Monday features a small four-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
Tyrese Maxey has seen a dip in his salary after posting an uncharacteristic last game against the Pistons. He scored over 20 points for the 18th straight game but only recorded one rebound and one assist for 27.8 DraftKings points. He averaged 47.3 DraftKings points per game in his previous four contests.
Maxey leads all point guards in projected ceiling by a comfortable margin. The 76ers are fully healthy, and their stars are all playing great. They have won eight of their last 12 games, trying to stay out of the play-in tournament. The 76ers are 8.5-point underdogs against the Spurs, who rank third in defensive rating.
This is a difficult matchup for the 76ers, but the Spurs are more susceptible on the perimeter this season. Maxey has the third-highest projected ceiling on this slate and is only drawing 5% projected ownership. He is a fantastic contrarian pay-up option, and a performance mirroring his recent games would make him a strong play.
Value
The Grizzlies continue to lose games by double digits, but rookie point guard Walter Clayton is coming off a career-high 20 points in his last game. He shot 6-for-11 from the field, including 4-for-6 from behind the arc, with four assists and three rebounds, accumulating 30.2 DraftKings points—which is great for his salary.
The Grizzlies are flooded with injuries at every position, but especially at guard. Ja Morant is out for the season, and Ty Jerome is in danger of missing his eighth straight game. That opens the door for Clayton to draw another start and play around 25 minutes again. He is simply a little too cheap for his production.
It is difficult to get carried away with Grizzlies players given their slate-low 111.5-point team total, but Clayton has shown he can be productive even in lopsided games. The Cavaliers have also been a below-average perimeter defense, which should make 3-pointers more accessible for the rookie sharpshooter.
Fast Break
De’Aaron Fox has been a boom-or-bust fantasy producer recently. He has the upside to record over 40 DraftKings points as he did two games ago, but he has had several 20-DraftKings-point games in his last seven contests. In his first full season with the Spurs, Fox has taken a back seat in the scoring department, averaging 18.5 points per game, but he has been efficient, shooting 48.8% from the field. However, priced in the mid-range, Fox is drawing the highest projected ownership at this position at 35%.
Filling in for Cade Cunningham is not an easy task, but second-year pro Daniss Jenkins has been great for the Pistons in Cunningham’s absence. In his last nine games without Cunningham, Jenkins is averaging 20.1 points, eight assists, and 39.6 DraftKings points per game. Jenkins has seen his salary rise to $7,300, but he is still drawing over 20% projected ownership. This game against the Magic has the lowest total on the slate, but Jenkins is playing too well to ignore. Roster him with confidence on this four-game 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
The Cavaliers are another team dealing with a plethora of injuries to their starting lineup. Keep an eye on the news, but Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, Dean Wade, and Sam Merrill also missed last night’s game due to injury maintenance. Donovan Mitchell played, recording 38 points and 56 DraftKings points.
If Mitchell is going to play on an island again, he will be one of the best plays on the slate. He posted a 42.7% usage rate yesterday and had six rebounds and six assists. Mitchell shot 16-for-27 from the field. The addition of James Harden has not slowed down the production from the Cavaliers’ sharpshooter.
In his only game against the Grizzlies this season, Mitchell scored 30 points with five rebounds and five assists. The Cavaliers have a slate-high 125-point team total and are double-digit favorites against the Grizzlies tonight. Even if the Cavaliers are fully healthy, Mitchell is still going to be a strong play tonight.
Value
Staying with the Cavaliers, Sam Merrill is expected to return after missing last night’s game. Merrill has been a consistent fantasy producer and has the second-highest projected Plus/Minus on the slate. He has also recorded over 20 DraftKings points in eight of his last nine games and only costs $4,400 tonight.
Since the All-Star break, the Grizzlies have a 5-20 record and rank 28th in defensive rating. The Cavaliers should have no problem lighting up the scoreboard in this matchup. This is especially an amazing spot for Merrill, with the Grizzlies allowing 14.1 3-pointers made and 38.6 3-pointers allowed per game this season.
Merrill is drawing the third-highest projected ownership on the slate at nearly 50%. He also has a 45.6% optimal lineup rate in our NBA Sims. When looking for value, Merrill is easily one of the best options. Continue to keep an eye on the Cavaliers’ news, but Merrill should be back in action for this showdown.
Fast Break
Veteran CJ McCollum has been a strong addition to the Hawks since joining them at the trade deadline. McCollum is averaging 18.6 points per game, and the Hawks have won 18 of their last 20 games. He is coming off one of his best games with the Hawks, scoring 25 points and dishing out seven assists for 42 DraftKings points. McCollum isn’t far behind Merrill with a 35.1% optimal lineup rate in our NBA Sims. The Hawks are 1.5-point home favorites against the Knicks tonight, which will be the best game on the slate.
When looking to dumpster dive for value, another veteran pops up. Caris LeVert, who is playing in his first season with the Pistons, has become a steady value player off the bench. Not only is Cade Cunningham out, but Duncan Robinson and Tobias Harris are both questionable to play. With those three players off the floor this season, LeVert has a team-high +3.3% usage rate and a +5.03 DraftKings Plus/Minus boost. Priced at only $3,700 with point guard and shooting guard eligibility, LeVert is a fantastic value option.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
The small forward position is weak on this four-game slate, and no one comes close to the projected ceiling of 76ers forward Paul George. After serving his 25-game suspension, George has returned with a vengeance. In his last six games, George is averaging 25.8 points and 48.3 DraftKings points per game.
Most of George’s recent production has come from his perimeter shooting. He has averaged 4.3 made 3-pointers per game, which would have him competing with Stephen Curry for the league’s best numbers. His peripherals have also been solid; he even pulled down 13 rebounds against the Hornets last week.
George struggled early with the 76ers but has taken off in this recent stretch run. The 76ers are nearly double-digit underdogs, so if they want to compete against one of the Western Conference’s best teams, George has to have a big game. He is by far the best small forward to target on this small slate.
Value
Even value plays are difficult to find at the small forward position. Cam Spencer, who has shooting guard and small forward eligibility, is popping with the highest projected Plus/Minus at this position, but he has missed the last two games due to injury. However, if Spencer is able to play tonight, he is the clear value.
In his second season with the Grizzlies, Spencer has seen his playing time spike due to the team’s injuries. This has resulted in Spencer averaging a career-high 11.1 points and 5.5 assists per game while shooting an impressive 44.7% from long distance and making two 3-pointers per game for the depleted Grizzlies roster.
Spencer’s ability to create offense has been a welcome sight for the Grizzlies. In his last three games, he is averaging 12.3 points, 7.7 assists, and 31.1 DraftKings points per game with one double-double. Spencer is another option who, if he is able to play, is going to be a strong value at his 30% projected ownership.
Fast Break
Dyson Daniels, priced in the mid-range at $6,500, has been consistent with spikes of upside for the Hawks. He continues to lead the Hawks in steals with two per game, but he has also increased his scoring output recently. Over a larger sample size in his last 16 games, Daniels is averaging 13.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 36.2 DraftKings points per game with six double-doubles. He has been productive against the Knicks in their two games, stuffing the stat sheet with 12 points, 8.5 assists, and seven rebounds per game.
Priced under $6,000, Ausar Thompson has the ability for a ceiling performance with Cunningham still nursing an injury. Similar to Daniels, Thompson can provide DraftKings points in a variety of ways. Two games ago against the Timberwolves, Thompson had a spectacular stat line with seven points, nine rebounds, nine assists, three blocks, and two steals. Despite not reaching double digits in any stat, he still recorded over 40 DraftKings points. He can do the same against the Magic in a highly contested game.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
Jalen Johnson, in his last 14 games, is averaging 22.8 points, 9.1 rebounds, 8.3 assists, and 50.2 DraftKings points per game with two triple-doubles and seven double-doubles. He is yet another player with the ability to accumulate DraftKings points in many different ways, and his scoring lately has been incredible.
Johnson is averaging career highs across the board in points, rebounds, and assists per game. He leads the Hawks in all three categories. Despite his volume increasing, Johnson is still shooting 49.3% from the field and a respectable 35.1% from distance. He is expensive at $10,500 but has been productive lately.
Johnson has the second-highest projected ceiling on this slate. He has a solid matchup against the Knicks, whom he has averaged a near triple-double against with 19 points, 11.5 assists, and 9.5 rebounds per game. He is an easy way to differentiate lineups in his pricing tier with his current 5% projected ownership.
Value
Tobias Harris is questionable, but if he plays, he is a near lock in cash-game contests tonight. Not only does Harris have the highest projected Plus/Minus at the power forward position, but he is projected for nearly 50% ownership and has a 49.6% optimal lineup rate, both of which are the highest at the position tonight.
Harris has recorded over 30 DraftKings points in eight of his last 11 games—one of which saw him play only six minutes due to injury. He has been consistent lately and has picked up the slack with Cunningham unable to play. There is more usage rate and shot volume to go around, and Harris has taken advantage.
Harris is reasonably priced at $5,600, which feels a little too cheap given his recent play. The Magic rank middle-of-the-pack in defensive rating but have been elite defending the 3-point arc. However, Harris finds most of his success in the mid-range. This all comes down to whether or not Harris is able to play.
Fast Break
With power forward and center eligibility, Evan Mobley is another player looking to return from injury. He has recorded a point-rebound double-double in three of his last four games and should be well-rested after missing the last game due to a calf injury. Not only have the Grizzlies been poor defensively, but they also have the worst rebounding rate at 43.9% since the All-Star break. They also rank 26th in points allowed per game in the paint at 52.9 points, making this a fantastic matchup for Mobley.
Paolo Banchero has been an extreme example of a boom-or-bust fantasy producer recently. Last game, Banchero erupted for 23 points, 16 rebounds, and six assists, accumulating 57 DraftKings points. However, he has posted 26 or fewer DraftKings points in three of his last five contests. It is difficult to know what to expect from Banchero, which makes him a tournament-only option. Franz Wagner is back, but he is still on a minutes restriction. Banchero is drawing less than 5% projected ownership, which is appealing on this slate.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Spurs big man Victor Wembanyama is currently projected for over 14 more ceiling points than any other player on this slate. He is also drawing the highest usage rate projection at 34.6%. Even with his high salary of $11,500, it is impossible to ignore how strong of a play Wembanyama is on any given slate.
Despite this being a small four-game slate, there is enough value to gain exposure to Wembanyama in this spot. He is drawing 25% projected ownership against an absurd 49% optimal lineup rate. Raw DraftKings points are valuable on small slates, so it will be important to at least match the field on his ownership.
Wembanyama has also been playing in a different world lately. In his last three games, he is averaging 38.7 points, 17.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 3.7 blocks, and 78.2 DraftKings points per game. He has recorded at least 15 rebounds in six straight games with 24 total blocks during that time. Keep it simple and play him.
Value
The most popular pairing with Wembanyama tonight will be Grizzlies center Olivier-Maxence Prosper. He is another player who has had to play increased minutes and has been productive, averaging 18 points and 28.7 DraftKings points per game in his last five games. Prosper is another value at the $4,400 salary.
Prosper has the highest projected Plus/Minus on this four-game slate and is drawing the highest projected ownership at over 50%. His optimal lineup rate is only 38.6%, but it is still recommended to get plenty of exposure to the Grizzlies center tonight. His scoring upside is too strong to ignore recently.
Prosper would also greatly benefit if the Cavaliers decided to sit out Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen again. With both playing, they are a defensive juggernaut, but if one or both sit, this spot gets way better for Prosper. He is an incredible value play regardless, but could look even better if the news drops his way.
Fast Break
Speaking of Jarrett Allen, if he is able to play, he gets the same juicy matchup as his teammate Evan Mobley. Allen hasn’t missed a beat since returning from injury. In his last three games, Allen is averaging 17.3 points, nine rebounds, and 32.4 DraftKings points per game with two double-doubles. His third double-double in four games is firmly on the table against a depleted Grizzlies frontcourt. The best part of Allen is his $2,000 discount from Mobley. That is resulting in 26% projected ownership tonight.
Karl-Anthony Towns is coming off the fourth triple-double of his career in his last game. He had the same juicy matchup against the Grizzlies and took advantage with 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists in only 29 minutes of action in the Knicks’ 130-119 victory. This matchup against the Hawks isn’t too concerning either, given their lack of size. They rank below-average in both points allowed in the paint and rebounds per game. Towns has power forward and center eligibility, making him easy to fit into all lineup builds.
Pictured: Victor Wembanyama
Photo Credit: Imagn
