Wednesday features a nine-game main slate starting at 7 p.m. ET.

Let’s dive into some of the top plays on the slate using the FantasyLabs tools and projections.

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.

You can also use our SimLabs Lineup Generator, a tool that creates the most user-friendly lineup generation process.

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.

Stud

With Jimmy Butler now in San Francisco, is it safe to call Tyler Herro a stud? The early results are promising. He’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in three of his past four games, and he’s gone for more than 60 DraftKings points in two of them.

That shouldn’t come as a huge surprise. In 30 full games without Butler this season, Herro has increased his usage rate by +1.50% and his assist rate by a team-high +3.52%. He’s averaged 1.19 DraftKings points per minute in those outings, and he’s played upwards of 40 minutes per night recently.

Herro is currently projected for 37 minutes in our NBA Models, and he draws a phenomenal matchup vs. the Hawks. Atlanta has played at the second-fastest pace this season, and the Heat’s 116.5 implied team total represents a significant increase from their regular season average (109.7).

Value

Killian Hayes is officially back in the NBA, and he’s provided some value for the shorthanded Nets of late. He’s averaged 0.90 DraftKings points per minute, and he’s coming off 28.25 DraftKings points vs. the Wizards in his last outing.

Hayes remains very affordable at just $4,000, and he’s projected for a healthy 27 minutes on Wednesday. Historically, players with comparable salaries and minute projections have averaged a Plus/Minus of +2.47 (per the Trends tool). He doesn’t provide a ton of upside, but he’s a good bet to return value.

Fast Break

The Jazz remain without a few key scorers for Wednesday’s matchup vs. the Kings. Lauri Markkanen and Collin Sexton have already been ruled out, leaving Keyonte George to take on a larger role. He’s increased his usage rate by +3.53% with both players off the floor this season, resulting in an average of 1.12 DraftKings points per minute. He’s scored 51.0 and 38.75 DraftKings points in back-to-back games, so he has appeal at $6,900.

Trae Young struggled in his last outing, but he’s been red hot otherwise. He scored 63.0, 52.5, and 67.25 DraftKings points in his three previous contests, so he has some bounce-back appeal on this slate. With Jalen Johnson injured and De’Andre Hunter in Cleveland, Young could be poised for a big close to the season.

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

The Blazers have quietly been playing some good basketball of late. They’ve won 12 of their past 17 games, and they’re seventh in the league in Net Rating over their past 15. They should be able to pick up another win Wednesday vs. the lowly Wizards, with the Blazers listed as 6.5-point road favorites. They’re currently implied for 119.0 points, which is the fifth-highest mark on the slate.

Anfernee Simons stands out as a nice combination of value and upside. He’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in eight of his past 10 outings, and he’s increased his production to 1.04 DraftKings points per minute over the past month. Simons ranks second at the position in projected Plus/Minus, and he has the seventh-highest ceiling projection. 

Value

The Bulls are coming off a blowout win over the 76ers on Monday, and they didn’t really need Lonzo Ball in that outing. He was limited to just 8.3 minutes, and he finished with 11.0 DraftKings points. That’s strong per-minute production, but it wasn’t nearly enough to return value.

Fortunately, Ball should see a larger workload on Wednesday. He’s currently projected for 28 minutes in our NBA Models, and he logged at least 27.9 minutes in four straight games prior to Monday’s letdown. Ball has averaged 0.97 DraftKings points per minute for the year, so he should be able to pay off his $4,700 price tag with that much playing time.

Fast Break

Dyson Daniels is priced at the exact same salary as Simons, and choosing between the two will be difficult on this slate. Simons has the clear edge from a matchup perspective, but Daniels has produced at a really high level of late. He’s averaged 1.11 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and he’s scored at least 41.25 DraftKings points in three of his past four outings. Both players are underpriced, but Daniels is arguably the better pure value: his salary comes with a 95% Bargain Rating.

Malik Monk is a bit more expensive, but he possesses an even higher ceiling vs. the Jazz. Utah ranks dead last in defensive efficiency, and the Kings have the top implied team total on the slate. Monk has gotten more opportunities to play point guard since the team traded away De’Aaron Fox, and he’s always had the ability to score at a high level. If he can put both together, he has the chance for a big outing.

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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks

Stud

Deni Avdija is another potential stud option for the Blazers. He’s not exactly priced like a stud at $6,500, but he’s turned in some stud-like performances of late. He’s scored 44.5 DraftKings points in two of his past three outings, and he’s averaged 1.06 DraftKings points per minute for the year.

Avdija can stuff the stat sheet, but the question with him is always playing time. The good news is that his minutes are trending up. He’s currently projected for 32 minutes in our NBA Models, and he’s had at least 33.7 minutes in three of his past five outings. He’s scored at least 37.5 DraftKings points in all three of those contests, so if he can get back to that threshold vs. the Wizards, he should be able to return value.

Value

Aaron Nesmith is coming off 33 minutes in his last outing, and he responded with 28.0 DraftKings points. I wouldn’t expect quite as much playing time on Wednesday, but he still stands out as an excellent value at just $3,800. He’s currently projected for 25 minutes, and that should be enough for him to return value. He’s scored at least 26.75 DraftKings points in three straight games, and he’s averaged a respectable 0.80 DraftKings points per minute for the year.

Make sure to keep your eye on the Pacers’ injury report. Tyrese Haliburton and T.J. McConnell are both listed as questionable, and Nesmith would become an elite option if both are unavailable. Even with both players currently factored in, Nesmith still ranks third at the position in projected Plus/Minus.

Fast Break

Andrew Wiggins is starting to find his groove for the Heat. He’s scored at least 36.0 DraftKings points in three straight games, including his most recent contest vs. the Hawks. There’s no reason he can’t do it again on Wednesday.

I’ve been fooled by Kawhi Leonard a few times this season, but I’m buying back in on Wednesday. He’s coming off at least 31.3 minutes in four straight games, and he’s projected for another 31 minutes in an elite matchup vs. the Bulls. Leonard should also continue to benefit from the absence of Norman Powell. He’s increased his usage rate by nearly 12% with Powell off the floor this season, resulting in an average of 1.28 DraftKings points per minute. Leonard is currently projected for less than 15% ownership, making him a solid tournament target.

NBA DFS Power Forward Picks

Stud

Pascal Siakam revenge game? He’s taking on his old team, and they stand out as an excellent matchup. The Pacers are currently implied for 122 points, which is the second-highest mark on the slate.

Siakam is routinely capped at around 30 minutes a night, but that’s still enough for him to do damage. He’s averaged 1.19 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, so he’s extremely active when he’s on the floor.

Siakam is another player who would benefit if Haliburton is unable to suit up, logging 33 minutes and 40.25 DraftKings points in his only contest without his star point guard this season. 

Value

Jerami Grant is yet another strong target for the Blazers on Wednesday. The team is currently dealing with a host of injuries in the frontcourt, with Deandre Ayton, Robert Williams, and Matisse Thybulle all currently sidelined.

As a result, Grant has picked up a few additional minutes. He’s coming off more than 37 minutes in his last outing, and he responded with 36.0 DraftKings points vs. the Jazz. He’s underpriced at $5,400, especially in an elite matchup.

Fast Break

Brice Sensabaugh has some appeal in Utah’s shorthanded frontcourt. He logged 26.5 minutes in his last outing, and he responded with 29.0 DraftKings points. Sensabaugh isn’t an elite per-minute producer, but he should get enough opportunities to return value vs. the Kings.

Jayson Tatum is expected to garner less than 2% ownership on this slate, but his optimal lineup rate is above 8%. That makes him an interesting contrarian option for tournaments. His salary has also dipped below $10,000 for Wednesday’s matchup vs. the Pistons, and the Celtics could be without Kristaps Porzingis once again. He missed Tuesday’s contest with an illness, and Tatum logged more than 40 minutes in his absence.

NBA DFS Center Picks

Stud

Alperen Sengun has racked up back-to-back solid performances, finishing with 48.25 DraftKings points vs. the Bucks and 55.5 vs. the Jazz. It’s the type of production that is always possible from Sengun, but we don’t see it as often as we’d like.

Sengun has the potential for another strong showing on Wednesday. He’s taking on the Spurs, who are a much better matchup than they appear on paper. Without Victor Wembanyama, they’ve been one of the worst defensive teams in basketball. They’ve allowed 62.0 points in the paint across their past three outings, which is the most in the league by a wide margin. Sengun should be able to dominate on the interior in this contest, making him a strong stud target.

Value

As appealing as Sengun is, it’s a great day to save some salary at center. There are a number of excellent values to choose from, with four of the top 10 players in projected Plus/Minus having center eligibility.

Andre Drummond isn’t grading out as the best of the bunch, but he’s my personal favorite. What Drummond can do on the court is well-documented. He’s one of the best per-minute producers in basketball, averaging 1.51 DraftKings points per minute over the past month.

Getting consistent minutes has been the problem with Drummond all season. However, with Joel Embiid and Geurschon Yabusele both out of the lineup, Drummond is in line to draw the start at center on Wednesday. We only have him projected for 18 minutes, but that’s still enough for him to potentially return value. If he ends up seeing more than that, he has the potential to be a slate-breaker.

Fast Break

Day’Ron Sharpe owns the top projected Plus/Minus at the position. In fact, he owns the top projected Plus/Minus on the slate. While he’s not Drummond, he’s still a very good per-minute producer: he’s averaged 1.23 DraftKings points per minute for the year, and he’s at 1.42 DraftKings points per minute over the past month. He’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in five of his past six games despite failing to crack 20 minutes in each of them. Sharpe could see a few additional minutes on Wednesday – he’s projected for 22 minutes in our NBA Models – so he’s undoubtedly in play at $4,200.

Zach Collins is the other elite value option to consider. Nikola Vucevic is doubtful for the Bulls, leaving Collins likely to start his second straight game. He was extremely productive in his first start with Chicago, racking up 30.75 DraftKings points in 27.7 minutes. That game turned into a blowout, so Collins may pick up a few additional minutes on Wednesday. Ultimately, going with two centers should be your preferred lineup construction for cash games.