Sunday features a four-game main slate starting at 6 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
There are only eight teams to choose from on Sunday’s main slate, but point guard is absolutely loaded. Five players are priced at $8,800 or higher, including three above $10,000.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has the best projections of the group, but it’s hard to look past what Tyrese Maxey has done this season. He’s averaging more than 33 points per game, and he’s carrying one of the largest workloads in basketball. He’s currently projected for 38 minutes in our NBA Models, and all that playing time has led to some huge performances. Maxey has posted an average Plus/Minus of +8.00 to start the year, and he’s had at least 60.5 DraftKings points in five of nine outings.
Maxey is going to have to do even more than usual Sunday. The team will be on the second leg of a back-to-back, so Joel Embiid will almost certainly get the night off. Embiid poured in 29 points with a team-high 33.2% usage rate in Saturday’s contest, so his absence will leave a big void in the lineup. Maxey hasn’t seen the largest usage bump with Embiid off the floor this season (+1.49%), but it still gives him a bit more upside than usual.
Value
The Nets are going to be really, really bad this season. They don’t have a ton of NBA-caliber talent on their roster, at least for the time being. They drafted five different players in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft, so it’s possible that one of them develops into something over time.
Egor Demin was the team’s top selection (eighth overall), and he’s coming off a strong showing in his last outing. He racked up 24.75 DraftKings points in 23.1 minutes, and he should continue to see a boost in value with Cam Thomas out of the lineup. He’s increased his production to 0.92 DraftKings points per minute with Thomas off the floor this season, and he’s projected for another 23 minutes Sunday vs. the Knicks.
Fast Break
Derrick White is off to a slow start this season. His usage rate is up compared to last year, which is not surprising with Jayson Tatum injured and Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, and Al Horford all gone. However, he’s shot just 33.3% from the field and 26.4% from 3-point range. Once his shot starts falling, he has the potential to crush his current price tag. We’ve already started to see some positive regression, with White posting a positive Plus/Minus in each of his past three games. That includes a season-high 43.0 DraftKings points vs. the Magic on Friday.
Jalen Suggs is still being eased into the rotation for the Magic, and he’s been capped at around 20 minutes per game. However, he’s been extremely efficient when he’s been on the floor. He’s averaged 1.26 DraftKings points per minute, and he’s scored at least 25.75 DraftKings points in back-to-back games. Now that he’s down to $4,800, he’s worth considering vs. the Celtics.
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
Quentin Grimes could be the biggest beneficiary of Embiid’s absence. He’s been an absolute monster in his three games without the star big man this season, averaging 1.28 DraftKings points per minute. He’s also averaged just under 30 minutes per game in those outings, resulting in 38.25 DraftKings points per game.
Grimes is projected for 30 minutes Sunday vs. the Pistons, and his price tag has decreased by nearly $1,000 since the start of the year. He’s historically averaged a Plus/Minus of +2.60 with a comparable salary and minutes projection (per the Trends tool), so he should be able to return value with Embiid sidelined.
Value
The Pistons are currently dealing with a handful of absences. Jaden Ivey and Tobias Harris have been out of the lineup recently, and they’re expected to be joined by Isaiah Stewart on Sunday. He’s currently listed as doubtful, so the team is going to be a bit thin in the frontcourt.
That should result in a few extra minutes for Javonte Green. He’s projected for 24 minutes vs. the 76ers, and that should be enough for him to potentially return value. Historically, players with comparable salaries and minutes projections have averaged a Plus/Minus of +1.57, and Green leads the position in projected Plus/Minus on Sunday.
Fast Break
Jordan Clarkson has given the Knicks’ bench some added scoring punch this season. He hasn’t been asked to play extensively, but he’s averaged 8.9 points in 16.0 minutes per game. He’s averaged 0.83 DraftKings points per minute, and he could see a few additional minutes if Sunday’s game turns into a blowout. The Knicks are currently listed as 15.5-point favorites, so that’s not a huge stretch.
V.J. Edgecombe has cooled off significantly following a torrid start to his rookie season, posting a negative Plus/Minus in five of his past six games. That said, perhaps Embiid’s absence will get him going a bit. He’s seen a +3.35% usage bump with Embiid off the floor this season, which is the second-largest mark on the squad. He has the second-highest ceiling projection at a very weak position, so he’s worth some consideration.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
Michael Porter Jr. is set up for a career year in Brooklyn. He no longer has to share the ball with guys like Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, so he’s free to get up as many shots as he wants. That’s been particularly true with Thomas out of the lineup recently. He’s posted a 33.6% usage rate over his past four outings, and he’s racked up at least 39.75 DraftKings points in each.
Porter has also been chipping on the glass more than usual. He has at least nine boards in three of his past four contests, and he’s gotten to double-digits in two of them. If he can continue to produce in the peripheral categories, he should be able to deliver solid production at his $7,200 price tag.
Porter ultimately leads the position in projected Plus/Minus, and he’s second in projected ceiling. That’s a pretty nice combination.
Value
Ausar Thompson stands out as one of the better pure values at the position on DraftKings. His $6,600 salary comes with an 86% Bargain Rating, which is easily the best mark among players priced above $3,100. Jaylen Brown ranks second in that department, and he’s only at 61%.
Thompson has always been an excellent per-minute contributor, and he’s averaged 1.12 DraftKings points per minute so far this season. He’s also getting the opportunity to play a bit more given the team’s injury situation. He’s logged at least 31 minutes in back-to-back games, and he’s responded with at least 35.0 DraftKings points in both. Thompson should see a comparable workload Sunday, so he’s underpriced at $6,600.
Fast Break
Brown has the top ceiling projection at small forward, and he has been an absolute demon as a scorer recently. He’s posted a 39.8% usage rate over his past four games, and he’s scored at least 30 points in five of his past six. The lone exception was a game where he saw just 21.7 minutes, so he’s an extremely safe investment at $8,200. He gets an additional bump in leagues that reward you for rubbing your hairline off on other people’s jerseys.
Ron Holland is another potential option for the Pistons. He’s not projected for quite as many minutes as Thompson, but he’s significantly cheaper at $4,900. He’s also been a strong per-minute producer (0.95 DraftKings points per minute), so he doesn’t need a ton of playing time to potentially return value.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
It’s been an up-and-down season for Karl-Anthony Towns, but the highs have been pretty darn high. He’s coming off a down showing in his last outing, but he had 62.25 and 52.25 DraftKings points in his previous two contests. That gives him a nice ceiling at just $8,700.
There’s definitely some blowout concern for the Knicks on Sunday, but they also have immense upside in this matchup. Brooklyn is off to a historically bad start on offense, and the Knicks’ 121.5 implied team total ranks second on the slate. Towns also leads the position with a +2.23 Opponent Plus/Minus, so he should be extremely productive for however long he’s on the floor.
Value
Trendon Watford is one of the easiest plays of the day. He moved into the 76ers’ starting lineup on Saturday, and he put together a masterful performance. He finished with a triple-double, racking up 20 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists en route to 62.75 DraftKings points.
Watford played 36.5 minutes in that contest, and with Embiid likely out Sunday, there’s no reason to expect any different. He’s averaged 1.21 DraftKings points per minute for the year, and he’s seen a team-high +3.46% usage bump with Embiid off the floor.
He’s one of the clear best values of the day, and his optimal lineup rate in Sim Labs is checking in above 70%. Watford is going to carry massive ownership, but he’s nearly impossible to fade.
Fast Break
Noah Clowney has played at least 29.6 minutes in three straight games, and he’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in each of them. He hasn’t been great on a per-minute basis, but he’s getting more than enough volume to satisfy his $4,400 price tag. Players with comparable salaries and minute projections have historically averaged a Plus/Minus of +2.53. Only Watford has a better projected Plus/Minus at the position, and Clowney has the fourth-highest mark on the slate overall.
The Thunder have the top implied team total on the slate, and they’ve been an absolute wagon to start the year. They’re 8-1 and tops in the league in Net Rating, despite the fact that they haven’t had Jalen Williams for a single game. They’re going to be a bit shorthanded Sunday, but Chet Holmgren should be available. He always brings a big ceiling to the table, and the Grizzlies stand out as an excellent opponent; they’re fifth in pace and 20th in defensive efficiency to start the year.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Jalen Duren has been an absolute monster recently, racking up at least 50.75 DraftKings points in three of his past four games. He’s done that despite playing 30.2 minutes or fewer in two of them, and it’s possible he picks up a few additional minutes if Stewart is ruled out as expected.
Duren leads the position with an average of 1.47 DraftKings points per minute, so the prospect of a few additional minutes is extremely appealing. He has the second-highest optimal lineup rate at center, and he’s one of the strongest pay-up options on the slate.
Value
Neemias Queta has taken over as the Celtics’ starting center this season, and he’s basically held his own. He’s averaging 8.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game, despite averaging just 23.6 minutes.
Queta was up to more than 30 minutes in his last outing, and he torched the Wizards for 43.0 DraftKings points in the game prior. Those are both positive signs for his outlook moving forward. He ultimately ranks second at the position in projected Plus/Minus, and he’s third in optimal lineup rate.
Fast Break
Like Porter, Nic Claxton has seen some added offensive responsibilities sans Thomas in his past few games. He’s taken full advantage, posting a positive Plus/Minus in five straight, with three games of more than 40 DraftKings points. He’s averaged 1.13 DraftKings points per minute for the year, and he’s currently projected for 30 minutes in our NBA Models. Claxton is still massively underpriced at just $6,100.
Paul Reed could see a few additional minutes for the Pistons if Stewart is ruled out. He got up to 15.1 minutes in the game Stewart exited early, and he responded with 20.5 DraftKings points. Reed is a fantastic per-minute producer, so he doesn’t need a ton of opportunities to pay off his $3,400 price tag.
Pictured: Tyrese Maxey, Trendon Watford
Photo Credit: Bill Streicher, Imagn
