NBA DFS Picks Breakdown on DraftKings (Friday, December 6)

Friday features a seven-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 game between the Bulls and Pacers stands out as a clear target on Friday’s slate. The total on this game sits at 248 points, which is a massive outlier. No other game has a total above 230.5, so it’s the top target for fantasy purposes by a country mile. Both of these teams have played at a top-eight pace this season – the Bulls rank first in that department – and they also have bottom-six defenses. Overall, there should be plenty of points on both sides.

That makes Tyrese Haliburton an intriguing pay-up option. Haliburton hasn’t been quite as good as he was last season when he averaged 20.1 points and a league-best 10.9 assists per game, but his play is trending in the right direction. He’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in four of his past seven outings, including two games with at least 58.25 DraftKings points.

His price tag has also come down to $8,300 after starting the year above $9,000. He ultimately has the third-highest ceiling projection at the position despite ranking seventh in salary.

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Value

It’s going to be tough to avoid the Lakers on Friday’s slate. They draw one of the best matchups of the day vs. the Hawks, who have played at the second-fastest pace this season. This game has a total of 230.5 points, which is the second-highest mark on the slate.

Additionally, the Lakers also have the potential to be shorthanded. They’ve already ruled out Austin Reaves with an injury, while LeBron James is questionable.

Even if James is able to suit up, the absence of Reaves should give D’Angelo Russell a significant boost in value. He will likely move back into the starting lineup and see a bump in playing time; he’s currently projected for 33 minutes in our NBA Models. Russell has also increased his usage and assist rate with Reaves off the floor this season, resulting in an average of 1.04 DraftKings points per minute.

That makes Russell significantly underpriced at just $5,400. He stands out as one of the strongest values of the day, leading all players in projected Plus/Minus.

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Fast Break

T.J. McConnell is another potential option for the Pacers. He doesn’t typically see a ton of minutes – he’s projected for 22 in our NBA Models – but he makes up for it with his per-minute production. He’s averaged 1.11 DraftKings points per minute for the year, so he’s capable of racking up fantasy points quickly. He has even more upside than usual in this matchup, so he’s very viable at $4,700.

Scoot Henderson has yet to have a true breakout at the NBA level, but he’s shown some positive signs recently. He’s coming off a strong performance in his last outing, finishing with 36.0 DraftKings points in 35.4 minutes. He’s averaged just under a fantasy point per minute for the year, and he draws a strong matchup Friday vs. the Jazz. They’re 29th in defensive efficiency, so Henderson has a solid ceiling for his price tag.

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

It’s going to be important to pay attention to the Celtics’ injury report on Friday. They currently have Jayson Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis, and Al Horford listed as questionable, so they could be shorthanded for their matchup vs. the Bucks.

If that’s the case, Jaylen Brown would become a priority stud target. He’s seen a +6.44% usage bump with all three players off the floor this season, resulting in an average of 1.62 DraftKings points per minute. That’s a massive increase from his season average of 1.20.

Even with the Celtics at full strength, Brown has been playing well of late. He’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in four of his past six outings, including 53.5 DraftKings points in his last game.

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Value

Nickiel Alexander-Walker continues to provide reliable value for DFS players. He’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in four straight games, and he’s had at least 31.0 DraftKings points in two of them. His salary has remained pretty constant over that stretch, so he remains underpriced at just $4,100 for Friday’s matchup vs. the Warriors.

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Fast Break

Ayo Dosunmu went absolutely bananas against the Spurs on Thursday, scoring 67.5 DraftKings points with a triple-double. I wouldn’t expect a repeat on Friday, but he does have at least 31.5 DraftKings points in three of his past four games. He’s increased his production to 0.93 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, making him very reasonable at $5,700 in the best matchup of the day.

The Spurs could be without Victor Wembanyama for the second straight game, making Devin Vassell an interesting option. He’s still not playing a ton of minutes off the bench, but he’s averaged 1.29 DraftKings points per minute with Wembanyama off the floor this season. He also stands out as one of the best pure values on DraftKings, ranking second at the position with an 84% Bargain Rating.

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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks

Stud

Franz Wagner has cooled off a bit after a torrid stretch, posting a negative Plus/Minus in three straight games. However, he continues to do a little bit of everything for the Magic without Paolo Banchero. He’s increased his production to 1.41 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and he’s routinely carrying one of the largest workloads in basketball. He’s projected for 37 minutes on Friday’s slate, which is the top mark at the SF position.

Wagner will square off with the 76ers on Friday, which is the same team he faced on Wednesday. He had 35 points in that matchup – his second straight game with at least 30 – but his numbers were down in the peripheral categories. His salary has also come down slightly, so he has the potential to provide better value in the rematch.

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Value

Dalton Knecht is another potential beneficiary of the Lakers’ injury situation. He’s projected for 31 minutes in our NBA Models, and he’s increased his production to 0.83 DraftKings points per minute over the past month. He’s also seen a slight usage bump with Reaves off the floor, so he brings a bit more upside to the table in that scenario.

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Fast Break

Bennedict Mathurin has had some clunkers recently, scoring 17.0 DraftKings points or fewer in two of his past four games. That said, he’s still averaged 0.96 DraftKings points per minute for the year and is projected for 36 minutes in the best spot of the day. His recent performances could also result in slightly less ownership than expected, making him an intriguing GPP target.

Quenton Jackson is also in play for the Pacers. He’s dirt cheap at $3,700, but he’s projected to see more than 20 minutes vs. the Bulls. He’s averaged a respectable 0.83 DraftKings points per minute for the year, so that’s enough for him to potentially return value.

NBA DFS Power Forward Picks

Stud

If LeBron is in the lineup, he’s definitely worth considering vs. the Hawks. He’s seen a +2.9% usage bump with Reaves off the floor this season, and he’s also seen a team-high +4.63% bump to his usage rate. He’s averaged 1.46 DraftKings points per minute in that split, which is remarkable for a player in his 22nd professional season.

James has also seen his price come down in recent weeks. He’s been as high as $10,400 this season, but he’s currently priced at just $9,600. He’s seen reduced minutes in two consecutive blowouts, but his per-minute production remains as good as ever. If he returns to his usual 34+ minutes in this spot, there’s no reason he can’t return value vs. the Hawks. Only Giannis Antetokounmpo and Anthony Davis have higher ceiling projections in our NBA Models, and both players are more expensive.

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Value

Obi Toppin is yet another potential option for the Pacers. He’s been capped at around 20 minutes a night recently, but that hasn’t stopped him from doing significant damage. He’s scored at least 28.25 DraftKings points in three straight games, making him an elite value at his price tag. He remains extremely affordable at just $3,600, and he trails only Russell in projected Plus/Minus on this slate.

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Fast Break

Rui Hachimura isn’t the strongest per-minute producer, but he’s still playing plenty of minutes for the Lakers. He played more than 40 minutes in the team’s last competitive contest, and he’s projected for 33 on Friday’s slate. Historically, players with comparable salaries and minute projections have averaged a Plus/Minus of +2.26 (per the Trends tool).

DeMar DeRozan is an intriguing midrange option at $7,400. He’s a professional scorer, and $7,400 has historically been too cheap for him. He’s averaged a Plus/Minus of +1.94 with a comparable price tag, and the Spurs are an elite matchup if Wembanayama is out again. They’ve surrendered an average of 117.75 points in four games without Wembanyama in the lineup this season.

NBA DFS Center Picks

Stud

Nikola Vucevic had a quiet start to the year, but he is absolutely rolling at the moment. He’s coming off 58.0 DraftKings points in his last outing, and he’s had at least 56.75 in two of his past three. He’s averaged 1.35 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, which trails only some of the best producers in fantasy at the position. He has plenty of merit against the Pacers, and his 12 Pro Trends are tied for the most among Friday’s centers.

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Value

Clint Capela continues to pile up the fantasy points. He’s up to 1.38 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and he’s posted an average Plus/Minus of +6.78 over his past 10 games. He’s scored at least 34.25 DraftKings points in three of his past four outings, and he remains way underpriced at just $5,200. Overall, he’s the clear top option of the day at the position.

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Fast Break

Wendell Carter Jr. has yet to really get rolling since returning from injury. However, he’s averaged 0.93 DraftKings points per minute for the year, and he’s projected for 31 minutes in our NBA Models. That’s enough to make him worth considering at $5,100.

Rudy Gobert has had a tough season in Minnesota, but he’s coming off one of his best performances in his last outing. He’s also down to just $6,600 on DraftKings, which has historically been too cheap for him. He’s averaged a Plus/Minus of +2.52 with a comparable salary.