Friday features a three-game 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 Pelicans have had a pretty disastrous season, but they’ve managed to put together a little winning streak of late. They’ve racked up wins in five of their past six outings, including four straight. Unfortunately, that seems likely to come to an end on Friday, with the team listed as 11-point underdogs vs. the Grizzlies.
Still, that doesn’t mean they can’t provide some fantasy value. The Grizzlies have played at the fastest pace in the league this season, and the total for the game sits at a massive 243.5. There should be scoring on both sides, with the Pelicans’ 117.75 implied team total ranking third on the slate.
The Pels are also going to be without Zion Williamson for the second straight game. That gives Dejounte Murray a clear boost in value. He’s coming off 59.25 DraftKings points in his last outing, and he’s averaged 1.24 DraftKings points per minute in 19 games without Williamson and Ingram this season. As long as this game doesn’t turn into a blowout, he has a great chance to provide value at $8,400.
Value
The Cavs stand out as one of the top teams to target on this slate. Their 119.75 implied team total ranks second on the slate, and they’re still playing without Evan Mobley. Caris LeVert is also questionable, so there could be a few extra minutes to go around on Friday.
That makes Ty Jerome an intriguing option at $4,100. Jerome has been an outstanding per-minute producer this season, averaging 1.17 DraftKings points per minute. The only issue has been inconsistent playing time. When he gets minutes, he tends to provide excellent value. That was the case in Cleveland’s last game, when Jerome racked up 29.0 DraftKings points in 24.8 minutes.
Jerome has now posted a positive Plus/Minus in seven of his past eight games, and his role should be secure with Mobley sidelined. If LeVert were to miss his second straight game, he’d become an even more appealing option.
Fast Break
Ja Morant has played limited minutes for the Grizzlies for most of the year, but they’re slowly starting to ramp up his workload. He’s logged at least 30 minutes in five straight games, including one outing with 37.1 minutes. Morant has averaged 1.43 DraftKings points per minute this season, so once he starts playing 30+ minutes on a consistent basis, he’s going to provide excellent value at his current salary. He’s officially questionable with an illness, but he’s an intriguing tournament option if he’s able to suit up.
Jose Alvarado is another potential value option at the position. Like Jerome, he’s capable of racking up fantasy points quickly. He’s averaged 1.02 DraftKings points per minute for the year, and he’s increased that figure to 1.14 over the past month. He’s not projected for a ton of minutes on this slate, but he could play a bit more than expected if this game turns into a blowout.
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
Despite the Cavs being one of the best teams in basketball this season, it hasn’t been the best year for Donovan Mitchell. His overall shot volume is slightly down, and he’s had an inefficient year from inside the 3-point line. Ultimately, his average of 23.2 points per game is his lowest mark since his rookie season.
However, he’s been asked to do a bit more recently with Mobley out of the lineup. He’s increased his production to 1.43 DraftKings points per minute in five games without Mobley this season, and he’s scored at least 50.75 DraftKings points in three of his past five outings. The two exceptions came against the Thunder and Rockets – two of the best defensive teams in basketball – and one of those was a blowout where he played significantly less than usual.
Mitchell’s price tag hasn’t taken much of a jump despite his recent production, so he’s a stronger option than usual in a nice matchup vs. the 76ers.
Value
Sticking with the Cavs, LeVert would be a solid value target if he’s able to suit up on Friday. There’s a good chance he’d be in the starting lineup, and he started and played more than 25 minutes in his last outing. We currently have him projected for 24 minutes in our NBA Models, and he’s averaged 0.97 DraftKings points per minute for the year.
LeVert is also priced at a massive discount on DraftKings. His $4,000 salary comes with a 94% Bargain Rating, so he has plenty of buy-low appeal if he returns to the lineup.
Fast Break
Jordan Hawkins doesn’t bring a ton of upside to the table, but he’s a decent bet to return value on Friday. He’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in three straight games despite failing to crack 24 minutes in any of them. He’s projected for another 21 minutes on Friday, and his $3,400 salary comes with a 92% Bargain Rating.
C.J. McCollum doesn’t provide the same multi-category production as Murray, but his ceiling as a scorer is significantly higher. He’s coming off 45 points and 68.5 DraftKings points in his last outing, so he’s another potential option in their backcourt.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
The 76ers continue to play without Joel Embiid, which leaves Tyrese Maxey and Paul George as their top two offensive options. Maxey has been the better player this season, but George stands out as the better option on this slate. He’s -$2,000 cheaper on DraftKings, while SG/SF stands out as thinner than point guard.
George has also seen the bigger spike in production with Embiid off the court this season. He’s seen a team-high +2.63% bump to his usage rate in that split, resulting in an average of 1.2 DraftKings points per minute. That’s a nice increase compared to his season average (1.1) and doesn’t put him far behind Maxey for the team lead (1.21).
George has also played some of his best basketball of the season recently. He’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in four of his past five games, and he’s gone for more than 50 DraftKings points in two of them. The only game where he failed to return value was his last one, and he was limited to just 28.3 minutes in a blowout loss. As long as he gets back to his usual 36+ minutes on Friday, he’s a great bet to return value.
Value
The Hornets could be a disaster on Friday. They’ve already ruled out five players, while LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges are questionable. If Ball and Bridges are out, it would leave a rag-tag group of players to handle a ton of minutes and shot attempts.
Nick Smith is someone who has seen a spike in production for the Hornets of late. He’s played at least 30.2 minutes in back-to-back games, and those were with Ball and Bridges in the lineup. If they join Brandon Miller on the sidelines on Friday, Smith could see a further increase in playing time.
Smith hasn’t seen a ton of playing time with all three players off the floor this season, but he’s averaged a strong 1.07 DraftKings points per minute in that split. He would become an elite value option in that scenario, and he has some appeal even if both players are able to suit up.
Fast Break
Trey Murphy looks like an elite source of leverage on this slate. He’s showing up in the optimal lineup simulations at a 38.88% clip, which is the second-highest mark at the position. However, he’s projected for just 17% ownership. That’s a massive discrepancy, which suggests Murphy is being overlooked. He’s been an elite source of production recently, and with Williamson out of the picture, he should function as one of the team’s top scorers on Friday.
Javonte Green is another low-risk, low-reward type of option on this slate. He’s projected for 26 minutes at just $3,600, and players with comparable salaries and minute projections have historically averaged a Plus/Minus of +2.80 (per the Trends tool). He’s probably not going to win you a GPP, but he could provide some value in stars-and-scrubs builds for cash games.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
If Bridges is in the lineup, he brings a lot to the table for Friday’s matchup vs. the Blazers. For starters, it’s an elite matchup. Portland ranks just 25th in defensive efficiency for the year, so the Hornets should be able to do a bit more scoring than usual.
Bridges has also seen a spike in production recently, averaging 1.22 DraftKings points per minute over the past month. He’s also seen a massive +6.59% usage bump with Ball and Miller off the court this season, so he has the potential to increase that figure even further.
Bridges’ salary has come back down slightly after peaking at $8,000 last week, so he has some buy-low appeal as long as he’s active.
Value
Dean Wade is the best combination of floor and ceiling among Friday’s value options. With Mobley still out of the lineup, Wade’s spot in the Cavs’ rotation should be solidified. He’s played at least 27.1 minutes in two of his past three games, including more than 30 minutes with Mobley and LeVert out of the lineup on Wednesday. He finished with 29.5 DraftKings points in that outing, so he brings just a smidge of upside to the table.
Ultimately, Wade owns the top optimal lineup rate among all of Friday’s options. He’s checking in at greater than 44%, which makes him undervalued at just 25.0% projected ownership.
Fast Break
Jaren Jackson Jr. also looks undervalued on this slate. His optimal lineup rate is just slightly lower than Wade’s, and he’s also projected for roughly 25% ownership. Very few players in his price range provide the same type of upside, especially in a game where the Grizzlies are implied for a massive 128 points.
Yves Missi is questionable for the Pelicans, and if he’s unable to go, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl would be an interesting value target. He’s priced at just $3,600, and he’s increased his production to 0.96 DraftKings points per minute over the past month. JRE struggled in his last game without Missi, finishing with just 8.0 DraftKings points, but he had 27.25 across 20.5 minutes in the game prior.

NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Jarrett Allen stands out as one of the Cavaliers’ top options on Friday’s slate. He’s underpriced at just $6,900 on DraftKings, resulting in a 91% Bargain Rating, and his matchup vs. the 76ers is elite. He owns a +4.08 Opponent Plus/Minus, and that number probably isn’t quite as high as it should be. Without Embiid and Andre Drummond, the 76ers don’t have a true center on their roster to combat Allen on the interior.
Allen has also seen a slight bump in production with Mobley out of the lineup this season, and he’s coming off 47.75 DraftKings points vs. the Rockets in his last outing.
Value
On the other side of that matchup, Guerschon Yabusele is going to be the 76ers’ starting center by default. That makes him a solid buy at just $5,000. He’s played upwards of 39 minutes in games without Embiid and Drummond of late, and he’s averaged a respectable 0.88 DraftKings points per minute for the year. He’s had a wide range of outcomes recently, but he’s displayed a ceiling of close to 40 DraftKings points.
Fast Break
Mark Williams continues to cement his status as one of the best young centers in basketball. He put together another dominant fantasy performance in his last outing, finishing with 58.25 DraftKings points in a loss to the Grizzlies. He scored 38 points and had a 31.5% usage rate in that contest, and he could be the team’s offensive focal point if Ball and Bridges are unable to suit up. His price tag is up to $7,800, but that still feels too cheap given his recent production.
Brandon Clarke isn’t playing a ton of minutes for the Grizzlies, but he’s always been a strong per-minute producer. He’s averaged 0.95 DraftKings points per minute this season, so he doesn’t need a ton of playing time to potentially pay off his $3,500 price tag.