Sunday features a five-game slate on DraftKings and a four-game slate on FanDuel, both 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
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has scored 30 or more points in seven consecutive games while averaging over 31 points per game for the second-straight season. He ranks second in the league in scoring and leads the league with 2.1 steals per game. Adding in the fact that Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging a career high in assists per game makes him impossible to ignore on the DraftKings five-game slate. He is the most expensive player and has the second-highest projected ceiling on the slate.
The Thunder are 5.5-point road favorites despite the Suns being 20-12 at home this year. They won their previous matchup against the Suns on the road, 111-99, behind Gilgeous-Alexander’s 35 points and seven rebounds. He shot 13-for-22 from the field, including two made 3-pointers. Gilgeous-Alexander has been on a tear recently, and Sunday should be no different.
Value
Currently leading the slate with the highest projected Plus/Minus on DraftKings and FanDuel is Hornets point guard Vasilije Micic. The rookie from Serbia came to the Hornets earlier in February and has played nine games with his new team. Micic is averaging 8.3 points and 5.9 assists per game coming off the bench. He is coming off a career-high 28 minutes against the 76ers last game where he accumulated 13 points and seven assists. Micic is projected to play 28 minutes again Sunday.
Priced in the mid-$4,000’s across the industry, Micic is easy to fit into all lineup builds. He is projected to be the highest-owned player on both sites with 50% on FanDuel and 40% on DraftKings. With guards LaMelo Ball, Cody Martin, and Seth Curry all out, Micic’s playing time is secured. Expect another strong performance from the rookie point guard on this slate.
Fast Break
Immanuel Quickley has taken the starting point guard role with the Raptors and ran with it. He is averaging career highs across the board in points, rebounds, assists, and 3-point percentage at 42%. Quickley has recorded a positive Plus/Minus in five-straight games averaging 21.4 points, 6.0 assists, and 5.8 rebounds per game with a 23.3% usage rate. He will now get to play the foreseeable future without Scottie Barnes, who suffered a hand injury that will boost Quickley’s production.
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
With Donovan Mitchell and Devin Booker questionable with injuries, the shooting guard position is lacking star power. The Spurs’ Devin Vassell leads the way at the position with a rising salary due to his elite play recently. Over his last three games, Vassell is averaging 25.3 points, 6.7 assists and 6.0 rebounds per game while shooting 54.4% from the field and 40.9% from behind the arc. He has added four total steals and five blocks. Vassell has turned into the Spurs’ second option.
The Spurs may be 6.5-point home underdogs, but they are playing in the best game environment on the slate. This game total sits at 244.5 points, which is by far the highest game Sunday. The Pacers have been great defending the 3-point line, but they still rank 26th in defensive rating and second in pace. Vassell is the most popular shooting guard on the slate Sunday.
Value
Gary Trent Jr. is another player on the Raptors who is in a great spot without Scottie Barnes in the lineup. He has recorded a positive Plus/Minus in five of his last six games while averaging 12.8 points per game and a 16.1% usage rate during that time. Trent Jr. has played the second-most minutes for the Raptors when Barnes is off the floor this season. Most of Trent Jr.’s production comes from scoring. He is shooting 40.6% from deep, with over 55% of his attempts coming from distance.
Trent Jr. will be able to showcase his perimeter shooting against the Hornets, who are allowing opponents to shoot 38.3% from behind the arc this season. They continue to have the second-worst defensive rating in the league at 119.6. Make sure to prioritize Trent Jr. on FanDuel where he is only $4,900, which is resulting in a 93% Bargain Rating on Sunday.
Fast Break
Hornets rookie sharpshooter Brandon Miller is probable Sunday after missing last game due to a back injury. Make sure to keep an eye on his status the closer we get to lock, but Miller looks like a great play yet again if he is healthy. Miller has elite upside and is easy to fit on both sites with his mid-range salary. Since the All-Star Break, the Raptors have been playing at the fifth-fastest pace in the league. Without Barnes, their perimeter defense will take a hit, making Miller look that much better.
Be sure to check out all the pick’ems Sleeper has to offer with Sleeper Fantasy promo code LABS1 for a $500 deposit match.
NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
Sticking with the Hornets, Miles Bridges has been on a double-double spree recently. Bridges has recorded a double-double in six of his last eight games, while averaging 19.9 points and 9.3 rebounds per game during that time. He also has attempted 17.1 field goals per game with a 24.5% usage rate. Bridges is also a threat from the perimeter. He poured in five 3-pointers in his last game and has made at least two in 10 of his last 12 games. He has upside and is on a tear recently.
Bridges has only played in 47 games this season, but he is averaging career highs in both points and rebounds. He is +125 on DraftKings Sportsbook to capture his seventh double-double in his last nine games. The Raptors rank 24th in rebounding percentage this season at 47.9%, and that is likely to come down without Barnes’ career-high 8.2 rebounds per game.
Value
Aaron Nesmith is another value play who looks much better on FanDuel due to his cheaper price tag. Nesmith has seen a major decrease in salary after working his way back from a four-game absence due to an ankle injury. At only $5,000 on FanDuel, Nesmith has the highest projected Plus/Minus at the small forward position on FanDuel. He has a 93% Bargain Rating after being priced in the mid-$6,000’s for the past month. He is a strong value play with dual eligibility on both sites.
Playing against the Spurs will make most players look like great options. They rank fourth in pace and 26th in defensive rating this season. Nesmith is known for his perimeter shooting with a career-high 45.5% from behind the arc this season. He is also shooting 52% from the field. This is a great matchup for Nesmith to fill up the scoreboard, especially from deep.
Fast Break
With Scottie Barnes out for the Raptors, RJ Barrett has the highest usage rate on the team this season at 24%. Expect that to rise moving forward. Barrett has turned into an elite shooter since coming to the Raptors. He is averaging a career-high 20.7 points per game, while shooting 55.1% from the field and 40.9% from distance. In his one game against the Hornets since his arrival in Toronto, Barrett stuffed the stat sheet with 23 points, six rebounds, and five assists on 9-for-15 shooting.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
Leading the way with the highest projected ceiling on DraftKings and FanDuel in our Player model is Spurs’ standout rookie Victor Wembanyama. Leading the league in blocks with 3.3 per game and averaging a 20-point, 10-rebound double-double, Wembanyama has lived up to the hype. Right now he is playing at an All-Star level. Wembanyama has recorded a positive Plus/Minus in seven consecutive games while averaging 23.7 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 5.3 blocks per game.
The Pacers present a great matchup for Wembanyama to showcase his ceiling. They rank 24th in rebounding percentage this season, and opponents are accumulating 5.6 blocks per game against them. Wembanyama is still highly priced on FanDuel, but he’s very affordable on DraftKings. He is only $10,400 with a 96% Bargain Rating and a slate-high 12 Pro Trends.
Value
Kelly Olynyk has the second-highest projected Plus/Minus on the slate for both DraftKings and FanDuel on Sunday. He is projected to play around 28 minutes and will likely start for the injured Barnes. Priced at $5,700 on both sites with power forward and center eligibility, Olynyk will be a great play in all formats. In his last game with Barnes getting hurt, Olynyk finished with 40 DraftKings points after posting a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double in only 28 minutes of playing time.
The Hornets rank 27th in rebounding percentage this season, making this another great opportunity for Olynyk to capture a double-double. They are also allowing the eighth-most points in the paint with 53.2 per game. Olynyk can score at all three levels and is simply too cheap for this matchup and his expected outlook. He has upside with a floor made for cash-games.
Fast Break
Only available on the DraftKings slate, Kevin Durant may get the luxury of playing without Devin Booker, who left last night’s game with an apparent ankle injury. Playing the second leg of a back-to-back puts Booker’s status in doubt for Sunday’s game. Durant already looks like a good pay-up option, but would look even better without Booker. In his 10 games without Booker this year, Durant is averaging 31.5 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 6.0 assists with a ridiculous 34.8% usage rate.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Currently second in the Rookie of the Year race, Chet Holmgren has put together an extremely strong year for himself. After missing all of last year with a foot injury, Holmgren is averaging 17.2 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game while playing on one of the best teams in the Western Conference. Priced at $8,000 and only available on the DraftKings slate, Holmgren has 10 Pro Trends and is projected for 20% ownership. His blocks upside makes him a great play in all formats.
Holmgren will battle with Jusuf Nurkic and a Suns frontcourt that is having a good year. He is used to playing against bigger post players, so the size of Nurkic should not be a problem. In their only meeting this season, Holmgren finished with 18 points, six rebounds, four assists and two blocks and shot 5-for-10 from the field and 3-for-6 from deep. The ceiling is there.
Value
With Nick Richards questionable, Grant Williams will likely see an increase in production if the former is ruled out for Sunday’s game. It wouldn’t be surprising if Williams drew the start either. He is already projected to play 29 minutes with upside for more in a matchup that suits him perfectly. The Raptors frontcourt, especially without Scottie Barnes, is small and exploitable. Williams can also stretch the floor with his perimeter shooting and his ability to create plays off the dribble.
In nine games with the Hornets, Williams has taken on a larger role and is averaging a career-high 13.8 points and five rebounds per game. He is also shooting a career-best 50.6% from the field. With power-forward and center eligibility on DraftKings, Williams has the second-highest projected Plus/Minus, but he is only power-forward eligible on FanDuel.
Fast Break
With Tyrese Haliburton still struggling to find his groove, it has been the Myles Turner show for the Pacers. He has recorded a positive Plus/Minus in six of his last seven games, with his only negative finish coming last game against the Pelicans where the Pacers were blown out by 27 points. In what should be an electric game, Turner should thrive in this matchup. Even with Wembanyama, the Spurs rank 25th in both rebounding percentage and points allowed in the paint.
