Tuesday features a four-game main slate starting at 7 p.m. ET.
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.
Stud
There are only four games to choose from on Tuesday, and two of them are not expected to be very competitive. That includes the game between the Pistons and Wizards. Detroit has been red hot recently, and they’re listed as 14.5-point home favorites. However, they also lead the slate with a 125.5-point total, so they have plenty of upside if the game is more competitive than expected.
Cade Cunningham stands out as one of the stronger stud targets on the slate. He has the second-highest ceiling projection, trailing only the significantly more expensive Giannis Antetokounmpo. He’s averaged 1.44 DraftKings points per minute for the year, and he owns an elite +5.09 Opponent Plus/Minus vs. the Wizards. Cunningham racked up 65.0 DraftKings points in his first matchup vs. Washington this season, so he has plenty of appeal in this contest.
Value
Jose Alvarado has been an excellent per-minute contributor for the Pelicans this season. He’s averaged 1.0 DraftKings points per minute, and he’s increased that figure to 1.08 over the past month.
The only real question is how many minutes he’ll play on a given night. He’s projected for 25 minutes Tuesday vs. the Clippers, which should be enough to pay off his current salary. He’s historically averaged a Plus/Minus of +2.52 with a comparable salary and minute projection, and he’s increased that figure to +10.94 in his three outings this season (per the Trends tool). His $4,600 salary also comes with a 95% Bargain Rating, making him one of the best pure values at the position.
Fast Break
D’Angelo Russell is another point guard with a 95% Bargain Rating on DraftKings. He’s played limited minutes since being acquired by the Nets, but he’s coming off at least 28.6 minutes in back-to-back games. He’s averaged better than a fantasy point per minute for the year, so he has decent upside if he’s going to continue to play that much. The Nets are on the second leg of a back-to-back, so make sure to confirm that he’s in the lineup.
James Harden has posted a positive Plus/Minus in three straight games, scoring at least 57.0 DraftKings points in each. He’s posted a usage rate of at least 33.1% in back-to-back games, which represents a significant increase from his season average (30.0%). If he dominates the possessions like that again, he has the potential for a huge performance vs. the Pelicans. They’re dead last in defensive efficiency, so Harden and the Clippers have more scoring potential than usual.
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’s unclear how much Donovan Mitchell we’ll see for the Cavs on Tuesday. They’re currently riding a 14-game win streak, and they’re listed as 18.5-point favorites vs. the Nets. This one could get ugly quick, so Mitchell could spend the fourth quarter resting instead of on the floor. He’s projected for just 31 minutes in our NBA Models, which is a few less than usual.
Still, Mitchell has the top ceiling projection at the position, and he should be extremely effective when he’s actually on the court. He’s averaged 1.33 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and Brooklyn is merely 23rd in defensive efficiency. They don’t seem like the team to slow down the Cavs’ juggernaut offense, and their 123.75 implied team total ranks second on the slate.
Mitchell is also projected for approximately 10% ownership on this slate, so he’s a contrarian pay-up option to consider for tournaments.
Value
Malik Beasley has been an outstanding under-the-radar acquisition for the Pistons. He’s not playing a ton of minutes on a nightly basis, but he’s been efficient when on the floor. He’s averaged 0.95 DraftKings points per minute, and he’s projected for 26 minutes vs. the Wizards. Beasley is showing up in the optimal lineup simulations at greater than a 30% clip, which is the top mark at a relatively weak position.
Fast Break
Dennis Schroder is another potential option for the Pistons. Despite this being his third team of the season, he has acclimated to life in Detroit pretty quickly. He’s averaged 1.10 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and he’s gone for 20+ DraftKings points in three straight games. That includes 41.5 DraftKings points vs. the Clippers, so he has a solid ceiling for his price tag.
Kris Dunn has posted an average Plus/Minus of +6.65 over his past 10 outings, and he’s increased his production to 0.94 DraftKings points per minute over the past month. He’s coming off a subpar showing in his last outing, but he’s projected for 28 minutes against the Pelicans’ subpar defense. It’s a solid buy-low opportunity.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
The Clippers have officially taken the training wheels off Kawhi Leonard. He’s been limited to just 22 games this season, and he’s played reduced minutes in most of them. However, he’s logged at least 36 minutes in five straight games, and he’s averaged more than 38 minutes per game over that time frame.
That hasn’t necessarily led to a huge spike in production, but his shooting numbers have been down across the board. He’s shooting just 44.3% from the field, 26.5% from 3-point range, and 68.0% from the free-throw line over his past five outings despite historically being very efficient in all three areas.
That makes him a nice positive regression candidate. If he can combine his previous efficiency with his newfound volume, he has the potential for a big game vs. the Pelicans. Leonard is showing up in the optimal lineup simulations more than 42% of the time, which is significantly higher than his 30% projected ownership.
Value
Bennedict Mathurin racked up 52.0 DraftKings points in a starring role vs. the Hawks over the weekend, but he returned to a reserve role in his last outing. He’s scored less than 20 DraftKings points in four of his past five games, so that eruption looks like a clear outlier.
Still, Mathurin stands out as a decent value in our NBA Models. He’s projected for 25 minutes in our NBA Models, and he’s averaged just under a fantasy point per minute for the year. He’s also priced at just $4,900, which is a bit cheaper than usual. It results in a 74% Bargain Rating, which is one of the better marks at the position.
Fast Break
Cam Thomas is a major wildcard on Tuesday’s slate. He has the potential to rack up points in a hurry, but his minutes have been limited since returning to the lineup following an injury. The good news is that Thomas rested on the front leg of this back-to-back set, so he’s the freshest player on the Nets’ roster. They could lean a bit heavier than usual on him vs. the Cavaliers, and he’s averaged 1.25 DraftKings points per minute since returning to the lineup.
Ausar Thompson has seen a reduction in minutes recently, and he’s posted a negative Plus/Minus in three straight games. However, he’s still averaged 1.12 DraftKings points per minute for the year. He doesn’t need a ton of playing time to potentially do damage, especially in an elite matchup. His $5,500 salary also comes with a position-best 95% Bargain Rating.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
Antetokounmpo is coming off a disappointing 47.75 DraftKings points in his last outing, but his playing time continues to trend in the right direction. The Bucks have been careful with his minutes down the stretch, but he’s logged at least 33.7 minutes in three of his past four games.
Giannis is projected for a comparable workload on Tuesday, and he has the potential to do a lot of damage with that much playing time. He’s averaged 1.78 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and he scored at least 58.75 DraftKings points in three straight games before Sunday’s clunker.
Antetokounmpo’s salary continues to creep back up, but he’s still available at a slight discount at $11,400. He’s averaged a Plus/Minus of +1.35 with a comparable salary since the start of the 2022-23 season, so he’s underpriced now that he’s back to playing essentially a full workload.
Value
Karlo Matovic has gotten the opportunity to play a bit more for the Pelicans recently, and he’s taken full advantage. He’s scored at least 23.5 DraftKings points in three straight games, and there’s no reason he can’t do it again on Tuesday. He’s averaged 0.92 DraftKings points per minute for the year, and he’s projected for 23 minutes vs. the Clippers. He stands out as way too cheap on DraftKings, where his $3,700 salary comes with a 93% Bargain Rating.
Fast Break
Cameron Johnson has turned in back-to-back strong performances for the Nets, scoring at least 40.75 DraftKings points in both contests. He’s averaged a strong 1.01 DraftKings points per minute for the year, and he’s increased that figure to 1.08 over the past month. There’s definitely some blowout potential vs. the Cavs, but he’s too cheap if he sees his usual volume of minutes.
Tobias Harris doesn’t provide a tremendous ceiling for the Pistons, but that’s not a huge issue at just $5,700. He’s been a reliable source of production recently, going for at least 34.0 DraftKings points in three straight games. He’s increased his output to 0.94 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, yet his salary has actually decreased over that time frame.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Ivica Zubac is more expensive than usual at $8,000, but it’s hard to say it isn’t justified. He’s been fantastic for the Clippers and DFS players recently, scoring at least 41.75 DraftKings points in three straight games. Overall, he’s posted an average Plus/Minus of +5.15 over his past 10 outings, and he has plenty of appeal vs. the Pelicans. Zubac owns an Opponent Plus/Minus of +2.98 in that matchup, and he leads the position with 11 Pro Trends. He’s showing up in the optimal lineup simulations more than 54% of the time, which is the top mark on the entire slate.
Value
Jalen Duren is the other center who is popping in our NBA Models. Duren is typically capped below 30 minutes, and he’s projected for just 28 minutes vs. the Wizards. That said, it hasn’t stopped him from racking up fantasy points of late. He’s scored at least 35.25 DraftKings points in four of his past five games, and he’s averaged an elite 1.38 DraftKings points per minute over the past month.
It also doesn’t get much better than a matchup vs. the Wizards. They’re 28th in team rebound rate, 27th in points in the paint allowed per game, and fourth in pace. Add it all up, and Duren owns an outstanding +8.41 Opponent Plus/Minus. His price tag also comes with a 95% Bargain Rating on DraftKings, so there’s plenty of merit in selecting Duren on Tuesday.
Fast Break
Isaiah Stewart is also possible for the Pistons as a punt play. He benefits from the same matchup as Duren, yet he’s priced at just $3,200. He rarely plays more than 20 minutes per game, but he’s still had 25.5 DraftKings points in two of his past three outings. Stewart could also potentially benefit if this game turns into a blowout, so he has even more merit than usual.
Alex Sarr has played some of his best basketball of the season down the stretch, which is not a huge shock for a rookie. He’s averaged 1.17 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and with Jonas Valanciunas now in Sacramento, the coast is clear for Sarr to play 30+ minutes most nights. He’s scored at least 34.0 DraftKings points in three straight games, so he’s underpriced at $5,900.
