Thursday features a five-game main slate starting at 7:00 p.m. ET.
Let’s dive into some of the top plays on the slate using the FantasyLabs tools and metrics.
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.
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.
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NBA DFS Point Guard Picks
Stud
This is the first slate in a long time where no guards on DraftKings are priced at $10,000 or higher. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander exceeds that mark on FanDuel and is definitely the stud point guard of choice. Over his last five games played, Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 36 points per game while shooting 51.8% from the field and making 58 of his 67 free throw attempts. His aggressiveness has resulted in a 34.9% usage rate over that span.
The Thunder have won three-straight games as they are currently in ninth place in the Western Conference log jam. This matchup features contradicting styles as the Thunder rank third in Pace, while the Raptors rank 25th this season. The Raptors also haven’t been nearly as good defensively despite their length, as they rank below average in Defensive Rating. Gilgeous-Alexander has averaged 55.7 DraftKings points per game in his last five games, which is five more than his season average. Expect another big game from the All-Star point guard.
Value
Value is a little tough to come by on this five-game slate, but Seth Curry has the second-highest projected Plus/Minus among all players on DraftKings. Prioritize Curry on DraftKings over FanDuel, where he is $3,300 and has an 89% Bargain Rating, while projected to play around 20 minutes.
The Nets are clinging to the last guaranteed playoff spot in the Eastern Conference as they are two-point home favorites against the Kings. This matchup has a total of 238 points, which is tied for the highest on the slate. Curry does most of his damage from behind the arc, shooting 43.5% for his career. That will bode well for this spot as the Kings allow their opponents to shoot 37.2% from downtown, tied for the sixth-highest in the league.
Fast Break
Tyrese Haliburton is questionable to play but did return to practice yesterday, which is a great sign of his availability. Make sure to monitor his status, but Haliburton has been on an absolute tear recently, averaging a massive double-double with 27.7 points and 13.3 assists per game in his last six games. He recorded 16 and 19 assists in his previous two games and posted over 60 DraftKings points in each contest. The Pacers need Haliburton healthy to make one last run at the Eastern Conference play-in tournament. If he is good to go, he is worth getting exposure to.
NBA DFS Shooting Guard Picks
Stud
Devin Booker is the most expensive guard on DraftKings, priced at $9,900, which is cheaper than his last two games. The Suns have lost three straight games but find themselves in a favorable matchup at home against the Magic as seven-point favorites. They are still playing without Kevin Durant, who may be shut down for the remainder of the regular season. No Durant means more usage for Booker, who is averaging a career-high 27.8 points per game.
Booker is also making double-digit field goal attempts per game for the first time in his career while shooting 49.3% from the field. The Magic rank 20th in Defensive Rating this season, as they are likely staying home during the playoffs. Playing at home has benefited Booker substantially, averaging nearly 30 points per game while shooting over 50% from the field. He can get hotter than almost anyone, so he deserves consideration at his price tag.
Value
Gary Trent Jr. has seen his salary drop like a rock on both DraftKings and FanDuel, where he is now well under $5,000 on both sites. His minutes have also diminished, but that is mainly due to his shot simply not falling recently. Over the last three games, Trent Jr. has shot 5-29 from the field and 1-11 from behind the arc, resulting in him only getting 23.3 minutes per game. He is a great tournament play if his shot starts to fall.
The Thunder have a top-10 Defensive Rating but still allow 116.2 points per game this season. They allow the third-most 3-point attempts per game, so now would be the excellent time for Trent Jr. to get hot and fill it up from the perimeter. Overall, Trent Jr. is averaging 17.6 points per game, which is tough to find at this salary. Staying away from Trent Jr. is recommended in cash game formats, but he looks like a great tournament flier.
Fast Break
Former Suns guard Mikal Bridges has been on a scoring frenzy with the Nets since being traded. He is averaging an absurd 26.3 points per game while narrowly missing the 50-40-90 shooting percentage club. Bridges has scored 30+ points in five of his last seven games and should have no trouble filling it up against the Kings, who allow 118.6 points per game, which is tied for the second-highest in the league.
NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
Khris Middleton has finally been unleashed from a minutes perspective, as he has played back-to-back games of 34 total minutes. We saw his upside on display in his last game, as Middleton scored a season-high 31 points and finished with over 50 DraftKings points. He sat out the second leg of the back-to-back, so Middleton will be well-rested for this game tonight. He has the highest ceiling projection at the small forward position on DraftKings.
The Bucks’ clinched a playoff spot with their last victory, as they were the first team to reach 50 wins this season. They are now a massive 13.5-point home favorite against the Pacers with the highest implied total on the slate at 125.75 points. Many of the Bucks’ role players are questionable or out tonight, which may lead to more minutes for Middleton. The more the merrier, as he looks like one of the better midrange plays on the slate for both sites.
Value
The Suns have been dealing with several injuries and traded away valuable pieces to land Kevin Durant, but an unsung hero has been small forward Josh Okogie. He has been starting and playing well over 30 minutes per game, contributing on both ends of the floor. Priced at $5,100 on both DraftKings and FanDuel, Okogie is projected to be the highest-owned player on FanDuel, where he can utilize his defensive stats to the fullest.
In his first season with the Suns, Okogie has been thrown into the starting lineup since February 10th, which has paid off very well. In those 12 games, Okogie is averaging 13.6 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. The Magic allow opponents to capture 12.7 steals and blocks per game, which should benefit Okogie. Prioritize Okogie on FanDuel, but he looks like a strong value on both sites.
Okogie also stands out as one of the stronger options in our PrizePicks and Underdog Fantasy simulations table:
Fast Break
Scottie Barnes has been inconsistent — so have the Raptors — but he can pop for a very high ceiling. Barnes scored a season-high 32 points Friday vs. the Lakers, shooting 13-19 from the field while accumulating nine rebounds and seven assists. In his first two seasons, Barnes is averaging 7.3 rebounds per game, which will set him up for success in this matchup. The Thunder rank 26th in Rebounding Percentage, allowing a league-high 46.6 rebounds per game.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
Giannis Antetokounmpo is the most expensive player on DraftKings and the second-most on FanDuel but has the highest projected ceiling among all players in our NBA Models. After failing to reach 60 DraftKings points for several games in a row, Giannis has put up over 65 in back-to-back games while averaging 41 points and 11.5 rebounds per game. He continues to lead the league with a career-high 38.7% usage rate, averaging 31.5 points per game.
Giannis gets most of his production in the paint, as he has made only two 3-pointers in his last four games. The Pacers have been very susceptible to points allowed in the paint, with their average of 51.7 per game ranking 21st in the league. They also rank 28th in Rebounding Percentage, which is perfect for Giannis, who is second in the league in rebounds with 11.9 per game. There is some blowout potential, but Giannis will dominate against the Pacers’ weak frontcourt when he’s on the floor.
Value
Trey Lyles has been one of the most consistent value plays in the league recently, despite his minutes fluctuating between 18 and 26. Lyles has recorded a positive Plus/Minus in 10 consecutive games on DraftKings while averaging 22.8 DraftKings points per game. He has scored double-figure points in seven of his last nine games while continuing to be a strong contributor on the glass.
Even with Nic Claxton healthy, the Nets are a terrible rebounding team. They rank dead last in Rebounding Percentage (47.1%), allowing 45.2 rebounds per game. Prioritize Lyles on DraftKings, where he is only $4,000 and has a 95% Bargain Rating. He is a cheap way to get exposure to one of the best game environments on the slate.
Fast Break
Pascal Siakam has struggled recently but still has a high ceiling, especially in this matchup at home against the Thunder. Siakam has led the league in minutes per game for the last two seasons. He is up to 37.6 per game this year, while his teammate Fred VanVleet is behind him at 37. Playing that many minutes provides a lot of opportunity for Siakam to reach value. He is way too cheap across the industry.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Nikola Jokic isn’t far from Giannis Antetokounmpo in the ceiling projections on both sites, as he has scored 77 and 87 DraftKings points in two of his last three games. Jokic is averaging a triple-double for the first time in his career with 24.7 points, 11.9 rebounds, and a career-high 10 assists per game. He leads the league with a ridiculous 27 triple-doubles. It’s hard to ignore the upside Jokic has on this slate against the Pistons’ frontcourt.
With Marvin Bagley and Isaiah Stewart out, the Pistons will rely on rookie Jalen Duren and James Wiseman to try and slow down the Joker. The Pistons rank 28th in Defensive Rating, 24th in Rebounding Percentage, and allow 54.7 points in the paint per game, which is the second most in the league. Overall, it’s a perfect situation for Jokic to have yet another triple-double and potentially be the highest-scoring player on the slate.
Value
This slate has several viable center options. Deandre Ayton isn’t necessarily a cheap value, but he has the highest projected Plus/Minus on DraftKings, where he is only $7,400 and owns a 95% Bargain Rating. Ayton has averaged a double-double in all five seasons in the league but is averaging a career-high 18.4 points per game while shooting 59% from the field this year.
The Magic frontcourt presents a few problems, allowing only 48.4 points per game in the paint and ranking above average in rebounding the ball. However, Ayton has excelled recently playing without Durant, getting more opportunities to score the ball. Over the last four games, Ayton is averaging 19.3 points while shooting 56.5% from the field. He has 19 field goal attempts in back-to-back games with a 30.5% usage rate.
Fast Break
Domantas Sabonis has center and power forward eligibility on FanDuel, making him much easier to fit in than all the other center options. He is also in a great spot against the Nets, as he has the third-highest ceiling projections behind Jokic and Antetokounmpo. Sabonis has been on a mini-Jokic run with a triple-double in four of his last five games, averaging 19.4 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 10 assists per game. He can stuff the stat sheet in a variety of ways and feels like a good value despite being priced over $10,000 on both DraftKings and FanDuel.
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