On tap for Tuesday is a seven-game slate. Let’s dive into some of the top plays on the slate using the FantasyLabs tools and projections.
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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
James Harden ($9,900)
Harden is an awesome spend with Kawhi Leonard (knee) sidelined. Harden posted 60.75 DraftKings points vs. the Wizards yesterday with Leonard out, and Harden is amassing 57.4 DraftKings PPG in the 11 he has played without Leonard this season. With the former NBA Finals MVP off the floor, Harden’s usage rises 5.1 percentage points to 36.6% and he scores 1.5 DraftKings PPM, via the On/Off Tool. Harden is facing the Bulls tonight, who rank fourth in pace and 24th in defensive rating, and he has a real chance of being this slate’s high scorer in this elite matchup.
Value
Brandin Podziemski ($4,300)
Jimmy Butler unfortunately went down with a torn ACL last night, ending his season and leaving Podziemski with an expanded role. In the Warriors’ last two games, Butler was inactive in the first game and then got hurt after logging 20 minutes in the second game; during these contests, Podziemski has been terrific, scoring 39.5 and 40 DraftKings points. Even though he might not start, Podziesmki should see around 30 minutes and an increased usage rate with Butler out, making Podziesmki an excellent bargain with this low salary, regardless of facing a Raptors’ defense that ranks fifth in rating. With Butler off the court this season, Podizemski is scoring 1.0 DraftKings PPM with a 20% usage rate.
Fast Break
Tyrese Maxey ($9,800) – Maxey has erupted for at least 55 DraftKings points in three of his last five, and after playing last night, Joel Embiid could be rested this evening, which would be a boost for Maxey. With Embiid off the floor this season, Maxey is leading the 76ers with 1.4 DraftKings PPM and a 33.3% usage rate.
Walter Clayton Jr. ($3,700) – Clayton Jr. is in a tough spot vs. the Timberwolves, who rank ninth in defensive rating, but the rookie out of Florida is simply underpriced for his recent role and production. With 26.9 minutes per game and a 17% usage rate in his last seven, Clayton Jr. has topped 20 DraftKings in six of these contests.
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
Brandon Ingram ($7,900)
With RJ Barrett (ankle) still out and Ingram going against a Butler-less Warriors team that is playing their second game in two nights, Ingram is a strong value at less than $8,000. The wing has played 20 games without Barrett this season and Ingram is averaging 38.2 DraftKings PPG with a 29.6% usage rate in those tilts. Ingram has topped 40 DraftKings points in three of his last four sans Barrett, and even with Barrett active last month, Ingram posted 41 DraftKings points vs. Golden State.
Value
Moses Moody ($4,100)
The Warriors are the top source of value plays for this slate with Butler sidelined, and Moody is one of the best options of the group. After Butler got hurt last night, Moody finished with 28.5 DraftKings points across 29 minutes vs. the Heat, which is the fourth straight effort of at least 20 DraftKings points for Moody. He is shooting 58.8% from the field and 62.1% from beyond the arc during this four-game stretch, and Moody should effortlessly outproduce his $4,100 salary tonight, despite facing the Raptors’ stout defense. In our projections, Moody is the No. 1 shooting guard value on the slate.
Fast Break
Jaime Jacquez Jr. ($5,500) – Jacquez Jr. (knee) returned from a two-game absence last night and posted 30.75 DraftKings points across 25 minutes vs. the Warriors. Tyler Herro (ribs) missed this game and if he remains out tonight as expected vs. the Kings, Jacquez Jr. will be a strong value. With Herro inactive this season, Jacquez Jr. is amassing 33.4 DraftKings PPG (28 games).
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
Norman Powell ($7,000)
This is too low of a price for Powell with Herro unlikely to play tonight vs. the Kings. Powell has made 27 starts without Herro this season and Powell is leading the Heat with 36.9 DraftKings points and a 27.7% usage rate in those tilts. Sacramento has shown some signs of improving on defense recently, but the team still ranks 27th in defensive rating this season, and this game’s total is the second-highest on the slate (238.5 points). Powell has 40 DraftKings points upside in this setting, and he is a compelling option for all formats.
Value
Buddy Hield ($3,300)
Rounding out the Warriors value plays with Butler out, Hield is the No.1 value on the slate in our projections at this near minimum price tag. As discussed above, Butler has only been available for 20 minutes of the last two games for Golden State, and with him mostly unavailable, Hield has scored 30.25 and 28 DraftKings points off the bench. The veteran is only going to see 20-25 minutes tonight, but that is plenty of time for him to outperform his cheap salary. With Butler off the floor this season, Hield is scoring 1.0 DraftKings PPM with a 20% usage rate.
Fast Break
Jaden McDaniels ($6,200) – McDaniels has been outstanding, scoring at least 37 DraftKings points in three straight, and he is facing a Jazz defense that ranks dead last in defensive rating this season. McDaniels is a viable option no matter what in this elite spot, but if Naz Reid (questionable, shoulder) were to sit, McDaniels would see huge playing time and be a tough fade. Reid exited Saturday’s game vs. the Spurs after just five minutes, and as a result, McDaniels posted 40.75 DraftKings points across a whopping 40.6 minutes.
De’Anthony Melton ($4,800) – If Melton (knee) returns tonight after missing last night’s win over the Heat, he will have appeal for GPPs. With Butler out this past Saturday vs. the Hornets, Melton scored a season-high 39 DraftKings points in just 21.3 minutes off the bench, which marked his sixth effort of at least 27 DraftKings points in his last 12.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
Julius Randle ($8,200)
Similar to McDaniels, Randle is a strong option that would see a boost if Reid is inactive. Randle is averaging 42.3 DraftKings PPG this season while shooting 49% from the field and handling a 26.5% usage rate. Randle is in a beautiful matchup vs. the Jazz, who rank dead last in defensive rating, and the Timberwolves’ implied team total is the highest on the slate in this incredible matchup (128.5 points). Randle scored 53 DraftKings points in each of his first two matchups of the season with Utah, and his upside will be even higher if Reid sits.
Value
Aaron Gordon ($6,700)
Gordon is healthy again and underpriced for life without Nikola Jokic (knee). With the center sidelined, Gordon is amassing 36.6 DraftKings points in 30.6 minutes per game in his last four. With Jokic off the floor this season, Gordon is scoring 1.2 DraftKings PPM, mostly thanks to an 8.1 percentage point increase to his assist rate. Facing the Lakers tonight, who rank 25th in defensive rating this season, Gordon should have zero issues surpassing 5x value, and he is the top power forward value on the board.
Fast Break
Andrew Wiggins ($5,700) – If Herro sits as expected, Wiggins will be a viable option at this price point vs. the Kings. With Herro inactive this season, Wiggins is producing 30.6 DraftKings points in 31.8 minutes per game with a 20.6% usage rate.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Victor Wembanyama ($10,000)
Wembanyama has been sensational in his last two starts, scoring 59.75 and 59.5 DraftKings points. The big man got up to 30.3 minutes in his second-to-last game and Wembayama should see right around 30 minutes tonight in a tight 4.5-point spread vs. the Rockets. Houston ranks seventh in defensive rating this season, but $10,000 is just too low of a price tag for a healthy Wembanyama. With a career-high 33.6% usage rate, the superstar is generating 1.8 DraftKings PPM this season, which ranks second in the NBA, trailing only Jokic. When competing in spreads under five points this season, Wembanyama is amassing 51.1 DraftKings PPG (11 games), via the Trends Tool.
Value
Draymond Green ($5,800)
Green (ankle) is expected to play tonight after being rested yesterday, and the veteran should see a boost with Butler out. With the forward inactive vs. the Hornets this past Saturday night, Green posted 33.25 DraftKings points across 26.3 minutes of work. Green is supplying 1.0 DraftKings PPM with Butler off the court this season and Green is facing a Raptors team that he posted 39 DraftKings points last month, even with Butler active. A similar output is possible tonight and Green, as always, shouldn’t come with much ownership.
Fast Break
Ivica Zubac ($7,000)
With Leonard sidelined, Zubac has a ceiling near 50 DraftKings points in our projections, and he is a player worth having exposure to. With Leonard inactive this season, Zubac is averaging 36.7 DraftKings PPG (11 games) and Leonard off the floor, Zubac is amassing 1.1 DraftKings PPM with a 20% usage rate, which is a 1.8 percentage point upgrade from his average.
Pictured: James Harden
Photo Credit: Imagn
