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
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads a loaded point guard position on this seven-game slate. He is coming off back-to-back 37-point games. Gilgeous-Alexander has recorded 30-plus points in 10 of his last 11 games, while averaging 32.5 points per game during that time and shooting 54.2% from the field. Currently second in NBA MVP voting, he has put together another great season. Gilgeous-Alexander has boosted his peripherals, averaging a career-high 6.5 assists and 5.6 rebounds per game.
The Thunder are a massive 14.5-point home favorite against the Grizzlies, implied for 116.5 points. The Grizzlies have been competitive lately, but they are undermatched against a Thunder team that is 25-6 at home this year. Expect another ceiling performance from Gilgeous-Alexander in this matchup. He has the second-highest projected ceiling on the slate.
Value
The Heat are tied with the Kings for the highest implied total on the slate at 120 points. They are 11-point favorites against the Wizards, who are tied for the worst record in the league. The Wizards continue to lead the league in pace and have the worst defensive rating at 119.6 per game. There are several players on the Heat who are worth getting exposure to, but Terry Rozier is one of the best options. He has the highest projected Plus/Minus at the point guard position on both sites.
Rozier is a relatively cheap way to get exposure to the Heat in this exceptional matchup. Especially on FanDuel, where he is only $6,800 and has an 89% Bargain Rating. Rozier struggled early since joining the Heat, but has turned it on recently averaging 18 points and 7.5 assists per game in his last four, while shooting 49.1% from the field and 52.4% from distance.
Fast Break
Fred VanVleet has a positive Plus/Minus in five consecutive games and is still reasonably priced across the industry at under $8,000 on both DraftKings and FanDuel. VanVleet has recorded a double-double in three of his last four games while averaging 19.5 points and 9.8 assists per game during that time. Playing in the best game environment on the slate against the Kings, VanVleet will have a great opportunity to continue his excellent play. He is too cheap given his projected ceiling.
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 Julius Randle and OG Anunoby still out for the Knicks, Josh Hart will be the pay-up shooting guard to target on DraftKings. He is only forward eligible on FanDuel, but he fills a weak position on DraftKings on Sunday. One of the best features about rostering Hart is the playing time. He is projected for an absurd 41 minutes Sunday, which is nearly four more minutes than the next closest player. Hart has recorded a positive Plus/Minus in eight of his last nine games and looks great Sunday.
With Randle and Anunoby off the court, Hart is averaging a 4.01 DraftKings Plus/Minus. In his last 17 games with Randle and Anunoby out, Hart is averaging 13.2 points, 10.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 39.6 DraftKings points per game. Hart has played less than 42 minutes once in his last eight games. This is a fantastic spot for another ceiling performance from Hart.
Value
Jordan Poole continues to find himself in positive situations since being moved to the bench. In his nine games off the bench, Poole is averaging 22.8 points per game, compared to 15.6 when he was a starter. He has recorded a positive Plus/Minus in six of those nine games and has a 32.4% usage rate while averaging 34.1 DraftKings points per game during that time. The Wizards are a very poor basketball team this year, but they are finally letting Poole cook on the second unit.
The Wizards snapped their 16-game losing streak Friday night with a two-point victory over the Hornets. They go right back into an underdog role against the Heat as 11-point road underdogs Sunday. The Heat play at the third-slowest pace in the league and have the eighth-best defensive rating, so this matchup isn’t ideal. However, Poole is playing too well to ignore.
Fast Break
Donte DiVincenzo is another Knicks player worth getting exposure to with Randle and Anunoby still nursing injuries. He is cheaper than Hart with the same position flexibility on DraftKings. DiVincenzo does most of his damage scoring the ball, which has been needed for the Knicks recently. He is averaging a career-high 14.3 points per game while shooting over 40% from behind the arc on eight 3-point attempts per game. DiVincenzo can be a little inconsistent, but the ceiling is there.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
Jimmy Butler leads the slate with the highest projected Plus/Minus on both sites Sunday. Priced at $8,800 on FanDuel and $8,400 on DraftKings, Butler is the perfect mix of upside and value. It should be no surprise with this price tag that Butler is projected to be the highest-owned player across the industry. With 12 Pro Trends on both sites, Butler will be a staple in cash games and a great option in tournaments. Since returning from a minor injury, Butler is averaging 23.3 points per game.
The matchup and cheap price tag are what sets Butler apart from the rest of his peers. In his 44 games played this season, Butler is averaging 21.7 points per game, while shooting 50.6% from the field and a career-high 44.1% from behind the arc. He leads the Heat in scoring, assists, steals, and usage rate. Butler is the best play on the slate regardless of the format.
Value
The Cavaliers continue to be decimated by injuries. Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Max Strus all remain out, which makes the rest of their roster that much more intriguing. Isaac Okoro is one of several players who has stepped up in the absence of three starters. With the increased playing time, Okoro has posted a positive Plus/Minus in seven-straight games while averaging 13.3 points per game and shooting 53.1% from the field and 44.4% from behind the arc.
The Cavaliers are 7.5-point home favorites against the Nets, but this game has the lowest total on the slate at 107.5 points. Despite the low total, Okoro has proven he can provide a ceiling without Mitchell, Mobley, and Strus in the lineup. With small-forward and power-forward eligibility and being priced under $5,000 on DraftKings, Okoro is an incredible value play Sunday.
Fast Break
Projected for around 10% ownership on DraftKings and FanDuel, Brandon Ingram is a contrarian pay-up option with a ton of upside. Ingram is averaging 21.6 points while shooting nearly 50% from the field. He leads the Pelicans with 5.8 assists per game and has a 27.4% usage rate. Despite playing on the road, the Pelicans are seven-point favorites playing against a pitiful Hawks defense that ranks 25th in defensive rating this season. Ingram is also reasonably priced across the industry.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
Jaren Jackson Jr. is doing everything he can to make the Grizzlies respectable for the rest of the season. In his last three games played, Jackson Jr. is averaging a 28-point, 11-rebound double-double and has a positive Plus/Minus in every game. During that time, Jackson Jr. has a 38.3% usage rate, which should not be surprising when he is playing with a bunch of role players. His defensive upside provides a safe floor, while his scoring and rebounding has provided an elite ceiling recently.
Jackson Jr. will get a chance for another ceiling performance against an undersized Thunder frontcourt. The Thunder rank 29th in rebounding percentage this season at 47.8%. This is a great opportunity for Jackson Jr. to record another double-double with points and rebounds. With the usage rate that he is playing with, Jackson Jr. is one of the best pay-up options.
Value
Coming off the bench is a great role for Heat’s sharpshooter Caleb Martin. He isn’t playing as well as he did during the Heat’s playoff run last season, but the veteran guard is averaging a career-high 10.4 points per game and shooting 39.1% from behind the arc. Martin has scored double figure points in six of his last eight games, while averaging 11.3 points per game over that time. He is projected to be the highest-owned power forward on the slate behind his teammate Jimmy Butler.
One of the best parts about the Wizards matchup is that they are allowing a league-high 124.2 points per game. Opponents are shooting 50% from the field and 36.9% from behind the arc against them. It is not hard to find an open shot against this defense. Coming off the bench mitigates the risk of a potential blowout a little bit for Martin, who is projected for 30 minutes.
Fast Break
Similar to his teammate Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson has displayed a ceiling worth getting exposure to. Williamson is coming off his first points-and-rebounds double-double since the end of December. He finished Friday’s game with 23 points and 12 rebounds, while capturing four assists, three blocks, and two steals. Williamson will be able to feast on a Hawks frontcourt that has allowed 54.7 points per game in the paint this season, which is the fourth-highest in the league.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Domantas Sabonis has the highest projected ceiling in our Player model Sunday for both DraftKings and FanDuel. Sabonis leads the league in both rebounds and triple-doubles this season. With not a lot of pay-up options on this slate, most are going with a balanced build and avoiding the top-end range all together. That is a mistake. Sabonis may only be projected for 10% ownership on both sites, but his ceiling is unmatched on this seven-game slate, and the matchup is strong as well.
Sabonis leads the Kings in both rebounds and assists while averaging 20 points per game. The entire offense runs through Sabonis at the top of the key. This matchup hasn’t taken place since very early in the season, and Sabonis is a completely different player now from then. Prioritize Sabonis on DraftKings, where he will get rewarded for his upcoming triple-double.
Value
Bruno Fernando‘s production has been all over the place, but he is still one of the most popular value plays on Sunday’s seven-game slate. Fernando is only $4,300 on FanDuel with power-forward and center eligibility and an 89% Bargain Rating. The Hawks are still without Trae Young, Onyeka Okongwu and Jalen Johnson, which has provided opportunity for Fernando to showcase his skillset. He is a cheap way to get exposure to the Hawks and also be able to fit in several studs.
The Pelicans are not an ideal matchup for opposing centers, but given his salary and projection to play around 22 minutes, Fernando is a strong value play. Fernando has flirted with a double-double despite his limited playing time, which goes to show how productive he is on the floor. In two of his last four games, Fernando has scored over 25 DraftKings points.
Fast Break
Bam Adebayo is the most popular center on the slate due to the elite matchup against the Wizards frontcourt. They have the worst rebounding percentage in the league and the second-worst interior defense, allowing 59.2 points per game in the paint this season. Averaging a double-double for the third time in his career, Adebayo will dominate the paint against the Wizards. This slate comes down to how many Heat players to roster, but make sure Adebayo is prioritized in that list.
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