Sunday features a four-game slate starting at 3:00 p.m. ET.
Let’s dive into some of the top plays on the slate using the FantasyLabs tools and metrics.
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.
Note: Projections and Leverages 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.
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NBA DFS Point Guard Picks
Stud
The only pay-up guard on this slate is Grizzlies All-Star Ja Morant. Since returning from his suspension, Morant has seen volatile playing time, which has resulted in a variety of fantasy scores. Now that the playoffs are upon us, expect Morant to play high 30s in minutes and get back to his team-leading 34.8% usage rate. During the regular season, Morant averaged 26.2 points and a career-high 8.1 assists and 5.9 rebounds per game.
Since the All-Star break, the Lakers have the best defensive rating in the league. They continue to rank fourth in pace, which is why this game has the highest total on the slate at 227 points. Morant thrived in his three games against the Lakers this season, averaging nearly a double-double with 30.5 points and nine assists per game. Morant was incredible during the playoffs last year, and we should see more of the same this year.
Value
Nickeil Alexander-Walker drew his first start in the Timberwolves’ last game and was sensational defensively against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, holding him to 5-for-19 shooting from the field. It wouldn’t be shocking if Alexander-Walker started again tonight against another great point guard in Jamal Murray. Value is incredibly tough to find on this four-game slate, but Alexander-Walker has the highest projected Plus/Minus on DraftKings.
The Timberwolves have an implied total of only 108.5 points, which is the second-lowest on the slate. However, the Nuggets are a familiar foe, as they play in the same division and have split their season series two games apiece. Since coming over from the Jazz, Alexander-Walker has played himself into the Timberwolves rotation. He played 37 minutes last game and finished with as a +18. Prioritize Alexander-Walker on DraftKings, where he has the highest ownership projection.
Fast Break
Russell Westbrook has been a key addition to the Clippers, especially considering that Paul George may be out for the entire first round. In nine games without George, Westbrook is averaging 19.2 points and eight assists per game while shooting 52% from the field and 45.9% from behind the arc with a 27.1% usage rate. Playing against his former teammate Kevin Durant will surely bring out the best in Westbrook in this first-round series.
Khris Middleton is not on the injury report anymore, but Jrue Holiday remains a really strong point-guard option. In his last two games, Holiday averaged a near triple-double with 23 points, 12.5 assists and 8.5 rebounds per game. The Heat rank second in the league in fewest points allowed in the paint with 46.2 per game, which may lead to more perimeter shots for Holiday. His $8,500 salary on DraftKings and FanDuel is affordable and easy to fit into all lineup builds.
NBA DFS Shooting Guard Picks
Stud
Averaging a career-high 27.8 points per game while shooting 49.4% from the field, Devin Booker and the Suns are poised for another deep playoff run. The addition of Kevin Durant has surprisingly lifted the ceiling for Booker. In eight games with Durant, Booker is averaging more points and assists per game with a very similar usage rate. Booker is most known for his scoring ability, but he has also captured five or more assists in eight of his last nine games.
Since Paul George was injured last month, the Clippers are 17th in defensive rating while ranking inside the top 10 in pace. Surprisingly this is a pretty good matchup for Booker given how the Clippers have played recently. The Suns are the favorite to come out of the Western Conference, and their playoff journey begins as a 7.5-point favorite Sunday. Expect a big game from Booker, who has the highest ceiling projection for all shooting guards.
Value
Austin Reaves is arguably the best value play on FanDuel, as he has the second-highest projected Plus/Minus on the slate behind Jimmy Butler, who is way more expensive. Reaves is only $5,100 on FanDuel with a 99% Bargain Rating compared to his $6,300 salary on DraftKings. He has recorded a positive Plus/Minus in 10 of his last 15 games, as he has been one of the best Lakers’ players since the All-Star break, averaging 17.3 points per game over that time.
Reaves’ efficiency has been incredible, as he is also leading the Lakers in assists post All-Star break as well. He has shot 50% or better in 18 of his last 24 games with his volume ramping up. With most of the Grizzlies’ defensive attention sliding to LeBron James and Anthony Davis, there will be plenty of opportunity for Reaves to make his mark in this series. Prioritize Reaves on FanDuel, where he is way too cheap with dual eligibility.
Fast Break
Anthony Edwards has struggled since coming back from his ankle injury. In his last 10 games, Edwards is shooting 41.6% from the field, and he averaged only 14 points per game in the two play-in tournament games. His ceiling projection remains high, as Edwards isn’t afraid of getting his shots up. In his third year in the league, Edwards is averaging a career-high in points, rebounds, and assists per game. If the Timberwolves want to keep this game and series close, Edwards is going to need to show up. Having shooting guard and small forward eligibility on both sites is also a nice bonus.
Desmond Bane has been as steady as they come, making for an elite cash-game option. The sharp-shooter is averaging a career-high 21.5 points per game while shooting over 40% from behind the arc for the third-straight year. The Lakers are allowing a league-high 93.9 field-goal attempts per game, so there are more than enough opportunities to go around for this Grizzlies offense. Bane looks exceptional on FanDuel at $7,800, resulting in a 98% Bargain Rating.
NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
LeBron James finished the season on a tear, recording 53+ DraftKings points in five of his last six games. Over that time, James averaged 30.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and seven assists per game. In his 19th season, James has proven he has more than enough left in the tank. There are a plethora of stud forward and center options on this slate, but playing in his first playoff series since a first round exit in 2020-’21, expect James to stuff the stat sheet.
The Grizzlies are another team that is elite defending the paint with Jaren Jackson Jr., who is one of the league’s best shot blockers. However, the Grizzlies defense suffers considerably.without Steven Adams and Brandon Clarke. If his one play-in game is any indication of how James will perform in these playoffs, we’re about to see another Hall of Fame performance. James will get a heavy dose of Dillon Brooks, but the King will find a way to put together a big game.
Value
Since being acquired by the Grizzlies at the trade deadline, Luke Kennard has been a valuable part of the rotation down the stretch. He has scored double-digit points in 12 of his last 13 games while averaging over 15 points per game and shooting 58.8% from the field and 58.1% from downtown over that time. Kennard has made over four 3-pointers per game in his last 13 games, which is absurd and makes it impossible to not keep him in the rotation.
The Lakers have been great defending the paint recently, which bodes well for the sharp-shooting Kennard. They have allowed 36.5 3-point attempts per game, which is tied for the fifth-highest in the league. Kennard is another value play that looks a little better on FanDuel, priced below $5,000 with a 98% Bargain Rating. If Kennard stays hot from the perimeter, he will find a ton of success against the Lakers wing defenders, who will hone in on Ja Morant.
Fast Break
Without Paul George, Kawhi Leonard is going to play as well as he can against this Suns juggernaut. In 14 games without George this season, Leonard has increased every stat across the board while continuing to shoot over 50% from the field. In the last game to clinch the No.5 seed, Leonard had a massive double-double with 25 points and 15 rebounds. Leonard is one of six players priced above $10,000 on both sites, but he has the lowest projected ownership among the group.
Kevin Durant in the playoffs is always eye candy. Throughout his career, Durant is averaging 29.4 points and 7.8 rebounds per game in the playoffs. The Suns are 8-0 when Durant plays, and he’s shooting 57% from the field and 53.7% from behind the arc. It’s hard to deny the upside Durant has any time he touches the floor. Prioritize one of the best scorers in the league on DraftKings, where he is only $9,000 with a 93% Bargain Rating.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
The second-most expensive player on DraftKings and FanDuel is Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Greek Freak is averaging a career-high 31.1 points per game while shooting over 55% from the field for the fifth-straight season. His 3-point field goal attempts are considerably down this season, which shows how aggressive he has been offensively. Giannis leads the league with a 38.4% usage rate and 1.79 DraftKings points per minute.
The Bucks held the best record in the regular season, and they welcome in their playoff rival Miami Heat for the first round. These two teams have met in the playoffs in two of the last three years, both winning one series apiece. The Heat have one of the best defenses in the league, but in his only full game against them this season, Giannis recorded a triple-double with 35 points, 15 rebounds, and 11 assists while shooting 13 of 19 from the field.
Giannis has the highest ceiling projection in our NBA Model on both DraftKings and FanDuel.
Given his massive usage rate, Giannis’ PrizePicks points line is also a solid target at 29.5.
Value
Aaron Gordon is priced in the mid-range, but he has proven to be a valuable part of the Nuggets offense. Playing alongside Nikola Jokic has boosted his ceiling and efficiency. In his three years with the Nuggets, Gordon has shot 50% or better from the field in each year while shooting a career-best 56.4% this season and averaging 16.3 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. He may be better suited for cash games, as he won’t make or break a lineup at this salary.
The Gordon and Karl-Anthony Towns matchup is going to be fascinating, as both power forwards can do a little bit of everything, but Towns certainly has the size advantage. To finish the season, Gordon had a double-digit positive Plus/Minus in three of his last four games, and he was incredible on the glass. The Timberwolves rank 27th in rebounding percentage this season at 48.5%, which will solidify the floor and increase the upside for Gordon.
Fast Break
Jimmy Butler is another player who is built for playoff basketball. He is one of the best creators and shot-makers in the half-court offense when the Heat desperately need buckets. Butler is averaging 22 points per game against the Bucks this season while shooting 53.4% from the field. This game is going to be a slugfest, with the total sitting at 219 points. Butler has averaged 48.6 DraftKings points per game in his last five games and is one of the best mid-range plays on the slate.
Jaren Jackson Jr. has seen his price tag skyrocket on DraftKings, but he remains a great value on FanDuel at $8,300 with a 95% Bargain Rating. FanDuel is also the perfect spot to roster Jackson Jr. who is leading the league with a career-high three blocks per game. Jackson Jr. is coming into the playoffs on a high note, as he has averaged 31 points per game in his last four games while shooting 54.7% from the field and 54.2% from behind the arc. Lock him in on FanDuel with his 99% Bargain Rating.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
The player with the highest salary for DraftKings and FanDuel is the Nuggets back-to-back MVP, Nikola Jokic. He averaged nearly a triple-double this season while shooting a career-high 63.2% from the field. The Nuggets have only won seven of their last 18 games, but they have basically been on cruise control to the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference since the All-Star break. Jokic will be ready for this matchup against a very large Timberwolves frontcourt.
Jokic has historically dominated Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert. Over the last three years, Jokic is averaging 28.6 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 9.9 assists per game in this matchup while shooting 63% from the field. Karl-Anthony Towns is now healthy, so the Timberwolves have two big bodies to throw at Jokic. He is a very strong contrarian pay-up option at 13% ownership on DraftKings and under 10% ownership on FanDuel.
Value
Bam Adebayo isn’t much of a value play, priced around $8,000 on both sites, but he has the highest projected Plus/Minus at the center position on DraftKings and FanDuel. Adebayo struggled scoring the ball in the two play-in tournament games, but he was a monster on the glass with 13 rebounds per game. The Bucks rank third in rebounding percentage this season, so Adebayo is going to need to be a beast on the glass to keep this game competitive.
Projected to play over 38 minutes, Adebayo is a little too cheap across the industry. He has 8 Pro Trends on FanDuel and 9 Pro Trends on DraftKings, which is the second-highest on the slate for both sites. Despite the difficult matchup against the Bucks, Adebayo has fared well in this spot throughout the year. In his four games, Adebayo is averaging a double-double with 19.5 points and 10.8 rebounds per game while shooting 50% from the field.
Fast Break
Similar to LeBron James, Anthony Davis has been on a mission in his last five games, averaging a massive double-double with 18.4 points and 14.8 rebounds per game. He is the main reason the Lakers defense is the best in the league since the All-Star break, as Davis has had two or more blocks in eight consecutive games. If Davis can get Jaren Jackson Jr. into foul trouble, he is going to feast on the Grizzlies’ second unit. Davis vs. Jackson Jr. is going to be popcorn-worthy television.
With Anthony Edwards struggling, Karl-Anthony Towns took full advantage and dominated the two play-in tournament games. He averaged 26 points and 11 rebounds per game while accumulating over 50 DraftKings points in both games. Towns has a tendency to settle for perimeter shots, but he has a major size advantage against Nuggets power forward Aaron Gordon. It’s a great matchup for the uber-talented Towns, who has power forward and center eligibility on both sites.
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