Sunday features a seven-game slate starting at 6:00 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.
NBA DFS Point Guard Picks
Stud
Currently second in the NBA MVP voting, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been extremely consistent for one of the best teams in the league. In the Thunder’s 20-point victory last game, Gilgeous-Alexander scored over 30 points for the ninth consecutive game. He shot 11-for-15 from the floor while adding nine assists, five steals, and three blocks to finish with 63.25 DraftKings points. Gilgeous-Alexander is exceptionally priced on DraftKings at $10,300 with a 93% Bargain Rating.
The Thunder are nearly double-digit favorites, hosting the Raptors who have lost 10 of their last 12 games. They are implied for a slate-high 123.5 points due to the Raptors’ poor defense. They rank 26th in defensive rating and 25th in net rating since the departure of OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam. Gilgeous-Alexander is projected to be the most popular player on the DraftKings slate.
Value
The Grizzlies continue to lose bodies left and right, as Jaren Jackson Jr. has already been ruled out for Sunday’s game. Even though they are ridiculous 18-point road underdogs against the Celtics, Grizzlies point guard Jacob Gilyard will have no choice but to play over 30 minutes. The second-year guard connected on five 3-pointers last game, scoring a career-high 16 points in the Grizzlies’ 20-point loss to the Warriors. He will be a popular option at his sub-$5,000 salary.
Over 80% of Gilyard’s field-goal attempts have come from long range this season. He is shooting 42.6% from behind the arc and has made nine of his last 16 attempts. The Celtics rank fourth in the league in defensive rating, but they can be beat on the perimeter. They are allowing 37.7 3-point attempts per game, the fourth-highest in the league. A perfect spot for Gilyard.
Fast Break
The Bucks are playing on the second leg of a road back-to-back after beating the Mavericks by 12 points Saturday. Damian Lillard poured in 30 points while shooting a near perfect 10-for-11 from the field and 5-for-5 from downtown. Priced at $9,000 on FanDuel, Lillard is projected to be the highest-owned point guard on the slate with his 11 Pro Trends and 87% Bargain Rating. Keep an eye on the status of the Bucks players Sunday for potential rest. This spread feels a little fishy with the Jazz favored.
NBA DFS Shooting Guard Picks
Stud
The shooting guard position is a potential landmine with injuries and lack of options. Anthony Edwards is a perfect boom-or-bust tournament play due to his inconsistencies. Over his last seven games, Edwards has two games scoring single-digit points and two games scoring 32-plus points. When Edwards is aggressive and shooting well, he can end up in the optimal lineup at this price tag. However, his inconsistent play keeps his salary in check and makes him a tournament-only option.
The Timberwolves are 7.5-point home favorites against the Rockets, who are just 5-16 on the road this season. Rudy Gobert is questionable to play, which would provide more driving lanes for Edwards. In the one game that Gobert missed this season, Edwards scored 29 points on 25 field-goal attempts. Which version of Edwards is going to show up?
Value
Malik Beasley looks like a strong value option now, and he could look even better if the Bucks decide to rest a star or two on this second leg of a back-to-back. Priced under $5,000 across the industry, it won’t take much for Beasley to exceed his salary Sunday. Similar to Edwards, Beasley has been an inconsistent scorer most of the season. He has failed to reach double-digit points in six-straight games, but he is still averaging 11.1 points per game for the second consecutive season.
Beasley does most of his damage from behind the arc. Over 70% of his field-goal attempts come from downtown, where he is shooting a career-best 44.6%. The Jazz have been susceptible to the long ball this season, allowing opponents to shoot 37 3-pointers per game and connect on 38.1% of them. Beasley is a cheap way to get exposure to the Bucks offense.
Fast Break
Collin Sexton has recorded a positive Plus/Minus in 10 of his last 12 games. After a slow start to the season, Sexton has taken the starting role for the Jazz and ran with it. Sexton has scored 20-plus points in 21 of his last 28 games, dating back to the middle of December. Not only is he scoring the ball at an impressive rate, but he is also averaging a career high in assists. With double-double potential, Sexton is underpriced at his mid-range salary across the industry.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
With Jaylen Brown‘s status in doubt and priced in a tier of his own, Jayson Tatum is easily the stud small forward on this seven-game slate. The Celtics are massive home favorites against the Grizzlies and are looking to extend their home record to 23-3 this season. Tatum’s ownership is under 5% on both DraftKings and FanDuel. That is a mistake, especially if Brown is ruled out Sunday. With Brown off the floor this season, Tatum has a +4.78% usage rate and a +2.88 DraftKings Plus/Minus.
With so many injuries to their frontcourt and backcourt, the Grizzlies have been an exploitable matchup for over a month now. Tatum who has averaged eight or more rebounds per game for three consecutive seasons, has a fantastic chance at a double-double in this matchup. The Grizzlies rank 26th in rebounding percentage at 48.5% and have no Jaren Jackson Jr.
Value
Brandon Miller has been one of the best rookies this season and has a very promising future. He is also getting a fantastic opportunity to lead the Hornets offense with LaMelo Ball out and Terry Rozier now on the Miami Heat. Since he returned from a minor injury a few weeks ago, Miller has scored over 20 points in seven of his last nine games and is shooting exactly 50% from the field during that time. Priced in the mid-range, Miller is easy to get exposure to in all lineup builds.
The Hornets are nearly double-digit home underdogs, but they are playing against a Pacers team that ranks second in the league in pace and 26th in defensive rating. They are allowing 122.8 points per game, and their opponents shoot 50.4% from the floor. Even in a blowout last game, Miller scored 28 points while shooting 11-for-19 and finished with over 50 DraftKings points.
Fast Break
Sticking with the Hornets, Miles Bridges is a very similar play to Brandon Miller, but he is much more expensive. While Miller is more scoring-dependent, Bridges has displayed a rebounding upside that is worth getting exposure to. He has pulled down double-digit rebounds in four of his last eight games and will get a positive rebounding matchup against the Pacers, who rank 23rd in rebounding percentage this season. Bridges leads the slate with 12 Pro Trends on DraftKings and 14 on FanDuel.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
Giannis Antetokounmpo is coming off his second-best game of the season Saturday night. He dominated the Mavericks with 48 points and 10 assists while shooting 20-for-28 from the field and accumulating a season-high five steals. If Giannis is able to play on the second leg of this back-to-back, he will be the second-most popular pay-up option to Gilgeous-Alexander. Even at his high salary, there is enough value on this slate to fit in one of the best players on the slate coming off a big game.
In Giannis’ only meeting against the Jazz this season, he recorded a 25-point, 11-assist, 10-rebound triple-double. Even with the triple-double he failed to return value, because it was one of the only games all season where Giannis did not record a single steal or block. Giannis has the highest projected Plus/Minus on the slate for both DraftKings and FanDuel in this spot.
Value
Bobby Portis is projected for a slate-high 72% ownership on FanDuel due to his egregiously low $5,500 salary. He has a 96% Bargain Rating and will be a staple in cash games. Brook Lopez missed Saturday’s game due to personal reasons, and his status for Sunday’s game is in jeopardy. With Lopez out last game, Portis recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds in 31 minutes. Portis will still come off the bench, but his playing time will be increased if Lopez can’t play tonight.
The Jazz have been a great rebounding team this season, but they do rank 20th in points allowed in the paint with 52.7 points per game. This bet on Portis comes down to his cheap price tag and opportunity. His power forward and center eligibility makes him easy to fit into lineups, and he is another cheap way to get exposure to the Bucks’ 123.25 implied total.
Fast Break
Four-time All Star Karl-Anthony Towns may get the luxury of playing without his fellow frontcourt mate Rudy Gobert on Sunday. If that comes to fruition, this is a fantastic spot to get to Towns. With Gobert off the floor this season, Towns has a +1.78% usage rate and a team-high +5.32 DraftKings Plus/Minus. He had a 25-point, 13-rebound double-double in his one game without Gobert. Priced in the upper mid-range, he is a strong play in all formats with his around 15% projected ownership.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
After a monstrous triple-double against the Trail Blazers on Friday night, Nikola Jokic will get a chance to repeat that performance in the same matchup Sunday. Jokic finished with 27 points, a season-high 22 rebounds and 12 assists while shooting 11-for-16 from the floor. It was Jokic’s second triple-double in a row and his league-leading 15th this season. Among the three most expensive players on the slate, Jokic is easily the most contrarian, which makes him enticing tonight.
Jokic has the best matchup between him, Giannis, and Gilgeous-Alexander. The Trail Blazers rank 26th in net rating and 24th in rebounding percentage. Jokic already proved what he is capable of in their last meeting, and there is no doubt that he can put up another huge stat line tonight. He has a positive Plus/Minus in nine of his last 10 games and is a elite option.
Value
Nick Richards‘ salary still hasn’t crept over $6,000 on DraftKings, which makes him one of the better value plays on the slate. Mark Williams continues to be out, giving Richards full reign of the Hornets frontcourt. In his fourth year in the league, Richards is averaging a career-high 9.5 points and a team and career-high 7.8 rebounds per game. He has double-double upside in a plus matchup against the Pacers. This game environment will present a lot of opportunity for Richards.
The Pacers allow a league-high 60.1 points per game in the paint this season. They allowed 66 points in the paint in their last game against the Lakers. Richards does not have a large usage rate, but he has a great chance to rack up another double-double in this matchup. Richards is the most popular center-only eligible player on both DraftKings and FanDuel tonight.
Fast Break
Chet Holmgren has the highest projected Plus/Minus at the center position on DraftKings and the second-highest on FanDuel behind Jokic. Holmgren has displayed a massive rebounding upside recently with 10 per game in his last seven contests. The Raptors’ small frontcourt is a perfect matchup for the lengthy Holmgren. The rookie from Gonzaga can also be a threat defensively with 2.6 blocks per game. There is a lot to like about Holmgren on Sunday in this spot against the Raptors.
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