The first Friday of the NBA regular season has arrived and carries with it a full 10-game slate of games. This brings great opportunity and value when building out your best DFS lineups.
While injuries have already taken a toll on some teams, we are in the very early stages of the season with plenty still to be seen. It also is worth monitoring the injury outlook of teams on the DK Live App.
DraftKings Sportsbook lists two games with spreads of 11+ points and only the Lakers and Suns matchup as less than a 3.5-point spread. Expect some competitive basketball to be played across the board as the hierarchy of teams continues to be decided this season.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $400K Friday 8’s [$100K to 1st]
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Guard
Stud
Damian Lillard, Milwaukee Bucks vs. Chicago Bulls ($9,400)– We are so quickly to crown who is “next up” in the NBA that we sometimes forget about the old stars who remain relevant. This seems to be the case with Damian Lillard who had a nightmare season last year clouded with personal issues, a coaching change, and some struggles shooting the basketball. Now in his second season in Milwaukee, Lillard looks ready to return to his star level of play. He burst onto the scene in the season-opener against the Philadelphia 76ers tallying 30 points, nine rebounds, and six assists. He tallied 51.75 Fantasy Points based on DraftKings scoring on Wednesday which ranked eighth among all players that night. The two-man game between Giannis and Lillard should take a step forward in their second season together and the Bulls are not equipped to stop either of the Bucks stars. Expect another strong Lillard performance where he lights it up from beyond the arc and makes it clear he is in attack mode right away.
Other Options – Ja Morant ($9,500), LaMelo Ball ($9,300), Tyrese Maxey ($9,100), Tyrese Haliburton ($9,000)
Value
D’Angelo Russell, Los Angeles Lakers vs Phoenix Suns ($5,900) – While Russell’s statistical output of nine points, five assists, and one rebound in the opener was modest, expect better performances ahead. The Lakers offense looked notably different in the opening game with JJ Redick at the helm. There was much more off-ball motion and Russell was more involved as a cutter than we are accustomed to seeing. While the numbers were not there, Russell shot just 4-12 from the field and 1-7 on three-point attempts on opening night. For a guy who is a career 36.9% three-point shooter and has shot over 41% from beyond the arc the past three seasons, don’t expect him to repeat this effort. Russell had several good looks that he was unable to capitalize on during opening night. Expect this to change and for him to have a successful fantasy output in Game 2 against the Suns.
Other Options – Jordan Clarkson ($5,400), Buddy Hield ($5,200), Tre Mann ($4,300)
Forward
Stud
Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic vs Brooklyn Nets ($8,700) – After winning Rookie of the Year during the 2022-23 season and then making his first All-Star appearance last year, the bar is high for Paolo Banchero to take that next step. However, he is off to as strong of a start as you could hope as he tallied 33 points, 11 rebounds, and three assists in just 31 minutes of action in his 2024-25 debut against the Miami Heat. This 58.80 fantasy output on DraftKings scoring ranked 4th among all scorers on Wednesday. Banchero and the Magic will now face off with a poor Brooklyn Nets team providing him with another opportunity to add an impressive statistical output. Expect the former Duke product to climb into the elite category across the NBA with his play this season and for his stretch of impressive play to continue tonight.
Other Options – Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,100), Kevin Durant ($8,400), Zion Williamson ($8,100), Brandon Ingram ($7,900)
Value
Aaron Nesmith, Indiana Pacers vs New York Knicks ($4,800) – The Pacers are set for a playoff rematch with the New York Knicks which will be the most highly-anticipated matchup of the night. Aaron Nesmith made a bit of a name for himself in last year’s series logging 30.7 minutes per game against New York and averaging 10.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists. While he played just 17 minutes on opening night, expect this to be a matchup where the Pacers lean on Nesmith more. The Vanderbilt product entered the NBA with a reputation as a lights-out shooter and has turned himself into one of the better perimeter guards across the league. Expect this to be a matchup in which the Pacers need this type of impact and for Nesmith to find ways to impact the game and have a successful fantasy football output.
Other Options – Caleb Martin ($4,900), Dillon Brooks ($4,600), Taurean Prince ($4,000)
Center
Stud
Alperen Şengün, Houston Rockets vs Memphis Grizzlies ($8,800) – In under 34 minutes of play, Alperen Şengün lit up the box score in his season debut recording 25 points, 18 rebounds, five assists, and four steals. His 66.0 fantasy points on DraftKings trailed only LaMelo Ball for the best fantasy output on Wednesday. The doubts about how Şengün would fit into the Rockets’ offense moving forward were quieted following the massive contract extension and impressive debut. Expect this type of effort to continue as the Rockets face off with the Memphis Grizzlies and take advantage before his price point increases.
Other Options – Anthony Davis ($10,100), Karl-Anthony Towns ($8,000), Evan Mobley ($7,800)
Value
Onyeka Okongwu, Atlanta Hawks vs Charlotte Hornets ($5,400) – While Clint Capela has held down the fort as the starting center for the Atlanta Hawks for the past five seasons, the scale is beginning to tip. Onyeka Okongwu has seen his role grow each season with him recording 25.5 minutes per game last season. This has taken another step forward to start this season with Okongwu logging 28 minutes in the season-opener in which he tallied 28 points and eight rebounds. His 44.5 fantasy points based on DraftKings scoring ranked 18th among all scorers on Wednesday. While he should not be expected to replicate this level of production every night, he should be looked at as the more desirable big man on Atlanta’s roster moving forward. Expect him to continue out-producing at this price point and for Okongwu to maintain a high level of play as they take on the Hornets.
Other Options – Nick Richards ($4,800), Isaiah Stewart ($4,100), Brandon Clarke ($3,900)
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $400K Friday 8’s [$100K to 1st]
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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is seanbarnard) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
