The NBA wraps up February with a great eight-game slate on DraftKings this Friday night, tipping off at 7:00 p.m. ET. Three of the 16 teams in action are playing for the second night in a row, including the Pelicans and Suns, who face off for the second straight day in Phoenix. Looking at the eight-game NBA DFS slate, there are a few teams that stand out as stacking options.
As we get closer to game time, be sure to check for updates to today’s injury report for the latest info on who’s in and who’s out.
The three teams highlighted below are strong stacking options for NBA DFS fantasy basketball based on their matchup and the players’ expected workload. Get your lineups ready for Friday’s fantasy basketball contests on DraftKings, headlined by the NBA $300K Fadeaway [$100K to 1st].
Oklahoma City Thunder at Atlanta Hawks
The Thunder have scored the second-most points in the NBA over the last 10 games, averaging 125.6 points. They scored at least 128 points in each of their last four games, and they’ll continue their road trip Friday with a stop in Atlanta. The Hawks play at the second-fastest pace in the NBA on the season, as well as over the last 10 games, so the Thunder should have a great opportunity to keep their offense running on all cylinders and producing at a high level.
Core Plays: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($10,700) has the potential to go off with a monster game, as he showed with 64.5 and 70 fantasy points in back-to-back games against Minnesota. He has 44+ fantasy points in seven of his last eight. Jalen Williams ($8,100) has been solid with 42+ fantasy points in three of his last four, and it was Chet Holmgren ($7,200) who went off on Wednesday in their last win, finishing with 22 points, 17 rebounds and 61.75 fantasy points for his best showing since his very first game of the season.
Value Options: With Alex Caruso (rest) out, there should be more work on the wings for Isaiah Joe ($4,200) and Aaron Wiggins ($5,000). Wiggins had 24 points and 35.25 fantasy points on Wednesday, and has over 27 fantasy points in seven of his last 10. Luguentz Dort ($4,800) and Cason Wallace ($4,000) always play plenty of minutes and bring upside as well from their affordable salaries.
Memphis Grizzlies vs. New York Knicks
The Grizzlies play at the fastest pace in the NBA, so this might initially look like a pace-down place to avoid against the Knicks. However, the Knicks’ defense has not been very good lately. They have allowed the fourth-most points per game in their last 10 games, and have allowed at least 111 points in 10 of their last 11 contests. The Grizzlies’ top options could all get more usage depending on the status of Desmond Bane ($7,400; groin, questionable) as well.
Core Plays: If Bane is out, Ja Morant ($8,300) and Jaren Jackson Jr. ($7,700) would carry more of the offense. Morant has 37+ fantasy points in six of his last eight games, including 29 points, eight assists and 48 fantasy points in 37 minutes on Tuesday against the Suns. Jackson had 28 points and 43.5 fantasy points in that win, while Santi Aldama ($5,300) also stayed hot with 40 fantasy points. He has at least 28 fantasy points in five straight.
Value Options: If Bane is out, Luke Kennard ($4,000) could move into the lineup and benefit from extra shot opportunities. Jaylen Wells ($4,300) had 19 points and 30.75 fantasy points while playing 40 minutes against the Suns. Brandon Clarke ($3,900) usually gets solid playing time off the bench, and Vince Williams Jr. ($3,900) is starting to work his way back to full strength and getting good minutes in the second unit.
New Orleans Pelicans at Phoenix Suns
The Pelicans have won three straight and four of their last five games and will get a second straight matchup against the Suns. Phoenix has allowed the most points per game in the NBA over their last 10 games, giving up 126.6 points per contest. The Pelicans scored 124 points on Thursday, led by a huge night from Zion Williamson ($8,900). Zion has been sitting on the second night of back-to-backs. If he sits tonight, that would open up tons of usage for the rest of the rotation.
Core Plays: Williamson had 63.5 fantasy points and his first career triple-double on Thursday, so if he plays, he’s a good option to build around. If he’s out, Trey Murphy III ($7,900) and CJ McCollum ($7,100) would get more work in a very fantasy-friendly matchup. Both players have very high ceilings if asked to carry the load and have shown the ability to score points in bunches.
Value Options: Jose Alvarado ($5,900) has been solid in the backcourt while helping to fill in for Dejounte Murray (Achilles). In the frontcourt, Karlo Matkovic ($4,500) has played his way into a bigger role and produced 34 fantasy points on Thursday. He could be crowded, though, if Kelly Olynyk ($5,000) is back after resting on Thursday and Zion plays. Bruce Brown ($4,100) could also return after sitting Thursday, while Jordan Hawkins ($4,000) has boom-or-bust potential as well.
