Not only is Friday Halloween, but it also features the debut of the 2025 NBA Cup. There are eight games to choose from, with the action getting underway 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
Luka Doncic has missed the past three games for the Lakers, but he’s been upgraded to questionable for Friday’s matchup vs. the Grizzlies. If he’s able to go, he’s undoubtedly one of the top studs on the slate.
Doncic has been remarkable in his first two games with the Lakers this season. He’s scored at least 77.25 DraftKings points in both contests, averaging an absurd 46.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 8.5 assists per game. He obviously won’t be able to keep up that pace all season, but there’s no reason he can’t continue to provide value with LeBron James out of the lineup. Since joining the Lakers, Doncic has averaged an elite 1.84 DraftKings points per minute with James off the floor.
The matchup vs. the Grizzlies is also a good one. Memphis played at the fastest pace in the league last season, and they’re third in that department so far this season. This game has a total of 238.5 points, which is the third-highest mark on the slate.
Doncic ultimately leads all point guards in ceiling projection by more than 12 points. If he’s in the lineup, he definitely warrants some consideration.
Value
The biggest knock against paying up for Luka is that there are some excellent value options to consider at point guard. That includes Collin Gillespie. He’s been a big part of the Suns’ rotation to start the year, and he’s logged at least 30.6 minutes in back-to-back games. He’s responded with 36.0 and 48.25 DraftKings points in those contests.
Gillespie has averaged 1.14 DraftKings points per minute so far this season, and he’s projected for another 26 minutes Friday vs. the Jazz. With Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green both still out of the lineup, Gillespie should serve as the No. 2 option for this offense behind Devin Booker. He’s proven that he can put up solid numbers in that role.
The Jazz are also one of the best possible matchups. They were one of the worst defensive teams in basketball last season, and there’s no reason to expect much different in 2025-26. They’re 20th in defensive efficiency so far this season, and that number should only continue to drop.
Fast Break
The Pacers are still extremely shorthanded at the moment, with their top four backcourt options all out of the lineup on Friday (Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, T.J. McConnell, and Bennedict Mathurin). That means RayJ Dennis should once again see a big uptick in responsibilities. He’s coming off a season-high 30.0 minutes in his last contest, and he responded with at least 31.5 DraftKings points for the second straight game. Dennis isn’t quite as cheap as he was for that outing, but he still stands out as one of the top values at the position.
Is it possible that the Fountain of Youth is located in Portland? Jrue Holiday has looked rejuvenated through five games with the Blazers. He’s scored at least 36.5 DraftKings points in all five outings, including at least 46.25 in back-to-back games. He’s averaged 1.29 DraftKings points per minute, and if he can continue to produce at that level, then $7,200 is simply too cheap. Holiday is also projected for less than 10% ownership, and this game between the Blazers and Nuggets has the top total of the day (240.0).
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
Could Keyonte George be ready to ascend into stud territory for the Jazz? It’s possible. He entered the league with plenty of hype, and he’s put together some strong performances to start his third professional season. He’s had at least 35.0 DraftKings points in four straight games, and he’s eclipsed 43 DraftKings points in two straight.
George still has some limitations as a shooter, but he’s making up for it in other ways. He’s getting to the line way more frequently this season, and he’s averaged 9.3 assists per game. Add it all up, and he’s averaged 1.20 DraftKings points per minute for the year.
Despite his early-season production, George has remained very reasonably priced at just $6,900. He has the third-highest ceiling projection at the position, and he ranks fourth in projected Plus/Minus. That gives him a nice combination of value and upside.
Value
Jeremiah Fears was one of the Pelicans’ two lottery picks in 2025, and he’s had plenty of scoring opportunities through his first handful of games. He’s posted a 22.8% usage rate, which is the fourth-highest mark on the team. Fears has responded with solid scoring numbers, including 21 points in his last outing.
Fears is projected for another 30 minutes on Friday, which makes him a nice potential value at just $4,600. Historically, players with comparable salaries and minute projections have averaged a Plus/Minus of +2.20 (per the Trends tool). Fears also has more per-minute upside than the typical player in this price range, and he ranks second at the position in projected Plus/Minus.
Fast Break
Grayson Allen is another player who is going to have to do more than usual for the Suns this season. He ranks third on the team in points per game, and he’s played heavy minutes in their past two games. Allen has at least 34.0 DraftKings points in three of five outings, and with Brooks still out of the lineup, he’s in a solid position to do it again.
Payton Pritchard is getting more opportunities for the Celtics this season, who lost a ton of key contributors in the offseason. He’s averaging a career-best 13.8 shot attempts per game, but his efficiency has been down to start the year. However, he’s still managed 0.98 DraftKings points per minute, and he’s scored at least 34.25 DraftKings points in three straight games. He has the potential for even more production on nights when his shot is falling, and his matchup Friday vs. the 76ers is excellent. They’re 25th in defensive efficiency so far this season.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
It’s been a weird start to the season for the Clippers. They already have two blowout losses on their ledger, including one to the Jazz. That was not expected for a team that viewed itself as a fringe contender in the West.
However, they’ve looked good in their two wins, and Kawhi Leonard’s production in those contests has been excellent. He’s racked up 44.25 and 55.0 DraftKings points, and he remains one of the most impactful players in basketball when on the floor.
The big question with Leonard is just how many minutes he will play on a given night. The good news is that he appears healthy for the time being, and the Clippers have had no issues playing him 32-34 minutes in competitive contests. If he can consistently reach that threshold, $7,800 is simply too low a price tag for him. He’s averaged a Plus/Minus of +5.22 when he gets to at least 30 minutes with a similar salary, and he’s projected for 35 minutes on Friday’s slate.
Leonard is expected to be one of the highest-owned players of the day, but that is warranted. He has the third-best projected Plus/Minus regardless of position, and he’s easily the best pure value among high-priced options.
Value
DeAndre Hunter is back in the lineup for the Cavs after missing the first two games of the year. That’s a positive development for Cleveland, who needs him at the moment. They’re currently playing without Darius Garland and Max Strus, and they could be even thinner on Friday. Both Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen are questionable, so they have the potential to be without four of last year’s starters vs. the Raptors.
Hunter is someone who is capable of impacting a game in multiple ways, and he’s averaged 1.03 DraftKings points per minute through his first three outings. He also got to 30.2 minutes in his last game. He could take another step forward on Friday, making him a strong target at just $5,400.
Fast Break
Royce O’Neale is a true pro. He seems capable of doing whatever is needed on a given night for as many minutes as are required. He erupted for 55.75 DraftKings points in an overtime loss to the Jazz two games ago, and he followed that up with 31.25 DraftKings points vs. the Grizzlies in his last contest. O’Neale gets another matchup vs. Utah on Friday, and he’s projected for 34 minutes in our NBA Models.
Most of the ownership at small forward is expected to go toward Leonard in the stud tier, meaning Jaylen Brown could be a bit overlooked. That makes him an interesting pivot for tournaments. He’s scored at least 47.25 DraftKings points in two of his past three games, despite seeing reduced minutes in a blowout win in his last outing. He’s posted a usage rate above 30% in three of his past four contests, so he has some upside vs. the 76ers.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
Pascal Siakam has seen a massive price increase of late, which feels warranted. He was one of the most popular targets on Wednesday’s slate, and he responded with at least 52.75 DraftKings points for the third time in four games. With all of the absences that the Pacers are dealing with, Siakam is going to have to carry the load offensively. His numbers are up virtually across the board, with his usage rate skyrocketing from 24.2% last year to 30.7% this season.
As a result, Siakam leads all of Friday’s power forwards with an average of 1.47 DraftKings points per minute. He leads the position in both median and ceiling projection, so he still has plenty of appeal at his elevated salary. The Hawks have struggled on the defensive end to start the year, ranking just 22nd in defensive efficiency.
Value
Josh Minott is getting the opportunity to play more minutes for the Celtics, and he’s taken full advantage. He’s logged at least 28.1 minutes in back-to-back games, and he’s responded with 32.25 and 41.5 DraftKings points.
Minott is projected for another 28 minutes Friday vs. the 76ers, and he’s averaged a stout 1.12 DraftKings points per minute for the year. If he can continue to produce at that level, $4,500 is simply way too cheap. He leads all players on this slate in projected Plus/Minus, and he should be one of the most popular options of the day.
Fast Break
Deni Avdija has become a full-fledged fantasy superstar for the Blazers. He was phenomenal down the stretch last season, and he’s carried that production in the new year. He’s racked up at least 38.75 DraftKings points in four straight games, and he’s capable of stuffing the stat sheet in every category across the board. He’s averaged 1.22 DraftKings points per minute, giving him plenty of upside in what is expected to be a high-scoring affair vs. the Nuggets.
Karl-Anthony Towns is another potential pay-up option. He’s coming off a dreadful showing in his last outing, finishing with just eight points on 2-12 shooting. That’s a clear outlier. Towns is statistically one of the most efficient shooting big men in NBA history, and he had at least 47.5 DraftKings points in his two previous contests. He should be able to get back on the horse vs. the Bulls, who rank sixth in pace to start the year.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
The only time Nikola Jokic isn’t worth considering is when the Nuggets aren’t playing. That’s how good this guy has become. He recorded his fourth consecutive triple-double in his last outing, and he did it in just 27.6 minutes. He’s averaged 1.86 DraftKings points per minute to start the season, which is on pace with what he did last year.
Jamal Murray is also currently listed as questionable for the Nuggets, and if he’s out of the picture, there would be even more reason to like Jokic vs. the Blazers. Jokic has seen a solid boost in production with Murray off the floor since the start of last season, and even more of the offense would flow through him than usual.
Value
The Raptors are going to be without Jakob Poeltl on this slate, opening up a few additional minutes at center for rookie Collin Murray-Boyles. He’s averaged just under a fantasy point per minute to start his rookie season, and he’s currently projected for 25 minutes in our NBA Models. The matchup vs. the Cavaliers could also be a bit easier than usual if Allen is unable to suit up.
Fast Break
Jusuf Nurkic is making the most out of the least at the moment. He’s playing less than 20 minutes per game for the Jazz, but he’s absolutely dominating when he’s on the floor. He’s averaged 1.38 DraftKings points per minute, and he’s scored at least 21.0 DraftKings points in four straight games. It’s hard to trust a player with such a minimal playing time projection, but Nurkic has always been an elite per-minute producer. He’s simply too cheap at $4,100 on DraftKings, resulting in a 91% Bargain Rating.
Mark Williams may be a ticking time bomb from an injury standpoint, but he’s healthy for the time being. He’s seen at least 27.7 minutes in back-to-back games, and he’s responded with 47.0 and 44.25 DraftKings points. Williams is projected for 28 minutes on Friday’s slate, and he can do plenty of damage with that kind of workload.
Pictured: Nikola Jokic
Photo Credit: Imagn
