Sunday presents a six-game main slate commencing at 7 p.m. ET. Let’s take a closer look at some of the key plays on the slate by utilizing the FantasyLabs tools and projections. Additionally, remember that for larger tournaments, you can take advantage of our Lineup Optimizer to easily generate up to 300 lineups or employ our Lineup Builder if you prefer […]
Sunday presents a six-game main slate commencing at 7 p.m. ET.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the key plays on the slate by utilizing the FantasyLabs tools and projections.
Additionally, remember that for larger tournaments, you can take advantage of our Lineup Optimizer to easily generate up to 300 lineups or employ our Lineup Builder if you prefer constructing your lineups manually.
You might also want to check out our SimLabs Lineup Generator, which streamlines the lineup creation process.
Note: Projections and Leverage Scores/Ratings are subject to change throughout the day following the publication of this article. The NBA DFS landscape is quite dynamic.
Directly consult the NBA Player Models for any updates as the lineup lock approaches.
Stud
Dejounte Murray has returned to the Pelicans lineup for over a week, but his significant performance came during his latest game. He accumulated 26 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and four steals against the Thunder, amassing 52.25 DraftKings points. Murray has consistently been a strong per-minute contributor, indicating that similar performances could be forthcoming.
This is especially pertinent given that Zion Williamson remains unavailable. For the season, Murray has averaged 1.21 DraftKings points per minute, leading the Pelicans in that area with Williamson off the court.
The Pelicans are set to face the Spurs on Sunday in a matchup that appears favorable. The Spurs are lacking their usual defensive prowess without Victor Wembanyama, who has been absent for the last two games. He’s officially questionable for Sunday’s game, so closely track that situation as lineup lock nears.
Value
The Grizzlies emerge as the premier team target this Sunday. They are set to play against the Wizards in a contest featuring a 240.5-point total. Memphis is favored by 11.5 points, indicating they’re anticipated to command the scoring. Their 126 implied team total is the highest on the slate by a significant margin.
Marcus Smart provides exceptional value in this matchup. Priced at only $4,400 on DraftKings, he has been performing at an elite level recently. Over the past month, he has averaged 1.18 DraftKings points per minute and has registered at least 27.25 DraftKings points in four of his last six games. Although his minutes might not be as high as desired, this isn’t a major concern given his price point.
Fast Break
Mike Conley continues to be undervalued on DraftKings. He is priced at just $4,900 for Sunday’s prominent matchup against the Warriors, typically averaging a +1.90 Plus/Minus with a similar salary (as per the Trends tool). He’s projected to play 28 minutes against the Warriors and has produced an average of 0.91 DraftKings points per minute this year.
Chris Paul may not be the dominant player he once was, but he still can deliver strong numbers from time to time. This has particularly been the case in recent games without Wembanyama. He scored 43.0 and 33.5 DraftKings points in his last two outings, averaging 1.20 DraftKings points per minute with Wembanyama off the court. His appeal would certainly increase if Wemby is out again.
Be sure to explore our NBA SimLabs Lineup Generator for crafting advanced DFS lineups leveraging the simulation’s power:
NBA DFS Shooting Guard Picks
Stud
Jordan Poole and the Wizards ended their 16-game losing streak on Saturday by defeating the Nuggets. While Nikola Jokic scored 56 points, the Wizards withstood his performance and managed to secure the win.
Poole was instrumental in this success. He recorded 39 points, eight assists, and five rebounds, hitting nine 3-pointers. He ended up with 58.75 DraftKings points, marking his second game with over 50 points in his last four appearances.
Can the Wizards achieve another upset on Sunday? While it seems doubtful, Poole can provide another strong outing for DFS players. The Grizzlies have the second-fastest pace this season, which should yield more scoring opportunities for Washington. They might also be without Kyle Kuzma for the fifth consecutive game — we are still awaiting their injury report — and Poole has demonstrated considerably more upside without Kuzma in the lineup.
Value
Stephon Castle has had a slow start to his rookie season but has come alive recently. He’s averaged a Plus/Minus of +3.35 over his past 10 games and has achieved at least 29.0 points in back-to-back outings.
Similar to Paul, he would experience an increase in production if Wembanyama is sidelined. With Wemby off the court, he has raised his output to 0.92 DraftKings points per minute, making him a terrific option at $5,200 if that situation arises.
Fast Break
C.J. McCollum has also returned for the Pelicans. He may not be the most glamorous DFS option, but historically he has provided value at his current price point. Averaging 36.47 DraftKings points with a comparable salary during his time with the Pelicans, he has maintained a positive Plus/Minus in three consecutive games. He offers a reliable floor at a position that generally lacks depth.
The Blazers have a multitude of backcourt choices, which means Dalano Banton typically doesn’t see extensive minutes. Nevertheless, he capitalizes on his playing time effectively. He has averaged 1.16 DraftKings points per minute this season, and when his minutes exceed expectations, he displays an excellent ceiling. This was evident in his last game, where he accumulated 30.75 DraftKings points in 26.8 minutes. His salary of $4,500 carries an 80% Bargain Rating, and he is likely to have minimal ownership in this slate.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
Desmond Bane hasn’t been performing at his peak recently. Over the past month, his production has dropped to 1.03 DraftKings points per minute, which has led to a salary reduction to $6,700. He was priced as high as $7,400 last week, marking a notable decline.
This drop makes Bane an intriguing buy-low opportunity in what could be the best matchup of the day. He continues to average 1.13 DraftKings points per minute for the season and retains the capacity to amass fantasy points; he recorded 40.0 DraftKings points against the Kings two games back.
Value
Justin Champagnie has primarily been in the G League this year, but he has seen some action in the NBA lately. He moved into the Wizards starting lineup on Saturday due to the injury of Alex Sarr and responded with a career-best performance, scoring 23 points and grabbing eight rebounds for a total of 42.5 DraftKings points in just under 37 minutes.
If Sarr is once again unavailable and Champagnie keeps his starting role, it would be wise to take advantage of this opportunity. Priced cheaply at $3,500 and projected for 29 minutes according to our NBA Models, players with similar salary and minute projections have historically tallied a Plus/Minus of +4.29.
Fast Break
The Lakers also represent a solid source of value on Sunday. They are expected to be without Austin Reaves, and LeBron James is listed as questionable. Max Christie should see additional playing time in Reaves’ absence and is currently projected for 26 minutes at just $3,300. Although his per-minute production hasn’t been stellar this season, the opportunity for that amount of playing time at near-minimum salary is hard to ignore. The Blazers also present an attractive matchup, giving Christie an Opponent Plus/Minus of +4.05.
Keldon Johnson has reached a usage rate of at least 30.7% in his last two games, marking him as another potential target for the Spurs on Sunday. Unsurprisingly, he has generated positive value in both contests and has shown he can exceed 35 DraftKings points.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
While time may eventually win, LeBron is certainly putting up a fight. Entering his 22nd season and logging more grueling minutes than any player in history, he continues to perform at a high standard. Though he may not be the same dominant player he once was, he has averaged 1.41 DraftKings points per minute this season.
James has just come off a spectacular performance in his last game. He achieved a triple-double with 39 points, compiling a season-high 83.5 DraftKings points. Surpassing the 80-point mark is quite the feat, and James is one of just five players to accomplish this so far this season.
While another 83.5 DraftKings point game seems unlikely on Sunday, he faces an excellent matchup. His usage rate has risen by +2.68%, along with a +3.21% increase in assist rate with Reaves absent, enhancing his upside. Given a slate with limited standout players and plenty of value, investing in James is quite justifiable; he possesses the third-highest ceiling projection on the slate.
Value
Jonathan Kuminga has recently stepped into the Warriors’ starting lineup, moving Draymond Green to a bench role. It remains to be seen if this will rejuvenate a struggling team that has only won one of its last seven games, but it certainly boosts Kuminga’s fantasy appeal. He has averaged 1.09 DraftKings points per minute over the past month and should earn more minutes as a starter than as a reserve. He’s projected for 28 minutes on Sunday’s slate, achieving at least 31.5 DraftKings points in three of his last four games with a minimum of 28 minutes played.
Fast Break
Rui Hachimura emerges as another strong value option for the Lakers. His $5,000 salary carries an 88% Bargain Rating and a +4.16 Opponent Plus/Minus against the Blazers. Projections indicate he’s set for 34 minutes in our NBA Models, providing him with a promising opportunity to deliver value based on his current price.
Santi Aldama has transformed into a per-minute gem for the Grizzlies of late. Averaging 1.22 DraftKings points per minute recently, he can accumulate fantasy points swiftly. He has recorded at least 32.5 DraftKings points in four of his previous five games, making him a strong option in a top-tier matchup.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
While LeBron may be considered the GOAT, Anthony Davis has been the Lakers’ standout player this season. Averaging 27.4 points per game, his best since joining the team, signifies an increase of over 2.5 points compared to last season, along with his typical 11.2 rebounds and 1.9 blocks.
When you put it all together, Davis has managed to average 1.50 DraftKings points per minute throughout the season. Only Wembanyama has outperformed him among Sunday’s choices, and his status isn’t even guaranteed. With 11 Pro Trends, he shares the highest mark on the slate, making him another ideal player to invest in. Pairing him with James is feasible, as both players exhibit a positive correlation.
Value
Jay Huff may not get much playing time for the Grizzlies, projected for only 17 minutes on Sunday, but he doesn’t require extensive minutes to make an impact. He averages 1.15 DraftKings points per minute this season, and his $3,200 price tag against the Wizards is quite appealing. He has recorded a minimum of 22.0 DraftKings points in his last two games and currently leads the position in projected Plus/Minus.
Fast Break
If Wembanyama makes his return, he becomes an exciting tournament selection. Likely to have lower ownership than typical, his $10,300 salary boasts a 90% Bargain Rating. Over the past month, he has been a force, averaging 1.77 DraftKings points per minute and reaching at least 71.5 DraftKings points in three of his last eight games. This gives him arguably the highest ceiling on the slate.
Alperen Sengun may face a challenging matchup on Sunday, but at his best, he stands among the top center options in fantasy. Over the past month, he has slightly outperformed Davis on a per-minute basis and comes with a $1,500 discount, making him another valuable option for tournaments.
