Sunday features a four-game main slate starting at 1 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
No one gave the 76ers much of a chance to knock off the Celtics in this series. They’re playing without Joel Embiid, while Boston has had a tremendous season.
However, Tyrese Maxey has managed to keep things competitive. They pulled off an upset in Boston in Game 2, but they suffered a close defeat in Game 3. Maxey finished with at least 53.0 DraftKings points in both outings, and he played nearly 42.5 minutes in his last contest.
Maxey should be looking at another monster workload in a must-win Game 4. He should get back to 40-plus minutes, and Maxey has averaged 1.34 DraftKings points per minute with Embiid off the floor this season. He has the clear top ceiling projection at point guard, and he stands out as one of the best pure values as well. Maxey was routinely priced above $10,000 with Embiid sidelined during the regular season, but he’s still available at just $9,100.
Value
The Blazers were unable to get past the Spurs without Victor Wembanyama in Game 3, but they gave them everything they could handle. Wembanyama remains in the concussion protocol, so there’s a good chance that he’s sidelined once again in Game 4. The Spurs’ defense is much more mortal without Wembanyama on the floor, making the matchup more favorable for the Blazers.
Scoot Henderson has had a tumultuous start to his NBA career, but he’s turned in back-to-back strong playoff outings. He’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in back-to-back games, and he knocked down five 3-pointers in his last outing. His 3-point jump shot has been one of his biggest weaknesses, so that’s potentially a nice development.
Henderson has averaged 0.94 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and he logged more than 36 minutes in Game 3. With a comparable workload, he’s a great bet to return value at just $5,100.
Fast Break
Amen Thompson continues to play all the minutes he can possibly handle for the shorthanded Rockets. They were without Kevin Durant once again in Game 3, and Thompson finished with 58.75 DraftKings points across 48.4 minutes in the overtime loss. With the team facing elimination, and Durant questionable once again, no one is expected to see more minutes Sunday than Thompson. He’s averaged 1.09 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, so he’s capable of doing damage with that much playing time.
Derrick White has been pretty dismal so far in the playoffs. That said, we know what he’s capable of, and he’s not going to shoot the ball poorly forever. He’s just 10-for-34 from the field and 5-for-25 from 3-point range through his first three outings, and when his jumper eventually starts falling, he has the potential to provide nice value at $6,300. He’s a solid buy-low option who shouldn’t command much ownership.
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
With Wembanyama out of the lineup for Game 3, Stephon Castle was asked to pick up the slack for the Spurs. He responded in a big way, posting a 33.7% usage rate en route to 33 points. He added five assists, two rebounds, and one steal, bringing his fantasy total to 44.5 DraftKings points in 34.1 minutes.
That doesn’t stand out as a huge outlier. Castle saw a team-high +4.56% usage bump with Wembanyama off the floor during the regular season, and he averaged 1.22 DraftKings points per minute in that split. In eight full games without Wembanyama, he racked up 36.04 DraftKings points in fewer than 30 minutes per game.
If Wembanyama is sidelined once again, Castle should be looking at another expanded workload. It would give him a comparable ceiling to the highest-priced options at the position at a slight discount.
Value
Reed Sheppard continues to struggle with his jumper, but the Rockets had no choice but to ride with him in Game 3. With Durant out of the lineup, Sheppard is one of the few remaining guys on the roster who can give them some spacing. He finished with just under 46 minutes in that contest, and he responded with 42.0 DraftKings points.
Sheppard did that despite shooting just 6-for-21 from the field and 4-for-13 from 3-point range. With some better shooting luck, he could be looking at a monster game for his price tag.
The big caveat here is Durant. If he’s able to return to the lineup for Game 4, Sheppard’s playing time could plummet. He saw just 10.6 minutes in Game 2 with Durant active, so make sure to monitor the injury report for updates.
Fast Break
Dylan Harper also turned in a fantastic performance for the Spurs in Game 3. He’s been the ultimately luxury item for the Spurs during his rookie season. He hasn’t been asked to carry the load often, but when he has, he’s passed every test with flying colors. Harper saw just under 30 minutes of action in Game 3, and he racked up 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 51.0 DraftKings points. Despite that fact, his salary has actually decreased for Game 4 on DraftKings. He would undoubtedly be worth consideration if Wembanyama is out again.
The Lakers are another team dealing with injuries to start the playoffs, with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves missing each of the first three games. Reaves was upgraded to questionable for their last contest before ultimately getting ruled out, so there is a chance he returns Sunday. However, with the team up 3-0, the Lakers could also choose to exercise caution. Regardless, Luke Kennard’s spot in the rotation should be safe. He’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in all three contests, and he’s had at least 37 DraftKings points in two of them. Overall, he’s averaged 0.91 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and he’s logged at least 42 minutes in back-to-back games.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
Deni Avdija is coming off a down performance in Game 3, but he has still turned in some excellent fantasy showings in recent weeks. He’s gone for at least 50.0 DraftKings points in four of his past six games, including 72.25 in the Play-In Tournament victory over the Suns. Very few players in fantasy are capable of getting to that figure on a consistent basis, but Avdija is one of them.
Avdija has averaged 1.37 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, which is the top mark among Sunday’s small forwards. It’s the fourth-highest mark on the slate overall, giving Avdija one of the higher ceilings.
Value
It’s impossible to overlook what Marcus Smart has done for the Lakers. He has helped keep the team afloat amid their recent injuries. He’s wreaked havoc on both ends of the floor, recording at least 21 points, seven assists, and five steals in back-to-back outings. Smart has posted a positive Plus/Minus in all three contests, and he’s scored at least 51.0 DraftKings points in two straight.
As long as Reaves and Doncic are sidelined, Smart should continue to carry a heavy burden for Los Angeles. He’s played at least 33.6 minutes in three straight games, and Smart has averaged an elite 1.26 DraftKings points per minute over the past month. His price tag has crept up to $6,000 on DraftKings, but that still seems too cheap.
Fast Break
R.J. Barrett has posted back-to-back strong showings for the Raptors, including 54.75 DraftKings points in the Game 3 upset victory. His playing time has been on the rise during the postseason, logging at least 37.7 minutes in his past two contests. Barrett has averaged 1.11 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, so he should continue to provide value with that much playing time.
Tari Eason is another member of the Rockets who saw a massive workload in Game 3. He finished with just under 46 minutes, though he scored just 20.5 DraftKings points. Still, that much playing time should lead to good things at his price tag. Players with comparable salaries have historically averaged a Plus/Minus of +7.59 with at least 32 minutes (per the Trends tool), making Eason a strong bounceback target.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
We’re running out of words to describe LeBron James. He continues to do things in his 23rd season that frankly shouldn’t be possible. He entered the league with higher expectations than basically any player in history, and he has somehow still exceeded them.
James has been asked to carry a larger load for the Lakers with Reaves and Doncic sidelined, and he’s responded with a positive Plus/Minus in all three games. He played more than 45 minutes in Friday’s overtime win, so it’s possible that he’s a bit exhausted for Sunday’s Game 4. Still, this is LeBron we’re talking about. Nothing has been able to slow him down yet, and the Lakers know they have a long rest ahead of them if they can finish off the sweep. Expect them to keep their foot on the gas pedal.
Value
Sticking with the Lakers, Rui Hachimura has also helped pick up the slack. He’s played more than 40 minutes in each playoff contest, and while he’s not the greatest per-minute producer, that’s a lot of playing time for someone priced at just $5,200. He’s unsurprisingly posted a positive Plus/Minus in all three contests, including 33.5 DraftKings points in Game 4. He doesn’t have the strongest ceiling, but he’s a good bet to return value once again.
Fast Break
Jayson Tatum was the big reason why the Celtics got across the finish line in Game 3. His usage rate continues to be a bit down compared to previous seasons, but his efficiency is way up. He’s racking up stats in every category across the board, and he’s posted an average Plus/Minus of +6.04 across his past 10 games. He’s averaged 1.49 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, which is the top mark among Sunday’s players (excluding Wembanyama). It’s very close between him and James for the top spot at power forward, and I certainly don’t blame you if you prefer Tatum.
Jabari Smith Jr. is yet another member of the Rockets who is playing all the minutes he can handle. He saw 43.7 minutes in Game 3, and that was the fewest amount in the entire starting five. The team essentially went to a five-man rotation sans Durant on Friday, so all five guys would have plenty of appeal if that situation arises again for Game 4. Smith, in particular, has posted a positive Plus/Minus in all three playoff outings, so his role should be safe even if Durant returns.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Alperen Sengun rounds out the Rockets’ starting five, and he put forth a herculean effort in Game 3. It should have been enough to secure a victory, if not for some late heroics from James and Smart and some boneheaded mistakes from his team.
Sengun played 46.9 minutes in the overtime contest and dominated with 33 points, 16 rebounds, six assists, three steals, and a block. He finished with 70.5 DraftKings points, his second straight game with at least 54.25.
Sengun has averaged 1.40 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and he is clearly underpriced at $8,200. He arguably has more upside than every player on this slate if Wembanyama and Durant are sidelined, despite checking in with just the sixth-highest price tag.
Value
Jakob Poeltl has had a disastrous season for the Raptors, which has opened the door for talented rookie Collin Murray-Boyles. The Raptors have given him more responsibilities in each consecutive game, and he’s added to his fantasy total in each contest. He finished with 24.5 DraftKings points in 20.5 minutes in Game 1, but he was all the way up to 38.0 DraftKings points and 28.3 minutes in Game 3.
Expect Murray-Boyles’ role to only continue growing. He’s posted a Plus/Minus of at least +13.03 in back-to-back games, and he has the potential to be one of the strongest value options of the day.
Fast Break
There isn’t much separating Sunday’s eight teams from a Vegas standpoint, but the Cavaliers are tied with the Spurs for the top implied team total. Evan Mobley has yet to truly make “the leap,” but he has posted a positive Plus/Minus in back-to-back games. He had 38.0 DraftKings points in Game 3 despite shooting just 4-13 from the field, so he has the potential for a better showing Sunday.
Like Murray-Boyles, Robert Williams is another player whose role appears to be growing. He’s been extremely impactful on a per-minute basis, and he got up to 25 minutes in Game 3 vs. the Spurs. He finished with 30.25 DraftKings points in that contest, giving him a solid ceiling at just $4,400.
Pictured: Tyrese Maxey
Photo Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski, Imagn
