There’s technically 10 games on the NBA schedule for this evening, but there’s only seven on DraftKings’ featured slate. That means those are the seven we’ll be breaking down in this article.
Less work for me. Less reading for you. It’s a win-win.
Let’s dive in.
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Key Injury News
PROBABLE: Amen Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, Lonnie Walker IV
QUESTIONABLE: Jamal Murray, Desmond Bane, Jordan Clarkson, Cole Anthony, Cason Wallace, Grayson Allen
DOUBTFUL: Jerami Grant
OUT: Nikola Jokic, LaMelo Ball, Mark Williams, Jaylen Brown, Zion Williamson, Lauri Markkanen, Bradley Beal, Luguentz Dort
Click here for the slate’s full and updated injury report
Matchup Analysis
Best Defensive Rating (Last 10 Games)
- Detroit Pistons at DAL (105.2)
- Oklahoma City Thunder vs. CHA (110.6)
- Minnesota Timberwolves vs. NOP (110.8)
Worst Defensive Rating (Last 10 Games)
- San Antonio Spurs vs. PHI (127.9)
- Dallas Mavericks vs. DET (126.8)
- Philadelphia 76ers at SAS (124.3)
Fastest Pace (Last 10 Games)
- Utah Jazz vs. BOS (105.3)
- Detroit Pistons at DAL (103.4)
- Washington Wizards vs. ORL (102.0)
Slowest Pace (Last 10 Games)
- Boston Celtics at UTA (93.7)
- Orlando Magic at WAS (96.4)
- Miami Heat vs. HOU (96.9)
Highest Game Total
- Philadelphia 76ers at San Antonio Spurs (234.5)
- Detroit Pistons at Dallas Mavericks (232.5)
- New Orleans Pelicans at Minnesota Timberwolves (223)
Top DFS Pick
PF Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic at Washington Wizards, $9,900
I see a lot of similarities in Banchero and Jayson Tatum ($11,000) on this slate. Both are on the road as massive favorites in what should be an uptempo environment against a lackluster defensive opponent. Sounds like a perfect spot to exploit, right? Well… Not only is Tatum way more expensive than Banchero, but it feels like there’s slightly more blowout potential playing in Utah. If you’re choosing between the two at the forward spot, I think Banchero is the clear pick to build around. It’s not like the former first-round pick doesn’t stand on his own merit, either. In his last four starts, Banchero is producing 33.0 points and 9.5 rebounds with a 34.5% usage rate. As you might expect, that level of play has translated well to DFS, with Banchero averaging 57.9 FPTS per contest in this span and twice managing to exceed the 60-FPTS plateau. The man is dripping with upside. He’ll surely exploit a Washington team that’s surrendered the most FPTS per game to opposing power forwards in 2024-25.
Top Value Pick
SG/SF Lonnie Walker IV, Philadelphia 76ers at San Antonio Spurs, $4,400
Tracking this Walker season has been a rollercoaster. It started with the veteran overseas, but the wing would eventually sign a guaranteed NBA deal with the 76ers in February. Thanks to Philadelphia’s onslaught of injuries, Walker even worked his way into the team’s starting five back on March 10. One game later, Walker would suffer a concussion and miss the next four contests. All caught up? Good. Walker is listed as probable for this evening’s tilt against the Spurs and he’ll likely return in a relatively sizeable role. In his three appearances prior to the ailment, Walker averaged 17.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists with a 24.4% usage rate that ranked third on the team within that span. That was also mostly playing alongside Kelly Oubre Jr. (knee), who is now sidelined due to his own injury. So long as there isn’t any sort of conditioning issue, Walker should carry a large load on Friday in a matchup with a San Antonio squad that sports the NBA’s worst defensive rating in the month (127.5). Sounds good to me.
