Friday features an eight-game slate starting at 7 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 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
Damian Lillard returned to the Blazers’ lineup three games ago, but he continues to struggle shooting the ball. He’s shot just 32.4% from the field in those contests, but he’s still managed to post a positive Plus/Minus in two of them on FanDuel. That means he should be able to smash this price tag if his shot does start falling.
He’ll continue to carry an increased for as long as C.J. McCollum is sidelined, and he’s in an excellent spot Friday vs. the Hornets. They’ve played at the third-fastest pace this season, and they rank dead last in defensive efficiency. The Blazers’ implied team total of 116.0 ranks second on today’s slate.
Value
The Kings are the most recent team to be hit hard by COVID-19. They’ve already ruled out a host of players for Friday due to health and safety protocols, while De’Aaron Fox is doubtful. Tyrese Haliburton is also questionable with a back injury, so the team could be extremely thin at point guard.
That means Davion Mitchell could be asked to take on a massive role. He’s already been an excellent source of value recently, posting an average Plus/Minus of +5.75 over his past 10 games on DraftKings, and he’s currently projected for 36 minutes in our NBA Models. Mitchell leads all point guards with 11 Pro Trends on DraftKings, where his $3,600 salary comes with a Bargain Rating of 94%.
Fast Break
The Lakers are going to be without Russell Westbrook on Friday, so Rajon Rondo could be looking at a few extra minutes. That would be enough to make him an interesting fantasy option. Rondo is priced at the absolute minimum on FanDuel, and he’s averaged 0.88 FanDuel points per minute this season.
Steph Curry has struggled recently, which has caused his salary to drop to just $9,900 on FanDuel. The result is a Bargain Rating of 97%, and Curry could grab a few additional shot attempts on Friday. Jordan Poole will miss today’s game due to health and safety protocols, and Curry has increased his production to 1.43 FanDuel points per minute with Poole off the court.
Shooting Guard
Stud
Dillon Brooks continues to stand out as a discount stud for the shorthanded Grizzlies. He’s scored at least 35.2 FanDuel points in back-to-back games, yet his salary has increased by just $100 on FanDuel over that time frame. He’s priced at $6,200 Friday vs. the Kings, and he can do some damage in that matchup. The Kings have played at the sixth-fastest pace this season, and they rank just 28th in defensive efficiency.
Value
The Kings should provide plenty of value at guard on Friday. In addition to Mitchell, Haliburton stands out as an elite option on DraftKings if he’s active. He’s priced at just $5,800, resulting in a Bargain Rating of 96%, and he’s increased his production to 0.96 DraftKings points per minute with Fox off the court.
Buddy Hield is also worth some consideration. He leads the team with a 25.3% usage rate with Fox off the court, and he’s averaged 1.02 DraftKings points per minute in that situation. He’s underpriced across the industry.
Fast Break
Grayson Allen has posted a positive Plus/Minus in each of his past three games on FanDuel, and he should be looking at another sizable workload on Friday. That makes him an appealing target at just $4,000. Historically, players with comparable salaries and minute projections have averaged a Plus/Minus of +4.31 (per the Trends tool).
Dejounte Murray deserves some consideration as a stud option on FanDuel. He leads the position with 12 Pro Trends, and his $9,000 salary comes with a Bargain Rating of 92%. He’s also been the top producer among today’s shooting guards on a per-minute basis, averaging 1.3 FanDuel points per minute this season.
Small Forward
Stud
Khris Middleton is absurdly underpriced given the Bucks’ absences at just $6,700 on DraftKings. He’s been arguably their top fantasy asset with Giannis Antetokounmpo off the court this season, leading the team with a 34.9% usage rate and averaging 1.28 DraftKings points per minute. That represents a sizable increase from his average of 1.1 DraftKings points per minute on the year. Overall, Middleton has averaged 38.13 DraftKings points in two games without Antetokounmpo this season, which trails only Jrue Holiday’s average of 43.44.
Value
On the other side of that matchup, Josh Hart might not get the attention he deserves on today’s slate. He’s not an obvious beneficiary from his team playing shorthanded, but he still stands out as one of the best values at the position. He’s recorded at least 31.5 DraftKings points in three of his past four games, and he’s averaged 0.91 DraftKings points per minute over the past month. Hart is currently projected for 34 minutes in our NBA Models, and he should be able to return value with that much playing time.
Fast Break
The Magic are in bad shape at the moment. Cole Anthony, Gary Harris, and Mo Bamba are all questionable with injuries, and they have nine players already ruled out. If any of the questionable players are unable to suit up, Chuma Okeke will be asked to pick up the slack. He’s currently projected for 31 minutes in our NBA Models, and Okeke has averaged a Plus/Minus of +3.57 with a comparable minute projection.
The Kings have eased Harrison Barnes back into action following an injury, but he played 32.2 minutes in their last outing. They may have no choice but to give him even more minutes on Friday, and if that happens, he’s undoubtedly underpriced at $5,700 on DraftKings. He’s averaged 0.93 DraftKings points per minute this season and was routinely priced above $7,000 before getting injured.
Power Forward
Stud
The Lakers have a pair of studs to consider in LeBron James and Anthony Davis, but Davis stands out as the better value currently. He was priced at $10,400 on DraftKings for his last game, but his salary has dropped to just $9,400 Friday vs. the Timberwolves. Davis has been in a bit of a slump, but his average of 1.32 DraftKings points per minute this season is nearly identical to LeBron’s (1.34). Both players should benefit from the absence of Westbrook, but I’ll take the slight discount with AD.
Value
Chimezie Metu is questionable for the Kings, but he could be looking at a big workload if he’s active. Marvin Bagley has already been ruled out due to health and safety protocols, while Richaun Holmes and Alex Len are both doubtful. That doesn’t leave the Kings’ many options at center outside of Metu. He’s thrived when given the opportunity to play this season, averaging 0.96 DraftKings points per minute, and his $3,700 price tag comes with a Bargain Rating of 88%.
Fast Break
With the Lakers’ studs and all the value options on today’s slate, Jaren Jackson Jr. could carry lower ownership than usual. He’s also coming off a disappointing performance in his last game, finishing with just 16.4 FanDuel points over 23.9 minutes. Still, Jackson should continue to carry an elite ceiling with Ja Morant sidelined. He’s increased his fantasy production to 1.19 FanDuel points per minute over the past month, and he should return to his usual workload Friday vs. the Kings.
Carmelo Anthony is another potential PF target for the Lakers. He’s been priced down to just $4,000 on DraftKings, and he could see more minutes and shot attempts on Friday’s slate.
Center
Stud
It will be interesting to see what Nikola Jokic’s ownership looks like. He’s gotten extremely expensive across the industry, so DFS players could choose to go with cheaper studs like James and Davis.
That said, Jokic is easily the best fantasy producer in the league at the moment. He’s scored at least 61.5 DraftKings points in six straight games, and he’s racked up at least 72.75 in three of them. He’s capable of dominating games as a scorer, rebounder, and passer, and he’s averaged a ridiculous 28.0 points, 13.7 rebounds, and 10.7 assists over his past six games. With that in mind, Jokic’s elevated salary feels justified, and there’s more than enough value to fit him into your lineups comfortably.
Value
It’s time to Boogie. DeMarcus Cousins is one of the last big men left standing for the Bucks, so he should see a solid handful of minutes on Friday. He’s currently projected for 18 minutes in our NBA Models, and that should be more than enough to pay off his current salary. Cousins is priced at just $3,100 on DraftKings, and he’s averaged 1.06 DraftKings points per minute this season.
Fast Break
Jusuf Nurkic is one of the best values at the position on FanDuel, where his $6,500 salary comes with a Bargain Rating of 94%. Nurkic has been elite on a per-minute basis this season – he’s averaged 1.26 FanDuel points per minute – and his playing time is trending in the right direction. He’s logged at least 31.5 minutes in back-to-back games, giving Nurkic an excellent ceiling. His matchup vs. the Hornets is also elite, resulting in an Opponent Plus/Minus of +3.48.
Damian Jones is priced at the minimum on DraftKings, and he could be forced into action for the Kings. He’s currently projected for 18 minutes in our NBA Models, but that number could skyrocket if Metu is ruled out. Jones has averaged 0.91 DraftKings points per minute this season, so he’s capable of taking advantage of his playing time.
