DraftKings’ main NBA slate for Tuesday starts at 7:00 PM EST and features the first five games of the night. DraftKings continues to offer huge contests for DFS players, and below, I break down some of my favorite NBA DFS options at each position for Tuesday’s NBA action.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $300K Fadeaway [$100K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Darius Garland, Cleveland Cavaliers at Indiana Pacers, $7,200
Donovan Mitchell will be rested tonight, making Garland an elite play. The guard has made one start with Mitchell inactive this season and Garland went off for 52.5 FPTS vs. the Bulls that night.
With Mitchell off the court this season, Garland’s usage rises 5.8 percentage points to 31.4% and his assist rate increases 7.4 percentage points to 39.9%. Garland scores 1.1 FPTS per minute with this expanded role and he should flourish against this Pacers team that ranks 22nd in defensive rating this season.
Other Options: Luka Doncic ($12,200), Anthony Edwards ($9,500), Trey Murphy ($7,000)
Value
Jeremiah Fears, New Orleans Pelicans vs. Los Angeles Lakers, $5,100
With Saddiq Bey (hip) out for back-to-back games, Fears has scored 32.2 FPTS vs. the Trail Blazers and the 31.8 FPTS vs. the Heat. Bey will remain out tonight and with him off the floor this season, Fears’ usage increases to a large 25.7%, resulting in 0.9 FPTS per minute.
Going against a Lakers’ defense that ranks 24th in rating this season, a third straight performance of over 30 FPTS is a possibility for Fears.
Other Options: Andrew Nembhard ($6,800), Jordan Poole ($5,600), Craig Porter ($3,600)
Forward
Stud
LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers at New Orleans Pelicans, $9,000
With both Austin Reaves (calf) and Rui Hachimura (calf) out, James has been on a roll, scoring 49.75 and 53.75 FPTS in his last two starts, both of which came against the Grizzlies. Both Reaves and Hachimura remain out tonight, and James gets one of the top matchups in the league vs. the Pelicans, who rank 10th in pace and 27th in defensive rating.
Thanks to his usage rising 2.5 percentage points to 29.7%, James is scoring 1.2 FPTS per minute with Reaves and Hachimura off the court this season. James is far too cheap for this situation at only $9,000, and he is a strong spend for all formats.
Other Options: Paolo Banchero ($9,200), Zion Williamson ($8,300)
Value
Micah Potter, Indiana Pacers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers, $4,100
With Jay Huff moving to the bench, Potter has started in each of the last two games for the Pacers and the fourth-year veteran has been great with the starting job, scoring 29.5 FPTS vs. the Spurs and 30 FPTS vs. the Magic, while logging at least 27 minutes in both of these contests. Potter should continue to start tonight and his role should remain large, especially with Bennedict Mathurin (hip) sidelined.
Potter is scoring 0.9 FPTS per minute while shooting 50% from the field this season and he should score at least 20 FPTS vs. the fast paced Cavaliers.
Other Options: Jake LaRavia ($5,500), Marcus Smart ($4,600)
Center
Stud
Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers at Indiana Pacers, $7,600
Just like Garland, Mobley is a wonderful target with Mitchell being rested. Mobley scored 51 FPTS vs. the Raptors in his one start with Mitchell inactive this season and with the ball dominant guard off the court this season, Mobley’s usage skyrockets a 9.4 percentage points to a team-high 32% and his assist rate leaps 9.6 percentage points to 27.3%, resulting in 1.4 FPTS per minute.
Mobley is in a totally different tier of fantasy asset with Mitchell absent and Mobley has 50 FPTS upside in this excellent matchup vs. the Pacers.
Other Options: Victor Wembanyama ($9,900)
Value
Wendell Carter Jr., Orlando Magic at Washington Wizards, $5,500
Carter Jr. is on the heels of a 44.5 FPTS double-double vs. the Pacers on Sunday. Both Franz Wagner (ankle) and Jalen Suggs (knee) missed this game, and they will remain sidelined tonight, which is huge for Carter Jr. In the eight games the center has played without Wagner and Suggs this season, Carter Jr. is supplying 31.9 FPTS in 31.8 minutes per game with an 18.3% usage rate.
To put the icing on the cake, Carter Jr. is in one of the best possible matchups he could ask for vs. the Wizards, who rank eighth in pace and 29th in defensive rating. Carter Jr. has 40 FPTS upside in this near perfect situation and he is a tremendous bargain at only $5,500.
Other Options: Luke Kornet ($5,100, if Victor Wembanyama is out), Jock Landale ($5,000, if starting), Goga Bitadze ($3,800)
