DraftKings’ main slate for Wednesday features the first nine games of the night. The NBA Player Models are the base of our NBA product here at FantasyLabs. They house our projections for each player, but that’s just the beginning of what you’ll find inside. You’ll also find our Trends and On/Off tool, Vegas Dashboard, and so much more.
Let’s dive into our models for NBA DFS, going position by position, looking at guys with some of the best projections and players standing out as values with our predictive Projected Plus/Minus metric.
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 teams.
You can also use our SimLabs Lineup Generator, a tool that creates the most user-friendly lineup generation process.
Note: Projections, Ownership projections, and Leverage Scores/Ratings may change throughout the day as news comes out after this article is posted. Consult the Player Models directly for any updates.
Cunningham has topped 50 DraftKings points in seven of his past eight starts, and the first-time All-Star should reach this feat again Wednesday. While the Cavaliers rank eighth in defensive efficiency, they are playing their second game in two nights, and this matchup should be fast-paced, with both the Pistons and Cavaliers ranking inside the top 10 in pace this season.
This game carries the third-highest total on the slate (238 points), and Cunningham is scoring 1.4 DraftKings PPM with a 33% usage rate and a 42.5% assist percentage this season. In this setting, Cunningham owns the highest ceiling on the slate among point guards in our ShotQuality projections.
Micic has been starting in place of LaMelo Ball (out, ankle) for the last four, and Micic has been solid with the starting job, scoring at least 25 DraftKings points in three of these tilts. Micic is supplying 0.8 DraftKings PPM with Ball off the floor this season, and Micic is averaging 29.4 minutes per game as a starter this season.
The Bucks have a very crowded injury report for tonight, most notably with Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) questionable, and they rank third-to-last in defensive efficiency in their last three games. Micic is underpriced for his current role and is a viable option for all formats in this spot.
Don’t forget to check out our NBA SimLabs Lineup Generator to create advanced DFS lineups using the power of simulation:
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Murray continues to be shooting guard eligible on DraftKings and is one of the best targets at the position. After posting 42.75 DraftKings points vs. the Pelicans on Monday, Murray and the Nuggets host New Orleans again tonight. The Pelicans rank 28th in defensive efficiency, and Denver carries the highest implied team total on the slate (125.5 points).
Russell Westbrook (groin) is also out, and with the high-usage guard off the floor this season, Murray naturally sees all his rates increase, most notably with a 2.2 percentage point bump to his assist rate, via the On/Off Tool. Murray has been excellent against the Pelicans this season, amassing 44.1 DraftKings PPG in three matchups, and he is a safe bet for at least 40 DraftKings points tonight.
RJ Barrett is dealing with a concussion and is expected to miss his second straight game tonight. With Barrett inactive last night vs. the Knicks, Gradey scored 23.25 DraftKings points across 30.5 minutes while shooting 50% from the field. Dick has now played eight games with Barrett out this season, and Dick is averaging 25.6 DraftKings points in 30 minutes per game on those occasions.
The second-year wing’s usage increases 3.2 percentage points to 25.6%, and he scores 0.9 DraftKings PPM with Barrett off the floor this season, via the On/Off Tool. Going against a Grizzlies team that leads the league in pace, Dick should effortlessly beat his price tag and is the No. 1 shooting guard value on the slate in our ShotQuality projections.
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Murphy is a must-play at this salary. The 24-year-old is in the midst of a brilliant run, scoring over 50 DraftKings points in three straight games, including 59.25 DraftKings points vs. the Nuggets on Monday. With Dejounte Murray (Achilles) out for the season and Brandon Ingram (ankle) still on the shelf, Murray isn’t going to slow down any time soon, and this $8,100 salary is far too low for the massive ceiling he brings as one of the Pelicans’ main players.
With Murray and Ingram off the court this season, Murphy scores 1.2 DraftKings PPM with a 28% usage rate, which is a 4.2 percentage point upgrade from his average, via the On/Off Tool. This game presents the second-highest total on the slate (239.5 points), and a fourth consecutive effort of over 50 DraftKings points is a real possibility for Murphy tonight.
With Barrett out last night, Walter got the spot start and finished with 18.75 DraftKings points across 29 minutes vs. the Knicks. Walter is providing 18 DraftKings PPG with Barrett inactive this season (six games), and this is an appealing spot, with the Grizzlies leading the NBA in pace.
This game presents a huge total of 238.5 points, and while Walter lacks real upside, out producing this bare minimum salary should be an easy task for him in this environment, and he is a valuable asset that will help you afford Nikola Jokic (below).
Bridges has been great as the Hornets’ alpha with Ball and Brandon Miller (wrist) out for the last four. During this stretch, Bridges is leading Charlotte with 49.4 DraftKings PPG, most recently with a 56 DraftKings point triple-double vs. the Wizards. With both Ball and Miller off the floor this season, Bridges is generating 1.3 DraftKings PPM, thanks to his usage and assist rates increasing 5.5 and 4.7 percentage points, respectively.
As noted above, the Bucks rank third-to-last in defensive efficiency over their last three games and Bridges has 50 DraftKings point upside, especially with this game on his home floor. At home this season, Bridges has been a significant 4.0 DraftKings PPG better than when on the road.
With Zach LaVine traded to the Kings, Buzelis has seen a strong role off the bench for the Bulls. Last night in a tough matchup against a slow-paced Heat team, Buzelis posted 32 DraftKings points across 32 minutes off the bench, both of which set career highs for the rookie. Buzelis went 4-for-4 from beyond the arc in this showing, and he has now scored at least 27 DraftKings points in two of these past three without LaVine.
With this being the second leg of a back-to-back set for Chicago and with the trade deadline tomorrow, other key Bulls players may miss this game, opening up even more work for Buzelis. Nonetheless, the sharpshooter is locked into a large role with LaVine out of town and is the best power forward value available Wednesday.
In this perfect matchup vs. the Pelicans, Jokic brings the highest ceiling in our ShotQuality projections by over 10 points. The center is averaging 68.1 DraftKings PPG in two matchups with New Orleans this season, which is a result of the Pelicans giving up the second-most points in the paint and third-most rebounds in the NBA. Jokic’s assist rate increases 3.9 percentage points with Westbrook off the floor this season, and Jokic’s absurd role will grow even further if Aaron Gordon (questionable, calf) is out as well.
Either way, Jokic is going to dominate the Pelicans on his home floor tonight, and having the three-time MVP in your lineup needs to be a priority. Hosting this New Orleans defense that ranks 28th in efficiency, the Nuggets boast the highest implied team total on the slate (125.5 points), and for the three times Jokic has played behind an implied team total of 125 points or higher this season, the center has been incredible with 81.7 DraftKings PPG, via the Trends Tool.
Julius Randle (adductor) is out for at least two weeks, and Reid should flourish as the Timberwolves’ starting forward until Randle returns. The ex-Knick has missed the last two games, and while Reid was limited due to a finger injury in the first of these two contests, he went off for 47.75 DraftKings points in 40 minutes vs. the Kings in the next game.
Both of these numbers set season highs for Reid, and he should find himself in the 35-40 minute range in every game with Randle sidelined. Reid produces 1.1 DraftKings PPM with Randle off the floor this season, and in this elite spot vs. the Bulls, Reid is a must-play at only $6,300, which is likely the cheapest we see him for awhile. Facing this Chicago team that ranks third in pace, 26th in defensive efficiency, and is on the second leg of a back-to-back, the Timberwolves carry a large 119.75-point implied team total tonight.
