Friday features a four-game 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 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
It’s going to be a lost year for the Pacers. They made it to the NBA Finals last season, but star point guard Tyrese Haliburton suffered a torn Achilles in the decisive Game 7. Without his services this season, the Pacers have slumped to a 9-32 record. That puts them in dead last in the entire NBA. The Pacers could land a top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, and with Haliburton presumably back next season, they could pick up where they left off in 2024-25.
That means the team is really just playing out the string this season. Still, someone has to score the ball in the interim. Andrew Nembhard has been an outstanding fantasy asset of late. He’s posted an average Plus/Minus of +5.28 over his past 10 games, and he’s averaged 1.10 DraftKings points per minute over the past month. Nembhard has racked up at least 35.5 DraftKings points in six of his past seven outings, with his last contest being the lone exception.
Nembhard is in a great spot to bounce back on Friday. The Pacers are taking on the Pelicans, who have been an elite matchup all season. They rank 27th in defensive efficiency, and the Pacers lead the slate with a 122.75 implied team total.
Value
The Cavaliers are another squad that has had a tough start to the year. They were the best regular-season team in the Eastern Conference last season, but they currently sit in seventh place in the East for 2025-26. They’ve dealt with a host of absences for most of the year, and they’ll be without point guard Darius Garland once again on Friday.
Without Garland, Craig Porter should step into a larger role. He’s currently projected for 30 minutes in our NBA Models, and he’s averaged a solid 0.99 DraftKings points per minute over the past month. That makes him a strong bet to pay off his $4,800 price tag. Historically, players with comparable salaries and minute projections have averaged a Plus/Minus of +1.80 (per the Trends tool).
Porter leads the position in projected Plus/Minus, and he and Nembhard stand out as the clear-cut top two options at point guard on Friday’s slate.
Fast Break
Tyrese Maxey has had a phenomenal season for the 76ers, though he has cooled down a bit recently. He’s posted a negative Plus/Minus in four of his past five games, and he hasn’t had to do quite as much as the team has gotten healthier. Still, he has the top ceiling projection at the position on Friday, and the 76ers have the third-highest implied team total on the slate. Maxey has also still displayed an elite ceiling, making him a viable pay-up target.
The Raptors’ injury report will have to be monitored before tip-off. R.J. Barrett has already been ruled out, while three other players are listed as questionable. That includes starting point guard Immanuel Quickley. If he can’t go, Jamal Shead should be asked to help pick up the slack. He’s played more than 30 minutes in three straight games, and he’s projected to make it four in a row on Friday.
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
Trey Murphy got off to a slow start this season, but he’s started to pick things up in recent weeks. He’s averaging 31.7 points across his six January outings, and he’s averaged 1.14 DraftKings points per minute over the past month. He’s responded with an average Plus/Minus of +8.88 across his past 10 contests, and he’s had at least 51.0 DraftKings points in four of his past six.
There’s no reason he can’t keep the production rolling vs. the Pacers. The Pelicans have the second-highest implied team total on the slate, and this game should be one of the best of the day for fantasy purposes. It checks in with a 241.5-point total, while no other game is above 232.5. Murphy’s price tag has started to creep up, but he still ranks second at shooting guard in projected Plus/Minus.
Value
Jaylon Tyson is another strong value option for the Cavaliers. He’s priced right in the same range as Porter at $5,200, and he’s also projected for a healthy number of minutes on this slate. Porter has been a solid per-minute producer all season, and he’s averaged 0.92 DraftKings points per minute over the past month. Tyson has averaged a Plus/Minus of +6.66 with a comparable salary and minute projection this season, and he leads all shooting guards in projected Plus/Minus on Friday’s slate.
Fast Break
The Bulls are still playing without Josh Giddey, but Coby White will be in the lineup on Friday. White is still playing limited minutes, but he should be one of the team’s offensive focal points when he’s on the floor. He’s also priced at a bit of a discount on DraftKings, with his $6,300 salary coming with an 86% Bargain Rating.
Donovan Mitchell was brilliant for the Cavaliers in their last contest, finishing with 35 points, seven rebounds, and nine assists in just 33.3 minutes. He racked up more than 61 DraftKings points, and he offers a bit more upside than usual with Garland sidelined. He’s averaged 1.39 DraftKings points per minute with Garland off the floor this season, and he unsurprisingly leads all shooting guards in ceiling projection by a pretty comfortable margin.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
Paul George is clearly not the same player that he was in his prime. He’s averaging just 16.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game this season, all of which are below his career averages. In some ways, this feels like the beginning of a transition period in Philadelphia, with the old guard of George and Joel Embiid being replaced by the new guard of Maxey and rookie V.J. Edgecombe. The quartet has helped propel the 76ers to a 22-17 record, good for fifth place in the Eastern Conference.
While George’s counting stats aren’t all that impressive, he’s still averaged just under a fantasy point per minute over the past month. He’s played a bit less than usual in his past two outings, but he had 42.25 DraftKings points three games ago vs. the Magic and 43.0 DraftKings points vs. the Wizards the game prior. Ultimately, he can still put up respectable figures for his price tag.
George should get back to around 32 minutes if Friday’s game is more competitive, and he stands out as a solid combination of value and upside at small forward. He ranks third at the position in projected Plus/Minus and projected ceiling.
Value
Aaron Nesmith isn’t that much cheaper than George, but he’s grading out as the best value at the position. He ranks first in projected Plus/Minus, despite some subpar production in recent games. He’s posted a negative Plus/Minus in three straight contests, including 17.25 DraftKings points or fewer in two straight.
Still, Nesmith has averaged 0.89 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and he’s projected for 32 minutes in our NBA Models. The matchup vs. the Pelicans is ideal, while his price tag has dipped slightly after his string of poor performances. It’s a great bounce-back opportunity, and he should be one of the highest-owned players on the slate.
Fast Break
If you’re going to spend up at the position, Michael Porter Jr. is probably your best bet. He hasn’t been quite as productive as Kawhi Leonard on a per-minute basis recently, but his playing time is a bit more secure. His matchup vs. the Bulls is also appealing. Chicago ranks fourth in pace and 25th in defensive efficiency this season, so Porter should have plenty of opportunities to put the ball in the basket.
On the other side of that matchup, Ayo Dosunmu continues to get the job done for the Bulls and fantasy players. He’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in eight of his past nine games, and he’s had at least 32.5 DraftKings points in three of his past four. He doesn’t typically provide a huge ceiling, but he did have 45.0 DraftKings points vs. the Mavericks three games ago. Overall, he’s averaged 1.09 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, which trails only Porter and Leonard at the position.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
Power forward looks like one of the stronger positions on Friday’s slate. At the top, Pascal Siakam benefits from the same elite matchup as the rest of his teammates. He’s also scored at least 44.75 DraftKings points in five of his past seven outings, and one of the exceptions was a game where he played reduced minutes. Siakam has averaged 1.21 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, so he has plenty of appeal vs. a weak Pelicans’ defense.
Siakam ranks first at the position in a variety of categories. He’s No. 1 in projected ceiling and Plus/Minus, and he also has the most Pro Trends. He also leads the slate in projected ownership, but it’s easy to see his appeal on a slate that lacks star power.
Value
Noah Clowney is another potential option for the Nets. He’s served as one of their top offensive options when the team was shorthanded, but that won’t be the case on Friday. Porter, Cam Thomas, and Nic Claxton are all back in the lineup, so Clowney should shift back into a supporting role.
Still, Clowney has the potential to return value in that capacity. He’s currently projected for 30 minutes at $5,100, and Clowney has averaged a Plus/Minus of +3.63 with a comparable salary and minute projection this season.
Fast Break
Zion Williamson is the other “stud” target at power forward on Friday, and you could consider stacking him with Siakam. The two are playing in the same game, so there’s a bit of correlation between them. Williamson has been the best per-minute producer at the position among Friday’s options, though he’s not projected for quite as much playing time as Siakam. He’s also been priced down to $7,900 on DraftKings, resulting in an 86% Bargain Rating.
Matas Buzelis has played some solid basketball for the Bulls recently, averaging 1.07 DraftKings points per minute over the past month. However, he was banished to the bench in the team’s last outing, with head coach Billy Donovan benching him for his defensive effort. He finished with just 18.6 minutes in that contest after logging 36.7 minutes in the game prior. If Buzelis can get back toward the high end of his minute range on Friday, he definitely has the potential to pay off his $6,100 price tag. He’s another player priced at a discount on DraftKings, leading the position with a 91% Bargain Rating.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Embiid is a massive x-factor on every slate where he’s available. He’s not carrying nearly the same load that he did at his peak, but he’s still an extremely dangerous offensive player. He’s still posted a 33.6% usage rate this season, and he’s averaged 1.34 DraftKings points per minute over the past month.
Embiid’s production has been slightly down of late, but he can pop off for a big game at any moment. He leads the position in ceiling projection on Friday, and he’s also fifth in projected Plus/Minus.
Value
Claxton stands out as the top value at center on Friday. He’s first at the position in projected Plus/Minus by a decent margin. He’s averaged 1.04 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and he has the potential to eclipse that figure in an elite matchup vs. the Bulls. Chicago has struggled against opposing big men all season, giving Claxton an Opponent Plus/Minus of +1.58. It’s the second-best mark at center, trailing only the Raptors’ big men.
Fast Break
Speaking of the Raptors, Collin Murray-Boyles is their most appealing target. Jakob Poeltl is still out with an injury, and Murray-Boyles has seen a nice spike in production in his absence. He’s averaged a Plus/Minus of +10.73 over his past 10 games, including a 52.75 DraftKings-point outburst vs. the 76ers three games ago. That stands out as a clear outlier, but he’s still returned value pretty regularly with the Raptors’ starting center on the sidelines.
Derik Queen has been quiet recently, and he logged just 16.3 minutes in the Pelicans’ last game. It’s possible that he’s lost some responsibilities, which would cripple his fantasy value moving forward. Still, Queen has also averaged an elite 1.31 DraftKings points per minute over the past month, and he saw just under 30 minutes two games ago. If he can get back to that level vs. the Pacers, he has the potential for a big bounce-back performance. Queen should also command far less ownership after his clunker, making him an excellent GPP pivot.
Pictured: Pascal Siakam
Photo Credit: Imagn
