Friday features a nine-game slate starting at 7 p.m. ET.
Let’s dive into some of the top plays 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
Dejounte Murray missed the Spurs last game, and his status for Friday is still to be determined. If he is able to suit up, he’ll be in one of the best spots of the day vs. the Rockets. They rank first in pace and dead last in defensive efficiency, and the Spurs’ implied team total of 120.25 is the top mark on the slate.
Murray has also been a fantasy monster recently. He’s averaged 1.56 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and he’s scored at least 47.25 DraftKings points in seven straight games. His nine Pro Trends are tied for the top mark at the position, and he provides an excellent combination of safety and upside if he’s able to suit up.
Editor’s note: Murray wasn’t listed on the Spurs’ injury report.
Value
The Cavaliers are another team with an excellent matchup. They’re taking on the Hornets, who rank second in pace and 26th in defensive efficiency. The Cavs will also be without All-Star point guard Darius Garland for the third straight game.
Brian Goodwin has thrived sans Garland recently, racking up at least 25.75 DraftKings points in back-to-back games. He also logged 32.4 minutes in his last contest, so his playing time is trending in the right direction. Goodwin has averaged 1.00 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, so he can do some serious damage with a comparable workload vs. the Hornets. He’s a steal at just $4,100.
Fast Break
Cade Cunningham is currently questionable for the Pistons, and Cory Joseph would be another nice source of value if he’s ruled out. He racked up nearly 31 minutes in his last game without Cunningham, and Joseph has averaged 0.82 DraftKings points per minute over the past month. That’s a nice combination at just $4,300.
Trae Young draws a tough matchup Friday vs. the Raptors, but he’s simply too cheap to ignore on FanDuel. He’s priced at just $8,800, resulting in a Bargain Rating of 96%, and Young has posted a positive Plus/Minus in each of his past four games. Overall, Young has historically averaged a Plus/Minus of +6.10 with a comparable salary (per the Trends tool).
Editor’s note: Cunningham was ruled out Friday.
Shooting Guard
Stud
The Pacers have been decimated by injuries of late. They’re currently playing without Malcolm Brogdon, Domantas Sabonis, and Myles Turner, along with a few other role players.
That leaves Caris LeVert to handle to scoring workload. He posted a 35.4% usage rate in his last contest, and he responded with 46.5 FanDuel points over 34.5 minutes. LeVert has averaged 1.10 FanDuel points per minute in games without Brogdon, Sabonis, and Turner this season, giving him plenty of upside at just $7,600.
Value
Josh Giddey remains criminally underpriced at just $6,000 on FanDuel. It results in a Bargain Rating of 98%, and he leads the position with 13 Pro Trends. Giddey has racked up at least 33.4 FanDuel points in each of his past three games, and he has upside for better performances moving forward. The Thunder are currently without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Giddey has averaged 39.64 FanDuel points in five games without his star teammate.
Fast Break
The matchup between the Spurs and Rockets should draw plenty of attention on Friday. The Spurs are the main attraction, but the Rockets have plenty of merit in their own right. Jalen Green stands out as one of their top options. He’s been priced way down across the industry, but he’s coming off 40.25 DraftKings points in his last game. Green has a wide range of outcomes, but very few players in this price range can match his upside.
Derrick White is another potential option for the Spurs. He’s been a steady contributor recently, and he’s averaged 1.02 DraftKings points per minute this season. That’s enough to make him a viable target at $6,400 on DraftKings. White would also be one of the primary beneficiaries if Murray is unable to suit up. He’s increased his production to 1.19 DraftKings points per minute in six games without Murray this season.
Small Forward
Stud
Miles Bridges has been a bit hit-or-miss recently, which has caused his price tag to drop to just $7,500 on FanDuel. That’s a very appealing price tag for Bridges, who is in the midst of a career year. Bridges has owned a comparable price tag on just 22 previous occasions, and he’s averaged a Plus/Minus of +6.66. He has a tough matchup vs. the Cavaliers, but he’s an intriguing buy-low option.
Value
Cedi Osman was unable to build off his excellent outing two games ago, finishing with just 15.7 FanDuel points in his last game. Still, his fantasy arrow is clearly pointing up. He logged at least 35.5 minutes for the second consecutive contest, and he’s currently projected for 35 minutes in our NBA Models. Historically, players with a comparable salary and minute projection have averaged a Plus/Minus of +4.63. His $4,300 price tag on FanDuel is egregious – it results in a Bargain Rating of 96% – but he still has appeal at $5,400 on DraftKings.
Fast Break
Javonte Green has been balling recently for the Bulls. He’s racked up at least 25.25 DraftKings points in three straight games, and he’s increased his production to 0.88 DraftKings points per minute over the past month. With that in mind, the fact that his price has dropped to $3,500 on DraftKings makes no sense. He should continue to play a sizable role for the squad with Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso sidelined.
Eric Gordon is another viable option for the Rockets. His fantasy numbers have been down recently, but he’s played at least 30.4 minutes in five of his past six games. He’s shot just 32.5% from the field and 13.0% from 3-point range over his past four contests, and his fantasy results should bounce back when his shooting numbers do.
Power Forward
Stud
Raptors head coach Nick Nurse has leaned heavily on his starters recently, including Pascal Siakam. Siakam has taken full advantage of his increased workload, racking up at least 45.0 DraftKings points in six of his past seven games. He’s also increased his production to 1.16 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, so he should continue to produce with that much playing time.
However, there is a bit more risk than usual with Siakam on Friday. He played more than 45 minutes in an overtime victory on Thursday, so it’s possible that Siakam is a bit fatigued. It’s also possible that Nurse leans a bit more on his reserves in this matchup.
Value
Power forward stands out as an elite value position on Friday. There are plenty of strong options to choose from, but it’s hard to look past Thaddeus Young at the absolute minimum on DraftKings. Young hasn’t gotten much playing time for the rebuilding Spurs this season, but he’s averaged 1.10 DraftKings points per minute when he has seen the floor. He was also fantastic for the Bulls last season, so he’s underpriced if he’s going to get playing time vs. the Rockets. Young racked up 24.0 DraftKings points over 24.4 minutes in their last contest, and he should see a similar workload with Jakob Poeltl and Jock Landale out of the lineup once again.
Editor’s note: Poeltl wasn’t listed on the Spurs’ injury report.
Fast Break
Marquese Chriss is a high-impact player, and he’s averaged 1.25 DraftKings points per minute over the past month. The injury to Kristaps Porzingis has allowed Chriss to rack up a handful of minutes recently, and he’s scored at least 24.0 DraftKings points in two of his past three games. His price has come up to $3,500 on DraftKings, but he still has the potential to pay off that salary.
Jerami Grant is back in the lineup for the Pistons, and his $6,300 salary on FanDuel comes with a Bargain Rating of 92%. He racked up 31.5 minutes in his last outing, and Grant has averaged 1.02 FanDuel points per minute this season.
Center
Stud
Nikola Jokic has been the best player in fantasy this season, and it frankly hasn’t been that close. He’s averaged 1.83 DraftKings points per minute, and he’s increased that figure to 1.87 over the past month. Ultimately, he’s racked up at least 60.25 DraftKings points in seven of his past nine games, and he’s had at least 54.0 DKFP in the two exceptions.
He missed the Nuggets last contest, but he’s probable to return to the lineup on Friday. He should be able to feast against the Pelicans, who rank 25th in defensive efficiency over their past 10 games. As long as Jokic is in the lineup, fire him up with confidence.
Value
Goga Bitadze is currently questionable for the Pacers, and his status will be extremely important on Friday’s slate. The Pacers are down virtually every big man on their roster, so Bitadze would have value if he’s active. He’s averaged 1.15 DKFP per minute over the past month, so he would be an appealing option if he’s projected for 30+ minutes.
If Bitadze is unable to suit up, Terry Taylor would emerge as one of the best value plays of the day. He was extremely impressive in his last contest, erupting for 52.0 DraftKings points thanks to 24 points, 16 rebounds, and three assists. He has PF/C eligibility on DraftKings and SG eligibility on FanDuel, but he deserves consideration wherever you play him.
Fast Break
Hassan Whiteside is questionable for the Jazz, but he would draw the start at center if he’s able to suit up. His per-minute productivity has been way down as a member of the starting unit, but he still provides an elite ceiling for his price tag. He erupted for 51.0 DraftKings points in a previous start in place of Rudy Gobert, and few players in this price range can accomplish that.
Nikola Vucevic has been more involved for the Bulls recently, and he’s scored at least 43.0 FanDuel points in five of his past six games. He remains underpriced at just $8,700 on FanDuel, resulting in a Bargain Rating of 92%.
