:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69260129/1232717066.0.jpg)
There are six games for Sunday’s main DraftKings NBA slate, which starts at 7:00 p.m. ET. There are two teams (the Pistons and Thunder) playing the second leg of a back-to-back. DraftKings Sportsbook has one game with a double-digit spread, the Mavericks (-11) at the Cavaliers. There is one game with an O/U of at least 230: Timberwolves-Magic (230.5).
Let’s break down some of the top studs and values at each position to help you build your DraftKings lineups.
Point Guard
Stud
D’Angelo Russell, Minnesota Timberwolves at Orlando Magic, $7,600 – I like the matchup for LaMelo Ball ($8,600), but I’m not crazy about the price. I love Delon Wright ($7,700) as well, especially with De’Aaron Fox (health protocols) not returning today. However, I’m going with Russell in this spot. This game has the highest O/U on the slate and the Magic are 24th in defensive efficiency. After missing 26 games, it took some time for Russell to get ramped up, but he finally re-entered the starting lineup after 15 games. He has started two games, played 26 and 37 minutes, and put up 28.75 and 50 DKFP, respectively.
Other Options – LaMelo Ball ($8,600), Delon Wright ($7,700)
Value
R.J. Hampton, Orlando Magic at Minnesota Timberwolves, $5,700 – Over the past four games, Hampton has played 30, 31, 35 and 30 minutes while hoisting up 15, 14, 11 and 14 shots. The usage rate has been 23%, 24%, 18% and 22%. That’s translated to 41.25, 47.25, 39.5 and 26.75 DKFP. This is the best game environment on the slate and with Otto Porter (foot), Chuma Okeke (ankle), James Ennis (calf), Michael Carter-Williams (ankle), and Terrence Ross (back) all out, the minutes are secure.
Other Options – Jalen Brunson ($4,700)
Shooting Guard
Stud
Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls at Detroit Pistons, $9,800 – LaVine has played two games since missing 11. He’s played 28 and 33 minutes in those contests. Both were 20-point blowout wins so there’s a possibility he could’ve played more. The Bulls are on the outside looking in for the playoffs, but they still have a slim chance to make the play-in tournament, so LaVine should play heavy minutes and garner all the usage he can handle. On the season, he’s averaging 1.24 DKFP per minute and, since Nikola Vucevic ($10,600) joined the team, has gone for over 50 DKFP in four games with a high of 69.5. The Pistons boost the FPPM to shooting guards by 5.9% above league average.
Other Options – Delon Wright ($7,700)
Value
Dwayne Bacon, Orlando Magic at Minnesota Timberwolves, $5,200 – Bacon has started the past four games and averaged 30.5 minutes, 15.8 shot attempts and 20 points. What a time to be alive! He’s put up 34.5, 20.5, 26.5 and 37 DKFP. The Timberwolves play at the third-fastest pace and are 28th in defensive efficiency. Against small forwards, they boost the FPPM by 4.21% above league average.
Other Options – Frank Jackson ($5,300), Jalen Brunson ($4,700)
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $300K Shootaround [$100K to 1st]
Small Forward
Stud
Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves at Orlando Magic, $8,300 – I guess I’m going to have a lot of pieces from this game. The game environment should be a good one and there’s no denying the usage and potential ceiling for Edwards. Over the past seven games, he’s averaged 37 minutes and 19.9 shot attempts per game. The usage rate has averaged 28% with two games at 32%. From a DKFP perspective, he’s produced 51.25, 32.25, 42.25, 38.25, 49.25, 66.5 and 37.5. Luka Doncic ($11,000) is sitting at the top of the pool and it’s always hard fading him since he has 80-DKFP potential, but the game environment isn’t the best one for him, and there’s a good chance Edwards can come close to his output at $2,700 cheaper.
Other Options – Buddy Hield ($8,200)
Value
James Johnson, New Orleans Pelicans at Charlotte Hornets, $3,800 – Zion Williamson (finger) is out so Johnson should make his seventh start since joining the Pelicans and second in a row. He played 27 minutes on Friday and contributed 20 DKFP. On the season, he averages 0.83 DKFP. Is he an exciting option? Nope. There’s a reason he’s priced below $4,000. That said, he does have 40-DKFP potential if things break right because he does contribute in every category and could get hot from the field. It helps that the Hornets boost the FPPM to power forwards by 13.15% above league average.
Other Options – Moe Harkless ($3,900), Jalen McDaniels ($5,400)
Power Forward
Stud
PJ Washington, Charlotte Hornets vs. New Orleans Pelicans, $7,200 – Man, the power forward position is littered with so much red that my eyes are hurting. Washington is literally one of the last men standing, but that’s not to say that he’s not a good option. Over the past two games, he’s played 34 and 38 minutes, contributing 41 and 41.75 DKFP. Now he gets a pace-up matchup as the Pelicans are ninth in pace while being a terrible 24th in defensive efficiency. He starts at power forward but plays some small-ball and the Pelicans boost the FPPM to centers by 9.24% above league average.
Other Options – Darius Bazley ($7,000)
Value
Ignas Brazdeikis, Orlando Magic at Minnesota Timberwolves, $3,700 – Brazdeikis has played 32, 31 and 24 minutes over the past three games. He’s attempted eight, nine and 11 shots while garnering a usage rate of 15%, 14% and 24%. He’s produced 23.25, 13.5 and 20.75 DKFP. At sub-$4,000, we can’t ask for much more than that.
Other Options – Moe Harkless ($3,900), Jalen McDaniels ($5,400)
Center
Stud
Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves at Orlando Magic, $10,700 – Towns has scored 39.5, 36 and 57.5 DKFP over the past three games. He was in foul trouble for all three games and only played 31 and 24 minutes in two as a result. Towns averages 1.42 DKFP per minute and the Magic boost the FPPM to centers by 4.71% above league average. As long as he stays out of foul trouble, Towns should feast.
Other Option – Nikola Vucevic ($10,600), Mo Bamba ($7,000)
Value
Willie Cauley-Stein, Dallas Mavericks at Cleveland Cavaliers, $3,600 – Kristaps Porzingis (knee) is out while Maxi Kleber ($3,400; Achilles) is questionable for today. Coach Rick Carlisle did say after Friday’s game that Kleber probably wouldn’t play. If Kleber can’t go, then Cauley-Stein should make his fourth consecutive start. In the prior three, he played 18, 21 and 23 minutes, producing 7.25, 24.5 and 20 DKFP. Exciting? Niet, but viable at the price.
Other Options – Jaxson Hayes ($4,200), Dwight Powell ($4,300)
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $300K Shootaround [$100K to 1st]
Put your knowledge to the test. Sign up for DraftKings and experience the game inside the game.
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is sontzu) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL).
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER(NJ/WV/PA/MI), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (NH/CO), 1-800-BETS OFF(IA), 1-888-532-3500 (VA) or call/text TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN).
21+ (18+ NH). CO/IL/IN/IA/NH/NJ/PA/TN/VA/WV/MI only. Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for full terms and conditions.