Friday features a six-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
Point guard is typically one of the strongest positions to pay up for in DFS, but Friday is a bit of an exception. None of the highest-priced options stand out as particularly strong values.
However, Darius Garland is a bit of an exception. The Cavaliers have one of the best matchups of the day vs. the Wizards, who are fourth in pace and dead last in defensive efficiency. As a result, their 125-point implied team total is the top mark on the slate by a wide margin. The Grizzlies are the only team within six points of the Cavaliers, so Cleveland has the top offensive expectation by a mile.
Garland hasn’t been at his best recently, but he’s still averaged 1.20 DraftKings points per minute for the year. He owns an Opponent Plus/Minus of +6.02 in this matchup, so it’s a strong bounce-back spot. He’s a bit overpriced – his 6% Bargain Rating is the worst mark at the position – but Garland still has some appeal on this slate.
Value
With LaMelo Ball out with an injury, Vasilije Micic has taken over as the Hornets’ starting point guard. He’s thrived in that role, averaging 15.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 9.3 assists over his past three outings. Overall, he’s increased his production to 0.94 DraftKings points per minute in three games without LaMelo, and he’s played at least 34.3 minutes in all three outings.
That makes him clearly underpriced at just $5,100, regardless of who his facing. Fortunately, he also draws a really strong matchup vs. the Bulls. Chicago has played at the fastest pace in the league this season, and they’re merely 27th in defensive efficiency. Ultimately, Micic checks all the boxes, making him one of the top overall options of the day.
Fast Break
Kevin Porter Jr. is another strong value option to consider. He’s not projected for quite as many minutes as Micic, but he makes up for it with his per-minute efficiency. He’s averaged 1.02 DraftKings points per minute for the year, and he’s scored at least 34.25 DraftKings points in back-to-back contests.
D’Angelo Russell is coming off a monster performance in his last outing, racking up 60.25 DraftKings points in 33.8 minutes. The team was without LeBron James in that contest, and he’ll be sidelined once again on Friday. That opens the door for another expanded workload for Russell: he’s averaged 1.12 DraftKings points per minute with James off the floor. Austin Reaves is also questionable, and Russell would become an elite play if he’s also sidelined.
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
Norman Powell saw a reduced workload after returning from an injury, but he got back to 34.9 minutes in his last outing. Terance Mann will remain out of the lineup on Friday, which should keep Powell’s workload secure: he’s currently projected for 34 minutes in our NBA Models.
If he’s going to see that much playing time, he’s undoubtedly underpriced at $6,300. Powell has averaged 1.03 DraftKings points per minute for the year, and he’s increased that figure to 1.06 over the past month. Powell has historically averaged a Plus/Minus of +1.77 with a comparable salary and minute projection (per the Trends tool), and he leads the position in projected Plus/Minus on Friday.
Value
Andrew Nembhard missed a solid chunk of time for the Pacers, but he’s back in the lineup at the moment. The team eased him back into the rotation, limiting him to 21.6 minutes or fewer in his first three outings, but he logged 31.7 minutes in his last contest. Nembhard has increased his production to 1.0 DraftKings points per minute since returning from injury, so he has the potential to provide significant value at $4,300 with that much playing time moving forward. Even if he reverts to his typical production – he’s averaged 0.78 DraftKings points per minute for the year – he should still be able to return value with 30+ minutes.
Fast Break
Nickiel Alexander-Walker has been a solid source of production for the Timberwolves all season, and he’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in five of his past six outings. He doesn’t bring a ton of upside to the table, but he has at least 31.0 DraftKings points in two of those contests. That’s more than enough to make him viable at $3,800.
Kris Dunn stands out as one of the better pure values at the position on Friday. His $4,000 salary comes with an 87% Bargain Rating, and he also owns a respectable +2.29 Opponent Plus/Minus vs. the Nuggets. He’s another member of the Clippers who could pick up a few additional minutes with Mann sidelined, making him a reasonable option.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
The Nets remain without leading scorer Cam Thomas, which opens the door for some of the other players on the roster to do a bit more scoring. Cameron Johnson has been one of the biggest beneficiaries. He’s seen a +3.59% usage bump with Thomas off the floor, resulting in an average of 1.06 DraftKings points per minute. He’s increased that figure to 1.13 in six full games without Thomas, and he’s averaged a team-best 38.92 DraftKings points per game in that split.
Thomas is up to $7,000 for Friday’s matchup vs. the Grizzlies, but it’s a decent matchup. The Grizzlies have played at the second-fastest pace this season, giving Johnson an Opponent Plus/Minus of +2.31. He ultimately has the second-highest ceiling at SF despite the sixth-highest price tag, which is a nice combination.
Value
Justin Champagnie has spent most of the season in the G League, but he’s gotten an opportunity on the main roster with the team a bit banged up recently. He’s taken full advantage, racking up 42.5 and 34.0 DraftKings in his two starts.
Champagnie should retain his expanded role on Friday. The team has already ruled out Kyle Kuzma, Malcolm Brogdon, and a few other options, leaving plenty of opportunities for Champagnie. There’s some blowout potential vs. the Cavaliers – who are listed as 17-point favorites – but Champagnie is projected for 30 minutes in our NBA Models. He’s averaged just under a fantasy point per minute, making him tough to ignore at $4,500.
Fast Break
Jaden McDaniels is coming off 36.1 minutes in his last outing, and he’s projected for another 32 minutes Friday vs. the Lakers. That makes him too cheap at just $4,000. Historically, players with comparable salaries and minute projections have averaged a Plus/Minus of +3.66.
Brandon Miller is really expensive at $9,000, but he has tons of upside with LaMelo out of the lineup. He has the highest ceiling projection at the position by a comfortable margin, and he’s showing up in the optimal lineup simulations at a greater than 23% clip. He’s projected for just 19.5% ownership, making him a bit undervalued by the field.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
Miles Bridges is currently questionable for the Hornets, but he’s an interesting option if he’s able to suit up. Bridges last played nearly a month ago, so the team will almost certainly limit his minutes when he is healthy enough to return. However, he should pick up plenty of extra scoring responsibilities without Ball. He’s seen a team-high +7.3% usage bump with Ball off the floor this season.
We currently have Bridges projected for 26 minutes in our NBA Models, and that’s enough to put him in play at $6,000 in a juicy matchup vs. the Bulls.
Value
Brandon Clarke continues to put up solid numbers in limited minutes for the Grizzlies. He’s coming off 40.0 DraftKings points two games ago, and he followed that up with 27.25 DraftKings points in his last outing. He remains extremely affordable at $4,300, and he’s averaged 1.00 DraftKings points per minute over the past month. He doesn’t need a ton of playing time to potentially return value vs. the Nets.
Fast Break
Aaron Gordon is a solid buy-low target for the Nuggets. His price tag is down to just $5,500, and he’s been priced above $6,000 for most of the year. He failed to return value in his last game, but he was limited to just 22.9 minutes in a blowout win. Gordon had at least 28.75 DraftKings points in his prior two outings, so there’s no reason to be scared of him on Friday.
Naz Reid has posted a positive Plus/Minus in four of his past five games, and he continues to be an elite per-minute producer. He’s stuck playing behind Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert in Minnesota, but he can still pop off for an occasional ceiling game: he had 38.0 DraftKings points vs. the Warriors two games ago. He’s a nice combination of value and upside.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Most of the positions on this slate have been pretty uninspiring at the top, but center is absolutely loaded. Nikola Jokic, Anthony Davis, and Joel Embiid are three of the top producers in fantasy, and all three are viable options on Friday.
However, it’s hard to look past Embiid at $9,500. That’s extremely cheap for the former MVP, resulting in a 90% Bargain Rating. He returned following an extended absence in the team’s last contest, and he posted a massive 47.3% usage rate in 32.9 minutes. He finished with 54.5 DraftKings points, and he should have plenty of opportunities to do damage vs. the Pacers. They’re sixth in pace and 24th in defensive efficiency, so it’s tough to pass up Embiid at such a reduced price tag: He’s been priced below $10,000 in just eight games over the past three years.
Value
Jonas Valanciunas continues to do serious damage whenever he’s on the floor. He’s averaged 1.40 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and he’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in five of his past six outings. He’s gone for at least 42.5 DraftKings points in two straight games, including a massive 51.5 DraftKings points vs. the Nuggets. Those games came with Alex Sarr out of the lineup, who will return on Friday, so his ceiling isn’t quite as high vs. the Cavaliers. Still, he should see enough playing time to return value.
Fast Break
Whenever Marvin Bagley is getting minutes, DFS players should take notice. He’s been a really strong per-minute producer for his career, and he’s played at least 24.3 minutes in two of his past three outings. He’s scored at least 30.5 DraftKings points in both, and Bagley remains extremely affordable at $4,000. His price tag comes with a 90% Bargain Rating, so he’s another potential option for the shorthanded Wizards.
Davis stands out as a slightly worse value than Embiid in our projections, but there’s no denying his upside with James out of the lineup. He’s increased his usage rate by +5.78% with James off the floor this season, resulting in an average of 1.68 DraftKings points per minute. The Timberwolves are a tough matchup, but Davis’ ceiling is still sky-high.
