Friday features a split slate on DraftKings with six games starting at 7:30 p.m. ET and four games at 10:00 p.m. ET. FanDuel has a 10-game slate starting at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Let’s dive into some of the top plays on the slate 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 300 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 NBA Player Models directly for any updates as we get closer to lock.
NBA DFS Point Guard Picks
Stud
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the clear-cut top pay-up option at the guard position. Averaging over 31 points per game for the second-straight season, he has led the Thunder to an impressive 38-17 record. They are 15.5-point favorites against the Wizards, implied for 127.25 points. In their only meeting this season, the Thunder won 136-128 behind Gilgeous-Alexander’s 32 points, six rebounds, and five assists. He shot 11-for-17 from the field, including two 3-pointers.
Gilgeous-Alexander continued his stellar play in his first game back from the All-Star Break with 31 points and eight assists against the Clippers. Playing on the second leg of a back-to-back has not been a problem for the star point guard.
In nine games with no days off, he is averaging 32.1 points per game while shooting 55.5% from the field. Leading the league in pace and ranking 27th in defensive rating, the Wizards are a perfect matchup for Gilgeous-Alexander tonight.
Value
The Wizards ‘ point guard Tyus Jones is projected for the highest ownership on the DraftKings main slate. He has been one of the only bright spots for the Wizards this season. In his first year with his new team, Jones is averaging a career-high 12.6 points and 6.9 assists per game while shooting 50.2% from the field and 43.1% from downtown. Jones picked up right where he left off last night, recording 13 points and 14 assists. He has averaged 15 assists per game in his last three games.
The Wizards moved Jordan Poole to the bench for the first time all season last night. That didn’t seem to solve his shooting struggles with Poole’s 4-for-17 performance. However, that move puts the ball in Jones’ hands more often, and his assist rate climbs to 36.7% with Poole off the floor this season. Prioritize Jones on DraftKings, where he has a 94% Bargain Rating.
Fast Break
Another high-priced guard in an elite matchup is Stephen Curry. He is the best point guard option on the DraftKings night slate. The Warriors are 13-point home favorites against the Hornets, who have the worst defensive rating at 120.1. Curry nearly had his third double-double in his last four games with 32 points and eight assists last night. Leading the league with 5.1 3-pointers per game, expect Curry to light it up from distance against the Hornets, who allow 38.7% from behind the arc.
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
With several high-priced shooting guards questionable to play, Devin Booker stands out at this position. Booker poured in 35 points against the Mavericks last night while shooting 13-for-21 from the floor. He also dished out eight assists and grabbed five rebounds, finishing with nearly 55 DraftKings points. Priced at $9,600 and drawing less than 5% ownership on both DraftKings and FanDuel, Booker is a strong contrarian pay-up option, especially if Bradley Beal is unable to play again.
The Suns and Rockets will play three times in their next four games. In their only meeting this season, the Suns won handily behind Kevin Durant‘s triple-double, including a career-high 16 assists. Booker still had 20 points and seven assists in that matchup. Despite the Rockets being eighth in defensive rating, Booker is matchup-proof and can light it up against anyone.
Value
Spurs’ sharpshooter Devin Vassell has the highest projected Plus/Minus on both DraftKings and FanDuel tonight. Vassell scored 32 points last night against the Kings while shooting an impressive 13 for 18 from the field. He is second on the team this season in both usage rate and points per game and is shooting a career-high 47.1%. Projected to play around 34 minutes, Vassell looks amazing in our Tournament Model. He will be a popular value play, but is impossible to ignore tonight.
The Lakers are also coming off a back-to-back after allowing 128 points to the Warriors. Expect LeBron James to be back in action, but this is still an exploitable matchup for Vassell. The Lakers have been torched from the perimeter, which bodes well for Vassell. They are allowing opponents to make 14.2 3-pointers per game, which is the third-highest in the league.
Fast Break
Anthony Edwards has recorded a positive Plus/Minus in six consecutive games. During that time, he is averaging 32.3 points and 53.5 DraftKings points per game with a 34.3% usage rate. Similar to Devin Booker, Edwards is going to be a contrarian pay-up option at the shooting guard position. His $8,700 salary on DraftKings has an 88% Bargain Rating, which is intriguing on the short four-game slate. Playing at home, Edwards is also shooting nearly 50% from the field this season.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
With a little boom or bust tendencies, Scottie Barnes has been worth getting exposure to recently due to his ceiling. Over his last five games, including last night, Barnes is averaging 18.2 points, 10.6 rebounds, 7.6 assists, and 48.9 DraftKings points per game. He has one triple-double and three double-doubles during that time. In his third year in the league, Barnes is averaging career highs across the board in every stat and can stuff the stat sheet in a variety of ways, boosting his floor.
The Hawks have been a disaster defensively for most of the season. They rank third in pace and 29th in defensive rating while allowing 123.9 points per game. In what will be an up-tempo game environment, Barnes should flirt with another triple-double tonight. With dual eligibility on DraftKings and FanDuel, Barnes can easily fit into all lineup builds for tonight’s slate.
Value
Newly acquired Royce O’Neale has been a positive reinforcement for the Suns. After only playing 11 minutes in his first game with the Suns, O’Neale has been great in his last three games, providing a positive Plus/Minus in each game. During that three-game stretch, O’Neale is averaging 9.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.7 steals, and 28.8 DraftKings points per game. That is more than enough to pay off his low salary across the industry, especially if Bradley Beal is unable to play.
O’Neale has the highest projected Plus/Minus at the small forward position on DraftKings. He is popping despite being projected to play only 26 minutes. He has played 30 minutes in two of his last three games. He can also fill it up from behind the arc, and the Rockets have been susceptible to the 3-point marksman. O’Neale is a cheap way to get exposure to the Suns offense.
Fast Break
Expected back tonight, LeBron James has the highest projected ceiling at the small forward position. After an extra day of rest after the All-Star Break, James returns to a Lakers team that desperately needs to kick it into gear, or another Play-In Tournament game awaits them. James will have no trouble feasting against the Spurs. In his lone game against them this season, James had a near triple-double with 23 points, 14 assists, and seven rebounds. He is favorably priced on this slate.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
Only on the DraftKings night slate is Giannis Antetokounmpo, the best pay-up option at the power forward position. The Timberwolves have been a difficult matchup this season with two elite centers protecting the paint, but Giannis can impose his will in any matchup. The Bucks played without Damian Lillard in their last meeting against the Timberwolves and were boat-raced in their own gym. Expect a much better game in this border rivalry, with the Timberwolves favored by four points.
Giannis leads the slate with a 32.8% usage rate and is averaging over 30 points per game for the second straight year. He is shooting a career-best 61.6% from the field, mainly due to taking less 3-pointers. There are not many players in the league who can reach Giannis’ ceiling. Drawing minimal ownership on both sites tonight, he is a strong contrarian option.
Value
Despite a rising salary, Jalen Williams continues to shine in the Thunder’s offense. Being the second option to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams is averaging a career-high 19.2 points per game while shooting 54.4% from the field and 45.4% from behind the arc. He had back-to-back 30-point games before the All-Star Break and draws a great matchup against the Wizards to continue to elite play. He has the highest projected Plus/Minus at the power forward position tonight.
Williams is drawing around 25-30% projected ownership on DraftKings and FanDuel due to his sub-$8,000 salary. He is a cheaper way to get exposure to the Thunder offense and is more blowout-proof than Gilgeous-Alexander with his price tag. Expect Williams to score at will inside, with the Wizards allowing the second-highest points in the paint with 59.3 per game.
Fast Break
Kevin Durant had a slow start out of the gates last night, accumulating only 34.5 DraftKings points. At sub-$10,000 on both DraftKings and FanDuel, Durant is popping as an elite pay-up option at the forward position. He has recorded a double-double in three of his last five games and is coming off a triple-double in his last game against the Rockets. In what will likely be a competitive game, Durant looks better than the rest of his pricing piers. He is a little too cheap, given his high ceiling.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Coming off his 16th triple-double of the season, Nikola Jokic has now recorded a triple-double against every opponent in the league. The Nuggets cruised to a 20-point victory behind Jokic’s 21 points, 19 rebounds, and 15 assists. He shot a perfect 10-for-10 from the field and finished with over 70 DraftKings points. He is only available in the DraftKings night slate, so Jokic will compete with Giannis for the top spot on the slate. The slight edge goes to Jokic, who draws a better matchup.
Even with the addition of Deandre Ayton, the Trail Blazers have been an exploitable interior matchup for opposing big men. They rank 27th in points allowed in the paint and 23rd in rebounding percentage at 48.8%. Jokic has a near triple-double in both games against the Trail Blazers this season while shooting 63.9% from the floor. He is one of the best pay-up options.
Value
Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen look like incredible mid-range values on this slate. If Donovan Mitchell is unable to play again tonight due to his illness, these two Cavaliers big men will look even better. Mobley gets the slight edge over Allen if Mitchell is out with his team-high +4.37 DraftKings Plus/Minus when Mitchell is off the floor this season. Keep an eye on Mitchell’s status the closer we get to lock. Mobley and Allen look like great options now that could look even better tonight.
With Joel Embiid out, the 76ers defense has suffered immensely. In the 21 games with the reigning MVP out of the lineup this season, the 76ers defensive rating drops from 112.6 to 120.6. Mobley and Allen will be able to take full advantage of this weak 76ers frontcourt. Mobley also benefits from having power forward and center eligibility across the industry.
Fast Break
Surprisingly enough, Anthony Davis has the highest projected ceiling than Nikola Jokic tonight. It mainly has to do with the matchup against the Spurs that Davis has dominated. In their only meeting this season, Davis had a 37-point, 10-rebound double-double while shooting 13-for-23 from the field with four steals. The Lakers are double-digit favorites and will lean on another big game from Davis. His salary is also more reasonable than Jokic’s while still having a similar type of ceiling.
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