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
Leading the point guard position in projected ceiling and ranking second in projected Plus/Minus is Hawks’ Trae Young. He was well on his way to another double-double last game but was ejected early in the fourth quarter after being assessed two technical fouls. Young, who led the league during the season in assists with 11.8 per game, has recorded a points and assists double-double in 11 of his last 13 games.
The Hawks are one-point favorites against the Heat for the right to play the Cavaliers in the first round of the playoffs. Despite the Heat being a top-10 defense and having the third-slowest pace, Young has found success in this matchup. He is averaging a double-double in their last four games and recorded 29 points, 12 assists, and 55.5 DraftKings points while shooting 10-for-21 from the field in their last meeting.
Value
Leading this small two-game slate in projected Plus/Minus is Grizzlies’ point guard Scotty Pippen Jr. The second-year pro has seen his playing time ramp up late in the season. Since the start of March, Pippen Jr. has recorded a positive Plus/Minus in 18 of his last 22 games. During that time he is averaging 12.3 points per game while shooting 50% from the field and 47.1% from behind the arc with three double-doubles.
Priced under $5,000, Pippen Jr. is the best value play available. Ja Morant is questionable to play, so make sure to monitor his status throughout the day. If Morant were to miss due to his ankle injury, that would catapult Pippen Jr. to an even higher priority. The Mavericks are lacking experience in their backcourt with the Kyrie Irving injury, making this a strong matchup for Pippen Jr. He is an elite value play in all formats.
Fast Break
In the first play-in game for the Heat, Tyler Herro erupted for 38 points, five rebounds, and four assists, while shooting 13-for-19 from the field. He accumulated over 50 DraftKings points for the third time in his last six games. His ceiling projection is not equivalent to Young due to his peripherals, but Herro is a great way to differentiate away from the popular Young. In his most recent game against the Hawks, Herro poured in 36 points, shooting 13-for-17 from the field. This is a great matchup for the sharpshooter.
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
Despite being under $7,000, Dyson Daniels is the preferred pay-up option at the shooting guard position. The league leader in steals, with three per game, has been a key catalyst to the Hawks’ success this season. Daniels has flirted with a triple-double in each of his last three games. During that time, he is averaging 8.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, and eight assists per game with six steals and four blocks. Daniels can do it all.
While his backcourt mate Trae Young is also affordable, Daniels is arguably the best way to get exposure to the Hawks’ tonight. He has also had no trouble in this matchup, averaging 12.7 points, eight rebounds, and 3.7 steals per game while shooting 53.1% from the field. Expect Daniels to dominate each end of the court in this spot. He leads this position in projected Plus/Minus and ranks second in projected ceiling.
Value
Staying in the Hawks’ backcourt, Caris LeVert is a boom-or-bust fantasy producer, which sets him up perfectly for tournaments. Over his last five games, LeVert has produced two ceiling performances, averaging 43.4 DraftKings points per game. His other three games were relative duds, averaging just 19.9 DraftKings points per game. Which LeVert will show up is anyone’s guess, making him a high-risk, high-reward value option. Priced at a low $4,600, LeVert will not have to do much to return value tonight.
After being underutilized with the Cavaliers this season, LeVert was traded to the Hawks at the trade deadline and has been a valuable asset off the bench. He is averaging 14.9 points per game and shooting 48.2% from the field. LeVert is projected to play 25 minutes, but that is likely enough to be productive.
Fast Break
Desmond Bane is another Grizzlies’ guard that would benefit if Morant is unable to suit up. Bane had no issues against the Warriors scoring 30 points on 11-for-21 shooting from the field, including 5-for-8 from behind the arc. He has been a consistent rebounder and leads Daniels by a slight margin in projected ceiling at this position. The Grizzlies lead the slate in implied team total at 113.75 points and Bane is a great pay-up option in all lineup builds. He is a strong play that could get even better if Morant is out.
Be sure to check out all the pick’ems Sleeper has to offer with Sleeper promo code FL55.
NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
Replacing Jimmy Butler has been a fine transition for Andrew Wiggins. In his 17 games played since joining the Heat, Wiggins is averaging 19 points per game, which is the most he has averaged since his first season with the Warriors in 2019-2020. In the first play-in game, Wiggins stuffed the stat sheet against the Bulls with 20 points, nine rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks for 45.8 DraftKings points.
The small forward position is lacking star power, which is why Wiggins leads this position by nearly eight projected ceiling fantasy points. At a reasonable price of $7,600 with dual forward eligibility, Wiggins is another great way to attack this Hawks’ defense that ranks 18th in defensive rating and third in pace. With Daniels defending Herro, that will open up many opportunities for Wiggins to have a ceiling game.
Value
Back to the Hawks we go with another value option in rookie Zaccharie Risacher. The rookie has started 73 of his 75 games played this season and is averaging an impressive 12.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 21.3 DraftKings points per game. Similar to LeVert, Risacher is a boom-or-bust fantasy option that looks much better in tournaments than cash games. He erupted for 54.5 DraftKings points against the Nets last week, but followed that up with three duds failing to reach 16 DraftKings points. He is another risky value play.
When playing multiple tournament teams tonight, make sure to spread your exposure around to the Hawks’ value pieces. Risacher is the cheapest of the bunch at $4,100, while projected to play 30 minutes with a 20% usage rate. He is tough to avoid given his ceiling potential, but understand the included risk.
Fast Break
After seven straight games with a negative Plus/Minus, PJ Washington had a near double-double against the Kings, recording 17 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and two steals for 37.75 DraftKings points. The Grizzlies have been one of the best rebounding teams in the league, which decreases the odds for a ceiling game from Washington. However, with no Kyrie Irving and Luka Dončić, Washington’s usage rate has rapidly increased. He ranks second at the small forward position behind Wiggins in projected ceiling.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
Anthony Davis is the best pay-up option for this two-game slate. He leads the slate in projected ceiling and has power forward and center eligibility, making it easy to fit him into any lineup build. There is also plenty of value to lock in Davis at his relatively cheap $10,000 price tag. He recorded 27 points and nine rebounds last game against the Kings and a triple-double in the game before that with seven blocks. It is difficult to match up his upside when he posts a ceiling performance. Do not get too cute, Roster Davis.
Since returning from injury, Davis has a 34.4% usage rate. He is back to being the clear-cut No. 1 option for the Mavericks without Irving. The Grizzlies have been a great interior defensive unit, but Davis is talented enough to be matchup-proof. Even at a strong position, Davis is the best option by far tonight.
Value
Unlike other value players, Santi Aldama has been very consistent in his role. The four-year pro has averaged a career-high 12.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 27.9 DraftKings points per game while shooting 48.3% from the field and 36.8% from downtown. Exactly half of Aldama’s field goal attempts have come from long distance this year. He is too cheap at his $4,700 salary that has dropped $800 since last game.
Aldama kept the Grizzlies competitive last game with a near double-double, recording 14 points and eight rebounds. He captured 27 DraftKings points, which was the first time that he had a positive Plus/Minus in his last five games. With such a price decrease, Aldama will not have to do much to return value tonight. The Mavericks have had a mediocre interior defense this season, making this a great spot for Aldama.
Fast Break
Bam Adebayo is another way to get different on this slate, being projected for less than 20% ownership. Priced at $9,200, Adebayo will have to do a little more than just a double-double. However, he has been dominant recently, with the Heat making a playoff run. It would not be shocking in the slightest that the Heat make the playoffs despite a stretch in March losing 10 straight games. Adebayo is the heartbeat of this Heat culture and will likely dominate the paint against the Hawks. He is an incredible contrarian play.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
With power forward and center eligibility, Jaren Jackson Jr. is having the best year of his career. The versatile big man is averaging 22.2 points and 5.6 rebounds per game while shooting 48.8% from the field and 37.5% from behind the arc. Known for his ability on both ends of the floor, Jackson Jr. separates from his peers if Morant is unable to suit up. Without Morant on the floor this season, Jackson Jr. has a team-high +4.03% usage rate (using our Trends tool). He is still a fantastic play in all lineup builds tonight.
In his two games against the Mavericks, Jackson Jr. has absolutely dominated with a 25.5-point, 10-rebound average double-double. They have a different look with Anthony Davis controlling the paint, but the Mavericks are still a team worth attacking defensively. Jackson Jr. has a strong outlook in this spot.
Value
Sticking with the Grizzlies’ frontcourt in this matchup, rookie Zach Edey has the highest projected Plus/Minus at the center position tonight. The 7’4″ rookie has been a force down low recently, capturing 15.9 rebounds per game in his last seven games. Scoring has been a problem for Edey, but he is still more than capable of a double-double and has also displayed block upside. He is projected for 47% ownership, which is by far the highest at this position. He is a cheap way to get exposure to the Grizzlies’ frontcourt.
The Mavericks rank 24th in rebounding percentage at 48.8% and have not been that much better with Davis. This is a matchup that Edey can exploit. Priced at $6,200, Edey is the best mid-range play on the slate. He is also projected to play 31 minutes, which is more than enough time to return value tonight.
Fast Break
With Clint Capela still out, the Hawks’ have been giving Onyeka Okongwu all the minutes that he can handle if he can stay out of foul trouble. Okongwu is projected to play 36 minutes and will be battling Adebayo all night long. The matchup is not ideal, but Okongwu is still worth getting exposure to at his $7,100 price tag. He has also displayed the capability of massive ceiling performances. Earlier in March he had three games, averaging 25.7 points and 13.3 rebounds per game. He is yet another Hawks’ option.
