Wednesday features an 11-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
The Kings stand out as one of the top teams to target on Friday. Not only do they draw a solid matchup vs. the Blazers, but they’re also going to be without DeMar DeRozan for the third straight game. DeRozan ranks second on the team with a 25.6% usage rate, so his absence will open up plenty of opportunities for the rest of the roster.
De’Aaron Fox figures to be one of the biggest beneficiaries. He’s seen a +6.16% bump to his usage rate with DeRozan off the floor this season, resulting in an average of 1.45 DraftKings points per minute.
Even with DeRozan in the lineup, Fox has been an undervalued source of production recently. He’s posted a +6.75 average Plus/Minus across his past 10 games, and he’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in seven of those outings.
Fox also leads the position with 38 projected minutes, so there’s plenty to like with him vs. the Blazers.
Value
On the other side of that matchup, Scoot Henderson is coming off one of his best games of the season on Wednesday. He racked up 36.0 DraftKings points in 35.4 minutes, and he could see a few additional minutes again on Friday. The team has already ruled out Donovan Clingan for this matchup, while both Jerami Grant and Robert Williams III are doubtful. The Blazers played just nine players with all three out on Wednesday, and one of the nine played just 3.5 minutes. Ultimately, they have one of the thinnest rotations in basketball right now, so they’re another strong team to target on this slate.
Fast Break
Mike Conley has played more than 30 minutes in three straight games, and if he’s going to continue playing that much, he’s undoubtedly underpriced at $4,800. He’s averaged 0.91 DraftKings points per minute for the year, and he’s historically averaged a Plus/Minus of +2.44 with a comparable salary and minute projection as a member of the Timberwolves (per the Trends tool).
Derrick White is never going to get a ton of attention when the Celtics are at full strength, which is the case on Friday. However, the Celtics draw one of the best possible matchups vs. the Bulls, and they lead the slate with a massive 127.5-point implied team total. White has posted a positive Plus/Minus in four of his past five games, so he’s worth some consideration in such an elite spot.
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
Malik Monk is another elite option for the Kings. He’s not priced like a stud at $5,400 on DraftKings, but he has the potential for stud-like production vs. the Blazers: he has the seventh-highest median projection at the position despite ranking 15th in salary.
Monk is coming off 34.7 minutes in his last outing, and he responded with a whopping 53.0 DraftKings. I wouldn’t necessarily expect that type of production vs. the Blazers, but it’s certainly within the range of outcomes. Monk has averaged 1.02 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and he’s averaged 1.08 DraftKings points per minute with DeRozan off the floor.
Monk leads all players regardless of position in projected Plus/Minus, so he’s a building block for cash games.
Value
Ja’Kobe Walter is not someone that most NBA fans are familiar with, and he’s played in just five games as a rookie. That said, he made his presence known in his last outing. He played a season-high 27.5 minutes for the Raptors, and he responded with 40.25 DraftKings points.
The Raptors are still dealing with a couple of injuries in their backcourt, with both Immanuel Quickley and Gradey Dick ruled out for Friday’s matchup vs. the Heat. That opens the door for Walter to see another expanded workload. He’s projected for 28 minutes at the absolute minimum, and it’s tough to beat that combination. Min-priced players have historically averaged a Plus/Minus of +4.82 with a comparable minute projection, so Walter is another elite value on this slate.
Fast Break
Bennedict Mathurin continues to put together strong performances for the Pacers. He’s averaged a +4.37 Plus/Minus over his past 10 games, and he’s coming off 46.0 DraftKings points in his last outing. His price tag has dropped by -$400 for Friday’s matchup vs. the Pistons, making him a solid value at just $6,300.
Duncan Robinson has been let off the leash in his past two games. He’s logged at least 31.3 minutes in both after playing sparingly to start the year, and he’s projected for another 28 minutes vs. the Raptors. He’s averaged 0.94 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, so he can do some damage with that much playing time.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
Jayson Tatum has been a first-team All-NBA player for three straight seasons, but he’s arguably having his best year in 2024-25. He’s averaging 28.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game, resulting in an average of 1.43 DraftKings points per minute.
Tatum has failed to return value in three straight games, which has caused his salary to dip to $10,000 for Friday’s matchup vs. the Bulls. That makes him an intriguing buy-low candidate. The Bulls rank first in pace and 27th in defensive efficiency, so they’re quite possibly the best matchup in all of fantasy.
Value
Deni Avdija is a prime target for the shorthanded Blazers on Friday. With all of their absences in the frontcourt, Avdija led the team with more than 41 minutes in their last outing. He’s averaged 1.02 DraftKings points per minute for the year, so he can do some serious damage with that much playing time.
Avdija is projected for a more reasonable 30 minutes on Friday, but that should still be more than enough to pay off his $5,300 price tag. Since the start of the 2022-23 season, Avdija has averaged a +5.44 Plus/Minus with a comparable salary and minute projection.
Fast Break
Quenton Jackson is another potential source of value. He’s priced at just $4,000, but he’s seen a sizable uptick in playing time of late. He’s logged at least 31.9 minutes in back-to-back games, and he’s scored at least 24.5 DraftKings points in both.
Scottie Barnes has done some serious damage when on the floor this season, and he’s averaged 1.44 DraftKings points per minute since returning from injury. He’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in three straight games, including 65.5 DraftKings points vs. the Pistons two games ago. That gives him an elite ceiling for his price tag.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
Power forward is undoubtedly the weakest position on this slate. Tatum stands out as the clear top choice, but Franz Wagner is a solid alternative for tournaments. He’s projected for roughly half the ownership, but he has a comparable ceiling.
With Paolo Banchero out of the lineup, Wagner has had to take over as the team’s top-scoring threat. He’s averaged 1.37 DraftKings points per minute in games without his star teammate, and that number would be even higher if not for some disappointing performances of late. Wagner has failed to return value in back-to-back contests, but one was a blowout where he played just 31 minutes.
Wagner draws an excellent matchup Friday vs. the Nets, who rank 25th in defensive efficiency. Orlando is also favored by just 7.5 on the road, so this game should hopefully stay competitive. The same can’t be said for the Celtics, who are favored by double-digits in Chicago.
Value
Trendon Watford isn’t nearly as appealing as some of the other values on this slate, but he’s second only to Tatum in projected Plus/Minus at PF. He’s only projected for 18 minutes vs. the Magic, but Watford has averaged just under a fantasy point per minute for the year. He’s coming off closer to 22 minutes in his last outing, so he has a solid chance to pay off his current salary. That said, he doesn’t bring a ton of upside to the table.
Fast Break
R.J. Barrett is having a career year for the Raptors. He’s averaging 22.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game, good for an average of 1.25 DraftKings points per minute. He has a bit more upside than usual with Quickley and Dick out of the lineup, so he’s another potential pay-up option at the position.
Naz Reid doesn’t play as much as some people would like, but he’s capable of racking up fantasy points quickly when on the floor. He’s averaged 1.02 DraftKings points per minute for the year, and he’s projected for 24 minutes on Friday’s slate. He has multiple outings with more than 40 DraftKings points this season, so he has decent upside for his $4,700 salary.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
It’s officially Isaiah Hartenstein season. He’s played in just three games for the Thunder, but with Chet Holmgren on the shelf, he’s going to have to carry a large workload for the team moving forward. He’s started his past two games and has responded with averages of 16.5 points, 12.0 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. Overall, he’s averaged 1.31 DraftKings points per minute since joining the rotation, and his playing time could continue to trend upward.
The Thunder are clearly going to need his size on Friday. They’re squaring off with the Lakers, who have one of the best centers in the league in Anthony Davis. Hartenstein is one of the team’s only big bodies to throw at him, so he should be locked into another sizeable workload. Ultimately, he’s too cheap at $6,800.
Value
Jonathan Isaac is a personal favorite of mine. He’s struggled with injuries for virtually his entire career, and the Magic are playing it pretty safe with him at the moment. However, he has played at least 22.2 minutes in three straight games, and he’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in each.
When Isaac is on the floor, he’s capable of racking up fantasy points with the best of them. He’s averaged 1.03 DraftKings points per minute for the year, and he had 30 DraftKings points vs. the Pistons three games ago. He’s a decent bet to return value vs. the Nets, and he has a bit of upside as well.
Fast Break
Myles Turner almost always stands out in our projections, and Friday’s matchup vs. the Pistons is no exception. He leads all centers in projected Plus/Minus, and he has the sixth-highest ceiling projection as well. The centers with better ceilings are all significantly more expensive, so Turner is a nice way to get some upside without sacrificing a ton of cap space.
Ivica Zubac is playing more minutes than ever, and he’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in six straight games. He’s scored at least 40.0 DraftKings points in his past two outings, and he’s averaged 1.16 DraftKings points per minute for the year. The Timberwolves are a tough matchup, but Zubac remains underpriced at $6,800.
