Sunday features a four-game slate starting at 1:00 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
Stephen Curry did what was needed in Game 3, scoring 36 points and leading the Warriors to a victory. The Warriors now have a chance tie the series at two games apiece, as they are 7.5-point home favorites implied for a slate-high 122.5 points. Draymond Green is back, which will help Curry get more open looks, as Green frequently looks for Curry on the offensive end of the floor. Throughout his career, Curry is averaging more points per game with Green than without.
Curry has dominated this Kings matchup all season long, averaging 32.3 points per game while shooting 53.8% from the field and 44.1% from behind the arc in seven games. He has made six or more 3-pointers in over half of his games against the Kings while leading the league again in 3-pointers made with 4.9 per game. Curry is one of the best pay-up options among all positions on the slate with the fourth-highest ceiling projection.
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Value
Mike Conley has seen his salary plummet down to $5,500 on FanDuel, which is resulting in a 91% Bargain Rating. He has the highest projected Plus/Minus at the point guard position on FanDuel and DraftKings being priced in the mid-range. Most of the Timberwolves production is coming from Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns, but Conley has made at least two 3-pointers in nine of his last 10 games while shooting 54.7% from behind the arc.
Conley offers incredible value on both sites, but he will be very popular. He has the highest projected ownership on FanDuel at 52% and the third-highest on DraftKings. Conley is a fantastic cash-game option despite the point guard position being loaded for a four-game slate. Expect the veteran to do whatever he can to keep the Timberwolves’ season alive. He is also projected to play 38 minutes, which will provide plenty of opportunity for fantasy production.
Fast Break
De’Aaron Fox has been incredible in the Warriors series, scoring over 53 DraftKings points in each of the first three games. Mr. Clutch nearly had a triple-double last game with 26 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists. With a 90% Bargain Rating on DraftKings, Fox is one of the better values, as he has also averaged a +9.1 DraftKings Plus/Minus. Looking to go up 3-1 against the defending champions, Fox will need another big game tonight.
Jamal Murray is playing like he’s back in the bubble, as he has averaged 49.9 DraftKings points per game in the first three games against the Timberwolves. Murray has been scoring at will in this series with the Timberwolves playing without their best defender in Jaden McDaniels. The Timberwolves have the third-worst Defensive Rating (120.6) during the playoffs. Look for Murray to stay hot as the Nuggets look for the first-round sweep.
NBA DFS Shooting Guard Picks
Stud
Friday night was one to forget for the Cavaliers, who scored only 79 points in Game 3. Looking to bounce back and even the series, they will need another ceiling performance from Donovan Mitchell. Mitchell has stuffed the stat sheet through the first three games, averaging 25.7 points, 8.7 assists, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.3 steals per game. Last game was the first time in his last seven games where Mitchell recorded a negative Plus/Minus.
Mitchell has been incredible in his first year with the Cavaliers, averaging a career-high 28.3 points per game. Mitchell has proven that he can do more than just score the ball, as he has led the Cavaliers in assists in each of their first three games. Expect another slugfest, as this total is only 206.5 points and the Knicks have the best Defensive Rating in the playoffs thus far. Mitchell will have another 30%-plus usage rate, which makes him a strong contrarian pay-up option.
Value
The most popular shooting guard on DraftKings and FanDuel tonight is Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. He has at least 10 field-goal attempts in all three playoff games while averaging 12.3 points per game. Priced under $4,500 on both sites, Caldwell-Pope is a great salary saver at a position that is always tough to fill. Caldwell-Pope has made three 3-pointers in two of his last three games in this series, as the Nuggets always find the open shooter.
In his first year with the Nuggets, Caldwell-Pope started all 76 of his games played and averaged double-digit points while shooting a career-best 42.3% from behind the arc. He won’t provide much in the peripheral department, but Caldwell-Pope has proven to be one of the better spot-up shooters in the league. Playing alongside Nikola Jokic provides several scoring opportunities. Caldwell-Pope’s salary is too good to pass up on this slate.
Fast Break
Dejounte Murray has made double-digit field goals in each of the Hawks’ first three games, averaging 26 points per game, to lead the team. Murray has been one of the most consistent players on the Hawks, as he has also recorded five-plus assists and six-plus rebounds in each game. Playing alongside Trae Young hasn’t limited his upside. With point guard and shooting guard eligibility on DraftKings and FanDuel, Murray is easy to fit into all lineup builds.
NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
Facing elimination, the Timberwolves have looked overmatched in the first three games against the Nuggets. One player who has lived up to the hype is Anthony Edwards. He has averaged 38.5 points per game in his last two games while shooting 53.3% from the field and 42.9% from behind the arc. Edwards has finished with 60+ DraftKings points in back-to-back games and remains very affordable on DraftKings at $8,600 with a 99% Bargain Rating.
Edwards leads the Timberwolves in points, steals, blocks, and usage rate in the playoffs. He has been scoring at will in the paint, which shouldn’t be surprising as the Nuggets were 21st in points allowed in the paint with 52.2 per game this season. As long as Edwards stays aggressive, he is going to be a great option on DraftKings, as he is only projected for 17% ownership. The Timberwolves need a big game from Edwards to keep their season afloat.
Value
Despite Draymond being back for the Warriors, Andrew Wiggins has the highest projected Plus/Minus at the small forward position on FanDuel at only $6,600. He will be popular, but Wiggins has recorded a positive Plus/Minus in each game since returning to action. It looks like he hasn’t missed a beat by averaging nearly 20 points per game. Wiggins has also increased his rebounding numbers in each game, as the glass is very important in this series.
Even with a 21% projected usage rate, Wiggins is going to play big minutes and be a major factor for the Warriors offense. His perimeter jump shot has also gotten better game-by-game, as he shot 3-for-6 from behind the arc in Game 3. Wiggins can be a menace defensively and contribute steals and blocks, which only boosts his ceiling.
Fast Break
After putting up a double-double with 29 points and 12 rebounds in Game 1, Jaylen Brown has been mediocre in back-to-back games. His usage rate has dipped to 25%, as Brown is only averaging 16.5 points, 2.5 assists, and two rebounds per game in the last two games. Capturing six steals and two blocks has kept Brown’s fantasy score somewhat respectable. The ceiling is achievable, especially considering the Celtics would like to keep this series from being tied.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
Sticking with the Celtics, Jayson Tatum has not slowed down like Jaylen Brown has. Tatum has played 40 minutes in each game, averaging a double-double with 27.7 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. His usage rate has increased game-by-game and should continue to rise now that the Hawks proved they are capable of winning a game in this series. Tatum has the second-highest ceiling projection in our NBA Model on DraftKings and FanDuel.
The Celtics are six-point road favorites implied to score 119 points, as this game has the second-highest total on the slate at 232 points. This first-round matchup with the Hawks has the second-highest Pace (103) thus far. Expect another track meet, as the Hawks only chance to win this series is to keep the tempo high. Attempting 22+ field-goal attempts in each game, Tatum looks like an awesome pay-up option, especially priced under $10,000 on DraftKings.
Value
Karl-Anthony Towns has had yet another poor playoff series, but he is starting to find his groove by increasing his fantasy production in each game. In Game 3, Towns had 27 points and seven rebounds while shooting 10 of 17 from the field and finally scoring over 40 DraftKings points. It will be the Edwards and Towns show offensively for the Timberwolves, as both need to have big games to avoid being swept by the Nuggets at home.
With power forward and center eligibility, Towns looks like a good value on DraftKings and FanDuel. He has the highest projected Plus/Minus at the power forward position even though he isn’t a true low-priced value play. Priced under $8,000 on DraftKings, Towns also has the highest projected ownership on the slate. He could have a huge game if his perimeter shot is falling, and he also has double-double upside.
Fast Break
Julius Randle hasn’t looked healthy, shooting 32.7% from the field in the first three games while averaging 34.5 DraftKings points per game. The Cavaliers twin towers of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen are a brutal matchup for Randle, but his poor play has dropped his salary on DraftKings by $2,000 since Game 1. That is a major overreaction, which is making Randle look like one of the better values on the slate.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Nikola Jokic recorded his first triple-double of the playoffs in Game 3 with 20 points, 12 assists, and 11 rebounds while shooting 9 of 13 from the field and 2 of 3 from behind the arc. Jokic is a fantastic cash-game option, as his consistency is unmatched. Stuffing the stat sheet, Jokic provides fantasy scoring in so many offensive categories. It wouldn’t be surprising if Jokic recorded another triple-double in this potential Game 4 sweep.
Rudy Gobert may have to give up his three defensive player of the year awards, because Jokic is making him look like he’s not even there when posting up. Historically, Jokic has dominated Gobert with 20+ points scored in 12 of his last 13 games. The only time he failed to score 20 points was Game 1 when he fouled out, but the Nuggets still won by 29 points. Jokic has another slate-breaking performance in the bag against Gobert tonight.
Value
Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen are in a tough matchup against the Knicks, but both provide a ceiling at their mid-range salaries on DraftKings and FanDuel. Mobley has averaged a double-double in this series while taking double-digit field goal attempts in each game. Usually a monster on the glass, Allen only had five rebounds last game, but he also has double-double upside and has five blocks in his last two games.
The Knicks led the league allowing the fewest points per game in the paint this season, as Mitchell Robinson is a force down low. Even with their historically awful Game 3, both Mobley and Allen are rating out as strong values. Both players also have power forward and center eligibility on FanDuel, making them easy to fit into all lineup builds. Mobley gets the slight lean in our projections, but Allen will be lower-owned, which is also intriguing.
Fast Break
Domantas Sabonis recorded another massive double-double in Game 3 with 15 points and 16 rebounds. He continues to dominate the glass against the Warriors and their relatively small lineup. Draymond may be back for the Warriors to cause havoc, but Sabonis still has a ceiling and is favorably priced on both sites. Having power forward and center eligibility on FanDuel feels like a steal, as Sabonis leads the slate with 11 Pro Trends.
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