On Friday night, DraftKings features the first seven games on the schedule on the features NBA DFS slate, which tips off at 7:00 p.m. ET, when the Wizards host the Magic. Four games tip at 8:00 p.m. ET with the Jazz-Celtics matchup from Salt Lake City serving as the late-night hammer on the main slate, before the late slat tips at 10:00 p.m. ET. Of the 14 teams in the player pool on the main slate, these three teams stand out as top options to stack in your NBA DFS lineup.
At this point in the season, the daily injury report is critical for every slate since many players are dealing with injuries and teams are changing their rotations to get players more rest. Be sure to check the latest injury report before tip-off and adjust your lineup accordingly.
The NBA DFS main slate includes a variety of contests and pay-out structures on DraftKings, headlined by the NBA $150K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st].
Detroit Pistons at Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks have given up the most points per game in the NBA over the last 10 games, surrendering 129.1 points per contest. The Pistons have played at the second-fastest pace in the NBA over the last 10 games as well, so they should be able to put up plenty of points in this matchup where the “D” definitely does not stand for defense.
Core Plays: Any Pistons’ stack has to start with Cade Cunningham ($10,400), who hit the game-winning shot on Wednesday and finished with a triple-double that earned him 66 fantasy points. He has over 54 fantasy points in three of his last five contests and 48+ in six of his last eight. Jalen Duren ($6,700) had a double-double and 31 fantasy points on Wednesday and has over 30 fantasy points in six of his last seven. The Cunningham-Duren connection is a key part of the offense, and Dallas’s lack of options in the frontcourt could lead to big games for both players Friday night.
Value Options: To round out the stack, Tobias Harris ($5,500) and Malik Beasley ($4,700) have each been effective lately, with Beasley knocking down multiple three-pointers in 19 straight games. Ausar Thompson ($4,300) is a solid affordable play as well after posting 24 and 27.5 fantasy points in his last two games, and Isaiah Stewart ($3,200) is typically a strong punt play at center since he makes the most of his limited minutes.
Philadelphia 76ers at San Antonio Spurs
The Sixers continue to be shorthanded, which opens up plenty of opportunities for players to step up and be fantasy contributors. Tyrese Maxey (back), Kelly Oubre Jr. (knee), Andre Drummond (toe) and Adem Bona (ankle) are out in addition to Paul George (adductor) and Joel Embiid (knee), who are done for the season. Especially in a tasty matchup with the Spurs (more on that below), the rest of the roster should have a chance to step up.
Core Plays: The key contributor for the Sixers lately has been Quentin Grimes ($8,800). Grimes had 28 points and 43 fantasy points on Wednesday against the Thunder, and he has at least 43 fantasy points in five straight. Two of those five games were ceiling games of 59.75 fantasy points and 76.75 fantasy points.
Value Options: Aside from Grimes, most of the rest of the rotation would be value options. Justin Edwards ($4,400) has scored double-digit points in three straight with over 30 fantasy points in each of his last two. Chuma Okeke ($4,200) went off for a double-double and 41.25 fantasy points on Wednesday, and Oshae Brissett ($4,000) has also been involved with Drummond and Bona both out. One other value to watch is former Spur Lonnie Walker IV ($4,400; concussion) is probable after missing five games. Before being injured, Walker had 24+ fantasy points in three straight including a high point of 50.25 fantasy points against the Jazz.
San Antonio Spurs vs. Philadelphia 76ers
The Spurs and Sixers are No. 1 and No. 2 in the NBA in points allowed over the last 15 games. This game has the highest over/under on the slate, and both teams should be able to put up plenty of points in this battle of non-playoff contenders. The Spurs are mostly healthy, aside from missing their two stars for the rest of the season–Victor Wembanyama (blood clot) and De’Aaron Fox (finger).
Core Plays: The key producers since Fox went down four games ago have been Devin Vassell ($6,800) and rookie Stephon Castle ($6,700). Each has shown a very high ceiling and is getting plenty of work. Vassell has over 32 fantasy points in six of his last seven games while Castle has over 34 fantasy points in three of his ast four since rejoining the starting lineup when Fox went down.
Value Options: Like the Sixers, the Spurs have multiple value options–it’s just figuring out who will get the playing time that is challenging. Sandro Mamukelashvili ($4,000) showed he can go off by dropping 34 points and 55.25 fantasy points in just 19 minutes on Wednesday, but he has also barely been getting any playing time behind Bismack Biyombo ($3,400) and Jeremy Sochan ($5,100). Wednesday’s big game could change that, but he’s far from a sure thing. Keldon Johnson ($4,700) is a much more established contributor off the bench and had 25+ fantasy points in five straight before finishing with just 20.5 fantasy points on Wednesday in Mamu’s big game. Chris Paul ($4,600) is another value veteran to consider. He had over 28 fantasy points in three of his last five games and finished with 34 fantasy points on 12 points and nine assists on Wednesday.
