Friday features a nine-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 Leverage 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.
NBA DFS Point Guard Picks
Stud
We have made it to the end of the NBA regular season. All 30 teams will be in action on Friday, though only the first nine games are available on the DraftKings main slate. Following an off day on Saturday, the regular season wraps up with another 15-game slate on Sunday. The Play-In Tournament gets started on Tuesday, and the playoffs officially get underway next weekend. It’s been a long slog at times this season – especially with 10 teams tanking down the stretch – but we will hopefully be rewarded with an excellent postseason.
The 76ers are still alive for a guaranteed postseason spot, sitting 2.0 games behind the Raptors and Hawks in the Eastern Conference standings. They’ll need to win out and get a lot of help, but expect them to go for it over their final two games.
Unfortunately, the team is going to be without Joel Embiid. This time, the oft-injured big man will be forced to undergo surgery for appendicitis. This guy seriously cannot catch a break.
With Embiid out of the picture, the offense is going to run through Tyrese Maxey. Maxey has had a fantastic season, and he has unsurprisingly been at his best without Embiid. He’s seen a +2.49% usage bump with Embiid off the floor this season, resulting in an average of 1.34 DraftKings points per minute.
Maxey owns the top ceiling projection among Friday’s point guards, despite checking in with a reasonable $9,500 price tag. The matchup vs. the Pacers certainly helps. They’re 25th in defensive efficiency this season, and Philly’s 124.0 implied team total is the fourth-best mark on the slate.
Value
The Nets are one of many teams that are happy that the finish line is in sight. They’ve had a dreadful season, and they’ll look to get lucky in the lottery and land a top pick in the upcoming draft. They have fewer reasons for optimism than just about any team in the league, so they need a savior pretty desperately.
Ben Saraf was one of the team’s five first-round picks in the 2025 Draft, but he’s struggled to make much of an impact as a rookie. However, he has played a bit better down the stretch. He’s averaged 0.87 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and he’s scored at least 32.75 DraftKings points in back-to-back games.
Saraf is projected for another 31 minutes on Friday, and he owns the top projected Plus/Minus at the position. He’s currently projected for roughly 17% ownership, but his Sim Labs optimal lineup rate is greater than 21%.
Fast Break
Tre Jones has been a phenomenal source of value for the Bulls recently. He’s posted an average Plus/Minus of +5.37 over his past 10 games, and he’s averaged an elite 1.20 DraftKings points per minute over the past month. His price tag is up to $7,000 on DraftKings, but he can still return value at that figure. He’s scored at least 37.0 DraftKings points in three straight games, and he’s had more than 45 DraftKings points in two of them.
The Spurs could be a bit shorthanded again on Friday, with Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle listed as questionable. Dylan Harper played more than 32.5 minutes with both players out on Wednesday, and he responded with 33.0 DraftKings points. Harper has been an excellent per-minute producer all season, so the prospect of him picking up a few additional minutes is exciting for fantasy purposes.
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
Jeremiah Fears has entered stud territory for DFS. The talented rookie has averaged 1.15 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and he’s playing all the minutes he can handle. He’s played at least 36.7 minutes in three straight games, and he’s projected for another 38 minutes on Friday. Fears has posted a positive Plus/Minus in eight straight games, including more than 60 DraftKings points in his last contest.
His price tag has crept up to $7,100 on DraftKings, but that still stands out as too cheap. It results in a 93% Bargain Rating, and Fears ranks second at the position in projected Plus/Minus. He’s also second in ceiling projection, giving him a nice combination of value and upside.
Value
The Heat have the top offensive expectation on Friday’s slate. They’re taking on the lowly Wizards, who are first in pace and 29th in defensive efficiency over their past 15 games. As a result, Miami is implied for a massive 132 points.
Jaime Jaquez stands out as a nice value target. He’s priced at just $5,300, resulting in a 98% Bargain Rating, and he’s projected for 29 minutes in our NBA Models. That should be more than enough for Jaquez to return value. He’s averaged 1.08 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and he’s historically averaged a Plus/Minus of +2.00 with a comparable salary and minute projection (per the Trends tool).
Fast Break
The Celtics have not technically secured the No. 2 seed in the East, but one more win or Knicks’ loss will get the job done. They chose to rest Jaylen Brown vs. the Knicks on Thursday, and it’s possible that a few other players get the night off on Friday. Baylor Scheierman could be asked to help pick up the slack. He saw 30 minutes on the front leg of the back-to-back and finished with 28.0 DraftKings points. He’s projected for another 30 minutes on Friday, and he ranks third at shooting guard in projected Plus/Minus.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker continues to exceed expectations for the Hawks. He’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in six of his past seven games, including four straight. Atlanta needs one more win to secure a guaranteed playoff spot, so expect another heavy workload for NAW Friday vs. the Cavaliers.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
Paul George is another member of the 76ers who will benefit from Embiid’s absence. In fact, he’s seen the largest bump on the team with Embiid off the floor this season. He’s seen a +4.31% usage bump in that scenario, resulting in an average of 1.31 DraftKings points per minute.
George owns the second-highest ceiling projection at small forward, trailing only Brown. However, George’s projection is comparable, and he’s $1,600 cheaper. That makes him the clear superior value of the two.
Value
The Pacers are tanking toward the finish line, and Jalen Slawson has been one of the biggest beneficiaries. He’s seen a nice uptick in playing time down the stretch, and he’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in eight of his past 10 games.
Slawson has averaged 0.93 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and he’s projected for 29.5 minutes on Friday’s slate. That’s a nice combination for someone priced at just $4,400. He ranks first at the position in projected Plus/Minus, and he’s third in that metric on the entire slate.
Fast Break
Collin Sexton could be set to cash in this offseason. He’s quietly had a very nice season, and he’s been excellent since being acquired by the Bulls at the deadline. For fantasy purposes, he’s averaged a Plus/Minus of +8.39 over his past 10 games. He’s averaged 1.21 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and he’s playing roughly 30 minutes on most nights. His price tag has yet to reflect his increased production, with his $6,600 salary coming with a 95% Bargain Rating.
The Cavs are locked into a top-four spot in the East, and they’re going to rest Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen on Friday. Jaylon Tyson is also questionable, but he would be an interesting value target if he’s able to suit up. Tyson has averaged 1.01 DraftKings points per minute with Mitchell, Allen, and Darius Garland off the floor this season, and he’s coming off 41.75 DraftKings points in 23.2 minutes in his last outing.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
Like Fears, Derik Queen is a talented Pelicans rookie who has moved into stud territory down the stretch. He’s been a phenomenal per-minute producer all season, but his role has been volatile. When he’s gotten consistent minutes, he’s been a monster. He’s seen 30+ minutes in 18 games this season, and he’s averaged 43.28 DraftKings points and a +14.26 Plus/Minus in that split.
Queen is projected for a whopping 36 minutes on Friday, giving him massive upside at just $6,100. He logged 37.2 minutes in the team’s last game, and he responded with more than 50 DraftKings points.
Value
Leonard Miller might be the Bulls’ best option on this slate. He’s coming off just under 50 DraftKings points in his last outing, and he’s projected for another 32 minutes vs. the Magic. He’s averaged 1.04 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, so he can do a lot of damage with that much playing time. His $5,300 salary comes with a 97% Bargain Rating, and he trails only Queen at the position in projected Plus/Minus.
Fast Break
You probably don’t need a true punt play on this slate, but Larry Nance Jr. is an interesting option. He’s priced at the absolute minimum, but he’s averaged an excellent 1.11 DraftKings points per minute over the past month. He’s logged at least 21 minutes in back-to-back games, and he’s projected for another 21 minutes on Friday.
It hasn’t been a great year for Paolo Banchero, but he’s still put up decent counting stats. He’s logged at least 47.25 DraftKings points in two of his past three games, and he’s averaged 1.20 DraftKings points per minute over the past month. Banchero and the Magic have more offensive upside than usual vs. the Bulls, and their 129.0 implied team total ranks second on the slate.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
With the Cavaliers a bit shorthanded, Evan Mobley could be asked to do a bit more than usual. He’s seen a massive +8.7% usage bump with Mitchell, Garland, and Allen off the floor this season, and he’s averaged 1.41 DraftKings points per minute in that split. Mobley had 57.25 DraftKings points over 35.6 minutes in his last contest, so he’s clearly capable of putting up a big number. He probably won’t be asked to play that much on Friday, but expect him to be productive when he’s on the floor.
Value
Lachlan Olbrich ranks first on the entire slate in projected Plus/Minus. If you’ve never heard of him before today, I don’t blame you. He’s only appeared in 35 games for the Bulls this season, and he’s averaged less than 10 minutes in those contests.
Of course, Olbrich is the exact type of player who tends to feast for tanking teams down the stretch. He’s projected for 25 minutes Friday vs. the Magic, and he’s averaged 0.97 DraftKings points per minute over the past month. Olbrich is also dirt cheap at $3,500, resulting in a 93% Bargain Rating.
Fast Break
With Embiid sidelined, Andre Drummond should see an uptick in value. He’s currently projected for 25 minutes in our NBA Models. Drummond isn’t exactly the same per-minute beast that he was in his prime, but he’s still averaged a respectable 1.10 DraftKings points per minute over the past month.
Onyeka Okongwu is another player priced at a nice discount on DraftKings, with a $6,400 salary and a 97% Bargain Rating. He’s posted a negative Plus/Minus in back-to-back games, but he had at least 34.25 DraftKings points in his previous three games. He’s seeing plenty of minutes at the moment, and he’s projected for another 33 minutes on Friday.
Pictured: Tyrese Maxey
Photo Credit: Imagn
