Monday 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 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
The Lakers have won nine straight and 12 of their last 13 games. A big reason for their recent success has been the dominance of Luka Doncic. In his first full season with the Lakers, Doncic is averaging a league-high 33.4 points per game. Even with LeBron James on the floor, they have turned into the Luka show.
During the Lakers’ nine-game winning streak, Doncic is averaging a remarkable 40 points, 8.4 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 70.9 DraftKings points per game. He has posted two triple-doubles and two double-doubles, including 60- and 50-point games. Doncic is a priority on this eight-game slate given his recent play.
Looking to win 10 straight games, the Lakers are 2.5-point road favorites against the Pistons, who are playing without stud point guard Cade Cunningham. Doncic is $12,200, but there is plenty of value to fit him into any lineup build. He is the premier pay-up option tonight given his slate-high projected ceiling.
Value
From a rising team to one that is fully tanking, having lost 13 of its last 16 games, the Jazz have their top three scorers out, including point guards Keyonte George and Isaiah Collier. That opens the door for Kennedy Chandler, who has the highest projected Plus/Minus at the position with his $4,500 salary.
Chandler was called up and played his first NBA game since the 2022-23 season on Saturday night. In his 37 minutes of game time, Chandler stuffed the stat sheet with 19 points, five rebounds, and four assists, accumulating 34.2 DraftKings points. Projected for 33 minutes, Chandler is popping in our NBA model.
Chandler came off the bench last game, but it would not be surprising if he drew the start after playing 37 minutes. Regardless of whether he starts, he remains an incredible value play. He is drawing over 30% projected ownership, which is the third-highest on the slate. He is a first-click in cash-game contests.
Fast Break
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is coming off his second 40-point game in his last three contests. The Thunder continue to keep the Spurs at arm’s length in the Western Conference standings and are slate-high 15.5-point home favorites tonight, implied for 120 points. In a projected blowout, it is difficult to prioritize Gilgeous-Alexander, who hasn’t touched the ceiling of Doncic recently. Projected for less than 5% ownership, Gilgeous-Alexander is a contrarian pay-up option and an easy way to differentiate lineups.
After four straight games with over 60 DraftKings points, Josh Giddey has put together back-to-back mediocre performances. Even though his shot was not falling last game, Giddey finished with a career-high 19 assists. He provides a high ceiling when his game is clicking on all cylinders. Giddey has posted a triple-double in four of his last seven games. Similar to Gilgeous-Alexander, Giddey is projected for less than 5% ownership, with the Bulls having the third-lowest implied team total on this slate.
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
Priced under $9,000 with shooting guard and small forward eligibility, Kevin Durant continues to be a focal point in the Rockets’ offense. The 37-year-old is averaging a team-high 25.7 points per game while shooting 51.7% from the field and 40.8% from behind the arc—a strong first season in a Rockets uniform.
Most of Durant’s fantasy production comes from scoring, which makes him less intriguing than his peers. However, the Bulls present a great matchup for Durant to fill up the scoreboard. This season, the Bulls rank fourth in pace and 23rd in defensive rating. Durant should have no issues scoring tonight.
The Bulls also rank 28th in assists allowed per game, so if there were ever a time for Durant to have peripherals, it would be in this spot. Given his guard and forward eligibility, Durant is drawing a little over 10% projected ownership. He is still a tournament-only option but has upside in this elite matchup.
Value
Over the last two months, rookie guard Javon Small is averaging 13.1 points per game while shooting 50% from the field and 48.1% from downtown. Over his last seven games, he has increased his averages to 15.9 points and 30.4 DraftKings points per game. Small has been a steady value option on most slates.
With Ja Morant still out, Small has been given the starting shooting guard role and has run with it. Even if Ty Jerome is back in the lineup, Small is still a reasonable value play with dual-guard eligibility. He also leads the guard position with a 20.7% optimal lineup rate according to our NBA Sims, proving his strong value.
The Grizzlies are 14.5-point home underdogs against a Hawks team that has been dominant. Even in a potential blowout, Small will likely be on the floor. He is currently projected for over 30% ownership, the second-highest on the slate. Small is simply too cheap given his recent success at his $5,300 salary.
Fast Break
Despite Doncic playing incredibly and being the focal point of the Lakers’ offense lately, Austin Reaves has still been productive. He stuffed the stat sheet last game with 26 points, seven rebounds, five assists, two steals, and one block for 47.8 DraftKings points. It was his fifth game in his last eight contests where Reaves recorded over 46 DraftKings points. He is playing heavy minutes and providing a ceiling at his $8,700 price tag. His projected ownership is low, but Reaves is a fantastic play in non-Doncic lineup builds.
The 76ers are playing without Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, Paul George, and Kelly Oubre Jr. They have no choice but to give rookie VJ Edgecombe the keys to the team. Edgecombe has been electric the last two games, averaging 30 points, 10 rebounds, 7.5 assists, 1.5 steals, and 58.5 DraftKings points per game with back-to-back double-doubles. This is a brutal spot matchup-wise for Edgecombe, with the 76ers being 15.5-point underdogs, but he has a projected usage rate over 26% and will be another contrarian option.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
It has been a lost season for the Mavericks outside of sensational rookie Cooper Flagg getting adjusted to the NBA game. Averaging a team-high 20.1 points per game, he has been incredible in his first season with the Mavericks and continues to thrive despite the team being essentially eliminated from the playoffs.
Flagg has recently increased his peripherals, averaging 7.2 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game in the month of March. He has posted two points-and-rebounds double-doubles and one points-and-assists double-double, proving his versatility. It also helps that he now has point guard and small forward eligibility.
Flagg has the highest optimal lineup rate at this position at 21.7%. He will be a popular option, but deservedly so given his recent success. Flagg is coming off a near triple-double and is averaging 47 DraftKings points per game in his last four games. He is a little too cheap at his sub-$9,000 price tag.
Value
Ever since the start of February, when Stephen Curry was injured, Gary Payton has stepped up in a big way for the Warriors. His playing time has ramped up along with his production. Since February 5, Payton is averaging an impressive 12.6 points and 26.2 DraftKings points per game over his last 17 games.
During that time, Payton has scored double-digit points in 14 of those 17 games. In his last four games, Payton has ramped up his production, averaging 15.5 points and 32.6 DraftKings points per game despite only playing 24.5 minutes per night. He has been extremely productive despite his modest playing time.
With Curry off the floor this season, Payton is averaging a +6.54 DraftKings Plus/Minus, which is the second-highest on the team. Payton is projected for close to 30% ownership despite still only being projected to play fewer than 25 minutes. With guard and forward eligibility, Payton is an elite value option tonight.
Fast Break
With Jalen Johnson out of the lineup Saturday night, Dyson Daniels erupted for 28 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and four steals while shooting 12-for-17 from the field. Daniels accumulated 54.2 DraftKings points, which was his sixth time totaling over 35 DraftKings points in his last eight games. If Johnson were to miss again, Daniels would be an incredible option in all formats. Even with Johnson in, Daniels has proven to be a great value at his mid-range salary, especially in this spot against the Grizzlies.
Desmond Bane has been a consistent fantasy producer recently and is a better cash-game option than tournament play. Franz Wagner is still out for the Magic, and Bane has played the most minutes on the team with Wagner off the floor this season. His usage rate and production have both increased, and his first season with the Magic has been a success. Bane has connected on at least three 3-pointers in three of his last four games and draws a strong matchup against the Pacers, who rank 26th in defensive rating.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
Arguably the biggest news item on this eight-game slate is the status of Hawks forward Jalen Johnson. He is dealing with a shoulder injury and is listed as questionable for tonight’s matchup against the Grizzlies. Johnson missed the last game, and in the game before that, he posted an uncharacteristic 25.8 DraftKings points.
Johnson and the Hawks were rolling before the injury. They had won 11 straight games, and the stud power forward averaged 24.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, 9.7 assists, and 56.8 DraftKings points per game in his last six contests with two triple-doubles. He is a stat machine with a ton of upside when he is healthy.
The Hawks have the highest implied team total by far on this eight-game slate at 127 points. In his only game against the Grizzlies earlier this season, Johnson dominated with 32 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists. If he is able to suit up with no restrictions, Johnson is one of the best pay-up options available.
Value
Stephen Curry is returning soon, but the Warriors will get Kristaps Porzingis back tonight from injury after he missed the last game and left early the game before that. The more talented players there are around him, the better for power forward Draymond Green, who is reasonably priced at $5,500 on this eight-game slate.
Green has the highest projected Plus/Minus at the power forward position and has recorded over 25 DraftKings points in seven of his last eight games. He has been a model of consistency, and his price tag hasn’t budged. With power forward and center eligibility, Green is a phenomenal value play in all formats.
Green is drawing the most ownership at the power forward position and also has a 23.4% optimal lineup rate. Projected to play 29 minutes, Green will have a superb chance to stuff the stat sheet and flirt with a double- or triple-double tonight. The Warriors need his versatility without Curry available to play once again.
Fast Break
Paolo Banchero has an optimal lineup rate and projected ownership similar to Green’s for tonight’s slate. Banchero leads the Magic in scoring and rebounding and is second in assists. Even in the four straight losses, Banchero has been productive on both ends of the floor. His salary has dipped back down to $9,100, making him more in play for this slate. The Pacers also rank 29th in rebounding percentage, so this is an amazing opportunity for a points-and-rebounds double-double. Banchero is a great play in all formats.
It wasn’t 83 points, but Bam Adebayo absolutely dominated the Rockets last game with a massive 32-point, 21-rebound double-double. He shot 12-for-21 from the field while adding four assists and two steals for over 70 DraftKings points. Adebayo has power forward and center eligibility, making it easy to fit him into any lineup build. The Spurs’ frontcourt is a brutal matchup for Adebayo, but he is playing too well to ignore completely. Even at his 10% projected ownership, it is recommended to get overweight.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Coming in with the second-highest projected ceiling on this eight-game slate is Spurs center Victor Wembanyama. The Spurs are another red-hot team, winning 21 of their last 23 games. They are second in the Western Conference standings, trailing the reigning champion OKC Thunder by only three games.
Wembanyama has been a boom-or-bust fantasy producer recently, mainly due to the Spurs blowing out their opponents. His playing time has been inconsistent, which makes Wembanyama a tournament-only play. The Spurs are 5.5-point road favorites against the Heat, so this should be a more competitive game.
The Heat have been a great rebounding team this year but have allowed 51.8 points per game in the paint this season, which ranks 22nd in the league. In his only game against the Heat this season, Wembanyama had 27 points, 18 rebounds, six assists, and five blocks for 71 total DraftKings points.
Value
Sandro Mamukelashvili has by far the highest projected Plus/Minus on this slate tonight. He has also been a little boom-or-bust recently but does not have to do much to provide value at $3,500. Raptors center Collin Murray-Boyles is questionable after missing 11 straight games, so keep an eye on his status.
The main reason Mamukelashvili looks like such a strong value is due to a great matchup against the Jazz frontcourt, which allowed 74 points in the paint in its last game. They also rank 24th in rebounding percentage since the All-Star Break. With so many injuries, this is simply a different Jazz frontcourt lately.
Mamukelashvili has by far the highest optimal lineup rate at 45.5% in our NBA Sims. He is also drawing an absurd 70% projected ownership. He should be the first player entered into a cash-game contest and is a difficult fade in tournaments. Even with 25 projected minutes, Mamukelashvili is the best value available.
Fast Break
Jalen Duren has recorded a points-and-rebounds double-double in five of his last six games. During that time, Duren is averaging 24.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 41.9 DraftKings points per game. With Cade Cunningham off the floor this year, Duren is averaging a +3.24% usage rate boost and a +4.96 DraftKings Plus/Minus. He has been much more involved in the offense and will continue to be with Cunningham sidelined for the next two weeks. Expect a heavy dose of Duren against the Lakers’ frontcourt tonight.
Alperen Sengun is leading the Rockets in rebounding, assists, and blocks while still averaging over 20 points per game. He has posted a double-double in three straight games—one points-and-rebounds double-double and two points-and-assists double-doubles—proving his versatility. Sengun should have no trouble against a weak interior Bulls frontcourt that ranks 26th in points per game allowed in the paint. He is a secondary option to Durant, but Sengun is a good tournament play with his 5% ownership.
Pictured: Kevin Durant
Photo Credit: Imagn
