The NBA Player Models are the base of our NBA product here at FantasyLabs. They house our projections for each player, but that’s just the beginning of what you’ll find inside. You’ll also find our Trends and On/Off tool, Vegas Dashboard, and so much more.
Let’s dive into our models for NBA DFS going position by position, looking at guys with some of the best projections and players standing out as values with our predictive Projected Plus/Minus metric.
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 teams.
Note: Projections, Ownership projections and Leverage Scores/Ratings may change throughout the day as news comes out after this article is posted. Consult the Player Models directly for any updates.
NBA DFS Point Guard Picks
Top Ceiling: De’Aaron Fox at Los Angeles Lakers – $8,600 DraftKings, $9,800 FanDuel
While priced correctly on FanDuel, Fox is a no-brainer at only $8,600 on DraftKings. The guard has exceeded 50 DraftKings points in five of his past six starts and is competing in a 238.5-point total vs. the Lakers, which is the highest on the slate by a whopping 12 points. Plus, Los Angeles is only favored by three points,via FantasyLabs’ Vegas page. This is, without question, the top game of the night to target, and Fox’s success against the Lakers should continue in this terrific setting.
In two matchups with Los Angeles this season, the Kentucky product is generating 53.9 DraftKings PPG.
Top Value: Cameron Payne vs. Memphis Grizzlies – $4,100 DraftKings, $4,000 FanDuel
Tyrese Maxey (concussion) missed last night’s matchup with the Nets, and Payne got the spot start in his place, resulting in 23.25 DraftKings points across 22 minutes for the veteran. While Maxey has yet to be ruled out, the guard won’t be available tonight due to the concussion, and Payne should draw another start. The 29-year-old should see close to 25 minutes of work, which is enough time for Payne to out-produce these low price tags against the shorthanded Grizzlies.
This season, the guard is amassing 22 DraftKings PPG for the 11 occasions he has cracked the 20-minute mark, and Payne scores 1.0 DraftKings PPM with both Maxey and Joel Embiid (out, knee) off the floor via the On/Off tool.
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
Top Ceiling: Jordan Clarkson vs. Chicago Bulls – $6,800 DraftKings, $6,800 FanDuel
With FantasyLabs projecting Clarkson for minimal ownership on both DraftKings and FanDuel, the guard is one of the best GPP plays on the slate. The Jazz will be without both Lauri Markkanen (quad) and Walker Kessler (foot) for the third time this season tonight, and in the first two contests, Clarkson was excellent, amassing 44.75 DraftKings PPG with a massive 32.4% usage rate, which is a 5.9 percentage point increase from his season average, via the On/Off Tool.
Clarkson should see a huge usage rate tonight and his role could grow even further if Keyonte George (questionable, illness) is inactive as well. With Markkanen, Kessler and George off the court this season, Clarkson is leading the Jazz with an elite 1.3 DraftKings PPM.
Top Value: Ayo Dosunmu at Utah Jazz – $6,000 DraftKings, $6,500 FanDuel
The Bulls have been heavily relying on Dosunmu recently, with the guard logging 40 minutes per game in his last six starts, which has translated into 34.8 DraftKings PPG for the guard during this stretch. Dosunmu is underpriced for this elite volume and is in an awesome spot tonight, facing the Jazz, who rank 25th in defensive efficiency for the season and are very understaffed on Wednesday.
The Bulls carry a solid implied team total of 114 points in this spot, and Dosunmu is a safe bet for over 30 fantasy points.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Top Ceiling: LeBron James vs. Sacramento Kings – $9,800 DraftKings, $10,300 FanDuel
James has topped 50 DraftKings points in seven of his past 10 starts and has been a menace against the Kings this season, providing 63.4 DraftKings PPG in two matchups with the club. Even in his 21st season in the NBA, James’ role has remained elite, with the forward leading the Lakers in usage rate (29.4%) and assist percentage (34.5%). James is collecting 1.4 DraftKings PPM this season and going against this Sacramento team that ranks 21st in defensive efficiency, Los Angeles carries the highest implied team total on the slate (120 points).
As noted above, this game’s total is also the largest on the board by a wide margin (238.5 points) and in totals of at least 235 points this season, James is contributing 52.7 DraftKings PPG (18 games), via the Trends Tool.
Top Value: Kelly Oubre Jr. vs. Memphis Grizzlies – $5,500 DraftKings, $5,900 FanDuel
With both Embiid and Maxey inactive last night vs. the Nets, Oubre Jr. was outstanding, finishing with 44 DraftKings points across 36.1 minutes off the bench. The veteran will likely remain a reserve tonight, but as we saw Tuesday, Oubre Jr. will see a massive workload with the 76ers down their top two players, regardless of whether he comes off the bench. Tuesday was the fourth time both Embiid and Maxey have been inactive this season, and in those tilts, Oubre Jr. is leading the 76ers with 42.4 DraftKings points in 36.7 minutes per game. Overall, with both Embiid and Maxey off the floor, Oubre Jr.’s usage has skyrocketed 8.3 percentage points to a team-high 28.8%, lifting him to 1.0 DraftKings PPM.
While the Grizzlies rank ninth in defensive efficiency, they are also very undermanned right now, and Oubre Jr. should have zero issues exceeding 5x value in this situation.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Top Ceiling: Paolo Banchero at Washington Wizards – $8,600 DraftKings, $8,700 FanDuel
Banchero needs to be included in your player pool in this dream matchup vs. the Wizards, who lead the league in pace and rank dead last in defensive efficiency. The All-Star has lit Washington up for 49.5 DraftKings PPG in his last two matchups with the team and has tallied at least 45 DraftKings points in two of his past three starts entering tonight. The Magic’s implied team total is the fifth highest on the slate (115.5 points), which is a higher number for this slow Orlando team.
In our NBA models, Banchero brings a ceiling near 60 fantasy points this evening.
Top Value: Luka Samanic vs. Chicago Bulls – $3,500 DraftKings, $3,800 FanDuel
With Markkanen and Kessler sidelined Monday, Samanic started for the Jazz and finished with 17 DraftKings points across 23 minutes vs. the Wizards. Now, with Taylor Hendricks (toe) joining Utah’s lengthy inactive list, Samanic should remain a starter and see around 25 minutes tonight, with his team extremely shorthanded in their frontcourt.
Samanic is supplying 0.9 DraftKings PPM this season and is one of the best full punts this slate has to offer. For the eight career games he has logged a minimum of 20 minutes, Samanic is amassing 24.3 DraftKings PPG.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Top Ceiling: Jarrett Allen at Atlanta Hawks – $7,300 DraftKings, $7,800 FanDuel
With Donovan Mitchell (knee) out and Evan Mobley (ankle) exiting early last night vs. the Celtics, Allen thrived in the comeback win over Boston, posting a double-double of 42.5 DraftKings points in 35.2 minutes. Mitchell has already been ruled out for tonight, and while there is no official word on Mobley yet, he left the arena last night on crutches. The big man almost certainly will be inactive tonight, making Allen an awesome target.
For the four occasions both Mitchell and Mobley have been inactive this season, Allen has dominated with a team-high 46.2 DraftKings PPG. Overall, with both Mitchell and Mobley off the court this season, Allen leads the Cavs with 1.24 DraftKings PPM, via the On/Off Tool. The Hawks have improved defensively with Trae Young (hand) sidelined – they rank ninth in defensive rating over their last five – but Allen should still dominate them for a huge double-double of at least 40 fantasy points tonight.
Top Value: John Collins vs. Chicago Bulls – $7,100 DraftKings, $7,100 FanDuel
Collins is a great value tonight with the Jazz so thin up front. With Markkanen and Kessler inactive and Hendricks missing the second half Monday vs. the Wizards, Collins finished with 49.75 DraftKings points in 34.4 minutes. With a 22% usage rate, the big man collects 1.1 DraftKings PPM with Markkanen, Kessler, and Hendricks off the court, and all three of those players unavailable tonight, Collins should find himself in the 35-40 minute range against this Bulls’ team that prefers to have a natural center on the floor at all times.
Collins has a strong chance to surpass 40 fantasy points in this scenario and is viable for all formats.
