NBA DFS Picks Breakdown on DraftKings (Friday, November 14)

Friday features an eight-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

The fit between Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves has been seamless so far this season. The two players have thrived with LeBron James starting the year on the sidelines, with both delivering massive fantasy value.

However, Doncic’s salary has ballooned to $12,000, while Reaves remains very affordable at $8,000. That makes him the superior target on this slate. Reaves has averaged a stout 1.40 DraftKings points per minute, and he’s scored at least 45.25 DraftKings points in all but two contests. One of those was his last game, where he played just 30.3 minutes in a loss vs. a brutal Thunder defense.

Reaves should be able to get back on track on Friday. The Lakers are taking on the Pelicans, who rank merely 28th in defensive efficiency to start the year. Reaves ultimately ranks second at the position in projected Plus/Minus, and he also has the fifth-highest ceiling projection.

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Value

The big injury news on this slate involves the Magic. They’re going to be without Paolo Banchero, who currently leads the team in usage rate. His absence is going to open up plenty of opportunities for the rest of the roster.

Jalen Suggs figures to be one of the primary beneficiaries. Suggs has already been brilliant this season when on the floor. He’s averaged 1.25 DraftKings points per minute, but he’s been limited to an average of 21.3 minutes per game. However, his playing time has ticked up recently, and he’s currently projected for 28 minutes in our NBA Models. That combination would make Suggs a clear target even with Banchero in the lineup.

Suggs also gets one of the best possible matchups vs. the Nets. They’re dead last in defensive efficiency to start the year, so the Magic have much more offensive upside than usual. They’re currently implied for 118.75 points, which represents an increase compared to their season average.

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Fast Break

Brandon Williams is another solid midrange value target. He’s getting the opportunity to play a bit more for the Mavericks, and he’s taken full advantage. He’s averaged 1.05 DraftKings points per minute for the year, and he’s scored at least 31.5 DraftKings points in three straight contests. Williams has seen at least 33.2 minutes in back-to-back games, and if he plays that much again on Friday, he has the potential to smash his $5,400 salary.

The Heat are still without Tyler Herro, and Bam Adebayo will also miss his fifth straight game. Davion Mitchell has posted a positive Plus/Minus in three of his past four without Adebayo, and he’s averaged 0.90 DraftKings points per minute for the year. He’s projected for 33 minutes vs. the Knicks, so he’s another player who should be able to pay off his current price tag.

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

Desmond Bane got off to a slow start in his first year in Orlando. However, he’s starting to turn things around. He’s scored 22 points in three of his past four games, and he’s responded with at least 35.25 DraftKings points in each of those contests.

Bane’s offense is going to be even more important than usual with Banchero out of the lineup. He ranks second on the team in usage rate with Banchero off the floor, and he’s averaged 1.14 DraftKings points per minute in that split. That’s a significant increase from his average of 0.93 DraftKings points per minute overall.

Bane’s salary has come up to $7,000 for Friday’s contest vs. the Nets, but that still stands out as too cheap. He ranks second at the position in projected Plus/Minus, trailing only Reaves, and he’s fourth in terms of projected ceiling.

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Value

The Knicks are also dealing with a big injury at the moment. Jalen Brunson suffered a Grade 1 ankle sprain in the team’s last game, which is the same injury that sidelined him for 15 games at the end of last season. Brunson is currently considered day-to-day, but with the Knicks in a great spot in the Eastern Conference, expect them to play it cautious with their superstar.

Miles McBride should see a big uptick in responsibilities with Brunson sidelined. He’s projected for 32 minutes in our NBA Models, and he’s averaged a healthy 0.82 DraftKings points per minute for the year. McBride has historically had a comparable salary and minute projection on just four occasions, and he’s averaged a Plus/Minus of +8.74 (per the Trends tool).

The Knicks also get a matchup vs. the Heat on Friday, who have completely revamped their system this season. They’re playing at the fastest pace in the league, and the Knicks’ 122.5 implied team total ranks third on the slate.

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Fast Break

The Pelicans are off to a disastrous start, both in terms of record and health. Zion Williamson and Jordan Poole both remain sidelined on Friday, while Dejounte Murray has yet to suit up all season. As a result, Trey Murphy is going to have to carry the scoring load. He hasn’t shot the ball particularly well to start the year, but he has immense upside on nights when his shot is falling. He had 60.75 DraftKings points three games ago, and he followed that up with 43.0 DraftKings points in his following contest. He’s an interesting pivot off guys like Bane and Reaves, who both figure to command much more ownership.

Anthony Black is another potential target for Orlando. He’s increased his production to 0.92 DraftKings points per minute with Banchero off the floor this season, and he’s projected for 26 minutes in our NBA Models. He’s also underpriced at $4,700, resulting in an 86% Bargain Rating.

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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks

Stud

Franz Wagner should be Orlando’s No. 1 option offensively with Banchero out of the lineup. He’s seen a massive +6.42% usage bump with Banchero off the floor this season, which is easily the top mark on the squad. He’s responded with an average of 1.26 DraftKings points per minute in that split, despite some dreadful shooting numbers.

Wagner put together his best performance of the year on Wednesday after Banchero exited in the second quarter. He posted a 28.8% usage rate, and he finished with 28 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and 52.25 DraftKings points. He has the top ceiling projection at SF by a pretty comfortable margin, and he also ranks first at the position in Pro Trends.

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Value

Tari Eason continues to show improvement as a jump shooter, which is a scary proposition for fantasy purposes. He was already an elite per-minute contributor, despite shooting just 34.5% from 3-point range across his first three seasons. He’s up to 53.1% on a career-high 4.9 attempts per game in 2025-26, so he has the potential to be an even better fantasy asset moving forward.

Eason likely won’t shoot 50% from distance all year, but he doesn’t need to at his current price tag. His $4,600 salary comes with a 94% Bargain Rating, and Eason has historically averaged a Plus/Minus of +3.88 with a comparable salary and minute projection.

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Fast Break

Jaden McDaniels continues to improve on a yearly basis for Minnesota, and he’s been an excellent source of fantasy value to start the year. He’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in seven of his past eight games, including at least 32.0 DraftKings points in three straight. He’s averaged better than a DraftKings point per minute for the year, and he’s projected for 33 minutes Friday vs. the Kings. You’ll gladly take that at $5,300.

OG Anunoby is another player who should benefit from Brunson’s absence. He’s seen a +5.14% usage bump with Brunson off the floor this season, which is the top mark among the team’s regulars. He’s averaged 1.04 DraftKings points per minute in that split, giving him plenty of appeal in an up-tempo matchup vs. the Heat. Ultimately, he ranks second at the position in Sim Labs optimal lineup rate.

NBA DFS Power Forward Picks

Stud

Giannis Antetokounmpo continues to absolutely pile up stats to start the 2025-26 season. He’s leading the league with an average of 33.4 points per game, and he’s also averaging just under 12 rebounds per game. Antetokounmpo is also averaging more than six assists per game. Add it all up, and he’s providing a ridiculous 1.97 DraftKings points per minute, which is the top mark on the slate by a wide margin.

Antetokounmpo did miss the team’s last game, but he’s probable to return to the lineup on Friday. He’ll square off with the Hornets, who are a fantastic matchup. They rank 22nd in defensive efficiency so far this season, and Milwaukee ranks second on the slate in implied team total (124.5). Giannis ultimately leads all players in median and ceiling projection, despite checking in behind Doncic from a salary standpoint. His $11,700 salary actually comes with a 91% Bargain Rating, so he’s priced at a bit of a discount compared to his FanDuel mark.

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Value

Saddiq Bey missed all of last season while recovering from injury, but he’s been a huge part of the Pelicans’ rotation this season. His role has only grown following the injury to Williamson. He’s coming off a season-high 35.2 minutes in his last outing, and he responded with 41.0 DraftKings points. It was his second game with more than 36 DraftKings points in his past four contests.

Bey is projected for another 32 minutes on Friday, and he’s averaged just over a fantasy point per minute with Williamson and Poole off the floor. He leads all forwards in projected Plus/Minus, and he has the second-highest optimal lineup rate on the entire slate.

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Fast Break

Karl-Anthony Towns isn’t Giannis, but he has the potential to be the superior value on Friday. Towns is priced significantly cheaper at $9,400, and he has more upside than usual with Brunson out of the lineup. He’s seen a +4.68% usage bump with Brunson off the floor this season, resulting in an average of 1.58 DraftKings points per minute. Towns was also elite in that split last season, so he’s a fantastic option at his current salary. His projected ownership is also roughly 10% lower than his optimal lineup rate.

Isaiah Stewart has missed the past three games with an injury, but he’s questionable to return to the court on Friday. If he does, he’s another strong value to consider. Stewart moved into the starting lineup in place of the injured Tobias Harris before suffering an injury of his own, and he had a massive 59.5 DraftKings points vs. the Grizzlies. Stewart has averaged 1.15 DraftKings points per minute this season, so he has plenty of upside with an expanded workload.

NBA DFS Center Picks

Stud

Jalen Duren also missed the Pistons’ last outing, and he is also questionable for Friday’s matchup vs. the 76ers. That means the Pistons’ injury report is going to be very important to monitor before tip-off.

However, Duren has provided elite value when in the lineup recently. He’s posted a positive Plus/Minus in five of his past six games, and he’s had more than 50 DraftKings points in four of them. Duren is a fantastic per-minute producer, and with the team dealing with a host of frontcourt injuries, he’s had the opportunity to play a bit more than usual. He ultimately has the second-highest ceiling projection at the position, and it’s just slightly lower than the significantly pricier Alperen Sengun’s.

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Value

Ryan Kalkbrenner has been the Hornets’ starting center this season, but he’ll be away from the team for personal reasons on Friday. That opens the door for Moussa Diabate. Diabate has already been an excellent source of value recently, providing a positive Plus/Minus in seven straight games, and he has the opportunity to play a bit more than usual vs. the Bucks. He’s currently projected for 28 minutes in our NBA Models, and he’s averaged 1.16 DraftKings points per minute for the year. It makes him arguably the best value on the entire slate.

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Fast Break

Andre Drummond is another phenomenal value at center. The 76ers have been without Joel Embiid in three of their past four games, and Drummond has finished with 33.75, 41.5, and 38.25 DraftKings points in those outings. He’s played at least 33.3 minutes in two straight, and he’s expected to see a comparable workload on Friday. Drummond isn’t quite as dominant on a per-minute basis as he was in his prime, but his 1.16 DraftKings points per minute is still more than good enough at his current salary.

The Clippers are in an absolute tailspin at the moment, losing six straight games, and they’re going to be without Kawhi Leonard once again on Friday. Ivica Zubac hasn’t been quite as good to start the year as he was last season, but he still provides plenty of upside at his current salary. The last time he saw more than 31.4 minutes, he finished with 45.75 DraftKings points. The Clippers should be able to keep things competitive vs. the Mavericks, making Zubac a nice buy-low target.

Pictured: Franz Wagner
Photo Credit: Imagn