Sunday’s slate is a little bit of a moving target since the contests lock at 3:00 p.m. ET but games tip off all the way until 8:30 p.m. ET. With 12 teams on the slate, there are plenty of different ways to consider building your team, so let’s take a look at the top NBA DFS stacks for Sunday, February 2.
While there are still many uncertainties heading into the day, it will be important to keep a close eye on today’s injury report for the latest availability updates as we approach tip-off of the different games and adjust your roster as needed. With what we know going into the day, here are my top NBA DFS Stacks for Sunday’s contests, headlined by the NBA $200K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st].
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Memphis Grizzlies
The Bucks have the highest implied team total on the slate for Sunday since they play the Grizzlies, who play at the fastest pace in the NBA. Since Memphis plays faster, it should create more opportunities for the Bucks to put up fantasy points. Milwaukee also plays in the latest game on Sunday’s slate, so there is more flexibility to react to other news throughout the day if you start with a stack of Bucks.
Core Plays: Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,700) is an elite pay-up play in the center of the stack after posting 35 points, 14 rebounds and 64 fantasy points on Friday against the Spurs. Giannis has over 60 fantasy points in three straight contests, showing he’s worth a look even at this elevated salary. He’s probable with a knee issue, and Damian Lillard ($8,800) is probable with a groin injury, but both stars seem to be on track to play and can anchor a Milwaukee stack. Lillard is coming off a couple of rough shooting games but will be in a good matchup against the injury-depleted Memphis backcourt.
Value Options: Bobby Portis (personal) is out for this game, which should open up some usage for other value plays to step up. Taurean Prince ($4,200) played 30 minutes and had 27.25 fantasy points with Portis out on Friday, and Andre Jackson Jr. ($3,600) has over 15 fantasy points in three straight. Khris Middleton ($5,200) has upside but is also a total wild card since he has been very volatile with under seven fantasy points in two of his last four games and over 30 fantasy points in the other two games.
Detroit Pistons vs. Chicago Bulls
At the opposite end of Sunday’s schedule, the Pistons are in a good spot against the Bulls. Chicago’s blend of fast pace and poor defense has made them a great option to stack against. While playing Pistons locks in your roster early and takes away flexibility, it does also mean you won’t get stuck at the end of the day with no one to pivot to. Plus, the Pistons have been playing very well lately, scoring over 110 points in four of their last five contests.
Core Plays: Cade Cunningham ($10,200) is an expensive starting place for the Pistons stack, but he has had an outstanding season this year, and he has been especially hot lately, with at least 29 points and over 50 fantasy points in five of his last six games. Jalen Duren ($6,200) has also been excellent lately and comes at a very attractive price. He has seven double-doubles in his last eight games, averaging 36.8 fantasy points per game over that span. Duren also posted 15 points, 22 rebounds and 52.5 fantasy points against the Bulls in his last game against them.
Value Options: Cunningham and Duren were getting good support from Malik Beasley ($5,300) before he struggled in his last contest. Tobias Harris ($5,500) has picked it up lately with 35.5 and 30.75 fantasy points in his last two games. Tim Hardaway Jr. ($4,000) has also been a regular in the lineup, producing over 15 fantasy points in 11 of his last 12. Marcus Sasser ($3,100) has been a sneaky bargain play off the bench with double-digit points and over 20 fantasy points in two of his last three games.
Dallas Mavericks at Cleveland Cavaliers
The Mavs are the biggest wild card on the slate since they not only made a franchise-shattering trade overnight but also ruled out Kyrie Irving (shoulder), Daniel Gafford (ankle) and P.J. Washington (knee) for Sunday’s matchup in Cleveland.
Core Plays: With all three stars out, there will be plenty of usage for all the cheap plays from the Mavs. Spencer Dinwiddie ($5,100) has a high ceiling and will probably get heavy usage running the show, but the real value will come from all the cheap plays who could have a chance to step up.
Value Options: With Irving out, Quentin Grimes ($4,300) and Jaden Hardy ($3,300) will both pick up more work in the backcourt. Grimes only plyaed ten minutes on Friday in Detroit and had -1.0 fantasy points, but before that, he had over 23 fantasy points in three straight games. If he’s back in the starting lineup, he’ll bring a great upside. Hardy has boom-or-bust potential as well since he has high usage whenever he’s on the floor. Without Gafford, the team will have to go very small or rely on unproven Kylor Kelley ($3,300) in the middle in this difficult matchup against Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley.
Naji Marshall ($4,400) and Kessler Edwards ($3,100) will fill in as well and help pick up usage. Both wings have shown good upside when asked to step into a larger role. Edwards is barely more than the minimum salary but had a strong spot start against the Thunder and produced over 17 fantasy points in two of his last five games. With more work coming his way, Edwards is an interesting sleeper to add to your stack.
