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
Despite ranking ninth in salary at this position, Jalen Brunson leads all point guards in projected ceiling and is one of the best pure plays on the slate. Before the All-Star Break, Brunson scored 36+ points in three of his last five games. The Knicks will be without Josh Hart, while OG Anunoby is questionable after missing the last five games. With Hart and Anunoby off the floor this year, Brunson has a +6.89% usage rate and a team-high +4.74 DraftKings Plus/Minus (per our Trends tool). He is a great play in all formats.
The Knicks are 12.5-point home favorites against the Bulls, who have lost four straight games. They have a slate-high 127.5-point implied team total, while the Bulls rank 27th in defensive rating and third in pace. In his two games against the Bulls this year, Brunson is averaging 28.5 points and eight assists per game while shooting 50% from the field. At $8,400, Brunson is one of the best plays on the slate tonight.
Value
Chris Paul has taken a major step back in his scoring production, averaging less than double-digit points per game in back-to-back seasons. However, with Victor Wembanyama doubtful to play, Paul will likely need to take on more of a scoring role for the Spurs. With Wembanyama off the floor this season, Paul has a team-high +5.25% usage rate and a +4.17 DraftKings Plus/Minus. His assist rate balloons to 39%.
The Spurs are 4.5-point home underdogs against the Suns, but this game has the third-highest total on the slate at 237 points. Despite the addition of De’Aaron Fox, Paul is still averaging 25.3 DraftKings points per game playing alongside him in their last five games. Without Wembanyama, they both will need to step up. Paul has the third-highest projected Plus/Minus at this position and is favorably priced at $5,300.
Editor’s note: Wembanyama is expected to miss the rest of the season.
Fast Break
The last game before the All-Star Break, Trae Young erupted against the Knicks for 38 points and 19 assists. Something about playing in Madison Square Young brings out the best in ‘Ice Trae.’ The matchup tonight for Young will be much more difficult against the Magic, who rank third in defensive rating and play at the second-slowest pace in the league. Young still has the second-highest projected ceiling behind Brunson at the point guard position and is a great way to differentiate a lineup with his low projected 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 dual guard eligibility, De’Aaron Fox leads the shooting guard position with the highest projected ceiling and has the second-highest projected Plus/Minus on the entire slate. Priced just below $8,000, Fox is the best mid-range play available. He has only played 58 minutes without Wembanyama on the court but has posted a team-high +15.09 Net Rating. Fox has scored 22+ points in four of his last five games.
With the Spurs, Fox is shooting 50% from the field and is averaging a career-high 7.8 assists per game. The Suns have the offensive firepower but struggle defensively. They rank 25th in defensive rating, while opponents are averaging 115 points per game against them. Fox played the Suns twice when he was with the Kings and averaged a near double-double with 25 points and nine assists per game, shooting 52.5%.
Value
Priced near the stone minimum, Knicks’ backup guard Cameron Payne has been a key addition to the Knicks this season. The journeyman has recorded a positive Plus/Minus in four straight games, averaging 10 points, 4.8 assists, and 19.4 DraftKings points per game. Even with a 15-minute projection, it will not take much for Payne to return value at his $3,300 price tag. He is ideal for a stars and scrubs lineup build.
With the Knicks being a heavy favorite, Payne also has a chance to rack up garbage time. The Bulls have no desire to compete for a playoff spot after trading away Zach LaVine. When on the floor, Payne is an active part of their offense. During his last four-game stretch, he averaged a near 25% usage rate per game. Payne is a cheap way to get exposure to the highest team total on this nine-game slate tonight.
Fast Break
Devin Booker is a strong bring-back for all of those Spurs lineup builds. He has the second-highest projected ceiling at the shooting guard position. Booker has been a major boom-or-bust fantasy producer recently. In his last four games, Booker has had one ceiling performance, recording 74 DraftKings points against the Jazz, and three poor games, averaging just 30.9 DraftKings points per game. Which Booker will show up is anyone’s guess, which makes him a strong contrarian tournament option.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
Jayson Tatum had a hot finish before the All-Star Break with three consecutive games recording at least 50 DraftKings points. He did most of his damage scoring the ball, averaging 35 points, while adding 9.3 rebounds per game during that time. Tatum continues to lead the Celtics in points, rebounds, assists, and usage rate per game. His consistency makes him a fantastic cash game option at his $10,000 price tag.
The 76ers finally get Joel Embiid back from injury, but it remains to be seen how productive he will be. With Embiid in and out of the lineup, the 76ers currently rank dead last in rebounding percentage at 46.9%. Tatum has taken full advantage of the 76ers poor rebounding numbers by averaging a 33.5-point, 11-rebound double-double in his two meetings. He is another expensive option drawing little ownership.
Value
The Nets have won their last three straight games and six of their last seven despite playing with a depleted roster. They traded away Ben Simmons, and Cam Thomas remains out and has not played since January 2nd. Cameron Johnson has been a steady contributor when healthy. The sharpshooting forward is averaging a career-high 19.1 points per game, while shooting 48.8% from the field and 41.3% from behind the arc. Nearly 60% of his field goal attempts have come from long distance, boosting his ceiling.
At his $6,000 salary, Johnson has the second-highest projected Plus/Minus at the small forward position. He is the only Nets player worth getting exposure to due to their slate-low 106.25 implied team total. The Cavaliers do rank near the bottom in 3-point defense this season, which is very intriguing for Johnson.
Fast Break
The Lakers have lost back-to-back games against the Hornets and Jazz. They are only 3.5-point road favorites against the Trail Blazers, implied for 115.5 points. This is the second leg of a back-to-back, which always puts the status of LeBron James in jeopardy. However, he played 38 minutes on his “ankle injury” last night and recorded a near triple-double with 26 points, 11 assists, and seven rebounds. Luka Doncic has struggled with the Lakers, putting more pressure on James. Similar to Tatum, James at $10,200 is a strong contrarian pay-up option. This matchup against the Trail Blazers is juicy enough to get exposure.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
The biggest news for this nine-game slate is the status of Giannis Antetokounmpo. He is questionable with a calf injury but has had 18 days of rest, and it feels like a good chance that he will be able to suit up. Giannis currently has the second-highest projected ceiling on the slate. He posted a positive Plus/Minus and has recorded 60+ DraftKings points in each of his last four games, averaging 34.8 points per game.
This is not an ideal matchup for Giannis with the Clippers ranking second in defensive rating and fourth in points allowed in the paint at 45.7 per game. However, in his only meeting against them this year, Giannis recorded a double-double with 36 points and 13 rebounds, shooting 12-for-22 from the field. If he is able to suit up, Giannis enters the contrarian pay-up category. He has proven matchups do not bother him.
Value
Leading the slate in projected Plus/Minus is Spurs’ Jeremy Sochan. The third-year forward is averaging a career-high 11.7 points and 7.2 rebounds per game while shooting 54.5% from the field. Sochan has double-double upside with seven this season. His rebound rate jumps to 14% without Wembanyama on the floor, and this is a great rebounding matchup with the Suns ranking 26th in rebounding percentage.
In the only meeting between these two teams that Sochan played in, he recorded a 12-point, 14-rebound double-double in only 22 minutes. He is projected to play 26 minutes tonight and will be the most popular value play on the slate at his $4,500 price tag. Sochan also has power forward and center eligibility, making it easy to fit him into any lineup build. Make him a priority for this nine-game slate.
Fast Break
The Pacers have won 14 of their last 19 games, and a big reason for that has been the dominance of Pascal Siakam. In his first full season with the Pacers, Siakam is averaging 20.7 points and 7.3 rebounds per game while shooting 52.6% from the field and 40.8% from downtown. He has posted a positive Plus/Minus in 13 of his last 17 games. This is the best game environment on the slate with a 250-point total. Priced at $7,800, Siakam is one of the best mid-range options for this nine-game slate tonight.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Nikola Jokic‘s price tag remains high at $12,500, but he is the clear-cut best pay-up option on the slate. No player comes close to the projected ceiling that Jokic can provide. Despite his high salary, Jokic has recorded a positive Plus/Minus in seven of his last eight games. Jokic ranks in the top three in points, rebounds, and assists per game and leads the league, accumulating 65.9 DraftKings points per game.
The Hornets interior defense has been average in both rebounding and points allowed in the paint. In his only matchup against the Hornets this season, Jokic recorded a triple-double with 28 points, 17 assists, and 13 rebounds and recorded 83.25 DraftKings points. A repeat performance would certainly break the slate. This is the second leg of a back-to-back for the Hornets, which is intriguing for the three-time MVP.
Value
Clint Capela is scheduled to return from his nine-game absence but will still come off the bench and likely play only when needed behind Onyeka Okongwu. In his last game before the All-Star Break, Okongwu dominated the Knicks’ frontcourt. He stuffed the stat sheet with 21 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, three blocks, and two steals while accumulating 57.5 DraftKings points on 9-for-10 shooting.
Okongwu has the second-highest projected Plus/Minus among center-eligible players behind Sochan. At his $6,100 price tag, Okongwu has the ceiling to record a huge game in any matchup. The Magic have been difficult on opposing big men, ranking third in points allowed per game in the paint and just outside the top 10 in rebounding percentage. Projected to play 30 minutes, Okongwu is a great play in all formats.
Fast Break
Karl-Anthony Towns has recorded massive back-to-back 40-point double-doubles. In his last two games, Towns has averaged 42 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, and 68.5 DraftKings points per game with a 32.1% usage rate. He will also benefit from Josh Hart being out and OG Anunoby also potentially being unable to play. The Bulls rank 23rd in rebounding percentage and are allowing a league-high 55.9 points per game in the paint. Towns has obliterated the Bulls in his two meetings this year, averaging 45 points and 13 rebounds per game, while shooting 54.8% from the field and 40% from deep. Elite matchup for KAT.
