Tuesday delivers a two-game slate with two NBA Cup quarterfinal matchups. The Magic are hosting the Heat and the Raptors are hosting the Knicks. Let’s dive into some of the top plays on the slate using the FantasyLabs tools and projections.
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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
Jalen Brunson ($9,000)
Brunson has scored over 40 DraftKings points in three straight games, and he is a solid target that would become a strong option if Karl-Anthony Towns (questionable, calf) is inactive. In the 10 starts Brunson has made without Towns the last two seasons, Brunson is leading the Knicks with 42.6 DraftKings PPG and a 33.5% usage rate. The guard is in a tough spot vs. the Raptors, who rank eighth in defensive rating this season, but Brunson would be a very safe bet for over 40 DraftKings points if Towns was sidelined.
Value
Jalen Suggs ($6,600)
Franz Wagner (ankle) will be out for the next few weeks, opening a ton of usage for Suggs. With Wagner off the floor this season, Suggs’ usage rate increases a team-high 6.8 percentage points to 31.6%. His assist rate also rises 2.6 percentage points to 29.2%, and Suggs scores a team-high 1.42 DraftKings PPM in this situation. Suggs’ salary simply doesn’t reflect this role, and facing a Heat team that leads the league in pace this season, he should be in store for one of his best performances of the season and is a must-play for this short slate.
Fast Break
Jamal Shead ($3,900)
Shead (quad) is questionable, but if he suits up, the guard will be a viable punt play that could get you over 20 DraftKings points. With RJ Barrett (knee) sidelined, Shead has eclipsed 20 DraftKings points in three of his last four as one of the primary bench players for the Raptors.
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NBA DFS Shooting Guard Picks
Stud
Desmond Bane ($7,300)
Just like Suggs, Bane will benefit with Wagner sidelined and is a great target tonight. With Wagner off the court this season, Bane’s usage rate rises 5.7 percentage points to 29.6%, and he generates 1.1 DraftKings PPM. While the Heat rank sixth in defensive rating, playing way up in pace vs. this Miami club is huge for a player like Bane, and he should have no issues exceeding five-times value.
Value
Anthony Black ($5,400)
Continuing with the Wagner-less Magic, who are the best source of value for this two-game slate, Black is one of the best values on the board at only $4,500. With Wagner only available for seven minutes Sunday vs. the Knicks, Black delivered 35.75 DraftKings across 30 minutes off the bench. The guard is likely will still come off the bench with Wagner sidelined, but Black should see over 30 minutes and outperform this price tag going against the fast-paced Heat.
Fast Break
Josh Hart ($7,700) – Hart is priced accordingly, but he will still warrant consideration if Towns sits tonight. Hart posted 42.5 DraftKings points with Towns out this past Sunday vs. the Magic, and with the big man inactive the last two seasons, Hart is producing 34.9 DraftKings points in 37.9 minutes per game (10 games).
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
Norman Powell ($6,800)
Powell has been an outstanding fit with the Heat this season, averaging 36.3 DraftKings points in 31 minutes per game with a team-high 28.2% usage rate. Tyler Herro (probable, toe) is back tonight, which will likely dock Powell’s usage, but he is still amassing 1.0 DraftKings PPM when sharing the floor with Herro. The Magic are a stout defense, ranking fifth in rating, but Powell has been efficient in this matchup this season, scoring 49.75 and 39.25 DraftKings points in his two matchups with Orlando. Yes, Herro missed both of these contests, so Powell’s upside is lower this time around, but he still has a strong chance to surpass 5x value at this sub-$7,000 salary.
Value
Tristan da Silva ($4,000)
da Silva should start; he is the top candidate to start in place of Wagner tonight, and if confirmed to start, Da Silva will be a viable punt play with that role, regardless of his ugly recent game log. This season, da Silva is contributing 0.84 DraftKings PPM and 21.5 DraftKings PPG for the 18 times he has cracked the 20-minute mark this season.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
Scottie Barnes ($8,900)
Barnes is coming off a 48.25 DraftKings point showing vs. the Celtics, bringing his average for the season up to 44.1 DraftKings PPG. The Knicks are in town tonight; they are an ugly 3-6 on the road this season, and Barrett remains out for the Raptors, leaving an increased workload for Barnes. His usage rises 2.2 percentage points to 26.5% with Barrett off the court this season, resulting in a team-high 1.34 DraftKings PPM for Barnes. The forward’s ceiling is the highest on the slate in our projections, and he is the best stud to build around for this short slate.
Value
OG Anunoby ($5,900)
In just his second start back after missing nine in a row with a hamstring injury, Anunoby posted 38.25 DraftKings points across 27.4 minutes vs. the Magic. The forward’s playing time should increase tonight, especially with this being the NBA Cup quarterfinals, and Anunoby is a compelling value at this season-low salary. The veteran is scoring 1.0 DraftKings PPM and 30.8 DraftKings PPG this season with a 20.3% usage rate. Anunoby is viable either way, but if Towns sits, Anunoby will see a boost like all of the Knicks’ players. With Towns inactive the last two seasons, Anunoby is amassing 34.2 DraftKings PPG (10 games).
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Bam Adebayo ($7,900)
With Towns uncertain, Adebayo stands all alone at the top at the center position tonight. Albeit a game that Herro missed, Adebayo just posted 55.25 DraftKings points vs. the Magic last Friday. The center is shooting 46% from the field in two matchups with Orlando this season, and while we can’t expect another 50 DraftKings point outing this time around, given Herro will play, Adebayo seeing huge volume in this big game and topping 40 DraftKings points is a possibility. This season, Adebayo is scoring 1.24 DraftKings PPM with a 24.4% usage rate.
Value
Wendell Carter Jr. ($5,200)
Carter Jr. should be asked to play over 30 minutes tonight to match up with Adebayo, and Carter Jr. should see a slight increase in usage with Wagner sidelined. With the wing off the floor this season, Carter Jr. is producing 0.9 DraftKings with a 16% usage rate. The center’s salary was up to $5,700 just three games ago and at this discounted $5,200 price tag for tonight, Carter Jr. is rated as the No. 1 value on the slate in our projections.
Fast Break
Goga Bitadze ($3,900) – Coming off the bench for the Magic as Carter Jr.’s backup, Bitadze is a decent punt play tonight, and playing the two centers in the same lineup is a viable move that should make your lineup contrarian for this short slate. Bitadze has topped 20 DraftKings points in six of his last eight, and he is generating 1.1 DraftKings PPM this season.
Pictured: Desmond Bane
Photo Credit: Imagn
