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 76ers are going to be a bit closer to full strength on Friday, with Paul George probable to return to the lineup after missing their last game. However, Joel Embiid remains out with a foot injury, and his absence is the most important. Embiid has posted a massive 35.5% usage rate this season, so removing him from the equation is going to create value with the rest of the lineup.
Tyrese Maxey is up to $9,400 on DraftKings, and that’s a big number for him. He’s only been priced at a higher number once this season, but Maxey has averaged 1.19 DraftKings points per minute with Ebmiid off the floor. He’s currently projected for 38 minutes in our NBA Models, so the higher-than-usual price tag is justified. The 76ers also draw a solid matchup vs. the Pelicans, who rank 28th in defensive efficiency.
Value
While Lonzo Ball might be No. 3 in the family power rankings for the first time in his life – and LiAngelo might be at No. 1 for the first time in his – he’s a viable value option on this slate. He’s priced at just $3,900 on DraftKings, and he should see a solid chunk of minutes with Ayo Dosunmu out of the lineup. He’s currently projected for 23 minutes in our NBA Models, and Ball has averaged 0.99 DraftKings points per minute for the year.
The matchup between the Bulls and Wizards also stands out as a potential fantasy goldmine. Both teams have played at a top-four pace this season, and this game leads the slate with a 243.0-point total. No other game is even above 230, so it’s a clear target for fantasy purposes.
Fast Break
Josh Giddey is another potential target for the Bulls. His salary has seen a significant decrease recently, dropping by nearly -$1,000 on DraftKings in the past week alone. Giddey has averaged 1.35 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, so he has significant upside in a juicy matchup.
We’re still waiting for Orlando’s injury report on the second leg of a back-to-back, but there’s a good chance they’re going to be shorthanded again. They were without Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Jalen Suggs on Thursday, leaving Cole Anthony as their top offensive option. He’s seen a +3.49% usage bump with all three players off the floor this season, resulting in an average of 1.19 DraftKings points per minute. He was limited to just 26.9 minutes in yesterday’s blowout loss, but he played more than 36 minutes in their previous outing. If he can return to that level vs. the Bucks, he has massive upside at just $5,500.
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
Like Maxey, Paul George should also benefit from the absence of Embiid on Friday. Unlike Maxey, he’s not priced remotely close to his ceiling at this point. He’s just $7,500 for Friday’s matchup vs. the Pelicans, but he’s been as high as $8,600 this season.
George has also seen a bigger boost than Maxey with Embiid off the floor. He’s seen a team-high +3.22% usage bump in that scenario, and he’s responded with an average of 1.18 DraftKings points per minute. That’s a significant increase from his season average of 1.07, so he’s the preferred option for the 76ers.
Value
Buddy Hield has been a bit of a roller coaster this season. His minutes have been all over the place, but he appears to be in head coach Steve Kerr’s good graces at the moment. He’s coming off just under 32 minutes in his last outing, and he responded with 34.25 DraftKings points. He’s cleared 30 DraftKings points in back-to-back contests, and he’s projected for another 30 minutes Friday vs. the Pacers.
That makes him a strong bet to return value at just $4,100. He’s averaged 0.98 DraftKings points per minute for the year, and he’s historically posted a Plus/Minus of +5.92 with a comparable salary and minute projection (per the Trends tool).
Fast Break
Cason Wallace continues to stand out as one of the cheapest sources of minutes in the NBA. He’s projected for another 32 minutes on Friday, and he’s priced at just $3,600 on DraftKings. He’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in four of his past five games, and he stands out as one of the best pure values on DraftKings given his 94% Bargain Rating.
Even with the return of George, Kelly Oubre should maintain a solid role for the 76ers on Friday. He’s been fantastic for them recently, scoring at least 33.0 DraftKings points in three straight games. He’s played at least 36.8 minutes in each of them, and he’s averaged 0.85 DraftKings points per minute over the past month. Oubre is another fantastic value on DraftKings, where his $5,700 salary comes with an 89% Bargain Rating.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
Zach LaVine remains one of the most efficient scorers in the NBA. He’s averaging 23.3 points per game this season while shooting 51.2% from the field, 44.4% from 3-point range, and 81.7% from the free throw line. His 26.1% usage rate isn’t quite as high as it was at the start of his Bulls’ tenure, but he’s still capable of filling it up on a nightly basis.
LaVine has been doing exactly that of late. He’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in five of his past six games, and he’s gone for at least 51.0 DraftKings points in three of them. That gives him a fantastic ceiling at $8,100 in an elite matchup. The Bulls are pretty significant favorites vs. the Wizards, so they’re expected to do the majority of the scoring in this contest. Their implied team total sits at 127.25, which is the top mark on the slate by six full points.
Value
Lu Dort is another really cheap source of minutes for the Thunder. They’re currently playing without Chet Holmgren and Alex Caruso, leaving them a bit thinner than usual. As a result, Dort has played at least 32.5 minutes in four of his past five games. Unsurprisingly, he’s managed to return positive value in each of them.
Dort is projected for another 34 minutes on Friday, and it’s hard to ignore than much playing time at a $4,000 salary. Historically, players with comparable salaries and minute projections have averaged a Plus/Minus of +4.11.
Fast Break
The Nuggets’ injury report will be important to monitor heading into lineup lock. Nikola Jokic has missed the past two games with an illness, and he’s questionable to suit up vs. the Nets. Aaron Gordon could also return, though he’s listed as doubtful. As long as Gordon remains out, Michael Porter Jr. can continue to be targeted at forward. His minutes have been a lot more secure with Gordon sidelined, and he’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in seven straight games. He doesn’t provide a ton of upside at $6,500, but he has an excellent floor.
Jayson Tatum is projected for approximately 10% ownership on this slate, which makes him an interesting contrarian option for tournaments. He draws a solid matchup vs. the Kings, resulting in an Opponent Plus/Minus of +1.38, and he has the top ceiling projection at small forward by a decent margin. No one at the position can come close to matching his average of 1.50 DraftKings points per minute over the past month.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
The Pacers are another team worth keeping an eye on throughout the day. Tyrese Haliburton is currently listed as questionable with a right ankle sprain, while Myles Turner is questionable with an illness. If either or both are ruled out, it would open up some value with the rest of the roster.
Even with both players active recently, Pascal Siakam has been on a bit of a heater. He’s increased his production to 1.26 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and he had 38.5 DraftKings points in just 28.6 minutes in his last outing. He should see more minutes if Friday’s game vs. the Warriors is more competitive, and he could increase his per-minute efficiency if Haliburton or Turner are forced to sit.
Value
As long as Gordon is sidelined once again, it’s safe to fire up Peyton Watson. He’s been an outstanding source of value with Gordon sidelined of late, scoring 21.0, 29.5, and 26.0 DraftKings points in his past three outings. He played just 24 minutes in his last outing, but that game was a blowout victory. Watson was above 33.5 minutes in his two prior contests, and he could return to that level vs. the Nets. Ultimately, he’s significantly underpriced at just $3,700 on DraftKings, resulting in a 91% Bargain Rating.
Fast Break
Patrick Williams was a major bust in his last outing, but he’s in an ideal bounce-back spot vs. the Wizards. If he can get back to 30+ minutes, he has the chance to be one of the best values of the day at just $4,300.
Noah Clowney is questionable for the Nets, but he could be an offensive focal point if he’s able to suit up. The team is currently without D’Angelo Russell, Cameron Johnson, and Cam Thomas, leaving them without any proven NBA scorers. Clowney posted a 27.8% usage rate with all three players sidelined on Wednesday, and he responded with 47.0 DraftKings points in 37.1 minutes. I wouldn’t expect a repeat performance, but he’s definitely capable of providing value at $5,000.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
If Jokic returns to the lineup on Friday, you can certainly plug him into your lineup vs. the Nets. He’s the best player in basketball, and he’s been the best player in fantasy by leaps and bounds. He’s averaged 1.87 DraftKings points per minute for the year, and he’s increased that figure to more than 2.00 in games without Gordon. Despite his massive salary, Jokic has still managed a positive Plus/Minus in six straight games, and he’s scored at least 82.25 DraftKings points in three of his past four. Ultimately, no one can match his combination of upside and consistency.
The only real downside with Jokic on Friday is the blowout risk. The Nuggets are favored by 15 points over the shorthanded Nets, so there’s a chance that Jokic plays a bit less than usual. Still, Jokic is capable of doing insane amounts of damage in limited court time, so he’s still worth a look in tournaments.
Value
Trayce Jackson-Davis has been an elite source of value for DFS players of late. He’s posted an average Plus/Minus of +8.48 across his past 10 outings, and he’s returned positive value in 11 of his past 13 games.
TJD has been an excellent per-minute producer all season, and his minutes have been a bit more consistent of late. He’s currently projected for 28 minutes in our NBA Models, and he’s simply too cheap if he’s going to continue to play that much. He owns an 86% Bargain Rating on DraftKings, so he’s one of the best pure values at the position as well.
Fast Break
Obi Toppin would be another strong target for the Pacers if they’re shorthanded on Friday. He’s an elite per-minute producer, but his minutes are routinely capped at around 20 per game. If he can pick up a few additional minutes, he would become an elite option.
Wendell Carter Jr. has seen a team-high +5.04% usage bump with Banchero, Wagner, and Suggs off the floor this season, and he’s averaged 1.02 DraftKings points per minute in that split. His minutes have also trended in the right direction recently, and he’s projected for 24 minutes vs. the Bucks.
