DraftKings’ main NBA DFS slate for Tuesday starts at 7:00 PM EST and features the first eight games of the night. 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
Kevin Porter Jr. ($7,800)
Porter Jr. has looked much healthier following the All-Star Break, scoring 43.5 and 46 DraftKings points in his first two starts back. Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) remains out, and with the former MVP off the floor this season, Porter Jr. generates 1.3 DraftKings PPM with a 27.3% usage rate, via the On/Off Tool. The guard is facing a Heat team tonight that leads the NBA in pace this season, and Porter Jr. should score nothing less than 40 DraftKings points in this up-tempo spot.
Value
Alondes Williams ($4,300)
After thriving in the G-League, Williams inked a 10-day contract with the Wizards, and the guard has been productive in his first three games with Washington, posting 21.75, 51.5, and 23.25 DraftKings points off the bench. Williams led the Wizards with 34.2 minutes in their last game, and he should continue to see big minutes tonight for this depleted Washington team. Williams is facing a Hawks team that ranks third in pace, and he is the top value on the slate in our projections.
Fast Break
Tyrese Maxey ($9,800) – Going against a Pacers team that ranks eighth in pace and 21st in defensive rating, Maxey has a huge ceiling no matter what, but his upside would increase even further if Joel Embiid (questionable, knee) were inactive. With the center out this past Sunday vs. the Timberwolves, Maxey went off for 60.2 DraftKings points.
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
Kon Knueppel ($7,400)
Knueppel has been lighting it up since the All-Star Break, scoring 49 and 45.8 DraftKings points while shooting 55% from the field. The standout rookie from Duke is producing 1.1 DraftKings PPM with a 22.9% usage rate this season, and he gets a beautiful matchup tonight vs. the Bulls, who rank fifth in pace and 25th in defensive rating this season. The Hornets carry the third-highest implied team total on the slate (120.5 points), and Knueppel has a 54.25 DraftKings point outing vs. Chicago this season. The guard brings big upside again tonight and could get overlooked, as paying up at shooting guard usually isn’t a popular move.
Value
Isaac Okoro ($4,500)
Okoro has been solid for the Bulls, topping 20 DraftKings in five straight games, and he is guaranteed a huge workload tonight with Jaden Ivey (knee) and Anfernee Simons (wrist) both out. Okoro should receive around 35 minutes, and he should grind out 5x value vs. the Hornets, who are an average defense, ranking 17th in defensive rating this season.
Fast Break
Brandin Podziemski ($6,100) – With Stephen Curry (knee) sidelined, Podziemski has surpassed 30 FPTS in four of his last five, most recently with a 53.75 DraftKings point eruption vs. the Nuggets on Sunday. The Warriors defeated Denver with Podziemski logging 36.3 minutes, and he led the team in plus/minus, so the veteran should see a large role again tonight vs. the Pelicans, who rank 27th in defensive rating, making Podziemski an elite GPP play.
Be sure to check out all the pick’ems Sleeper has to offer with our Sleeper promo code.
NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
Jarace Walker ($6,700)
Small forward is very thin on high-end options for this slate, and Walker is the most expensive option worth attacking. The Pacers have a slew of players questionable tonight, but Pascal Siakam (wrist) is doubtful, and with him expected to be out, Walker should thrive. In the last three Siakam has missed, Walker has scored 37.8, 50.5, and 38.5 DraftKings points. With Siakam off the floor this season, Walker provides 1.0 DraftKings PPM with a 24.7% usage rate. The forward is facing the 76ers defense that ranks 15th in rating and could be without Embiid, and Walker has a ceiling north of 40 DraftKings points.
Value
Herbert Jones ($4,700)
With Trey Murphy (shoulder) sidelined, Jones is rated as a strong value on the slate in our projections. The wing just posted 23.75 DraftKings points across 32.1 minutes vs. the 76ers this past Saturday with Murphy inactive, and with Murphy off the floor this season, Jones is amassing 0.8 DraftKings PPM. The 27-year-old is facing a shorthanded Warriors team tonight, and Jones should have no issues exceeding 5x value.
Fast Break
Saddiq Bey ($6,400) – Just like Jones, Bey should benefit with Murphy sidelined and is a great target. Bey lit the Bucks up for 42 DraftKings points with Murphy inactive last Friday, and with the wing off the floor this season, Bey is scoring 1.0 DraftKings PPM with a 23% usage rate.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
Jalen Johnson ($10,800)
No player has a higher ceiling in our projections than Johnson tonight. The Most Improved Player of the Year frontrunner is amassing 51.7 DraftKings PPG with a 27.6% usage rate, a 33.8% assist rate, and a 16% rebound rate, all of which are team highs for the Hawks. Atlanta is facing the Wizards tonight, who rank second-to-last in defensive rating this season, and the Hawks present the highest implied team total on the slate (126 points). Johnson posted a mammoth triple-double of 71 DraftKings points in his last matchup with Washington, and he is the top stud to peruse for this slate.
Value
Khris Middleton ($5,000)
After struggling to make an impact with the tanking Wizards, Middleton has played very well for the Mavericks. The veteran moved into Dallas’ starting lineup two games ago, and with the starting job, Middleton has scored 32 and 46.8 DraftKings points while logging 30 minutes in both contests. The wing is scoring 0.9 DraftKings PPM with a 23% usage rate in a Mavericks uniform, and Middleton is a terrific target vs. the Nets tonight, who rank 26th in defensive rating this season.
Fast Break
Gui Santos ($5,600) – Santos has been excellent with Curry sidelined, and Santos is a strong option vs. the Pelicans’ soft defense tonight. With Curry out for the last seven, Santos is producing 32.6 DraftKings PPG.
Micah Potter ($4,200) – With Siakam sidelined, Potter has a ton of merit at this cheap salary. In the last three games Siakam has missed, Potter has finished with 43.5, 23, and 30.25 DraftKings points.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Karl-Anthony Towns ($8,300)
With Embiid questionable, Towns is the best high-end center to consider for this slate. Towns is coming off a 53.25 DraftKings point outing vs. the Bulls, and he has topped 40 DraftKings points in seven of his past 10. Towns is facing a Cavaliers defense that ranks 12th in rating, but Cleveland ranks 11th in pace, and it is allowing the fourth-highest three-point percentage in the league (37.2%). This is a solid spot for a deep-shooting big man like Towns, and he should exceed 40 DraftKings points.
Value
Marvin Bagley ($4,700)
Just like Middleton, Bagley has fit in nicely with the Mavericks since being traded to the club at the deadline. In his first five with Dallas, Bagley is averaging 29.4 DraftKings points in 23.6 minutes per game off the bench. The veteran has tallied back-to-back double-doubles, and another double-double is within reach for Bagley tonight vs. the inept Nets. Note that Daniel Gafford (ankle) is questionable, and if he sits, Bagley would likely start in Gafford’s place, making Bagley an even stronger play.
Fast Break
Moussa Diabate ($5,200) – Diabate will return from his four-game suspension tonight and gets an elite spot vs. the Bulls, who are giving up the fourth-most points in the paint this season. Diabate should resume his duties as the Hornets’ starting center and outproduce this reasonable price tag. Before the suspension, Diabate had scored at least 29 DraftKings points in three of his previous five.
Pictured: Kevin Porter Jr.
Photo Credit: Imagn
