Friday features a six-game slate starting at 7:00 p.m. ET on DraftKings with no late swap. FanDuel has a five-game slate.
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
Only available on DraftKings, Dejounte Murray is by far the best pay-up point guard on the slate. Priced at $9,500, he is affordable with plenty of value on tonight’s slate. Ever since Trae Young was injured, Murray has been on an absolute tear. In his last eight games, Murray has averaged 26 points and 9.1 rebounds per game with four double-doubles. With Young off the floor this season, Murray is averaging a team-high +5.25 DraftKings Plus/Minus and a +2.77% usage rate.
Jalen Johnson is also questionable to play tonight, which will boost Murray’s production. Johnson has missed three straight games, and Murray has been on a scoring frenzy, scoring 40+ points in two of those last three games. The Jazz are an exploitable matchup, ranking 29th in defensive rating this season. Murray will feast in this up-tempo game environment.
Value
Priced at $6,000 on both DraftKings and FanDuel, Vasilije Micic is coming off a career-high 25 points while dishing out eight assists. The Hornets’ rookie shot a near-perfect 9-for-10 from the field, including five 3-pointers. Over his last seven games, Micic has scored double-digit points in each game while averaging 15.4 points and 6.4 assists per game. Projected to play a modest 30 minutes, he looks like an elite value. Prioritize him on FanDuel, where he has an 83% Bargain Rating.
The Hornets have won two of their last three games, but are double-digit underdogs at home against the Suns tonight. With so many guards unavailable for the Hornets, they are giving free reign to the rookie point guard. He has delivered with a positive Plus/Minus in six of his last seven games. On FanDuel, Micic is projected for the fourth-highest ownership tonight.
Fast Break
The point guard position is loaded tonight, and Jamal Murray is another great player to target. Murray has recorded four games with over 50 DraftKings points in his last six and will now draw a cupcake matchup against the Spurs’ perimeter defenders. Opponents are shooting 37.9% from behind the arc against the Spurs this season, which is the fifth-highest in the league. Murray has been extremely efficient, shooting a career-high 48.1% from the field and 41.6% from downtown.
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
After missing four games with an ankle injury, Devin Booker has played 38 minutes in his last two games. This is the second leg of a back-to-back, so make sure to monitor his status the closer we get to lock. The Suns are a double-digit favorite on the road against the Hornets, who have a record of 17-49. In their only meeting this season, Booker poured in 35 points while shooting 10-for-18 from the field, 5-for-7 from behind the arc, and a perfect 10-for-10 from the free-throw line.
Averaging a career-high 6.8 assists per game, he has dished out seven assists in back-to-back games. The Hornets are allowing 28.1 assists per game, which is the sixth-highest in the league. They also rank 26th in defensive rating, making this a prime spot for Booker to display his ceiling. The Suns are implied for 113.25 points, the second-highest on the slate.
Value
The Hawks and Jazz matchup will draw a ton of attention on the DraftKings slate. Jazz guard Talen Horton-Tucker has the highest Projected Plus/Minus on the slate. Lauri Markkanen, Jordan Clarkson, and Kris Dunn are all out for the Jazz, making them a great team to target from a value standpoint. Horton-Tucker is only projected for 24 minutes, but at $3,900 with shooting guard and small forward eligibility, he is one of the best values on the slate with a 35% projected ownership.
Horton-Tucker’s game log isn’t pretty, but his minutes are starting to ramp up. They are only 2.5-point home underdogs due to the Hawks inept defense. They rank 27th in defensive rating and fourth in pace. It won’t take much for Horton-Tucker to exceed his value at this price point. He is a great way to get cheap exposure to the best game on the slate for DraftKings.
Fast Break
Terry Rozier is one of the better mid-range plays on the slate for both DraftKings and FanDuel. Tyler Herro remains out for the Heat, which has allowed Rozier to excel as the primary ball handler. In his last eight games without Herro, Rozier is averaging 17.5 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.4 rebounds per game with a 23.8% usage rate. He has displayed double-double upside. Despite being only point guard eligible on FanDuel, Rozier is projected to be the third-most popular play on the slate.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
Sticking with the Heat, Jimmy Butler is reasonably priced in a great matchup against the Pistons. Butler has the highest projected ceiling at the small forward position on both sites. He separates himself on FanDuel with the highest Projected Plus/Minus and is drawing over 40% ownership. With small forward and power forward eligibility on FanDuel, Butler is a staple in cash games and has upside in tournaments. He has recorded a positive Plus/Minus in seven of his last 11 games.
Butler has a team-high +2.93% usage rate and a +5.84 DraftKings Plus/Minus without Herro or Kyle Lowry (traded) on the floor. The Pistons have been playing better lately but still rank 28th in defensive rating this season. In his two games against the Pistons this season, Butler is averaging nearly a double-double with 22.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, and six assists per game.
Value
The streaky shooting Michael Porter Jr. is finally starting to find his groove, which is a big reason why the Nuggets have gone on this winning streak. Since the All-Star Break, the Nuggets have won 10 of their last 11 games, with their only loss coming into overtime to the Suns. During that 11-game stretch, Porter Jr. is averaging 20.5 points and 7.6 rebounds per game while shooting 54.9% from the field and 42.5% from behind the arc. He has been dialed in from long distance lately.
The Spurs have been terrible defending the perimeter, which bodes well for Porter Jr. In his only meeting against the Spurs this season, Porter Jr. had 25 points and seven rebounds, while shooting 8-for-14 from the field, including four 3-pointers. Priced in the mid-range Porter Jr. is a cheap way to get exposure to the Nuggets who are implied for a slate-high 116 points.
Fast Break
Bogdan Bogdanovic is another player who is questionable to play for the Hawks, but it would look great if he is able to suit up. He has recorded a positive Plus/Minus in four consecutive games while averaging 37.75 DraftKings points per game during that time. Bogdanovic has shown the ability to score and stuff the stat sheet, especially without Trae Young in the lineup. The Jazz rank 29th in defensive rating this season at 119.1 per game. If he plays, Bogdanovic is a strong mid-range value.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
Paolo Banchero is projected to be the second-most popular player on FanDuel. His cheap $8,400 salary is resulting in a 95% Bargain Rating and 10 Pro Trends. The Magic have won nine of their last 12 games and Banchero is the main reason why. The first-time All Star is leading the team in points, rebounds, and assists per game. Given his ceiling, this price tag is simply too cheap. Banchero also looks like a strong pay-up option on DraftKings priced at $8,900 and the highest ceiling.
With so many injuries to their frontcourt including Scottie Barnes, Jakob Poeltl, and even RJ Barrett, the Raptors have been a poor defense. However, they are playing at a fast pace, which bodes well for their opponents. Since the All-Star Break, the Raptors rank second in pace and 28th in rebounding percentage. This is a fantastic matchup for Banchero.
Value
Staying with the Magic, Jonathan Isaac should be getting more playing time based on how well he has played recently. The versatile forward has a positive Plus/Minus in four straight games and in seven of his last nine. Isaac has over 20 DraftKings points in each of his last four games, which is more than enough to pay off his $3,700 salary on DraftKings. Despite being projected to play only 18 minutes, Isaac is the most popular power forward on the six-game DraftKings slate.
With power forward and center eligibility, Isaac is easy to fit into all lineup builds. His $3,700 price tag is resulting in a 91% Bargain Rating. Even though there aren’t a lot of highly-priced players on this slate, Isaac creates flexibility in a stars and scrubs lineup build. Playing against the Raptors as previously mentioned, also puts Isaac in a great spot to return value.
Fast Break
Kevin Durant is a perfect boom-or-bust fantasy producer. He is coming off a poor game against the Celtics, where he only totaled 26.25 DraftKings points. However, in his previous four games, Durant averaged 38 points and 56.6 DraftKings points per game. Projected for around 5% ownership across the industry, Durant is a great contrarian pay-up option. He can easily exploit this spot against the Hornets. Priced under $10,000 on both sites, Durant could find his way into the optimal lineup.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Nikola Jokic has the highest projected ceiling by a comfortable margin on both DraftKings and FanDuel tonight. After putting up a season-high 94.25 DraftKings points against the Raptors, Jokic had a disappointing game against a difficult Heat frontcourt. Expect a bounce-back game for the current NBA MVP favorite against a weak Spurs interior defense.
Despite having Victor Wembanyama leading the league in blocks per game, the Spurs have allowed 54.5 points per game in the paint, which is the fourth-highest in the league. They also rank 24th in rebounding percentage and 23rd in defensive rating. Jokic has only played in one game against the Spurs and he absolutely dominated. He finished with 39 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists while shooting 17-for-29 from the field. Expect another ceiling performance from the MVP center.
Value
Getting exposure to one of Clint Capela or Bruno Fernando is a great option on the DraftKings slate. Their third center Onyeka Onkongwu, remains out with an injury, so both Capela and Fernando will play over 20 minutes in this matchup against the Jazz. Capela is the first option if salary is a non-factor. Over his last three games, Capela is averaging 15.3 points and 13 rebounds per game. He has a positive Plus/Minus in each game and is projected to be a great value option.
Fernando is $2,000 cheaper than Capela but is in the same matchup and has upside off the bench. He isn’t as consistent as Capela, but Fernando has been dominant on the glass. With many players out for the Jazz, they have been susceptible to big games from opposing post players. They rank 22nd in the league, allowing 51.9 points per game in the paint this year.
Fast Break
Victor Wembanyama is arguably the only player who has the potential to reach Nikola Jokic’s ceiling. His shot-blocking ability, tenacious rebounding, and effortless scoring make him a strong pay-up option in all formats. The rookie has a double-double in nine straight games and in 10 of his last 11. During that stretch, Wembanyama is averaging 22.5 points, 11.7 rebounds, and an absurd 4.9 blocks per game. The ceiling is there for Wembanyama despite the tough matchup.
