Wednesday features an eight-game slate starting at 7:00 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 on the slate in projected ceiling is Thunder point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. After several 30-point games in a row, Gilgeous-Alexander was limited to 20 points in their last victory over the Grizzlies. Looking to bounce back in the scoring column, he will get a cupcake matchup against the Jazz tonight. The Thunder are a massive 15-point favorite, implied for a slate-high 123 points. In the first three games of this series, the average total points scored per game is 252.7.
Similar to his season averages, Gilgeous-Alexander has dominated in his three games against the Jazz this season. He is averaging 29.7 points, 6.7 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game while shooting 57.4% from the field and 40% from behind the arc. The Jazz continue to have the second-worst defensive rating in the league at 119.2, making this an elite matchup.
Value
Keon Ellis will likely draw the start for the Kings tonight with Kevin Huerter out. Ellis started the second half last game when Huerter was ruled out in the first few minutes. He ended up playing a season-high 34 points and finished with nearly 30 DraftKings points. Being one of the best values at $3,700, Ellis has the highest Projected Plus/Minus at his position. He has a 94% Bargain Rating and has recorded a positive Plus/Minus in three of his last four games.
The Kings are double-digit road favorites against the Raptors. They are implied for the third-highest total on the slate at 120.75 points. Projected to play 30 minutes, Ellis will get more than enough opportunity to exceed his salary. His usage rate will remain minuscule, but Ellis is impossible to ignore at his salary. He is a cheap way to get exposure to the Kings offense.
Fast Break
Sticking with the Kings backcourt, De’Aaron Fox is tied for a slate-high 12 Pro Trends and is reasonably priced at $9,000. Fox is coming off a 23-point, 10-rebound double-double in his last game. It was his ninth game in his last 13, where Fox recorded over 50 DraftKings points. With Kevin Huerter off the floor this season, Fox has a team-high +1.76% usage rate. Since the All-Star Break, the Raptors rank 24th in net rating. They are going in the exact opposite direction of the Kings.
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
Despite playing exceptionally lately, Anfernee Simons‘ salary continues to decrease. Over his last nine games, Simons is averaging 27.4 points, 7.1 assists, and 45.6 DraftKings points per game. He has recorded a positive Plus/Minus in six of those nine games. Priced at $7,600 with point guard and shooting guard eligibility, Simons is easy to fit into all lineup builds.
The Trail Blazers have been playing much better but are still double-digit home underdogs against the Clippers. Malcolm Brogdon remains out, while Jerami Grant is doubtful to play. With both players out of the lineup, Simons has averaged a +5.85 DraftKings Plus/Minus. Surprisingly, the Clippers have been an exploitable matchup. Since the All-Star Break, they rank 26th in defensive rating. Expect another great performance from Simons, who will get as much usage as he can handle.
Value
The heavy favorite for Sixth Man of the Year is Kings’ microwave scorer Malik Monk. With Kevin Huerter off the floor, it has been Monk who has played the most minutes on the team with 1,301. Despite not starting a single game all season, Monk is averaging a career-high 15.9 points and 5.3 assists per game. Monk is coming off a team-high 28 points in 39 minutes. He shot 10-for-19 from the field and had a 26.9% usage rate. He ranks second behind Fox this season in usage rate per game.
The Kings are one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the league this season. Monk is averaging 2.2 made 3-pointers per game while shooting 36.6% from long distance. This matchup bodes well for the Kings perimeter shooters, with the Raptors allowing opponents to shoot 37.6% from downtown, which is tied for the fifth-highest in the league. It’s an elite matchup for Monk.
Fast Break
With Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Max Strus still nursing injuries, Caris LeVert will once again be a popular target. Over his last 11 games, LeVert has been both a great scorer and facilitator. During that time, he is averaging 13.6 points and 8.5 assists per game with three double-doubles. Not particularly known for his passing, LeVert’s ceiling has risen from not being a one-dimensional fantasy producer. Even in a difficult matchup, LeVert is projected for 20% ownership.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
For yet another slate, we are patiently waiting on the news from the Celtics. Jaylen Brown and Jrue Holiday are both listed as questionable to play tonight. With Giannis Antetokounmpo already ruled out for the Bucks, it wouldn’t be surprising if one of both of Brown and Holiday decide not to play. In what was supposed to be a potential preview of the Eastern Conference title game, injuries have gotten in the way. However, this has the potential to provide a significant boost to Jayson Tatum.
With Brown and Holiday off the floor this season, Tatum has a +7.01% usage rate and a +6.19 DraftKings Plus/Minus in 299 total minutes. Tatum’s production has ramped up recently, and he still remains affordable at $9,900. The Bucks have been a below-average defensive and rebounding team. With under 5% projected ownership, Tatum is a contrarian pay-up option.
Value
With Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, and Scottie Barnes all out for the Raptors, they are desperately looking for any kind of production. That is where Bruce Brown comes in. Brown has only played in 23 games since being traded to the Raptors but is now being thrust into a starting role with a high usage rate. Brown has scored double-digit points in four consecutive games. During that stretch, he is averaging 13.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 27.5 DraftKings points per game.
Projected to play around 36 minutes, Brown looks like a fantastic value option with point guard and small forward eligibility. With all of the Kings players that look incredible in this matchup, Brown is a great bring-back option if he can keep this game competitive. The Kings are certainly no juggernaut defensively. They rank 19th in defensive rating, so Brown can succeed.
Fast Break
Pascal Siakam has really stepped it up lately with three-point and rebound double-doubles in his last four games. During that time, Siakam is averaging 20.5 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. He has added eight steals with a 26.9% usage rate in those four games. The Pacers are nine-point favorites against the Pistons, implied for the second-highest point total on the slate at 121.5 points. Priced at $7,700, Siakam is the best Pacers option with 10 Pro Trends and a 71% Bargain Rating.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
Since returning from injury, Jaren Jackson Jr. has captured 42 DraftKings points in back-to-back games. He finally got help with Desmond Bane back in the lineup, but Jackson Jr. has still posted an incredibly high usage rate. Last game against the Kings, Jackson Jr. attempted 27 field goals with a 38.2% usage rate. He shot an uncharacteristic 8-for-27 but managed to score 25 points. Projected to play 37 minutes, Jackson Jr. is a strong pay-up option with power forward and center eligibility.
With all of the Grizzlies injuries this season, Jackson Jr. has been phenomenal in his 59 games played. He is averaging a career-high 22.4 points per game with a 30.3% usage rate. Jackson Jr. has shot horribly in his first two meetings against the Warriors at 29.3%. Expect a bounce-back game from him, especially given his incredibly high usage rate and ceiling.
Fast Break
Value
Raptors’ forward Jordan Nwora has the highest Projected Plus/Minus on the slate tonight. He is also projected for a slate-high 38% ownership at his cheap $3,800 price tag. Nwora has a positive Plus/Minus in four-straight games and is coming off a team-high 18 points against the Magic off the bench. Since getting more playing time over his last five games, Nwora is averaging 11.8 points per game while shooting 56.1% from the field. Nwora is an elite value play in all formats tonight.
Similar to Bruce Brown, Nwora is a cheap way to get exposure to this fantastic game environment that has a 230-point total. He has started in one game for the Raptors this season, so make sure to monitor the Raptors starting lineup in case Nwora draws the start. That would simply make him look even better in this spot. Either way, his $3,800 salary is simply too cheap.
Fast Break
Playing Robin to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams has had an incredible second year in the league. The standout forward from Santa Clara is averaging a career-high 19.2 points per game while shooting a ridiculous 53.8% from the field and 44.9% from behind the arc. Williams has scored 22 or more points in seven of his last 10 games, and to no surprise, he has dominated this matchup against the Jazz this season, scoring 22.7 points per game and shooting 61.9% from the field.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Domantas Sabonis has the highest projected ceiling in our Player Model tonight. Not only is Sabonis averaging over 20 points per game, but he is also averaging a career-high in both rebounds and assists per game this season. He has been one of the most consistent and dominant fantasy producers. Sabonis also has the third-highest Projected Plus/Minus at the center position, proving how great of a play he is. He is tied with his teammate De’Aaron Fox for a slate-high 12 Pro Trends.
Sabonis will draw a matchup against a weak and injured Raptors frontcourt. This is a perfect spot for Sabonis to display his upside. The Raptors rank 25th in rebounding percentage at 48.8% and have allowed 54 points per game in the paint this season, which ranks 24th in the league. Sabonis is the best pay-up option on the slate and will dominate the paint tonight.
Value
Being asked to try and guard Domantas Sabonis is Raptors center Jontay Porter. Despite coming off the bench, Porter has averaged 23 minutes per game in his last four games and has played over 20 minutes in each contest. He is projected to play around 24 minutes tonight and has the second-highest projected Plus/Minus on the slate. Priced at $4,000, Porter has an 85% Bargain Rating and is also projected for the second-highest ownership. He is a fantastic cash-game option tonight.
Playing Porter and Sabonis together is a great way to bet on this matchup being competitive and will be a different strategy. Porter has been extremely active when he is on the floor, stuffing the stat sheet in a variety of ways. The Kings have been an average interior defensive team, which bodes well for the versatile Porter. He is yet another way too cheap value play.
Fast Break
Chet Holmgren is coming off his third points and rebounds double-double in his last six games. Priced in the mid-tier, Holmgren has had an incredible rookie season. He likely won’t win Rookie of the Year, but Holmgren is averaging 16.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game. Being the third-leading scorer on one of the best teams in the league, he has also shot an impressive 53.7% from the field. Holmgren should have no trouble in this matchup against the Jazz interior.
