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
The pricing on DraftKings has honestly gotten a bit out of control. Virtually every stud player on this slate is overpriced by an alarming degree, which makes it tough to recommend any of them. That’s going to make a balanced lineup construction the default strategy on that site.
It’s much easier to find a few studs for your lineup on FanDuel. At point guard, LaMelo Ball stands out as a great option at $8,800. He’s been fantastic recently, posting an average Plus/Minus of +9.66 over his past 10 games, but his salary remains reasonable at $8,800. Ball has played at least 35.9 minutes in each of his past three games, and he’s averaged 1.33 FanDuel points per minute this season. That trails only Steph Curry at the position, who is significantly more expensive at $10,800.
Editor’s note: Steph Curry (hip) has been ruled out.
Value
Luka Doncic is doubtful for Friday’s matchup vs. the Suns, and Jalen Brunson becomes a slam-dunk option if he’s ultimately ruled out. He’s been one of the biggest beneficiaries with Doncic off the court this season, averaging 1.22 DraftKings points per minute, and he responded with 42.25 DraftKings points in his first game without Doncic.
Fast Break
Cade Cunningham had some disastrous shooting performances to start his NBA career, but he’s starting to find his footing. He’s scored at least 41.0 DraftKings points in back-to-back games, and he’s shown the ability to contribute in virtually every category across the board. On nights where his shot is falling, he’s displayed the potential to go for 50+ fantasy points. That makes him a strong option at his current price tag across the industry.
Monte Morris stands out as one of the better pure values at the position on DraftKings given his Bargain Rating of 86%. He’s also played a large role for the Nuggets recently, and he’s responded with a positive Plus/Minus in five of his past six games. That includes two performances with at least 35.0 DraftKings points, so he has solid upside at just $4,300.
Shooting Guard
Stud
Friday’s matchup between the Raptors and the Kings stands out as one of the best of the day for fantasy purposes. The total sits at a slate-high 220.5 points, and both teams own a top-six implied team total.
Fred VanVleet is one of the top targets in that contest. He’s playing all the minutes he can handle at the moment – he’s currently projected for 38 in our NBA Models – and he figures to be one of the biggest beneficiaries of OG Anunoby’s absence. VanVleet has posted a team-high 28.6% usage rate with Anunoby off the court this season, resulting in an average of 1.16 DraftKings points per minute.
Value
Patty Mills has become one of the Nets’ most important role players, and he’s underpriced given the number of minutes he’s playing. He’s logged at least 31.4 minutes in three straight games, and he’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in each of those contests. The Nets also have one of the best matchups of the day vs. the Magic, who rank 27th in defensive efficiency to start the year. The Nets’ implied team total of 113.5 ranks second on the slate.
Fast Break
Josh Giddey remains significantly underpriced on FanDuel, where his $5,800 salary comes with a Bargain Rating of 92%. He’s been awesome as a rookie, averaging 0.99 FanDuel points per minute, and he’s shown the ability to contribute in multiple areas. He’s already had seven games with at least eight rebounds and six games with at least seven assists, and his production in the peripheral categories gives him a solid floor and a high ceiling.
Jalen Suggs is currently questionable for the Magic, but he’s an elite value option if he’s able to suit up. He’s priced at just $3,800 on DraftKings, and he’s been priced as high as $5,400 at times this season. He’s coming off 28.75 DraftKings points over just 25.8 minutes in his last outing.
Small Forward
Stud
DeMar DeRozan had a subpar shooting night on Wednesday, making just 7-19 shots from the field. He’s shot 50.0% to start the year, so that stands out as a major outlier. With that in mind, the fact that he was still able to post a positive Plus/Minus in that contest is impressive. DeRozan has been an awesome value all season – he’s posted an average Plus/Minus of +5.05 on FanDuel – and he remains priced at a discount at just $8,500.
Value
Josh Hart has logged at least 37.5 minutes in back-to-back games, and he’s projected for 36 minutes on today’s slate. He’s always going to be an appealing option when he’s expected to play big minutes. Hart is one of the best rebounders in the league for his size, which makes him an excellent contributor on a per-minute basis. He’s averaged 0.90 DraftKings points per minute to start the year, and he’s averaged 31.0 DraftKings points in 22 games with at least 32 minutes as a member of the Pelicans (per the Trends tool). He’s an elite option across the industry on Friday.
Fast Break
Scottie Barnes and Gary Trent are two other options worth considering for the Raptors. Barnes leads all small forwards with 38 projected minutes on Friday’s slate, and he’s averaged 0.91 FanDuel points per minute with Anunoby off the court this season. Trent has been even better with Anunoby off the court – he’s averaged 0.96 FanDuel points per minute – and he stands out as one of the best values of the day at just $6,000 on DraftKings.
Bruce Brown is another potential source of savings at the position. He’s scored at least 31.25 DraftKings points in back-to-back games, and Brown has historically been an excellent per-minute producer as a member of the Nets. He’s currently projected for 30 minutes in our NBA Models, so he stands out as an excellent option at $4,200 on DraftKings.
Power Forward
Stud
Domantas Sabonis stands out as one of the few superstars who isn’t massively overpriced on DraftKings. He’s historically been able to provide value at his current $8,900 price tag, but he’s struggled to do it so far this season. His usage rate and assist rate are both well below his marks from last year, so he’s averaged nearly seven fewer DraftKings points per game.
However, he does benefit from an elite matchup Friday vs. the Hornets. They rank 25th in defensive efficiency and 28th in team rebound rate, so Sabonis should be able to do some damage. His best game of the year came against the Hornets, finishing with 55.25 DraftKings points on opening night.
Value
Jeremiah Robinson-Earl has been a nice source of value for the Thunder recently. He’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in each of his past four games, and he’s scored at least 25.0 DraftKings points in three of those contests. He remains an excellent option at just $3,400 on DraftKings, resulting in a Bargain Rating of 97%.
Fast Break
“Mayor” Bobby Portis has been priced down to just $6,100 on FanDuel, giving him a Bargain Rating of 91%. He’s been excellent on a per-minute basis this season, averaging 1.01 FanDuel points per minute, and his matchup vs. the Thunder results in an Opponent Plus/Minus of +5.89.
Pascal Siakam is also in play for the Raptors. He’s coming off a dreadful performance in his last game, finishing with just 17.1 FanDuel points over 30.9 minutes, but he’s an interesting bounce-back target. He should also benefit from the absence of Anunoby, and he owns an Opponent Plus/Minus of +2.75 on FanDuel.
Center
Stud
If there is a stud that I’m willing to “overpay” for on Friday, it’s Nikola Jokic. Last year’s MVP has arguably been even better to start the 2021-22 season, averaging 1.82 DraftKings points per minute. He’s had to carry a larger workload offensively with Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. out of the lineup, and he’s racked up at least 66.75 DraftKings points in three of his past five games. His matchup vs. the Bulls isn’t ideal – Jokic owns an Opponent Plus/Minus of -1.12 – but he owns the top median and ceiling projections by a sizable margin.
Editor’s note: Jokic (wrist) is now questionable Friday.
Value
Khem Birch stands out as one of the better value options at center. He’s priced at the absolute minimum on DraftKings, and he’s coming off 24.4 minutes in yesterday’s contest. He’s currently projected for 24 minutes in our NBA Models, and min-priced players have historically averaged a Plus/Minus of +3.19 with a comparable minute projection. The Kings also represent a solid matchup for Birch, resulting in an Opponent Plus/Minus of +2.33.
Fast Break
Deandre Ayton stands out as an elite option at $6,700 on DraftKings. He’s scored at least 39.0 DraftKings points in back-to-back games, and his current price tag comes with a Bargain Rating of 94%.
On FanDuel, Jonas Valanciunas stands out as an awesome target. He leads all centers with 12 Pro Trends, and his $8,200 salary comes with a Bargain Rating of 96%. He’s coming off one of his worst games of the season, but he was limited to just 28.2 minutes in a blowout loss. He played 37.2 minutes in the previous contest, and Valanciunas has averaged 1.22 FanDuel points per minute this season. He’s a prime buy-low target.
