat sheet in a variety of ways, especially on the defensive end. This is arguably the best defensive backcourt in the league. Projected to play 30 minutes, Caruso will have more than enough time to pay off his cheap salary. His dual eligibility makes it easy to fit him into any lineup build.
Fast Break
Kyrie Irving had no trouble contributing alongside Luka Doncic, averaging 25.6 points, 5.2 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game last year while shooting 41.1% from downtown. Irving is second to Caruso in projected Plus/Minus at this position due to his cheap $7,500 salary. When Doncic is not handling the ball, it will be Irving. He is projected for a 28.6% usage rate, which gives him ample opportunity to pay off his price tag. Irving will also benefit from an up-tempo game environment playing against the Spurs.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
It could have been the Olympic playing time snub or the opportunity to be a back-to-back Champion, but Jayson Tatum looked like a man on a mission last game. Tatum recorded a 37-point, 10-rebound double-double in only 30 minutes. He shot a ridiculous 14-for-18 from the field and 8-for-11 from behind the arc.
Tatum finished with 66 DraftKings points and a 38.5% usage rate. Playing without Kristaps Porzingis is a major boost to Tatum’s ceiling. Without Porzingis in the lineup last season, Tatum posted a team-high +3.29% usage rate (per our Trends tool). Priced at only $9,300, Tatum is projected for the highest Plus/Minus and to draw the most ownership on this four-game slate at 35%. He is a phenomenal option.
Value
Projected to play 30 minutes tonight at only $3,800 is Spurs’ forward Julian Champagnie. After several strong preseason performances, Champagnie will be relied upon due to the injury of Devin Vassell. Champagnie’s role is simple – make the open shot and fill in when needed. Nearly 70% of his field goal attempts throughout his career have come from long distance, where he is shooting an impressive 37.3%.
Fast Break
Jaylen Brown did not have an eye-popping performance like Jayson Tatum, but he still contributed 23 points and seven rebounds in the Celtics’ blowout on opening night. He made five 3-pointers and shot 7-for-18 from the field in his 30 minutes of action. Similar to Tatum, Brown is more than capable of a ceiling performance. The best part is he is projected for almost half the ownership of Tatum and is over $1,000 cheaper. This is an easy way to differentiate lineups on this four-game slate. Brown is an excellent option.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
The ultimate contrarian play tonight is Kings’ center Domantas Sabonis. Projected for an extremely low 2% ownership, Sabonis is an elite tournament play. All he does is flirt with triple-doubles. Sabonis had a great preseason and is expected to still have a high usage rate despite the addition of DeMar DeRozan.
This matchup against the Timberwolves frontcourt may be scary on paper, but Sabonis plays a brand of basketball that is difficult to stop. In their three meetings last season, Sabonis averaged 17.7 points, 12 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game while shooting 51.1% from the field and 50% from long distance. He can stretch the floor and often plays as a point guard at the top of the key. The $9,500 price tag is difficult to stomach, but that is also why he is coming in at under 5% ownership. Another fantastic contrarian option.
Value
Jalen Williams burst onto the scene in his second year in the league last season. The versatile forward finished his 2024 campaign averaging 19.1 points, 4.5 assists, and 4.0 rebounds per game while shooting a remarkable 54% from the field and 42.7% from behind the arc. He was option B to Gilgeous-Alexander and will likely be in that same role this season. His shooting numbers will always make him a great play.
The only problem with the Thunder options tonight is the difficult matchup against the Nuggets. However, the matchup feels baked into Williams’ salary. Priced at $6,900, Williams has the third-highest projected Plus/Minus on the slate. He has seven Pro Trends and a 28.5% projected usage rate. Gilgeous-Alexander is the top option for the Thunder, but including salary, I would much prefer Williams tonight.
Fast Break
Jeremy Sochan is another Spurs’ value forward who is worth getting exposure to on this four-game slate. Sochan can provide a little bit of everything for the Spurs. He is projected to play 29 minutes, making him a strong value at his $4,600 salary. I would recommend playing one of Sochan or Champagnie, but not both, unless you are gunning for a super “stars and scrubs” lineup build, but even then, play one or the other. Sochan is a bit more expensive but has a higher ceiling due to his assist and rebound peripherals.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
The center position is where most of the ownership will be going in lineups, especially at the top. Reigning 3-time MVP Nikola Jokic headlines the position after another sensational season, averaging 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 9.0 assists. He recorded 25 triple-doubles and even added a team-high 1.4 steals per game. Jokic has the second-highest projected ceiling on the slate, behind only Luka Doncic.
A huge benefit for this matchup is that the Thunder will be playing without their newly signed Isaiah Hartenstein. With him out, the Thunder will rely on toothpick Chet Holmgren to try and stop the best player in the league. Good luck. Jokic feasted on Holmgren and the Thunder last season, averaging 23.7 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists while shooting 70.7% from the field. He will dominate the paint.
Value
38-year-old Al Horford will start at center for the Celtics until Kristaps Porzingis is able to return. Priced at $5,200 with center and power forward eligibility, Horford has the highest projected Plus/Minus at the center position tonight. He played 26 minutes in the season opener and contributed 11 points, five rebounds, three assists, one block, and one steal. A similar game will be all it takes for him to return value.
Projected to play 30 minutes tonight, Horford is also drawing the most projected ownership at the position. He is a cheap way to get exposure to the Celtics’ juggernaut offense that will likely flirt with 130 points again tonight. The Wizards were an elite matchup for big men last season, and that is likely the case again. They ranked last in rebounding percentage at 45.9% and last in points allowed in the paint.
Fast Break
Last, but certainly not least, is Victor Wembanyama, who could be the best player in the league by the end of the season. If you forgot about Wembanyama, please let me remind you. He led the Spurs in points, rebounds, blocks, and steals in his rookie season last year and got increasingly better with each and every game. He is matchup-proof and can dominate a game on both ends of the floor. The Mavericks were another defense that struggled against opposing big men last year, so this is a great spot to take him.
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