Friday features a 13-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
Cade Cunningham continues to provide outstanding fantasy production this season. He’s averaged 1.30 DraftKings points per minute, and he’s contributing in basically every category across the board. He’s coming off back-to-back triple-doubles, and he’s scored at least 50.75 DraftKings points in both games.
Cunningham draws a phenomenal matchup Friday vs. the Hawks. Atlanta has played at the third-fastest pace this season, and they’re merely 26th in defensive efficiency. The Pistons are currently implied for 114.75 points in this matchup, which represents a massive increase compared to their season average (106.3).
Cunningham ultimately has the fourth-highest ceiling projection among Friday’s point guards, and he checks in at a significant discount compared to the top options at the position.
Value
T.J. McConnell is currently questionable with an illness, but as long as he’s in the lineup, he stands out as a strong source of value. He’s down to just $4,100 on DraftKings, which is simply too cheap given his ability to rack up fantasy points. McConnell has averaged 1.17 DraftKings points per minute this season, and he’s currently projected for 20 minutes in our NBA Models. He’s historically had a comparable salary and minute projection in 17 games since the start of last year, and he’s averaged a Plus/Minus of +3.02 (per the Trends tool).
The Pacers are another team with an elite matchup on Friday. They’re taking on the Hornets, who are 24th in defensive efficiency so far this season. The Pacers are implied for 121.5 points, which is the top mark on Friday’s slate.
Fast Break
Jose Alvarado’s price tag continues to rise, but he still has plenty of upside at just $5,700. He’s averaged 0.96 DraftKings points per minute this season, and he’s coming off 46.0 DraftKings points vs. the Cavaliers in his last outing. He should continue to play all the minutes he can handle with Dejounte Murray and C.J. McCollum out of the lineup, and the Magic haven’t been quite as good defensively since losing Paolo Banchero.
The Wizards are currently starting three rookies and a second-year player, so Jordan Poole has had to carry a lot of the load offensively. He’s responded well, averaging 1.34 DraftKings points per minute so far this season. He’s increased his usage rate by a team-high +3.5% with Kyle Kuzma off the floor, so he should continue to carry an increased scoring burden as long as he’s 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
Jaylen Brown remains out of the lineup for the Celtics, so Derrick White should continue to provide stud-like production at a discount. He’s scored at least 44.0 DraftKings points in back-to-back games without Brown, despite playing less than 30 minutes in one of them. For the year, he’s seen a team-high +7.41% usage bump with Brown off the floor, resulting in an average of 1.34 DraftKings points per minute.
The only real concern with White on Friday is the matchup. The Celtics are taking on the Nets in Boston, and they’re listed as massive 13-point favorites. If this game isn’t competitive, it’s possible that White sees fewer minutes than expected.
Still, we’ve already seen White return value without Brown in a blowout, so the potential reward outweighs the risk. He’s simply too cheap at $7,200.
Value
The injuries are really starting to pile up for New Orleans. In addition to Murray and McCollum, the team will also be without Trey Murphy, Jordan Hawkins, and Herb Jones on Friday. Even Zion Williamson is questionable, so the team is quickly running out of bodies.
Brandon Boston has seen a nice spike in playing time for the shorthanded Pelicans of late. He’s played at least 30.2 minutes in three straight games, including at least 36.8 in his past two. Boston has averaged a respectable 0.89 DraftKings points per minute this season, so he can do some damage with that much playing time.
He’s currently projected for 35 minutes in our NBA Models, and players with comparable salaries and minute projections have historically averaged a Plus/Minus of +3.65.
Fast Break
Bennedict Mathurin got off to a slow start this season, but he’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in four straight games. He’s played at least 31.8 minutes in each contest, and he’s averaged 1.03 DraftKings points per minute through his first eight games. His salary has yet to adjust to his recent spike in minutes, so he’s grading out as an excellent value vs. the Hornets.
Carlton Carrington is one of the rookies that the Wizards are relying on at the moment. He was the 14th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, and he’s played at least 32.9 minutes in three straight games. He’s gone for at least 32.0 DraftKings points in two of them, and he’s averaged 0.89 DraftKings points per minute. His price tag has started to creep up, but he’s still too cheap for his current role.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
The Magic have dropped five straight games, but they should hopefully be able to turn things around vs. the Pelicans. They’re listed as 6.5-point home favorites, and New Orleans has the second-worst Net Rating so far this season.
If the Magic can pick up the W, expect Franz Wagner to be a big reason why. Wagner has had a strong start to his season, averaging 1.27 DraftKings points per minute, and he’s going to have to do more offensively with Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr. both out of the lineup. He’s increased his usage rate to 30.55% with both players off the floor this season, and he’s seen bump to his assist and rebound rates as well.
Wagner is coming off 46.5 DraftKings points in his last outing, and his 11 Pro Trends are tied for the most at the position.
Value
Andre Jackson moved into the Bucks’ starting lineup on Thursday, and he unsurprisingly had his best fantasy performance of the year. He finished with 25.25 DraftKings points in 28.3 minutes, and that feels like a pretty reasonable expectation for him moving forward. He’s projected for another 28 minutes Friday vs. the Knicks, and he’s averaged 0.81 DraftKings points per minute.
Fast Break
The Hawks are another team dealing with some absences at the moment, and Zacchaire Risascher is coming off the best game of his career on Wednesday. He erupted for 59.25 DraftKings points in 37 minutes, finishing with 31 points, seven rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two blocks. I wouldn’t expect a repeat performance – he’s not going to shoot 6-10 from 3-point range every night – but he has plenty of room to regress and still provide value at $5,500.
Kyshawn George is another potential option for the Wizards. Like Carrington, George is playing an extended role in his first professional season. He’s coming off 37.9 minutes in his last outing, and he responded with 38.0 DraftKings points. He’s not projected for quite as many minutes on Friday (32), but he should still be able to pay off his minimal price tag.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
Jaren Jackson Jr. is a player on the rise. He started the year by playing limited minutes, but his role has gradually risen throughout the year. He’s played at least 30 minutes in three straight games, and he’s had at least 32.1 in his past two.
If he’s going to continue to see that much playing time, $7,200 is a bargain. He’s capable of racking up fantasy points very quickly, and he’s averaged 1.16 DraftKings points per minute so far this season. Since the start of last year, Jackson has averaged 40.14 DraftKings points in 19 games with between 30 and 34 minutes.
Jackson should be able to do some serious damage with 30+ minutes vs. the Wizards. They’re second in pace and 25th in defensive efficiency so far this season, and the Grizzlies 119.25 implied team total is the second-highest mark on the slate.
Value
As far as DFS options go, Grant Williams is pretty boring. That said, he looks like an excellent value on Friday’s slate. Williams has averaged 0.89 DraftKings points per minute this season, and he’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in three of his past five games. Williams is projected for right around 30 minutes vs. the Pacers, who have been an extremely friendly matchup. They were second in pace and 24th in defensive efficiency last season, and this game has the highest total of the day at 235.5 points.
Fast Break
Speaking of “boring but reliable” DFS options, you can add Tobias Harris to the list. He’s scored at least 30.75 DraftKings points in four of his past five games, yet his price tag has dipped to just $5,900 for Friday’s matchup vs. the Hawks. His 78% Bargain Rating is one of the top marks at the position.
Jalen Williams isn’t expected to garner much ownership on this slate, but he’s displayed an elite ceiling of late. He’s gone for at least 56.25 DraftKings points in two of his past three games, and few players in this price range can match that output. He also leads the position with a +3.63 Opponent Plus/Minus.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Nikola Jokic is like Thanos once he completed the infinity gauntlet: you cannot stop him, you can only hope to contain him. So far, no one has really been able to accomplish that. Jokic has scored at least 60.0 DraftKings points in every game this season, and he’s been at 72.5 or more in three of his past five.
As good as Jokic has been, he’s even scarier at the moment. The team is currently down Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon, and Jokic is going to have to do even more than usual in their absence. We saw that in his last game – he racked up 82.5 DraftKings points against the best defense in the league – and he’s averaged nearly 2.00 DraftKings points per minute with both players off the floor since the start of last season.
Jokic has another subpar matchup Friday vs. the Heat, but Jokic is as matchup-proof as it gets. I’m not sure how you avoid him entirely at this point.
Value
Neemias Queta should continue to provide excellent value as the Celtics’ starting center. His price tag is up from $3,200 on Wednesday to $4,500 on Friday, but that still stands out as way too cheap. He’s averaged 0.98 DraftKings points per minute this season, and he’s coming off 28.1 minutes in his last matchup. He’s scored at least 22.75 DraftKings points in back-to-back games, so you can fire him up with confidence vs. the Nets.
Fast Break
Myles Turner stands out as one of the strongest plays of the day using our projections. Turner has always been an elite per-minute producer, but he’s struggled to stay on the floor consistently throughout his career. However, Turner is coming off more than 36 minutes in his last outing. If he can get back to that threshold on Friday, he has the potential for a monster performance vs. the Hornets. He has an equivalent ceiling projection as guys like Williamson and Chet Holmgren, who are both at least $2,000 more expensive.
Karl-Anthony Towns appears back. His production had been neutered in recent years by playing alongside Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert. However, he’s averaged 1.49 DraftKings points per minute in his first year with the Knicks, and playing big minutes is never a problem when Tom Thibodeau is your coach. He’s scored at least 53.75 DraftKings points in three of his past four games, so his salary has yet to adjust to his increased production.
