Friday features a nine-game slate starting at 7 p.m. ET.
Let’s dive into some of the top plays using the FantasyLabs Tools and metrics.
Also, don’t forget that for large-field tournaments, you can utilize our Lineup Optimizer to effortlessly create up to 150 lineups, or use our Lineup Builder if you like to hand-build your lineups.
Note: Projections and Leverages Scores/Ratings may change throughout the day after this article is posted. The NBA DFS landscape changes quickly. Consult the Player Models directly for any updates as we get closer to lock.
Point Guard
Stud
Point guard is typically one of the strongest positions in DFS, but Friday’s slate is a bit lacking at the top. However, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is worth some consideration. The Thunder are sizable underdogs vs. the Timberwolves, but SGA has excellent upside if this game stays competitive. The team is currently without Josh Giddey and Luguentz Dort, which leaves the team without two of their best secondary playmakers.
That means SGA has to do most of the heavy lifting. He’s increased his usage rate by +6.8% and his assist rate by +5.9% with both players off the floor, resulting in an average of 1.53 DKFP per minute. Gilgeous-Alexander was slightly disappointing with both players out of the lineup on Wednesday, but he scored at least 60.5 DraftKings points in his first two games without Dort and Giddey.
Value
Cameron Payne is going to have to serve as the Suns’ top playmaker for the near future. Chris Paul and Devin Booker are both out of the lineup, and the Suns don’t have a ton of other options who are capable of running the offense. Payne was limited to just 20.1 minutes in his first game following a lengthy injury absence, but he still racked up 25.0 DraftKings points. His role should only continue to grow as he gets further removed from his injury, and he stands out as one of the best values on the slate.
Fast Break
Friday’s game between the Bucks and Bulls stands out as one of the best of the day. It features a 240-point total – the top mark on the slate – and just a five-point spread. Jrue Holiday stands out as a nice option at $7,800 on DraftKings given his Bargain Rating of 79%. He’s coming off 54.0 DraftKings points in his last outing, and he’s averaged 1.16 DraftKings points per minute over the past month.
Malachi Flynn should draw another start at point guard for the Raptors with Fred VanVleet out of the lineup. He’s thrived in that role recently, scoring at least 35.0 DraftKings points in two of his past three games. It’s hard to pass up that kind of potential at just $3,900.
Shooting Guard
Stud
Zach LaVine has taken a backseat to DeMar DeRozan recently, which has caused his price to dip to just $7,700 on FanDuel. He’s tough to pass up at that price tag, especially considering the expected game environment vs. the Bucks. LaVine has historically averaged a Plus/Minus of +2.78 with a comparable salary, including a mark of +1.99 this season (per the Trends tool).
Value
The Timberwolves are another team to consider getting some exposure to on Friday. Their implied team total of 120.25 ranks third on the slate, and they’re also going to be without Anthony Edwards. That opens up some additional minutes and shot attempts for the rest of the roster.
Malik Beasley stands out as one of the biggest potential beneficiaries. He racked up 27.5 minutes sans Edwards in their last contest, and he’s projected for a similar workload in our NBA Models. Beasley finished with 33.0 DraftKings points in his last outing, and he’s averaged 0.96 DraftKings points per minute over the past month. It’s hard to beat that kind of potential at just $3,200.
Fast Break
The Knicks continue to play shorthanded in the backcourt, which means Alec Burks should see plenty of playing time vs. the Suns. He’s racked up at least 30.8 minutes in three straight games, and he’s averaged 0.85 FanDuel points per minute this season. Burks is a reasonable option across the industry, but his $4,600 salary on FanDuel is egregious. It results in a Bargain Rating of 92%, and he leads the position in points-per-dollar projection in our NBA Models.
Cole Anthony is another strong value on FanDuel, where his $5,700 salary comes with a Bargain Rating of 95%. His production has decreased recently – he’s averaging just 0.89 FanDuel points per minute over the past month – but he’s coming off more than 38 minutes in his last outing.
Small Forward
Stud
Paying up at small forward really isn’t an option on DraftKings. Brandon Ingram is the only player priced above $7,700 at the position, and he’s not particularly appealing vs. the Jazz.
With that in mind, going down to Scottie Barnes is reasonable. He should continue to benefit from the absences of VanVleet and OG Anunoby, and he’s scored at least 40.5 DraftKings points in three straight games. He’s also displayed a ceiling of more than 65 fantasy points during that stretch, giving him a nice combination of floor and ceiling at $6,300.
Value
Kevin Huerter has been remarkably consistent of late. He’s scored between 27.5 and 27.75 DraftKings points in three straight games, which has been more than enough to return value in each contest. His price has actually decreased over that time frame, so he’s a safe option if the Hawks are thin in the frontcourt once again. John Collins has been upgraded to questionable, but Onyeka Okongwu remains out with a concussion.
Fast Break
Mikal Bridges is an interesting option for the Suns. He doesn’t figure to be a huge beneficiary with Paul and Booker out of the lineup from a usage perspective – he’s not that type of player – but he should see a massive number of minutes. He’s currently projected for 38 in our NBA Models, which is a ton for someone at $5,400. His ceiling remains questionable, but he should be able to return value.
James Harden has SF eligibility on FanDuel, and he’s worth some consideration at that spot. He leads the position with a 96% Bargain Rating, and the 76ers could be without Tobias Harris due to an illness. Harden has posted a positive Plus/Minus in all three games with the 76ers, including a 77-FanDuel point performance vs. the Knicks.
Power Forward
Stud
Giannis Antetokounmpo is always worth consideration in DFS, and he’s been playing well recently. He’s scored at least 62.75 DraftKings points in four of his past five games, and he’s increased his fantasy output to 1.90 DraftKings points per minute over the past month. That’s a massive number. If Giannis sees his usual complement of minutes vs. the Bulls, he has some potential to do serious damage.
Like most of Friday’s studs, Giannis stands out as a stronger option on FanDuel. His $11,300 salary comes with a Bargain Rating of 95%, and his 10 Pro Trends are tied for the top mark at the position.
Value
Aleksej Pokusevski is still developing as a player, but he’s displayed some serious potential from a fantasy perspective. He’s averaged a stout 1.07 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and he’s seen a nice spike in playing time recently given the Thunder’s absences. Poku has racked up at least 25.8 minutes in three of his past five games, and he’s scored at least 34.0 DraftKings points in each of them. He’s projected for 29 minutes in our NBA Models, and it’s hard not to love him with that much playing time.
Fast Break
Jarred Vanderbilt is currently questionable for the Timberwolves, but he stands out as one of the best values on DraftKings if he’s able to suit up. He’s priced at just $4,300, resulting in a Bargain Rating of 94%, and Vanderbilt has averaged a Plus/Minus of +1.80 with a comparable salary and minute projection this season.
Jaxson Hayes has been doing work for the Pelicans of late. He’s taken over as the team’s starting power forward, and he’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in six straight games on FanDuel. His salary has barely budged recently, and he remains in play at just $4,900.
Center
Stud
As usual, DFS players will face a tough decision between Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic on Friday. Playing both together on FanDuel is possible, but it’s a bit of a stretch on DraftKings. Jokic has been priced up to $12,600 for a juicy matchup vs. the Rockets, while Antetokounmpo is at $12,300.
If you are choosing between the two, I give a slight edge to Jokic on Friday. He hasn’t been quite as productive as Giannis of late, averaging just 1.77 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, but the matchup vs. the Rockets is too good to ignore. They’ve been the best matchup in fantasy this season, ranking first in pace and dead last in defensive efficiency, and the Nuggets’ implied team total of 126.25 is the top mark on the slate.
Value
Isaiah Roby stands out as the best option at the position on DraftKings if you’re not paying up for Jokic. He’s averaged 1.07 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and the Thunder are down a number of their usual contributors in the frontcourt. Roby exploded for 51.75 DraftKings points in his last outing, and he’s scored at least 30.25 DraftKings points in three of his past five games.
Fast Break
Karl-Anthony Towns is an interesting pivot off Jokic for tournaments. He should check in with significantly less ownership, but he has much more upside than usual with Edwards sidelined. He’s increased his usage rate by +5.6% with Edwards off the floor, resulting in an average of 1.48 DraftKings points per minute.
Clint Capela remains viable for the Hawks if Collins is unable to suit up. He played 33.2 minutes Thursday vs. the Bulls, and Capela has averaged 1.16 FanDuel points per minute this season.
