The NBA closes out February with five games on the schedule this Saturday. After two matinee matchups, three games make up the DFS fantasy basketball slate on DraftKings, which tips off at 7:00 p.m. ET, when the Wizards welcome the Raptors to Washington. None of the six teams is playing for a second straight day, but the Lakers and Pelicans are playing again on Sunday. As always at this time of the season, fantasy managers need to keep a close eye on the injury reports, especially for those teams playing on either side of the back-to-back games. As the availability of players is finalized throughout the day, the models will change and adjust, so be sure to check back before tip-off.
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
In the FantasyLabs projections, Luka Doncic has the highest ceiling, median, and floor projections of all players on the slate. He leads the Lakers on the road in the marquee matchup of the night to face the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco. Doncic will have to go off to deliver value on his hefty salary of $11,800, but he has the potential to post a giant number whenever he’s on the floor.
On Thursday, he had 68.5 DraftKings points on 41 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists in 39 minutes in a close loss to the Suns. The Lakers have now dropped three straight, but Luka has at least 59 DraftKings points in three of his four games since the All-Star break.
Luka has fallen just short of a triple-double in each of his last two games and is getting massive usage in every contest. Since he has such a high ceiling and floor with his elevated usage, he’s a good choice to pay up for if you can find the savings in other spots.
Value
Pelicans point guard Jordan Poole has the highest Projected Plus/Minus on the entire slate this Saturday. New Orleans will be without both Trey Murphy III (shoulder) and Dejounte Murray (reconditioning) for Saturday’s rematch with the Jazz after New Orleans won the first game of the two-game series in Utah on Thursday, 129-118.
Poole is only $4,000 but has shown good upside since reentering the Pelicans rotation. He had 23 points and 38.75 DraftKings points last Saturday against the 76ers and followed that up with 12 points and 24.5 DraftKings points on Tuesday against the Warriors.
He only played 10 minutes on Thursday in Utah, but Murray’s absence should open up a ton of playing time in what should be a smash matchup against the Jazz, who allow the most DraftKings points per game to point guards in the NBA. We’ll come back to the Pelicans a lot for value this Saturday since they have the highest implied team total on the board according to our Vegas dashboard.
Fast Break
Immanuel Quickley has the third-highest ceiling projection at the position and is in a great spot against the Wizards, who have allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to point guards in the NBA. Quickley has had a pair of quiet games this week, but he went off for 52.25 DraftKings points last Sunday against the Bucks, so the potential is definitely there.
Poole’s teammate, Jeremiah Fears, has the second-highest Plus/Minus projection at point guard. The rookie has 20+ DraftKings points in each of his last six games, highlighted by a big game against the Heat that earned him 43 DraftKings points just before the All-Star break. He could move into the starting lineup or continue to come off the bench, but either way, he should get enough playing time to shine against Utah.
Jamal Shead has scored at least 12 points in three straight games for the Raptors and continues to chip in good assist numbers as well. He can be a solid mid-priced option against the Wizards if you don’t trust the Pelicans’ value plays.
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
When breaking down a slate, it can be helpful to have a second perspective, and one way to get that is by adding the ShotQuality projections to your models. In the ShotQuality projections, Brandin Podziemski stands out as one of the best options at shooting guard since he has the second-highest median, ceiling, and floor projections at the position and a much better Plus/Minus projection than the other options around him (and who are much more expensive).
Podziemski has exceeded salary-based expectations in four straight games coming out of the All-Star break. He had two huge games with 43.75 DraftKings points and 53.75 DraftKings points against the Nuggets and Pelicans and has posted over 33 DraftKings points in each of his four games since the break. He has averaged 11.3 rebounds to go with his 16.0 points per game in those four contests, giving him even more value as he contributes strong work on the glass.
He’ll continue to help carry the load for Golden State without Steph Curry (knee), although Kristaps Porzingis could also help on offense since he is questionable after missing three games with an illness. Podziemski is a high-upside play alongside Porzingis or if he has to do even more to help the Warriors keep up with the Lakers.
Value
The second-highest Plus/Minus projection at shooting guard in both sets of projections is from Bryce McGowens, who will also be part of the Pelicans’ solution in the backcourt along with Fears and Poole. McGowens is even cheaper at $3,400 and could get the starting nod depending on how the Pelicans want to shape their rotation.
McGowens isn’t a prototypical point guard, but the versatile wing has shown some very good upside, chipping in strong bargain production since rejoining the rotation after converting his two-way contract into a standard deal.
After not playing for seven straight games toward the end of January, McGowens has played in each of his team’s last seven contests, producing 9.9 points, 2.0 assists, 2.0 rebounds, and 0.9 steals in 25.6 minutes per game. He has exceeded salary-based expectations in five of those seven contests and typically finds a way to produce value.
On Thursday against Utah, he had eight points, five rebounds, and 20.75 DraftKings points in 31 minutes in the first game of this set.
Fast Break
Against the Wizards, Brandon Ingram has the highest median, ceiling, and floor projection at shooting guard, but his salary is $8,800, which is a little high compared to his projections from a Plus/Minus perspective.
Austin Reaves is another high-priced option with great upside, but his Plus/Minus isn’t quite as strong as Podziemski’s since his usage is less secure with Luka and LeBron James available to carry the Lakers. Reaves does have big upside but is a boom-or-bust play at his salary of almost $8,000.
The Lakers have a couple of cheap shooting guards who also have spike potential if they get going from long range. Luke Kennard and Jake LaRavia both have streaky scoring upside and good Plus/Minus projections from their salaries under $4,000. LaRavia had 11 points and 23.25 DraftKings points on Thursday, so he comes in with slightly better momentum.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
In a smash spot against the Jazz, Saddiq Bey has the highest median, ceiling, and floor projection at small forward in both sets of projections, and his Plus/Minus projection is also one of the highest at the position.
Bey has been huge for the Pelicans this season, averaging 17.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 30.9 DraftKings points per game. He’s often picked up the slack as the rest of the team has dealt with injuries and has been in and out of the rotation.
On Thursday, he hit up the Jazz for 42 points and 60.2 DraftKings points, continuing an impressive run since the All-Star break. He averaged 25.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists over the last four games and should continue to get extra scoring chances while Murphy is out.
Value
On the Jazz side of the late game, John Konchar stands out as a good value option. Lauri Markkanen (hip) is out, and Keyonte George (ankle) is questionable, leaving usage and opportunities for the rest of Utah’s rotation, although it can be tricky to forecast exactly how things will fall given the team’s priorities and motivation.
Konchar has been busy in the last four games for the Jazz, starting two of his last three, including Thursday’s game against New Orleans. He has at least three steals in each of those games and has chipped in decent points, rebounds, and assists to accumulate at least 19 DraftKings points in each contest, with a high point of 29.2 DraftKings points against the Trail Blazers.
While he doesn’t typically get a ton of usage and scoring, his non-scoring numbers give him a high floor at his bargain salary of $4,300.
Fast Break
Jazz rookie Ace Bailey had 23 points and 34 DraftKings points against the Pelicans on Thursday and has a volatile ceiling in the rematch. Bailey should get plenty of usage without Markkanen and is one of the most reliable members of the Jazz’s shaky rotation.
Pelicans forward Herbert Jones has exceeded salary-based expectations in three straight games, consistently posting between 23 and 26 DraftKings points. Like Konchar, he usually doesn’t score a ton of points, but his good defense and large workload of minutes make him a low-risk play from his salary.
Jamir Watkins had his two-way contract converted to a standard deal on Thursday and has exceeded salary-based expectations in 10 straight games, including Thursday’s loss to the Hawks. Watkins played 27 minutes in that game and finished with 22.5 DraftKings points. He has 20+ DraftKings points in six straight games and should continue to get plenty of playing time against the Raptors, especially if Will Riley (ankle) or Kyshawn George (knee) are out on Saturday.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
Zion Williamson has the highest median, ceiling, and floor projections at power forward in both sets of projections and is second to Luka Doncic for the top marks on the entire slate. His salary of $8,500 gives him a much better Plus/Minus projection than Luka’s, and he can be a core play as he leads the Pelicans against the Jazz.
Zion had 20 points and 40.5 DraftKings points in Thursday’s game against the Jazz, and he has exceeded salary-based expectations in three straight games with at least 39 DraftKings points in each contest.
When he’s healthy, Williamson can still be one of the top options on any slate, and a great matchup against the Jazz makes him a good place to start your rosters on Saturday.
Value
Behind only Konchar, Bilal Coulibaly has the second-highest Plus/Minus projection at power forward in both sets of projections. Coulibaly has shown that he can carry the load if needed, but he can also work well with Kyshawn George if George is ready to return.
Coulibaly had exceeded salary-based expectations with at least 26 DraftKings points in four straight games before a slower game on Thursday against Atlanta. He still had 10 points and five rebounds in that contest, but he only produced one assist and one steal.
The team is still being cautious with the workload of the 21-year-old forward, who is still playing under 25 minutes in most matchups. He’s still able to be productive enough to return value at this salary, though, and if he gets more work, he would have an even higher ceiling.
Fast Break
Scottie Barnes always has the potential to go off in one category or in multiple categories at once and post a monster game. He has been relatively quiet since the All-Star break and only had 29 DraftKings points against the Spurs, but he’s in a good “get-right” spot against the Wizards. He’s riskier and more expensive than Zion, but he does still bring good upside.
LeBron James has the third-highest median and ceiling projection at power forward in the FantasyLabs projections, although the ShotQuality projections have him a little lower. James’ numbers have been down since the All-Star break, and he has been under salary-based expectations in each of his last four games since Luka’s return. He still has huge spike upside but isn’t regularly producing at the level of Zion or Barnes.
After sitting out Tuesday’s game against the Pelicans, Horford returned on Wednesday and started against the Grizzlies. He had 10 points, seven boards, and 26.25 DraftKings points in that game and was even more impressive with 45.75 DraftKings points against the Nuggets last Sunday. If he makes another start in place of Kristaps Porzingis, Big Al still has enough in the tank to be a solid mid-range play at $5,700 at either center or power forward.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Without Lauri Markkanen on Saturday and Jaren Jackson Jr., Jusuf Nurkic, and Walker Kessler for the rest of the season, Kyle Filipowski should get plenty of minutes in the middle. He has the highest median, ceiling, and floor projections at center on Saturday, although he still remains risky due to the volatility in his playing time from night to night.
Filipowski had 13 points, six rebounds, and 22.5 DraftKings points in just 18 minutes on Thursday. He played more minutes just before and after the break, logging 28 and 30 minutes and producing 39.5 and 42.2 DraftKings points.
There’s definitely bust potential given the uncertain rotation, but there’s also lots of upside if Filipowski plays a full workload.
Value
After missing over 20 games with back issues, Jakob Poeltl has been productive for the Raptors. He started two games and came off the bench for two games since his return, and he had his best performance of the stretch on Wednesday against his former team, the Spurs.
Poeltl played 28 minutes and racked up 15 points and seven rebounds on his way to 34.75 DraftKings points. It was his most minutes sand fantasy points since before the injury, and it shows he can still put up good numbers when given the opportunities.
On Saturday, he’ll take on the Wizards, who have been the second-best matchup in the NBA for centers this season. Poeltl is not on the injury report and should be ready to roll for this matchup, and if he gets the workload, he has the potential for big value at his $4,300 salary. He has the second-highest Plus/Minus projection of all centers on Saturday in both sets of projections
Fast Break
Without Murray, Derik Queen could reenter the starting lineup for the Pelicans if the team opts to go with a big lineup. The 21-year-old rookie has only had 21.2 and 16.8 DraftKings points in his two games since moving to the bench, but he has the potential to stuff the stat sheet if more minutes come his way in this favorable matchup in Utah.
Especially if Tristan Vukcevic (hip, questionable) is out, Anthony Gill could play plenty of minutes in the middle for the Wizards. He has played over 30 minutes in three of his last five games and has scored over 21 DraftKings points in four of those five contests.
If you have to go ultra-cheap at center, veteran Kevin Love has the highest plus/minus projection at the position. He posted 26.25 and 25.0 DraftKings points in his last two games. He’s only $3,800 for this rematch with the Pelicans and is not on the injury report. If he continues to get playing time behind Filipowski, the 37-year-old is still a bargain option to consider in his 18th year in the NBA.
