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
Coming off a career-high 54 points last game, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the clear-cut top point guard on this eight-game slate. In his ceiling performance, Gilgeous-Alexander shot 17-for-35 from the field and an absurd 17-for-18 from the charity stripe. He added eight rebounds, five assists, three steals, and two blocks for 81.5 DraftKings points, which brought his season average to 53.7 DraftKings points per game.
Holding a 20-2 home record, the Thunder are a slate-high 13.5-point favorites against the Mavericks, implied for 117 points. With Chet Holmgren still out for the Thunder, Gilgeous-Alexander has taken his game to a new level. Without Holmgren on the floor this season, he is averaging 33.9 points per game. To no surprise, Gilgeous-Alexander is also averaging a career and league-high 32 points per game while shooting 53% from the field with a 34.3% usage rate. He is an elite pay-up option in all lineup builds.
Value
Sticking with the Thunder backcourt, Cason Wallace has been fantastic off the bench. He has recorded a positive Plus/Minus in eight of his last nine games. During that stretch, Wallace is averaging 11.6 points per game while shooting 55.7% from the field. He has been a fantastic two-way player, capturing 15 steals during that time. The second-year pro has been a valuable player for the Thunder. With Isaiah Joe still questionable after missing last night’s game, that would provide a boost to Wallace if he is unable to play.
Wallace is projected to play 32 minutes, which is more than enough time to pay off his $4,600 price tag. He is a cheap way to get exposure to the Thunder who are playing the second game in a back-to-back and are favored by double-digits. In a projected blowout, Wallace has the chance to get even more run.
Fast Break
Despite posting a 14-point, 12-assist double-double last game, Stephen Curry had an uncharacteristic 17.6% usage rate. He has back-to-back games with less than 40 DraftKings points and one of those was in a 40-point loss to the Celtics. Expect a bounce back from Curry in a great matchup against the Bulls, who rank 24th in defensive rating and third in pace. He is the perfect blend of value and ceiling. At his $8,800 salary, Curry has the third-highest projected ceiling at fifth-highest projected Plus/Minus at this position.
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
Kyrie Irving has poured in 33 and 36 points in back-to-back games while attempting 22.5 field goals per game with a 32.2% usage rate. Luka Doncic remains out due to injury, which provides a significant boost to Irving’s production. With Doncic off the floor this season, Irving has posted a team-high +3.19% usage rate increase (per our Trends tool). Klay Thompson also missed their game last night, but expect him back.
The Mavericks have a 104-point implied team total, which is among the lowest on the slate. There is no hiding it: this is a difficult matchup against the Thunder, who lead the league in defensive rating at 103.4. However, if the Mavericks are going to keep this game competitive at all, it will be on the back of Irving. He has been playing too well to ignore even in this matchup and is a strong contrarian pay-up option.
Value
Raptors’ shooting guard Gradey Dick has taken a huge leap from year one to year two, averaging nearly double the points of his first season with 16.1 per game. He has scored double-digit points in 29 of his 37 games while playing a little over 30 minutes per night. Dick has recorded a positive Plus/Minus in three-straight games with over 20 DraftKings points in each contest. He is a good value option in all formats.
Immanuel Quickley remains out for the Raptors, which has provided a boost for Dick. He ranks second on the team with the biggest usage rate increase and third in DraftKings Plus/Minus increase when Quickley is off the floor this season. Priced at $4,200, Dick does not have to do much to provide value, especially in this game environment that has a 233.5-point total. It helps that the Hawks rank second in pace at 104.1.
Fast Break
The Kings have won 10 of their last 11 games and Malik Monk has been on an absolute tear. He could have qualified for the stud of value spot for this shooting guard position. Monk has recorded a positive Plus/Minus in seven of his last eight games, averaging 23.6 points, 7.9 assists, and 45.4 DraftKings points per game during that time. He has also recorded at least one steal in 10 straight games. Monk is drawing a little over 20% projected ownership and is arguably the best mid-range play on the slate tonight.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
The Celtics are 31-13, and their leader, Jayson Tatum, continues to be one of the most consistent fantasy producers in the league. Tatum has averaged 52 DraftKings points per game and is priced under $10,000 tonight. Drawing around 5% projected ownership, Tatum is a fantastic way to differentiate lineups. He does a great job stuffing the stat sheet, leading the Celtics in points, rebounds, and assists per game.
The Celtics are five-point road favorites against the Lakers after beating the Clippers last night 117-113. Tatum poured in 24 points with eight assists, seven rebounds, two blocks, and one steal for over 50 DraftKings points. They are looking for the Los Angeles sweep. When the Celtics are fully healthy, Tatum becomes the top priority target on this team. He provides so much fantasy value in a variety of ways.
Value
One of the most popular value plays on this eight-game slate is Warriors’ wing Buddy Hield. He has been a boom-or-bust fantasy producer, but Hield is simply too cheap for this matchup against the Hawks. At $4,500 with guard and forward eligibility, Hield is easy to fit into all lineup builds. Hield has recorded a positive Plus/Minus in six of his last eight games and has the fourth-highest projected Plus/Minus tonight.
Most of Hield’s fantasy production comes from his perimeter shooting. Nearly 70% of his field goal attempts have come from long distance this season. He is shooting 37.9% from behind the arc, which bodes well for this matchup. The Hawks are allowing a league-high 15 made 3-pointers per game, with opponents shooting 37.7% from deep. Hield has an incredible opportunity to get hot from distance.
Fast Break
RJ Barrett has the second-highest projected Plus/Minus and third-highest projected ceiling at the small forward position tonight. He has recorded a double-double in two of his last three games, averaging 43.8 DraftKings points per game in those three contests. This has been a lost season for the Raptors, but Barrett leads the team in scoring with a career-high 22.3 points per game. He has also averaged a career-high in both rebounds and assists per game. Barrett is also projected for the second-highest ownership.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
The Bucks have won seven of their last eight games, and Giannis Antetokounmpo is averaging a career-high 31.5 points per game while shooting an absurd 60.5% from the field. Not only does Giannis rank second in the league in scoring, but he also ranks fifth in rebounds at 12 per game and has recorded a double-double in 31 of his 35 games played. He is yet another pay-up option that is drawing under 10% projected ownership. The decision at the top will likely be what separates different lineups on this slate.
Giannis always has the potential to spike a ceiling performance regardless of the matchup. Even though the Heat play at the fifth-slowest pace in the league, they are still allowing 48.3 points per game in the paint this season, which is the 11th-highest in the league. Get exposure to Giannis in tournaments tonight.
Value
Another Warriors’ value play to target is Andrew Wiggins. Our NBA Model obviously loves this matchup against the Hawks. Even at his $6,100 salary, Wiggins is drawing the highest projected Plus/Minus at the small forward position. Wiggins is averaging 17 points per game this season but has scored at least 20 points in four of his last five games, including a season-high 31 points against the Wizards Saturday night.
In his game against the Hawks earlier this season, Wiggins erupted for 27 points with seven rebounds and four assists while shooting 12-for-17 from the field and 3-for-6 from behind the arc. He finished with 47.25 DraftKings points, which would be more than enough to pay off his $6,100 price tag. Wiggins is the most popular power forward on the slate, given the elite matchup and how well he has played recently.
Fast Break
Paolo Banchero played 32 minutes last game which was the most he has played since returning from injury. Despite the Magic losing by 16 points, Banchero was fantastic, recording a 26-point, 12-rebound double-double while shooting 10-for-19 from the field. Jalen Suggs remains out, while Franz Wagner has been upgraded to questionable. However, Wagner has not played since December 6th. With his minutes increasing and the Magic still dealing with injuries, Banchero is a sneaky option at his $8,400 price tag.

NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Nikola Jokic rounds out this star-studded night with the highest projected ceiling by far on this slate. He has recorded four consecutive triple-doubles, averaging 20.3 points, 13.3 rebounds, 10 assists, and 2.5 steals per game. Dating back to his last 12 games, Jokic is averaging a remarkable 72 DraftKings points per game with a positive Plus/Minus in nine of those 12 games. He is the best pay-up option on the slate.
This matchup between the Nuggets and Kings is the best game environment on the slate. The game total has risen to 241.5 points, with the Nuggets being 8.5-point home favorites. They have a slate-high 124.75-point implied total, which is why Jokic is drawing the most ownership among his pricing peers. In his only game against the Kings this season, Jokic recorded yet another triple-double with 20 points, 14 rebounds, and 13 assists. He has been the best fantasy producer in the league, and tonight should be no different.
Value
Rookie Kel’el Ware is quickly becoming an incredible asset for the Heat. He drew his first start to the season last game and delivered a monster performance with 20 points, 15 rebounds, and two blocks for 45.25 DraftKings points. It was his third game recording a double-double and over 40 DraftKings points in his last five games. He has also posted a positive Plus/Minus in seven straight games. Ware is drawing the most ownership on the slate at 33% despite his salary jumping $2,000 since his Sunday night game.
The Bucks have been an average rebounding team this season and are one of the best interior defensive teams in the league. However, this is about opportunity and how well Ware has been playing recently. He is a staple in cash games and an elite value play in tournaments. Ware is the best value play on the slate.
Fast Break
In the same price range as Ware, Onyeka Okongwu continues to be one of the best values on each and every slate he is on. He has taken over the starting center position from Clint Capela and ran away with the job. Okongwu has a positive Plus/Minus in seven-straight games and in 17 of his last 20 games. His salary has come up recently, but Okongwu is averaging 15.6 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 41.4 DraftKings points per game in his last five games. Next to Ware, Okongwu is another fantastic value play to target.