NBA DFS Picks, Projections, Lineups, Injuries & More Today: Friday Playbook

SGA is coming off a down game in Brooklyn after crushing against Minnesota in back-to-back games. He gets an up-tempo spot against a Hawks team that plays at the 2nd-fastest pace in the league. 

Cade is having a fantastic season for the Pistons, averaging career-highs across the stat sheet and flashing a fantasy ceiling at an excellent rate. He gets a great matchup at home against Denver, who plays at the 5th-fastest pace and is just average defensively. 

Brunson gets a matchup against the fastest-paced team in the league, so I have interest even if the three players listed questionable (KAT, Hart, Robinson) all play. If KAT were to miss this game, Brunson becomes a high priority. 

Herro has posted two 40-point games this month and has flashed elite ceiling at a high rate this season. He is in a good spot against an Indiana team that plays at the 6th-fastest pace in the league. 

Ja is one of my favorite GPP targets on the slate, even if Desmond Bane (questionable) plays. The minutes have been steadily increasing since his return from injury last month, and he played over 37 minutes last game. Five of those minutes did come in the OT period, but I still like the trend here. Morant shot just 1-of-12 from long range and still put up 48 fantasy points. 

Giddey has been fully unleashed since Zach LaVine was shipped out of town, and he now has four straight games with at least 52 fantasy points. The price has not fully adjusted for this version of Giddey, and he gets a great matchup against Toronto. 

The minutes for Ball have been consistent enough recently where we can comfortably project him for upper-20s minutes. He has played at least 27 minutes in five straight games that he did not leave with an injury. 

Booker went off for 36-7-9 against this bad Pelicans defense last night and will run it back again tonight, this time without Zion Williamson CJ McCollum. Booker has been playing huge minutes of late, including 41 minutes last night. 

Alvarado only played 20 minutes last night for the shorthanded Pels, but now Zion Williamson and CJ McCollum are also out. Alvarado should have a clear path to 30-ish minutes. 

The top two teams in the East square off again tonight, but Boston will be less than full strength. Jrue Holiday has already been ruled out, and Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis are listed questionable. Mitchell went off for 57.5 fantasy points against Boston earlier this month. 

The tempo of this game should be incredible, as both teams rank top-7 in pace this season. Daniels has been filling up the stat sheet in the absence of Jalen Johnson and the recently traded De'Andre Hunter. 

Bane is questionable to play tonight, but he is in a great spot if he can play. The Knicks rank bottom-10 in both DRtg and made threes allowed per game. 

LeVert has stepped into De'Andre Hunter's old role as the first man off the bench and likely to close games on the floor. The results have varied, but he has played at least 28 minutes in five of six games. 

Beasley has posted ceiling performances in two of his last three games, and he gets a great matchup tonight. Denver ranks 5th in pace and has allowed the 7th-most threes made in the league. 

Hawkins was solid for the shorthanded Pelicans last night and should have an even larger role tonight with Zion Williamson and CJ McCollum out. 

Murphy has posted a 31.3% usage rate with Zion Williamson, CJ McCollum, Dejounte Murray, and Brandon Ingram off the floor this season. He also gets a great matchup against a struggling Suns defense. 

Avdija has had trouble fighting off the injury bug, but he has played big minutes when he is healthy enough to do so. He is listed questionable on the injury report, so he is best reserved for tournaments tonight. 

Wiggins was settling nicely into his role with the Heat before he went down with an ankle injury. He gets a great spot against Indiana, so I have a lot of interest in tournaments if he is able to play (questionable). 

Only available on FD. Anthony Edwards has been suspended after being assessed his 16th technical foul last night. Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle remain out with injuries, so McDaniels has a huge ceiling in an elite matchup with Utah. 

Thompson has been filling up the stat sheet for the streaking Pistons. We are still likely looking at only mid-20s minutes, and his upside comes on the defensive side of the ball, but Thompson has multiple paths to put a GPP-worthy score. 

Only available on FD. Anthony Edwards has been suspended after being assessed his 16th technical foul last night. Donte DiVincezo is questionable, and Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle remain out with injuries. NAW should have a huge role for the Wolves tonight. 

The back-to-back is a little concerning for the 36-year old, but he continues to play huge minutes every night. Beal is out again and the Pelicans will be even more shorthanded than they were yesterday with Zion and McCollum out tonight. 

JJJ can always be considered an upside tournament play, and that holds true tonight. If Desmond Bane (questionable) is unable to play, JJJ becomes a priority option. 

The Thunder have the highest implied team total on the slate against the up-tempo Hawks. J-Dub is an intriguing pivot off his much chalkier teammate Chet Holmgren. 

Only available on FD. Anthony Edwards has been suspended after being assessed his 16th technical foul last night. Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle remain out with injuries, so Naz Reid has a huge ceiling in an elite matchup with Utah. 

The Thunder have the highest implied team total on the slate against the up-tempo Hawks. Chet is simply underpriced now that we saw 32 minutes from him last game. He did pop up on the injury report as questionable, so that adds a little bit of risk, but Chet is one of the top options on the slate if he can play. 

Aldama has seen an uptick in playing time over his last three games, with an average of 30.6 minutes per contest. He is a little too cheap for that role, and he gets a good matchup against a struggling Knicks defense. 

Right back to the well on Bol Bol, as he should continue to start with Bradley Beal out again. He is an excellent fantasy point per minute producer when given the opportunity. 

Olynyk is expected to be back tonight after sitting out the front half of this back-to-back. He should slide back into the starting lineup and have a big role with Zion Williamson and CJ McCollum out tonight. 

The best fantasy point producer in the league is again tracking to be under-owned. Sure, you may have to make some concessions in the rest of your lineup to fit him in, but he has been worth it far too often. We have the value to make it work far more often than the field is projected too.  

Towns sitting last game and carrying a Q tag all day could make him and elite tournament option if he is able to play. He is in an excellent game environment and has as high of a ceiling on the slate as anyone not named Jokic, 

Duren has been playing incredible basketball lately, and he is putting up tournament-worthy scores more often than not. He gets a tough assignment with the three-time MVP on the other side, but he has massive upside at this price if he can avoid foul trouble. 

Okongwu has been incredibly consistent since taking over the starting Center role for Atlanta. His matchup gets a little easier if Chet Holmgren (questionable) is unable to play. He is an excellent tournament pivot in the same price range as the chalky Zach Collins. 

Collins played 38 minutes and smashed with 21 points and 17 rebounds last game without Nikola Vucevic. Vuc is listed doubtful to play this game, so Collins has to be on our radar as a top value option tonight. Jalen Smith was out last game and he is expected back tonight, so I don't think 38 minutes is in the cards again for Collins. That said, Collins is still underpriced if he has a starting role. 

Missi has a higher ceiling with Zion Williamson out tonight. The rookie posted a double-double last night alongside Zion's triple-double in this same matchup. 

Jalen Smith is expected to return from concussion protocol tonight, and Nikola Vucevic is doubtful to play. Zach Collins has been prone to foul trouble and/or underperformance in the past, so Smith could find himself in a huge role tonight if Collins has struggles.