NBA DFS Picks Breakdown on DraftKings (Friday, November 15)

Friday features a 10-game main slate starting at 7 p.m. ET.

Let’s dive into some of the top plays on the slate using the FantasyLabs tools and projections.

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.

You can also use our SimLabs Lineup Generator, a tool that creates the most user-friendly lineup generation process.

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.

Stud

Cade Cunningham is in the midst of a breakout season. The former No. 1 overall pick has always had talent, but he’s finally started to put it all together. He’s averaging career highs in virtually every category across the board, including points (23.8), rebounds (7.2), and assists (8.5) per game. Add it all up, and he’s averaged 1.35 DraftKings points per minute. That’s the fourth-highest mark among Friday’s point guards.

Cunningham has been even better of late. He’s scored at least 50.5 DraftKings points in five of his past six games, including 71.25 Wednesday vs. the Bucks.

Cunningham’s price tag has come up to $9,300, but that still feels too cheap given his recent production. That’s particularly true for Friday’s matchup vs. the Raptors, which has been one of the friendliest in fantasy to start the year. They’re 28th in defensive efficiency, so Cunningham has even more upside than usual.

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Value

The Clippers are pretty desperate for production after losing Paul George to the 76ers and Kawhi Leonard to injury. Enter Kris Dunn. Dunn has seen a nice uptick in minutes of late, including a season-high 30.6 in his last contest. Dunn is projected for another 29 minutes on Friday, and he’s always been a solid per-minute producer: he’s averaged 0.84 DraftKings points per minute so far this season. Historically, Dunn has had a comparable salary and minute projection in 21 previous contests, and he’s averaged a +3.72 Plus/Minus (per the Trends tool).

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Fast Break

Jamal Murray has had an up-and-down season so far, but he should continue to have to do a bit more with Aaron Gordon out of the lineup. He’s coming off more than 38 minutes in his last outing, and he’s seen a team-high +2.83 usage bump with Gordon off the floor this season. 

The Cavaliers are off to a phenomenal start this season, and Darius Garland is a big reason why. Garland’s numbers declined last season, but he’s back to averaging 1.23 DraftKings points per minute. His usage and assist rates are both slightly up, and he has massive offensive potential vs. the Bulls. They’ve played at the fastest pace in the league this season, and the Cavs’ 124.0-point implied team total ranks second on the slate.

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

Bennedict Mathurin isn’t priced like a stud, but he’s provided stud-like production for DFS players of late. He’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in seven straight games, and he’s scored at least 37.0 DraftKings points in five of them. He’s even displayed a ceiling of 56.0 DraftKings points, which he scored two games ago vs. the Knicks.

Despite all his recent production, Mathurin still sits at just $6,200 for Friday’s matchup vs. the Heat. It’s not the best matchup on paper, but Mathurin has averaged 1.09 DraftKings points per minute and is currently projected for 35 minutes. Until his price tag adjusts to his current role, Mathurin is in play against anyone.

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Value

The Pelicans are still in rough shape from an injury standpoint. Dejounte Murray, C.J. McCollum, and Zion Williamson are still out of the lineup, as are Jose Alvarado, Jordan Hawkins, and Herb Jones. That leaves the team without three starters and three crucial reserves.

As a result, some of their other players have had to pick up the slack, including Jaylen Nowell. Nowell logged just under 26 minutes in their last outing, and he’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in back-to-back games. He’s averaged 0.84 DraftKings points per minute for the year, and he’s projected for another 26 minutes Friday vs. the Nuggets. That makes him too cheap at $4,000.

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Fast Break

Zach LaVine is coming off 56.75 DraftKings points in his last outing, and he remains a premier scoring threat. He combines efficiency and volume at a rate that very few can, giving him far more upside than his $6,800 salary suggests. He’s had a comparable salary in 84 games as a member of the Bulls, and he’s averaged a +2.41 Plus/Minus.

Brandon Boston is another potential option for the shorthanded Pelicans. His price tag has increased of late, but he’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in seven straight games. He’s playing close to 36 minutes in games that stay competitive, and he’s averaged just under a fantasy point per minute. His still capable of paying off his current salary.

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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks

Stud

R.J. Barrett has seen his price skyrocket over the past week, but it’s come a bit back down to reality for Friday’s slate. Of course, that tends to happen when you post a few clunkers, and that’s exactly what’s happened with Barrett of late. He’s posted a negative Plus/Minus in four straight games, so the price drop is deserved.

Still, Barrett’s upside is clearly there. He’s served as the team’s offensive focal point with Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley out of the lineup, increasing his usage rate to more than 32%. He simply hasn’t been able to make any buckets. He’s just 14-44 from the field over his past three contests (31.8%), which has kept his fantasy production in check.

Some better shooting numbers would benefit Barrett in multiple ways. Not only would it result in more points, but it could also result in more minutes. The Raptors have been blown out a bunch recently, and Barrett’s poor shooting is a big reason why.

The Pistons are a decent bounce-back spot for Barrett. They weren’t a great defensive team last season, and while they’ve improved in 2024-25, it’s still a small sample size. He has the second-highest ceiling projection at the position, trailing only the significantly more expensive LeBron James.

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Value

Aaron Wiggins has been a consistent source of production for the Thunder of late. He’s averaged 0.98 DraftKings points per minute, and he’s getting the chance to play a bit more following the injury to Chet Holmgren. He’s played at least 24.3 minutes in three of his past four games, and he’s been closer to 30 minutes in two of them. His $4,700 salary comes with a 70% Bargain Rating, which is one of the better marks at the SF position.

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Fast Break

Mikal Bridges has played as much as any wing in basketball to start the year. That tends to happen when your coach is Tom Thibodeau, and Bridges is coming off nearly 43 minutes in an overtime loss to the Bulls in his last outing. He leads the position with 38 projected minutes on Friday, which is a ton for someone priced at $5,800. His per-minute production is down so far this season, but he’s still scored at least 29.0 DraftKings points in three of his past four games.

Dillon Brooks is one of the cheapest sources of minutes on this slate. He’s currently projected for 32 minutes at just $4,100, and he’s scored at least 20.5 DraftKings points in four straight games. Historically, players with comparable salaries and minute projections have averaged a Plus/Minus of +3.60.

NBA DFS Power Forward Picks

Stud

Tobias Harris is far from the sexiest option on this slate, but he continues to get the job done for the Pistons. He’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in five straight games, and he’s scored at least 34.5 DraftKings points in three of his past four. He’s also played more than 40 minutes in back-to-back outings, so he’s seeing a ton of playing time at the moment. He ranks third among PFs in projected Plus/Minus, and he’s first among PFs priced above $4,600.

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Value

Peyton Watson continues to be underpriced for the Nuggets. He’s moved into the starting lineup in place of Gordon, and he’s averaged 35.7 minutes in his three starts. He’s not the greatest per-minute producer – he’s averaged 0.79 DraftKings points per minute – but that’s more than good enough at his current salary. Watson is projected for another 34 minutes vs. the Pelicans, who have been one of the worst defensive teams in basketball this season.

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Fast Break

The Suns are another team with a host of injuries at the moment. Both Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal will miss Friday’s contest, opening up additional minutes and usage for the rest of the roster. Josh Okogie has made the most of his playing time this season, averaging 1.21 DraftKings points per minute, and he’s coming off 42.0 DraftKings points in 28.1 minutes in his last outing. He might not see that much playing time on Friday, but he should be locked into 20+ minutes.

Tari Eason continues to do what he does best: rack up fantasy points whenever he’s on the floor. He’s played at least 25.3 minutes in four straight games, and he’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in each. That includes at least 34.75 DraftKings points in two of his past three. He’s averaged 1.19 DraftKings points per minute this season, so he has plenty of upside at just $5,000. He’s also projected for less than 10% ownership.

NBA DFS Center Picks

Stud

Nikola Jokic is on pace to re-write the fantasy record book this season. His price tag is up to $12,000, but that still feels at least $1,000 too cheap. He’s been absolutely unstoppable through his first 10 games, averaging 29.7 points, 13.7 rebounds, and 11.7 assists. He’s on pace to lead the league in both rebounds and assists per game, and I’m not sure if anyone has ever done that in NBA history.

For fantasy purposes, Jokic has averaged 1.90 DraftKings points per minute this season, and he’s playing all the minutes he can handle with Gordon out of the lineup. This team doesn’t have the same depth that we’ve seen in years past, so Jokic is having to do even more heavy lifting than he has previously. That’s pretty scary for someone who has already won three MVPs.

As big as his price tag is, he’s yet to post a negative Plus/Minus all season. He’s scored at least 71.25 DraftKings points in four straight games. How in the world do you fade him against the Pelicans? 

Editor’s note: Jokic was ruled out after this article was submitted. Check the Player Models for updates.

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Value

Jonas Valanciunas hasn’t had the opportunity to play much this season, but he’s made the most of his minutes recently. He’s gone for at least 25.0 DraftKings points in five of his past seven games, and he’s had at least 40 DraftKings points in three of them.

He’s in a great spot to keep the production rolling vs. the Hawks. This game has the highest total of the day at 241.5 points, making Jonas simply too cheap at $5,000. He has an 82% Bargain Rating, which is tied for the third-best mark at the center position.

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Fast Break

On the other side of that matchup, Clint Capela fits a similar mold to Valanciunas. His minutes aren’t super consistent, but he’s capable of racking up fantasy points in a hurry. He put that on display in his last outing, racking up 34.75 DraftKings points in less than 17 minutes. The Hawks have the highest implied team total on the slate, and Capela is a cheap way to get some exposure.

Bam Adebayo has had a slow start to his season, but he’s started to turn things around. He’s discord at least 40.25 DraftKings points in five of his past six games, and he’s going to have to continue to do more than usual with Jimmy Butler sidelined. His matchup vs. the Pacers is also solid.