Friday features a six-game NBA main slate starting at 7 p.m. ET.
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
At this point, I’m starting to feel a bit bad for Tyrese Maxey. Joel Embiid and Paul George have been unable to suit up for large chunks this season, and both players will be sidelined again on Friday. The 76ers also have a few other key role players out of the lineup, so Maxey is once again going to have to carry a monster workload.
Over his past 12 games, Maxey has averaged just under 40 minutes per contest. He’s responded with 31.5 points per game over that stretch, and he’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in five of his past six outings.
Maxey’s price tag remains reasonable at $9,700, and he brings even more upside than usual to the table vs. the Nuggets. Denver has played at the fifth-fastest pace this season, and this game has the second-highest total on the slate at 234 points. As long as this game stays competitive – the Nuggets are listed as nine-point road favorites – Maxey has the chance to put up a big number.
Value
Zach LaVine is currently away from the Bulls for personal reasons, and he’s been the team’s top scoring threat this season. With him out of the lineup, it’s going to open up some additional opportunities for the rest of the roster.
Coby White figures to be one of the biggest beneficiaries. He’s increased his usage rate by +3.01% with LaVine off the floor this season, which is the second-highest mark on the squad. Overall, he’s averaged 1.01 DraftKings points per minute in that split, and he’s projected for 32 minutes in our NBA Models.
White’s price tag has also seen a slight decrease recently. He’s down to just $5,900 for Friday’s matchup vs. the Raptors, which represents a downgrade of -$1,000 from earlier this month. Add in a juicy matchup, and it’s hard to find a fault with White on this slate.
Fast Break
Lonzo Ball is another potential option in the Bulls’ backcourt. He’s seen a slight uptick in minutes recently – he’s currently projected for 25 in our NBA Models – and he’s always been a capable per-minute producer. He’s averaged 1.01 DraftKings points per minute for the year, and he’s seen a +4.6% usage bump with LaVine off the floor this season. That makes him a solid target at just $4,700.
Damian Lillard is coming off a down performance in his last contest, but he had posted a positive Plus/Minus in six of his previous seven outings. That includes two games with at least 63.5 DraftKings. That gives him an excellent ceiling for his price tag, and he draws a favorable matchup Friday vs. the Spurs.
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
Jaylen Brown remains priced at a discount on DraftKings. He’s currently listed at just $7,800 for Friday’s matchup vs. the Pelicans, which is not a price tag you see with Brown often. He’s been priced below $8,000 just seven previous times this season, and he’s posted an average Plus/Minus of +8.46 in those outings (per the Trends tool).
That includes his most recent contest. He was listed at just $7,600 vs. the Bulls, and he responded with 47.0 DraftKings. It was his third straight game with at least 41.0, and he’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in six of his past eight games.
Ultimately, I’m not sure why Brown is still this cheap, especially in a very favorable matchup. The Pelicans are 28th in the league in defensive efficiency, and the Celtics’ 121.75 implied team total is tied for the top mark on the slate. There’s definitely some blowout risk here, but the fact that this game is being played in New Orleans does slightly reduce that factor. Still, Brown should be productive for as long as he’s on the floor.
Value
If Maxey has been Batman for the 76ers of late, Kelly Oubre has been his Robin. He’s served as a reliable No. 2 option for Philly, posting a positive Plus/Minus in seven of his past eight games. That includes at least 35.0 DraftKings points in four straight.
Despite that production, Oubre’s salary has stayed pretty stagnant. He’s priced at a very reasonable $6,300 vs. the Nuggets, and that’s simply too cheap for the volume he’s seeing at the moment. He’s projected for 37 minutes in our NBA Models, and no shooting guard on Friday’s slate is projected for more.
Fast Break
The Hornets remain extremely shorthanded, with Brandon Miller, LaMelo Ball, Mark Williams, and a few others all remaining out of the lineup on Friday. That solidifies Nick Smith’s spot in the rotation. He’s coming off a dreadful performance in his last outing, shooting just 1-10 from the field in his 27 minutes, but he’s shown the upside for better performances with the team shorthanded of late. His ownership could be a bit reduced after Wednesday’s clunker, making him a nice buy-low target.
Malik Beasley doesn’t bring a ton of upside to the table, but he’s been a consistent source of value recently. He’s scored at least 30.5 DraftKings points in three straight games, and he’s coming off nearly 30 minutes in his last outing. He should see a similar workload on Friday with Jaden Ivey still out of the lineup, making him a viable option at $5,100.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
Scottie Barnes is a really intriguing contrarian option for tournaments on Friday. He’s projected for less than 7% ownership, but he’s played exceptionally well of late. He’s scored at least 56.25 DraftKings points in two of his past three games, and the lone exception was a blowout win. He was limited to less than 29 minutes in that outing, but he should be closer to 36 if today’s game is more competitive.
Barnes also draws one of the best possible matchups vs. the Bulls. Chicago ranks third in pace and 25th in defensive efficiency, which is an elite combination.
One thing to keep an eye on is the status of Immanuel Quickley. He’s been upgraded to questionable, and his return would have a negative impact on Barnes’ outlook. However, if Quickley is forced to sit out once again, Barnes would be an outstanding source of leverage at a weak position.
Value
Keldon Johnson had a mediocre showing in his last outing, but he did see a slight uptick in minutes. He finished with 25 minutes vs. the Clippers, and that has the potential to be an important development. Johnson has averaged 0.92 DraftKings points per minute for the year, so he has the ability to take advantage of some additional playing time. He’s projected for another 23 minutes on Friday, and if he can get back to that level, he has a good chance to pay off his $4,000 salary.
Fast Break
Tim Hardaway Jr. hasn’t been nearly as productive as Beasley, but he’s impossible to write off completely at just $3,900. He’s projected for 29 minutes in our NBA Models, and players with comparable salaries and minute projections have historically averaged a Plus/Minus of +3.27. He’s shown the ability to pop off for 30+ DraftKings points in the past, so he’s an interesting pivot off some of the chalkier value options.
Ricky Council has averaged a respectable 0.84 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and he could see a decent role for the shorthanded 76ers on Friday. He’s coming off 29.4 minutes in his last outing, and he has at least 27.5 DraftKings points in two of his past three games with at least 29 minutes. He also went off for 33.25 DraftKings points in just 19.5 minutes two games ago, so he has decent upside for his price tag.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
When it comes to studs at power forward, there’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, and then there’s everybody else. The gap between Giannis and the field is stark on Friday. His ceiling projection is more than 16 points higher than Jayson Tatum’s, who ranks second at the position. Ultimately, if Giannis goes off vs. the Spurs, there are very few players in fantasy who can keep up with him.
Giannis has also seen his price tag come down a bit recently. He’s priced at just $11,500 vs. the Spurs, and he’s averaged a Plus/Minus of +2.13 when priced below $12k since the start of the 2022-23 season. He’s also found success in this matchup of late, averaging 63.63 DraftKings points in his past four contests vs. San Antonio. Ultimately, he’s in the conversation for the top overall option on this slate.
Value
Aaron Gordon has played limited minutes since returning to the lineup, but he rejoined the starting five in the team’s last game. He ultimately played 30.5 minutes in that contest, and he’s projected for another 30 minutes vs. the 76ers.
If he’s going to continue to play that much, he’s undoubtedly underpriced at just $4,400. Gordon has only had a comparable salary and minute projection in three previous games as a member of the Nuggets, and he’s averaged a Plus/Minus of +8.28 in those contests.
Fast Break
Kawhi Leonard is really intriguing on Friday. The Clippers have slowed eased him back into action, but he’s coming off 28.7 minutes in his last outing. That’s not a ton, but it’s more than enough for Leonard to return value at his current salary. He’s averaged 1.13 DraftKings points per minute for the year, but he has the talent to drastically improve that figure moving forward.
On the other side of that matchup, Miles Bridges should continue to carry the scoring load for the Hornets. His salary has gotten all the way up to $8,500, but he’s scored at least 46.0 DraftKings points in back-to-back games. He had a usage rate north of 35% in his last outing, so even in a tough matchup, he still feels a bit underpriced as the Hornets’ top scorer.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Center stands out as one of the strongest positions on Friday’s slate. Seven of the top 10 players in projected Plus/Minus in our NBA Models are eligible at center, including three of the top four.
Jakob Poeltl isn’t the most expensive stud at the position, but he’s one of the strongest options. His minutes have been slightly down of late – he’s racked 28.1 or fewer in five of his past six games – but that hasn’t stopped him from putting up huge numbers. He’s had a positive Plus/Minus in nine of his past 10 outings, including one game with 53.0 DraftKings points. His only bust over that time frame was a game where he played less than 20 minutes, so he’s been extremely productive whenever he’s been on the floor.
Poeltl draws one of the best possible matchups Friday vs. the Bulls. Chicago has been very vulnerable on the interior, and Poeltl owns an Opponent Plus/Minus of +2.95. Ultimately, he’s the best combination of value and upside at a loaded position.
Value
Moussa Diabate remains in play for the Hornets with Williams out of the lineup. Diabate has logged at least 27.2 minutes in his past two outings without Williams, and he’s scored at least 26.0 DraftKings points in both. It’s hard to turn down that kind of production at a $4,200 salary. He’s projected for another 27 minutes Friday vs. the Clippers, and he’s averaged 0.90 DraftKings points per minute over the past month.
Fast Break
Kristaps Porzingis is coming off a monster showing in his last contest. He finished with 63.25 DraftKings points vs. the Bulls, and he remains priced at a discount at $7,000. His salary comes with a 90% Bargain Rating, which is one of the top marks at the position.
Paying up for Nikola Jokic is also viable in tournaments. He shouldn’t garner a ton of ownership on this slate due to the depth of quality at the position. He’s also coming off a subpar performance vs. the Knicks on Wednesday. Still, Jokic is the unquestioned top player in fantasy, and he’s capable of breaking a slate every time he takes the floor. He’s averaged 1.88 DraftKings points per minute for the year, and he has more upside than usual, given the Nuggets’ massive implied team total.
