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

Published: Jan 24, 2025
Happy Friday, January 24th! We have a three-game NBA DFS main slate on DraftKings and on FanDuel.
The stars are out as Ja Morant, LaMelo Ball, Tyrese Maxey, and Dejounte Murray are taking the floor. There are some big-time injury statuses that we need to watch out for as LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges, and Deandre Ayton are questionable.
Before actually diving into the meat and potatoes, welcome to the NBA DFS season. If this is your first time reading our column on NBA DFS picks, I just want to welcome you and give you a few tips and tricks on what you should be looking for each night.
- News outlets: reliable sources that give us injury news & starting lineups
- Pace of play: who's playing fast vs. who's playing slow. Which teams get a pace-up spot (more possessions) vs. pace-down (fewer possessions)
- Usage rates: is a percentage of how many plays that player is being used in
- NBA DFS Projections
- Lineup Generator
- NBA Ownership
NBA DFS Picks & Daily Fantasy Playbook Today, January 24th
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Pre-Lock Update
This section will be used for anything that changes from the morning until right up to roster lock.
Injury updates, players we’re higher on than we were in the morning and so much more.
6:25 pm ET
- LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges & Seth Curry are OUT. Cody Martin is IN.
- Vasilije Micic, Mark Williams, Nick Smith Jr., Cody Martin are priorities.
- Ja Morant & Santi Aldama are OUT.
- Luke Kennard started in his place last game Ja Morant missed. Desmond Bane led in all passing metrics, had 14 assists.
- Jaren Jackson, Desmond Bane, Luke Kennard are my favorite options. Jaylen Wells is a secondary play.
NBA Injuries, News & Updates Today, 1/24
- LaMelo Ball - OUT
- Zion Williamson - OUT
- Evan Mobley - OUT
- Dejounte Murray - IN
- Miles Bridges - OUT
- Deandre Ayton - OUT
- Yves Missi - IN
- Andre Drummond - OUT
- Caleb Martin - OUT
- Santi Aldama - OUT
- Caris LeVert - OUT
- Donovan Clingan - IN
- Cody Martin - IN
- Marcus Smart - OUT
- Jake LaRavia - OUT
- Ja Morant - OUT
- Robert Williams - OUT
- Anfernee Simons - IN
NBA DFS Slate & Game Overviews
With the NBA season just kicking off we don't have data yet for teams regarding pace of play and defensive matchups. In the section below, I’m listing the most notable things we need to look at in Las Vegas, including notable O/U and spreads.
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Charlotte Hornets
- Total: 220.5
- Spread: CHA -5
- Trail Blazers are 18th in pace, Hornets are 21st in pace
- Trail Blazers are 25th in DRtg, Hornets are 19th in DRtg
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Philadelphia 76ers
- Total: 228.5
- Spread: CLE -10.5
- Cavaliers are 6th in pace, 76ers are 28th in pace
- Cavaliers are 9th in DRtg, 76ers are 22nd in DRtg
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Memphis Grizzlies
- Total: 245
- Spread: MEM -11.5
- Pelicans are 14th in pace, Grizzlies are 1st in pace
- Pelicans are 28th in DRtg, Grizzlies are 6th in DRtg
NBA DFS Core Player Pool & Lineup Picks
Here are the core players I’m looking at for my NBA DFS picks tonight. You can see the full analysis of tonight’s NBA DFS projections and player pool below or skip ahead to building the best lineups possible by locking these into the aforementioned lineup generator now.
High
Mid
- Dejounte Murray, Trey Murphy, Paul George, Mark Williams, Jarrett Allen, Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson
Value
- Donovan Clingan, Jerami Grant, Guerschon Yabusele, Nick Smith Jr., Jaylen Wells, Luke Kennard, Vasilije Micic, Cody Martin
Don't Miss The NBA DFS Playbook Live Show At 5:00 PM ET
Pos (Click to sort ascending) | Player (Click to sort ascending) | Matchup (Click to sort ascending) | DK (Click to sort ascending) | DK Pts (Click to sort ascending) | FD (Click to sort ascending) | FD Pts (Click to sort ascending) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PG | LaMelo Ball | POR @ CHA Fri 7:00 | 10500 | 0 | 10500 | 0 |
Without Brandon Miller, Tre Mann, Nick Richards, and Grant Williams this year, LaMelo Ball has a 28.4% USG and averages 1.5 FP/min. He's questionable, but has an amazing spot against Portland who ranks 25th in DRtg. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
PG | Tyrese Maxey | CLE @ PHI Fri 7:00 | 10000 | 48.5 | 9600 | 48.2 |
There are just TWO players on this slate that's priced $7,000 or higher on DraftKings that has single-digit ownership and Tyrese Maxey is one of them. Maxey sees a +6.8% USG up to 37.9% while posting 1.35 FP/min with who's out. Maxey's an elite GPP play on this slate if Philly can stay in this game. Game Type: GPP | ||||||
PG | Ja Morant | NOP @ MEM Fri 8:00 | 9000 | 0 | 8700 | 0 |
We've gotten an injury designation on Morant, so keep an eye on it..it's an illness. Morant has been getting better and better on the floor. He's had 45+ DKP in three of four games. Morant has a 29.8% USG and averages 1.4 FP/min this year. Memphis has the highest implied total on the board. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
PG | Dejounte Murray | NOP @ MEM Fri 8:00 | 8400 | 43.1 | 8600 | 43.1 |
The Pelicans are without Zion Williamson here and amongst him and everyone else they're missing or no longer have, Murray has a 29% USG and averages 1.25 FP/min. This is a MASSIVE pace up spot for New Orleans. Murray's usages in the past few games without Zion Williamson are 29.8%, 34%, 31.7%, and 31.3%. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
PG | Darius Garland | CLE @ PHI Fri 7:00 | 7500 | 40.3 | 7700 | 38.6 |
The Cavs already ruled Evan Mobley and Isaac Okoro and without those two this year, Garland has a 29.3% USG and averages a team-leading 1.32 FP/min. Yes, slightly ahead of Donovan Mitchell. Garland is second on the team when Caris LeVert sits, so keep an eye out for that status. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
SG | Donovan Mitchell | CLE @ PHI Fri 7:00 | 8300 | 43.6 | 8800 | 42.2 |
If Caris LeVert sits, Donovan Mitchell is the guy who gets a monster boost (+4.6% USG) up to 35.6% and averages 1.3 FP/min. If LeVert plays, Mitchell's USG still leads the team at 32.4% and 1.3 FP/min. Mitchell's one of the highest rostered players of the day. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
SG | Desmond Bane | NOP @ MEM Fri 8:00 | 7900 | 46.9 | 7700 | 45.4 |
Bane is in play even if Ja Morant plays, but man, he's as good as it gets if Morant sits. Without Morant against the Spurs, Bane had 22 points, 13 assists and 6 rebounds. He was the primary ball-handler in that game as they didn't start Scotty Pippen Jr. Without LaRavia, Smart and Williams out, Bane has a 23% USG and averages 1.24 FP/min. If Morant also sits, the USG is up to 25% and gets a 5% AST bump. Game Type: GPP | ||||||
SG | CJ McCollum | NOP @ MEM Fri 8:00 | 7600 | 38.3 | 8000 | 37.8 |
Without Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, Elf Payton, and Herbert Jones out, CJ McCollum has a 29.2% USG and averages 1.1 FP/min. McCollum has a VERY high ceiling when he's scoring, but the peripheral stats have kind of lagged behind lately. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
SF | Trey Murphy | NOP @ MEM Fri 8:00 | 8200 | 42.2 | 8100 | 41.4 |
With Zion, Ingram and others out, Murphy has a 26.6% USG and 1.2 FP/min. Murphy's posted 43+ DKP in five of six games. He has great position eligibility, has scored 20+ points in those same five. This is a great pace up spot, too. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
SG | Caris LeVert | 4000 | 0 | 5200 | 0 | |
I love the DK price specifically. LeVert's still questionable, but the last time he played he started and Evan Mobley and Isaac Okoro are both out. Without Mobley and Okoro, LeVert averages 1.03 FP/min this year. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
SF | Paul George | CLE @ PHI Fri 7:00 | 8000 | 43.2 | 8400 | 42.6 |
Paul George has been really good on a FP/min basis when games have been competitive. This is a nice spot for Philly in terms of pace and without Joel Embiid and others, George has a 27.7% USG and averages 1.24 FP/min. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
SF | Nick Smith | POR @ CHA Fri 7:00 | 26.3 | 4300 | 25.9 | |
Nick Smith Jr. has started in three straight games and has played 30+ in two straight. Smith's a solid usage player and the Hornets could potentially be without LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges here. He's not afraid of shooting and I love that in value options. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
SF | Dean Wade | CLE @ PHI Fri 7:00 | 3900 | 22.9 | 4300 | 23.4 |
Everyone has clicked Max Strus' name lately but Wade's just simply been better nightly. Wade actually has some ownership behind him because he's a starter and a .9 FP/min player without Mobley and Okoro this year. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
PF | Jaren Jackson | NOP @ MEM Fri 8:00 | 8100 | 42.8 | 8600 | 44 |
This price is elite. When you get the best Jaren Jackson Jr., he has 50..60 FP upside. That's with Ja Morant, too. If Morant sits, JJJ is one of the top overall plays of the slate. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
PF | Jerami Grant | POR @ CHA Fri 7:00 | 5400 | 24.4 | 5400 | 24.5 |
The minutes are all the way back for Jerami Grant. He's played 30+ minutes in three straight and 34+ in two straight. He's looked good the last two games from a fantasy standpoint and without Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams III this year, Grant has +2.4% USG up to 22.7% and .92 FP/min. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
PF | Guerschon Yabusele | CLE @ PHI Fri 7:00 | 5000 | 26.4 | 5800 | 25.8 |
Yabusele's production is very roller-coaster-esque but he's been good recently putting up 23+ DKP in three straight and six of seven. Without Embiid and Drummond, there's nearly 40 minute upside. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
C | Mark Williams | POR @ CHA Fri 7:00 | 7800 | 48.3 | 8500 | 47.2 |
This guy is a nutjob. A fantasy nutjob. 40+ DKP or more in five straight. Williams, on the year, is at 1.46 FP/min and a 22.7% USG. Mark Williams has been incredible lately and Donovan Clingan is the only center really available for Portland tonight. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
C | Jarrett Allen | CLE @ PHI Fri 7:00 | 6900 | 37.6 | 7800 | 36.9 |
All we need is Jarrett Allen to play 30+ minutes and he should smash against a smaller Philly front-court. Allen, without Mobley and Okoro this year, sees a +2.6% USG bump and is averaging 1.26 FP/min. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
C | Donovan Clingan | POR @ CHA Fri 7:00 | 4000 | 36.1 | 3800 | 37.7 |
Can Donovan Clingan capture the Robert Williams III magic that Williams gave us last night? Ownership seems to think so. Clingan is coming off an ankle sprain that has kept him sidelined since 1/14. He's a solid value with a high ceiling. Game Type: CASH & GPP |
LaMelo Ball, PG | 10500 , 0 | 0 | 10500 , 0 | 0 | ||
Without Brandon Miller, Tre Mann, Nick Richards, and Grant Williams this year, LaMelo Ball has a 28.4% USG and averages 1.5 FP/min. He's questionable, but has an amazing spot against Portland who ranks 25th in DRtg. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
Tyrese Maxey, PG | 10000 , 48.5 | 48.5 | 9600 , 48.2 | 48.2 | ||
There are just TWO players on this slate that's priced $7,000 or higher on DraftKings that has single-digit ownership and Tyrese Maxey is one of them. Maxey sees a +6.8% USG up to 37.9% while posting 1.35 FP/min with who's out. Maxey's an elite GPP play on this slate if Philly can stay in this game. Game Type: GPP | ||||||
Ja Morant, PG | 9000 , 0 | 0 | 8700 , 0 | 0 | ||
We've gotten an injury designation on Morant, so keep an eye on it..it's an illness. Morant has been getting better and better on the floor. He's had 45+ DKP in three of four games. Morant has a 29.8% USG and averages 1.4 FP/min this year. Memphis has the highest implied total on the board. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
Dejounte Murray, PG | 8400 , 43.1 | 43.1 | 8600 , 43.1 | 43.1 | ||
The Pelicans are without Zion Williamson here and amongst him and everyone else they're missing or no longer have, Murray has a 29% USG and averages 1.25 FP/min. This is a MASSIVE pace up spot for New Orleans. Murray's usages in the past few games without Zion Williamson are 29.8%, 34%, 31.7%, and 31.3%. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
Darius Garland, PG | 7500 , 40.3 | 40.3 | 7700 , 38.6 | 38.6 | ||
The Cavs already ruled Evan Mobley and Isaac Okoro and without those two this year, Garland has a 29.3% USG and averages a team-leading 1.32 FP/min. Yes, slightly ahead of Donovan Mitchell. Garland is second on the team when Caris LeVert sits, so keep an eye out for that status. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
Donovan Mitchell, SG | 8300 , 43.6 | 43.6 | 8800 , 42.2 | 42.2 | ||
If Caris LeVert sits, Donovan Mitchell is the guy who gets a monster boost (+4.6% USG) up to 35.6% and averages 1.3 FP/min. If LeVert plays, Mitchell's USG still leads the team at 32.4% and 1.3 FP/min. Mitchell's one of the highest rostered players of the day. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
Desmond Bane, SG | 7900 , 46.9 | 46.9 | 7700 , 45.4 | 45.4 | ||
Bane is in play even if Ja Morant plays, but man, he's as good as it gets if Morant sits. Without Morant against the Spurs, Bane had 22 points, 13 assists and 6 rebounds. He was the primary ball-handler in that game as they didn't start Scotty Pippen Jr. Without LaRavia, Smart and Williams out, Bane has a 23% USG and averages 1.24 FP/min. If Morant also sits, the USG is up to 25% and gets a 5% AST bump. Game Type: GPP | ||||||
CJ McCollum, SG | 7600 , 38.3 | 38.3 | 8000 , 37.8 | 37.8 | ||
Without Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, Elf Payton, and Herbert Jones out, CJ McCollum has a 29.2% USG and averages 1.1 FP/min. McCollum has a VERY high ceiling when he's scoring, but the peripheral stats have kind of lagged behind lately. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
Trey Murphy, SF | 8200 , 42.2 | 42.2 | 8100 , 41.4 | 41.4 | ||
With Zion, Ingram and others out, Murphy has a 26.6% USG and 1.2 FP/min. Murphy's posted 43+ DKP in five of six games. He has great position eligibility, has scored 20+ points in those same five. This is a great pace up spot, too. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
Caris LeVert, SG | 4000 , 0 | 0 | 5200 , 0 | 0 | ||
I love the DK price specifically. LeVert's still questionable, but the last time he played he started and Evan Mobley and Isaac Okoro are both out. Without Mobley and Okoro, LeVert averages 1.03 FP/min this year. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
Paul George, SF | 8000 , 43.2 | 43.2 | 8400 , 42.6 | 42.6 | ||
Paul George has been really good on a FP/min basis when games have been competitive. This is a nice spot for Philly in terms of pace and without Joel Embiid and others, George has a 27.7% USG and averages 1.24 FP/min. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
Nick Smith, SF | 26.3 | 4300 , 25.9 | 25.9 | |||
Nick Smith Jr. has started in three straight games and has played 30+ in two straight. Smith's a solid usage player and the Hornets could potentially be without LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges here. He's not afraid of shooting and I love that in value options. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
Dean Wade, SF | 3900 , 22.9 | 22.9 | 4300 , 23.4 | 23.4 | ||
Everyone has clicked Max Strus' name lately but Wade's just simply been better nightly. Wade actually has some ownership behind him because he's a starter and a .9 FP/min player without Mobley and Okoro this year. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
Jaren Jackson, PF | 8100 , 42.8 | 42.8 | 8600 , 44 | 44 | ||
This price is elite. When you get the best Jaren Jackson Jr., he has 50..60 FP upside. That's with Ja Morant, too. If Morant sits, JJJ is one of the top overall plays of the slate. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
Jerami Grant, PF | 5400 , 24.4 | 24.4 | 5400 , 24.5 | 24.5 | ||
The minutes are all the way back for Jerami Grant. He's played 30+ minutes in three straight and 34+ in two straight. He's looked good the last two games from a fantasy standpoint and without Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams III this year, Grant has +2.4% USG up to 22.7% and .92 FP/min. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
5000 , 26.4 | 26.4 | 5800 , 25.8 | 25.8 | |||
Yabusele's production is very roller-coaster-esque but he's been good recently putting up 23+ DKP in three straight and six of seven. Without Embiid and Drummond, there's nearly 40 minute upside. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
7800 , 48.3 | 48.3 | 8500 , 47.2 | 47.2 | |||
This guy is a nutjob. A fantasy nutjob. 40+ DKP or more in five straight. Williams, on the year, is at 1.46 FP/min and a 22.7% USG. Mark Williams has been incredible lately and Donovan Clingan is the only center really available for Portland tonight. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
6900 , 37.6 | 37.6 | 7800 , 36.9 | 36.9 | |||
All we need is Jarrett Allen to play 30+ minutes and he should smash against a smaller Philly front-court. Allen, without Mobley and Okoro this year, sees a +2.6% USG bump and is averaging 1.26 FP/min. Game Type: CASH & GPP | ||||||
4000 , 36.1 | 36.1 | 3800 , 37.7 | 37.7 | |||
Can Donovan Clingan capture the Robert Williams III magic that Williams gave us last night? Ownership seems to think so. Clingan is coming off an ankle sprain that has kept him sidelined since 1/14. He's a solid value with a high ceiling. Game Type: CASH & GPP |