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
Leading the way in projected ceiling for this five-game slate is Lakers’ point guard Luka Doncic. He is questionable to play with an ankle injury, so make sure to monitor his status throughout the day. Despite being questionable last game, Doncic was able to play 41 minutes and record a triple-double with 22 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists. He is averaging 62 DraftKings points per game in his last four games.
LeBron James continues to be out with an injury, which catapults Doncic to an even better pay-up option. With James off the floor, Doncic has a team-high +10.9% usage rate and a +15.93 DraftKings Plus/Minus in his 118 minutes for the Lakers (per our Trends tool). Even though he is the most expensive option on the slate at $12,000, Doncic is projected for over 20% ownership and is a great play if he is able to suit up.
Value
With Josh Giddey out and Lonzo Ball doubtful to play, the Bulls will turn to newly acquired Tre Jones to lead their backcourt. Jones came over from the Spurs at the trade deadline and has had a positive impact with his new team. In the 13 games he has played, including four starts, Jones is averaging 9.6 points per game, while shooting 53.8% from the field and 42.9% from behind the arc. At his cheap $5,000 price tag, Jones is drawing the highest ownership on the slate and has the second-highest projected Plus/Minus.
The Bulls have won three straight games and are two-point home favorites against the Nets. Jones has started the last four games and is averaging 13 points, 6 assists, 5.3 rebounds, and 31.4 DraftKings points per game. That is more than enough to pay off his $5,000 salary. Jones is a fantastic value in all formats.
Fast Break
Cade Cunningham is $1,700 cheaper than Doncic, but is only projected for six less fantasy points. He draws an elite matchup against the Wizards, whom he dominated on Tuesday night. Cunningham had a near triple-double with 27 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds in the Pistons’ 20-point victory. The Pistons are 13.5-point home favorites in the rematch tonight, implied for the highest total on the slate at 124.5 points. Cunningham is drawing slightly more ownership than Doncic, but both are incredible 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
Similar to Doncic, Austin Reaves gets a significant boost in his fantasy production when James is off the floor. In a larger sample size of 203 minutes, Reaves has a +10.67% usage rate increase and a +12.61 DraftKings Plus/Minus when James is off the floor this season. That is including when Anthony Davis is off the floor since he was traded. Reaves has the highest projected ceiling at the shooting guard position.
Reaves was vocal after the loss to the Nets last game about having to step up when James is out of the lineup. He shot a poor 3-for-14 from the field, but still posted a near triple-double with 17 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds for 44.5 DraftKings points. Reaves got to the free throw line 11 times. If he shoots better, Reaves can exceed his salary-based expectations yet again and would look even better if Doncic is unable to play. Reaves has been a boom-or-bust fantasy option, but worth the exposure tonight.
Value
With a salary just south of $5,000, Cole Anthony is one of the best pure values on the slate. Jalen Suggs remains out for the Magic, which continues to solidify the playing time for Anthony. He is projected to play 26 minutes and have a 23% usage rate. Anthony posted a dud last game against a difficult Rockets defense, but scored 20+ points and averaged 41.5 DraftKings points per game in his two previous games.
The Orlando Magic have been in a tailspin recently, losing six of their last seven games. However, they have a great opportunity for a bounce back tonight against the Pelicans, who continue to be one of the worst teams in the league. The Pelicans rank dead last in defensive rating at 118.6 per game and are allowing opponents to score 119.1 points per game and shoot 48.3% from the field and 36.5% from deep.
Fast Break
In his sixth year in the league, Coby White is averaging a career-high 19.1 points per game and has turned into the Bulls top option with Zach LaVine out of town. The Bulls have won four of their last six games, and White has been the key catalyst in those games. During that time, White is averaging 28.2 points with a 29.6% usage rate per game. He has also recorded a positive Plus/Minus in five of those six games. White will be a popular mid-range play and is one of many Bulls players who looks good tonight.
Be sure to check out all the pick’ems Sleeper has to offer with Sleeper promo code LABS1.
NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
Despite being $1,000 more expensive, Zion Williamson has a lower projected ceiling and has less projected ownership than Franz Wagner. However, with Wagner recording a negative Plus/Minus in 11 straight games, this is a phenomenal opportunity to differentiate lineups with spending the extra $1,000 for Williamson. It helps that he is coming off a triple-double with 22 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds.
There is no comparison between Williamson and Wagner recently. In his last six games, Williamson is averaging 25 points, 7.3 assists, 7 rebounds, and 49.2 DraftKings points per game, while shooting 61% from the field. The Magic rank second in both defensive rating and least amount of points scored per game in the paint. However, drawing less than 10% ownership, Williamson is a strong contrarian option.
Value
Kevin Huerter is yet another Bulls value player that is worth getting exposure to. The sharpshooter has recorded a positive Plus/Minus in seven of his last eight games and 20+ DraftKings points in seven consecutive games. Most of Huerter’s fantasy production comes from scoring the ball, especially from the perimeter. In his 11 games with the Bulls, over 70% of Huerter’s field goal attempts have come from deep.
A home matchup against the Nets sets up perfectly for Huerter. The Nets are allowing opponents to shoot 36.8% from behind the arc, which ranks 25th in the league. Huerter has scored double-digit points in seven straight games, averaging 14.5 points per game during that time. Priced at $4,300 with small forward and shooting guard eligibility, Huerter has the highest projected Plus/Minus on the slate tonight.
Fast Break
After not playing since January 2nd, Nets’ Cam Thomas has picked up right where he left off. Thomas is second among small forwards in projected ownership behind Huerter due to his cheap mid-range price tag. In the five games he has played since returning from injury, Thomas is averaging 21.2 points with an absurd 36.7% usage rate per game. With his playing time ramping up, Thomas is going to continue to look even better. He is projected to play around 30 minutes tonight with a 34% usage rate projection.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
Giannis Antetokounmpo is another star that is questionable to play, but it would be shocking if he were to miss this game against the Lakers. Giannis continues to rank second in the league in scoring and sixth in rebounding. His consistency is what sets him apart from his pricing peers. Giannis has recorded over 50 DraftKings points in eight of his last nine games, averaging 57.4 DraftKings points per game in that time.
Not only is James out for the Lakers, but so is Jaxson Hayes and Rui Hachimura, which greatly diminishes their interior defense. Giannis should have no trouble dominating the paint on both ends of the court tonight. He has the second-highest projected ceiling on the slate behind Doncic and is still drawing nearly 20% projected ownership. Giannis is the least popular pay-up option, but still a great play in all formats.
Value
Tobias Harris has had a rollercoaster first year with the Pistons. The 14-year veteran has turned into a valuable role player, averaging 13.9 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, while shooting 47.4% from the field. However, recently Harris has stepped up with four straight games with a positive Plus/Minus. He is averaging a near double-double with 16.3 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 34 DraftKings points per game.
Priced under $6,000 and projected to play 32 minutes, Harris is an incredible mid-range option to target. He is a cheap way to get exposure to the Pistons offense that has the highest team total on the slate. Harris recorded 12 points, nine rebounds, and three steals in their game Tuesday night and has a great chance to repeat that performance with a potential double-double tonight due to the Wizards lack of frontcourt rebounding. They currently rank 28th in rebounding percentage this season at 48.1%.
Fast Break
Paolo Banchero has been a boom or bust fantasy option, which has kept his salary and ownership in check. However, this is a fantastic matchup for Banchero to have another ceiling performance. Banchero can fill up the scoreboard in a variety of ways. The Pelicans struggle defending the interior, allowing 52.2 points per game in the paint, which ranks 29th in the league. They rank 27th in rebounding percentage, making this a great opportunity for a double-double. Banchero is a great pay-up play at $9,000 tonight.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Outside of Giannis having center eligibility, this position is one of the weakest it has been in a long time. Domantas Sabonis, who has missed the last five games, has been upgraded to questionable tonight. If he is able to play without any minutes restriction, he would be the stud to get exposure to. His salary has dipped to $9,200, but he is drawing less than 5% ownership, which makes him intriguing for tournaments.
Sabonis is currently leading the league with a career-high 14.1 rebounds per game. He is basically a lock for a double-double despite a difficult matchup against the Warriors, who have been a tough interior defense. If Sabonis is unable to play, Jonas Valanciunas will become one of the best mid-range options to target. Since Sabonis was injured, Valanciunas has averaged 13.7 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 41.8 DraftKings points per game with five double-doubles. One of Sabonis or Valanciunas will be a strong play.
Value
This is the first year where Wendell Carter is averaging less than double-digit points per game. However, priced at $4,800, it is simply too cheap for Carter in this elite matchup against the Pelicans frontcourt. Carter has recorded a positive Plus/Minus in eight of his last 11 games and has the highest projected Plus/Minus at the center position and the second-highest projected ownership. He is a great value in all lineup builds.
Carter has flirted with a double-double in several recent games and will get a fantastic opportunity to deliver tonight against the Pelicans. Both Kelly Olynyk and Yves Missi are out for the Pelicans, which means they will deploy their third center, Karlo Matkovic, who has been solid, but is definitely a positive matchup for Carter. Given the weakness of the position, Carter will be another Magic player to target.
Fast Break
Pistons’ starting center Jalen Duren is coming off his third-straight double-double and has posted a double-double in 32 of his 63 games played this season. Duren has a great chance to make it four in a row against the Wizards, who rank 28th in rebounding percentage and 27th in points per game allowed in the paint. Duren has a double-double in both games against the Wizards. Priced at $6,900, Duren is drawing the most projected ownership on the slate. He is impossible to ignore in this incredible matchup.
