We made it. We got through the complexity of the trade deadline. Now all we have to do is remember where everyone is and whether or not they’re available for their first game with their new team. …It’s still a little complex.
I’m here to help. Let’s break down everything you’ll need to know for tonight’s six-game featured NBA slate on DraftKings.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $300K Friday 8’s [$100K to 1st]
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Key Injury News
PROBABLE: Donovan Mitchell
QUESTIONABLE: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Cade Cunningham, LaMelo Ball, Guerschon Yabusele, Malcolm Brogdon, Terance Mann, Caris LeVert, Georges Niang
OUT: Kyle Kuzma, Alex Sarr, RJ Barrett, Khris Middleton, De’Andre Hunter, Jakob Poeltl, Vasilije Micic
Click here for the slate’s full injury report
Matchup Analysis
Best Defensive Rating (Last 10 Games)
- Oklahoma City Thunder vs. TOR (108.0)
- Toronto Raptors at OKC (111.3)
- Cleveland Cavaliers at WAS (111.8)
Worst Defensive Rating (Last 10 Games)
- San Antonio Spurs at CHA (120.7)
- Philadelphia 76ers at DET (120.3)
- Milwaukee Bucks at ATL (118.1)
Fastest Pace (Last 10 Games)
- Atlanta Hawks vs. MIL (104.4)
- San Antonio Spurs at CHA (103.2)
- Detroit Pistons vs. PHI (101.8)
Slowest Pace (Last 10 Games)
- Brooklyn Nets vs. MIA (93.7)
- Charlotte Hornets vs. SAS (97.6)
- Philadelphia 76ers at DET (97.9)
Highest Game Total
- Milwaukee Bucks at Atlanta Hawks (242.5)
- Cleveland Cavaliers at Washington Wizards (239)
- San Antonio Spurs at Charlotte Hornets (229)
Top DFS Pick
C Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers at Detroit Pistons, $10,000
It’s funny how quickly Joel Embiid can remind you that, when healthy, he’s one of the most dominant basketball forces in the world. Embiid returned from a 15-game absence on Tuesday and looked as good as he’s looked all season in the 76ers’ 118-116 victory over the Mavericks. Not only did the big man register a triple-double with 29 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, but he did so in 36.0 minutes — his most in a start in 2024-25. That’s really the only thing that matters when it comes to Embiid’s viability. Will he stay on the court and for how long? Even in a nightmarish season, the former MVP is producing an elite 1.46 FPTS per minute. If he logs anywhere close to 36 minutes again on Friday, he’s going to easily out-earn this relatively modest price tag. Remember, this was an asset that used to consistently have a salary around $12,000.
Top Value Pick
PG Ty Jerome, Cleveland Cavaliers at Washington Wizards, $4,700
The question with the Cavaliers on Friday is simple: How risky do you want to be? It’s a rare situation where a team is expected to have all its starters available — Donovan Mitchell ($8,600; shoulder) is probable after sitting out Wednesday — yet there’s still the opportunity for so much value. That’s because Cleveland is essentially without its entire second unit. Caris LeVert and Georges Niang were both traded to Atlanta yesterday, while Dean Wade (knee), Isaac Okoro (shoulder) and Sam Merrill (personal) are all out. I guess there’s a chance that De’Andre Hunter plays tonight, but I have my doubts. If Hunter is unable to make his Cavaliers debut, that would basically leave Jerome and Craig Porter Jr. ($3,000). This is the Morpheus red pill or blue pill situation. On the one hand, Jerome feels incredibly safe, as he’s been in Cleveland’s rotation throughout 2024-25 and has back-to-back 35-FPTS performances as recently as late January. However, Porter Jr. is priced at the bare minimum and is coming off dropping a season-high 16 points two days ago. Both are viable against a Wizards defense that’s allowing the second-most FPTS per game to opposing point guards, yet I’d lean Jerome if you’re choosing between the duo.
