Wednesday features an eight-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 Leverages 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
It hasn’t been the best start to the season for Jalen Brunson. He’s averaged 24.3 points per game, which is down nearly 4.5 points from his mark last season. He’s also seen a slight decrease to his assist numbers, which ultimately isn’t that surprising. Brunson was forced to put the team’s offense on his back last year, but he has more help this season with guys like Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges joining the fray.
That said, Brunson is still a very capable fantasy producer. He’s averaged 1.18 DraftKings points per minute this season, and he plays as much as any point guard in basketball. He’s currently projected for 36 minutes vs. the Bulls, which is tied for the top mark at the position.
The Bulls also represent a phenomenal matchup. They’ve played at the fastest pace in the league this season, and they’re 22nd in defensive efficiency. Add it all up, and the Knicks are implied for a slate-best 120.0 points. It’s a great opportunity to buy low on their point guard.
Value
The Bucks have had a disastrous start to the year, and they’re currently playing without Damian Lillard. That opens up a few additional minutes per game for Ryan Rollins. He’s been outstanding when given the chance to play this season, averaging 1.14 DraftKings points per minute, and he’s coming off 33.75 DraftKings points in 22.4 minutes on Tuesday. His fantasy total was buoyed by five steals, but he would’ve posted a positive Plus/Minus even with a zero in that department.
Rollins is projected for 25 minutes on Wednesday’s slate, and it’s tough to pass up that much playing time at a minimum salary. Historically, min-priced players have averaged a Plus/Minus of +3.63 with a comparable minute projection (per the Trends tool). Rollins has been a far better per-minute producer than the typical min-priced value, so he’s an elite source of value.
Fast Break
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is coming off one of his best games of the season on Monday, racking up 77.75 DraftKings points in 39.3 minutes. He should continue to see a nice boost in value with Chet Holmgren out of the lineup. He’s seen a team-high +4.4% usage bump with Holmgren off the floor this season, resulting in an average of 1.64 DraftKings points per minute. The Thunder also have a great matchup vs. the Peclians, resulting in the third-highest implied team total.
Jaden Ivey has been a strong source of value recently, posting a positive Plus/Minus in four of his past five games. He’s scored at least 32.75 DraftKings points in all four outings, including 41.75 in his most recent contest. He’s underpriced at $6,300.
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 shooting guard position looks pretty weak at the top on Wednesday. Most of the highest-priced options are projected for a negative Plus/Minus, so it seems like a good day to go the value route.
However, Zach LaVine stands out as a possible exception. His price tag has come down to $6,800, and LaVine has historically averaged a Plus/Minus of +2.16 with a comparable salary as a member of the Bulls. His 11 Pro Trends are also the most at the position.
LaVine’s matchup vs. the Knicks isn’t ideal, but the Knicks haven’t been nearly as poor a matchup this year as in years past. They’re merely 19th in defensive efficiency through their first 10 games, and they’ll be on the second leg of a back-to-back on Wednesday.
Value
Jaylen Nowell stands out as another elite value option in the backcourt. He has eligibility at both guard spots, and he should see plenty of burn for the shorthanded Pelicans on Wednesday. The team is still without C.J. McCollum, Dejounte Murray, and Zion Williamson, and even Jose Alvardo will miss Wednesday’s game vs. the Thunder.
Nowell has a good chance to move into the starting lineup and is currently projected for 28 minutes. He’s averaged 0.94 DraftKings points per minute this season, so he can do a lot of damage with that much playing time.
Fast Break
Isaiah Joe has posted a positive Plus/Minus in seven straight games, and he’s coming off a season-high 31.3 minutes in his last outing. His role could be a bit more stable with Holmgren sidelined, and he’s developed into an elite 3-point shooter. He’s projected for another 31 minutes on Wednesday, and he’s averaged 0.87 DraftKings points per minute for the year.
Malik Beasley isn’t the same per-minute producer as guys like Nowell and Joe, averaging just 0.73 DraftKings points per minute through his first 12 games. However, his playing time is trending upwards, and he’s logged at least 33.5 minutes in two of his past three outings. That’s a lot of playing time for someone priced at just $4,200.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
Franz Wagner was absolutely dominant for the Magic on Wednesday. He racked up 32 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and three steals, resulting in 55.5 DraftKings points. He also did it in less than 32 minutes since the game turned into a blowout.
Wagner has averaged 1.33 DraftKings points per minute for the year, and he should continue to serve as the Magic’s top option with Paolo Banchero out of the lineup. He’s scored at least 46.25 DraftKings points in three of his past four games, and his 37.8% usage rate on Tuesday was his highest mark of the year.
The Magic will be on the second leg of a back-to-back, but the fact that he rested a bit in the fourth quarter should hopefully keep him fresh for Wednesday’s matchup vs. the Pacers. The Pacers haven’t been quite as good of a matchup as they were last season, but they’re still just 24th in defensive efficiency to start the year.
Value
Aaron Wiggins is another potential source of value for the Thunder. Like Joe, he’s been an incredibly consistent producer of late, posting a positive Plus/Minus in seven straight games. He’s also logged at least 29.2 minutes in two of his past three outings, and he’s projected for 30 minutes on Wednesday’s slate. He’s underpriced at just $4,600, resulting in a 75% Bargain Rating.
Fast Break
Lu Dort hasn’t had to do much offensively for the Thunder this season, but he’s seen a bump in usage over his past two games. That coincides with the injury to Holmgren, which isn’t surprising. Dort has seen a +3.01% usage bump with Holmgren off the court, resulting in an average of 1.06 DraftKings points per minute. He’s not projected for nearly as much ownership as some of the other value plays on OKC, so he’s an interesting way to differentiate your lineups.
OG Anunoby had a slow start to the year, but he’s officially found his football. He’s scored at least 30.5 DraftKings points in six straight games, and he’s been closer to 40 in five of them. His salary has held firm at $5,700, so he’s way too cheap in an elite matchup.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
With the amount of value options available on Wednesday, paying up for Giannis Antetokounmpo feels mandatory for cash games. He’s the clear top stud on the slate, leading the field in median projection by nearly six points and ceiling projection by closer to eight.
Antetokounmpo disappointed in his most recent outing, finishing with just 44.5 DraftKings points in 33.3 minutes. However, his usage rate was just 24.9% in that contest, which stands out as a massive outlier. His usage rate currently sits at 34.8% for the year, and it was slightly higher with Lillard off the floor last season.
Even with Tuesday’s poor showing, Giannis has still averaged 1.70 DraftKings points per minute with Lillard off the floor this season. He racked up more than 72 DraftKings points against the Celtics two games ago, and that kind of production could certainly be doable against the Pistons.
Value
Josh Hart continues to be one of the most disrespected players in all of fantasy basketball. All the guy does is put up numbers. He had a triple-double in his last outing, and he’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in eight of his past nine games.
Despite his production, his salary has remained virtually unchanged. He’s priced at just $6,600 for Wednesday’s matchup vs. the Bulls, which is actually -$200 less than it was yesterday vs. the 76ers. Even though he might not be a primary scorer for the Knicks, his ability to pile up peripherals makes him a great bet to pay off his current salary.
Fast Break
Like Hart, Tari Eason is another player who can rack up fantasy points quickly. He’s averaged 1.15 DraftKings points per minute so far this season, and he’s played at least 25.3 minutes in three straight games. Unsurprisingly, he’s scored at least 27.0 DraftKings points in all three contests, and in 23 career games with between 25 and 30 minutes, he’s averaged 30.48 DraftKings points.
Trey Murphy is an intriguing tournament option for the shorthanded Pelicans. He returned to the lineup on Monday but was limited to 25.6 minutes in his first game of the year. However, he was one of the team’s offensive focal points, posting a 32.4% usage rate. If he can get closer to 30 minutes on Wednesday, he has a solid ceiling for his price tag.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Karl-Anthony Towns rounds out the Knicks’ starting five, and he’s had a huge bounce-back season in his first year in New York. In his prime, Towns was one of the best players in fantasy regardless of position. He gobbled up points and rebounds as the centerpiece of the Timberwolves’ offense before guys like Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert cut into his value.
Towns is back to his old self with his new team. The fact that he’s getting to play more center has done wonders for his rebounding numbers. He’s averaged 12.4 rebounds per game this season, which is four more than he averaged last year. He’s also playing all the minutes he can handle for Tom Thibodeau, who believes that “load management” is something better suited for long-haul truckers.
Towns has posted a positive Plus/Minus in seven straight games, and he’s eclipsed 50 DraftKings points in five of them. His price tag has increased since the start of the year, but he’s still way too cheap at $8,700.
Value
The Magic have provided nice value at the center position with Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr. out of the lineup with injuries. Goga Bitadze has been the primary target for DFS players of late, but Mo Wagner stands out as the superior option on Wednesday. He’s priced at just $4,600, and he’s averaged an excellent 1.16 DraftKings points per minute for the year.
Wagner has always been an elite producer when given the opportunity to play. He’s projected for 23 minutes on Wednesday, and he’s scored at least 29.5 DraftKings points in back-to-back games.
Fast Break
Myles Turner erupted for more than 50 DraftKings points four games ago, and he’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in each game since. He’s played at least 36.4 minutes in two of his past three contests, and if he’s going to continue to play that much, more big games are coming. He’s played at least 34 minutes in 29 games since the start of the 2022-23 season, and he’s averaged 43.12 DraftKings points in those contests.
Jalen Williams is now only eligible at center at DraftKings, and he’s going to play that position a bunch with Holmgren sidelined. He’s seen boosts to his usage, rebound, and assist rates with Holmgren off the floor this season, resulting in an average of 1.32 DraftKings points per minute. He racked up 51.0 DraftKings points on Monday, so he’s a viable target at $8,100.