DraftKings’ main NBA DFS slate for Tuesday starts at 7:00 PM EST and features the first seven 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
Devin Booker ($8,700)
With Dillon Brooks (hand) sidelined, Booker has been excellent, scoring 47.5 and 49.75 DraftKings points in his last two starts. Brooks remains out tonight, and with him off the floor this season, Booker is leading the Suns with a 31.6% usage rate and 1.2 DraftKings PPM. The guard is facing a Bucks defense that ranks 24th in rating this season, and Booker is underpriced for the upside he brings in this situation.
Value
Cameron Payne ($5,000)
Payne is a strong value play with Tyrese Maxey (finger) out. Payne got the spot start in place of Maxey last night and finished with 26.5 FPTS across 27.4 minutes vs. the Cavaliers. Payne should see a similar workload tonight vs. the Grizzlies, who rank 21st in defensive rating, are playing their second game in two nights, and they are very beat up right now. Last night, Memphis only had eight players available. Payne is scoring 0.8 DraftKings PPM with an 18% usage rate this season, and he should approach 30 DraftKings points tonight.
Fast Break
Dru Smith ($3,400) – Smith is rating as a top-three value on the slate in our projections tonight vs. the Wizards. Washington ranks dead last in defensive rating and sixth in pace this season, and both Norman Powell (groin) and Andrew Wiggins (toe) will miss their third in a row. With these two sidelined for the past two, Smith has scored 18.5 and 25.5 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
Jaylen Brown ($9,400)
Brown hasn’t cooled off despite Jayson Tatum (Achilles) returning. In these past two with the forward active, Brown has produced 46.75 and 44.75 DraftKings points while handling a 30% usage rate. The Celtics are facing the Spurs’ No. 3-rated defense tonight, but this game is expected to be tight throughout between two of the NBA’s best teams, with San Antonio only favored by 3.5 points. Brown is averaging 46.9 DraftKings PPG in spreads under five points this season (16 games) – via the Trends Tool – and he shouldn’t disappoint in this anticipated matchup.
Value
Marcus Sasser ($3,600)
Sasser is a compelling punt play with Ausar Thompson (ankle) sidelined. Sasser has started in place of Thompson for the last two games, and while Sasser only scored 9.5 DraftKings points vs. the Heat his last time out, he posted 27.75 DraftKings points in 28.4 minutes vs. the Nets in the first of these two starts. Tonight, Sasser will once again face Brooklyn, who not only rank 27th in defensive rating this season, but the club is also playing its second game in two nights. Sasser is scoring 1.0 DraftKings PPM with a 19% usage rate with Thompson off the floor this season, and Sasser is the top shooting guard value on the slate in our projections.
Fast Break
Quentin Grimes ($6,900) – Grimes only finished with 28.25 DraftKings points across 36.5 minutes last night vs. the Cavaliers, but he is in a great bounce-back spot tonight vs. the Grizzlies, who rank 21st in defensive rating this season. More importantly, Maxey, Joel Embiid (oblique), and Paul George (suspension) are out, and with this trio off the court this season, Grimes’ usage rate rises 7.8 percentage points to 25.9%, and he generates 1.0 DraftKings PPM, via the On/Off Tool.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
Cooper Flagg ($8,600)
Flagg has been dealing with a foot injury, but the rookie finally looked like himself again Sunday vs. the Raptors, scoring 44.5 DraftKings points across 29 minutes. Now, Flagg faces a Hawks team that ranks second in pace. The Mavericks rank fifth in the category, and this up-tempo matchup carries the second-highest total on the slate (240.5 points). Flagg is scoring 1.1 DraftKings PPM with a 26% usage rate this season, and in totals of 240 points or more, he has been outstanding, amassing 47 DraftKings PPG (four games).
Value
Jaime Jaquez Jr. ($6,200)
Jaquez Jr. has been consistent with Powell out, scoring at least 30 DraftKings points in each of his four, peaking with 39 DraftKings points vs. the Pistons’ No. 2-rated defense in his last game. Wiggins also being sidelined is a boost for Jaquez Jr., as he scores 1.1 DraftKings PPM with a 25% usage rate with both Powell and Wiggins off the floor this season. Facing the Wizards’ league-worst defense tonight, Jaquez Jr. is an awesome mid-tier target that could approach 40 DraftKings points for the second game in a row.
Fast Break
Leaky Black ($4,400) – Since signing a two-way deal with the Wizards, Black has handled a large role for the team, averaging 21.1 DraftKings points in 32.9 minutes per game. The high volume should continue for Black tonight vs. the Heat with Kyshawn George (elbow) out, and while Miami ranks fourth in defensive rating this season, the team leads the NBA in pace. Black should top 20 DraftKings points in this fast-paced matchup.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
Jalen Johnson ($10,500)
Johnson’s excellent season continued Saturday with 62 DraftKings points vs. the 76ers. Handling career highs in every rate, the frontrunner for Most Improved Player of the Year is amassing 1.5 DraftKings PPM this season, and he enters tonight’s matchup vs. the Mavericks scoring at least 56 DraftKings points in eight of his last 12. Both Atlanta and Dallas rank top-five in pace this season, and this game’s total is the second-highest on the slate (240.5 points), setting up a big performance for Johnson. In totals of 240 points or more this season, Johnson is generating 55.7 DraftKings PPG (10 games).
Value
Julian Champagnie ($4,900)
While Champagnie is in a tough spot vs. the Celtics, who rank fifth in defensive rating this season, the veteran is rating as a strong value with Harrison Barnes (ankle) still out. With the veteran sidelined, Champagnie has topped 30 DraftKings points in back-to-back games. The forward is averaging 28.8 minutes per game in these contests, and over 5x value feels likely for Champagnie tonight, despite the difficult matchup vs. Boston. This season, Champagnie is scoring 0.9 DraftKings PPM.
Fast Break
Jayson Tatum ($8,200) – Tatum only scored 27.25 DraftKings points vs. the Cavaliers on Sunday, but he posted 44.5 DraftKings points vs. the Mavericks in his season debut two days prior. The superstar logged 27 minutes in both of these games, so that appears to be his limit right now, but even with this type of workload, Tatum could beat this $8,200 salary, which is very low for him. Over the last two seasons, Tatum is leading the Celtics with 1.4 DraftKings PPM, and he is handling a 31% usage rate.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Bam Adebayo ($8,400)
Abedayo is a terrific spend tonight. Hosting the Wizards, who rank dead last in defensive rating and sixth in pace this season, the Heat’s implied team total is the highest on the slate (129.5 points), despite both Powell and Wiggins being out. With these two inactive for the past two, Adebayo has been a beast, scoring 50.5 and 49.25 DraftKings points. The center is amassing 1.3 DraftKings PPM with a 26.2% usage rate with both Powell and Wiggins off the floor this season, and Adebayo has 50 DraftKings point upside.
Value
Khaman Maluach ($3,400)
Mark Williams (foot) missed his third game in a row tonight, leaving Maluach with a solid role off the bench. With Williams sidelined, Maluach has finished with 19.5 and 19.25 DraftKings points in his last two, while logging 20 minutes in each contest. The Suns selected Maluach with the No. 10 pick in this past NBA draft, and so far as a rookie, the big man is scoring 0.9 DraftKings PPM while shooting 50% from the field and handling a 15% usage rate. Maluach should continue to see around 20 minutes tonight, and going against a Bucks defense that ranks 24th in rating this season, he should have no issues surpassing 5x value. In our projections, Maluach is rating as a top-five value on the slate.
Fast Break
Jalen Duren ($8,200) – Duren’s recent game log has been up-and-down, but tonight’s matchup vs. the Nets is perfect for the big man. Brooklyn ranks 27th in defensive rating, and Duren has thrived in this matchup this season, scoring at least 43 DraftKings points in each of his three matchups with the Nets. This season, Duren is generating 1.4 DraftKings PPM while shooting 63% from the field.
Kel’el Ware ($6,000) – Ware (shoulder) is questionable, but if he suits up, he will have merit at this salary vs. the Wizards. Washington is one of the best matchups you could ask for, and with both Powell and Wiggins off the floor this season, Ware is leading the Heat with 1.4 DraftKings PPM, behind a 21% usage rate, which is a 2.1 percentage point upgrade from his average.
Pictured: Jalen Johnson
Photo Credit: Imagn
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