The NBA rolls into Friday with a seven-game main slate on DraftKings. The first two games tip at 7:00 p.m. ET. Two more are at 7:30 p.m. ET, and three at 8:00 p.m. ET in the late wave to finish out the action before a late slate cleans up the final three games on the schedule. Even though there are always last-minute changes at this point in the NBA DFS season, there are some options that stand out as strong stacking targets.
Of the 14 teams on the slate, the Trail Blazers and Raptors are finishing a back-to-back set of games while the Pistons have to keep in mind that they have another game on Saturday. Before tip-off, be sure to check back on the daily injury report and adjust your lineup if needed.
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].
Cleveland Cavaliers at San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs have given up the third-most points in the NBA over the last 15 games and the Cavs average an NBA-best 122.4 points per game this season. The Cavs ruled out Ty Jerome (knee) and Dean Wade (illness), but they should have their starters available as they head deep in the heart of Texas for this showdown with the Spurs, who just knocked off the Nuggets on Wednesday and have proven to not be total pushovers.
Core Plays: A Cavs stack should center on the backcourt duo of Donovan Mitchell ($9,300) and Darius Garland ($8,000). Mitchell has 50+ fantasy points in four straight games and had 63 fantasy points at the start of that run against the Spurs. Garland had 31.5 fantasy points in that game and has 30+ fantasy points in 11 straight. Evan Mobley ($8,800) didn’t play in that game, while Jarrett Allen ($6,900) went off for 52.25 fantasy points. Allen is a good value again, although he won’t have to carry as much of the work with Mobley available.
Value Options: Without Jerome and Wade, there should be more work available for Max Strus ($4,300), De’Andre Hunter ($4,100), and Sam Merrill ($3,500). Each of those three options has good value upside, with Hunter the most productive lately. Isaac Okoro ($3,100) is also coming off back-to-back games with 11 points and finished with a solid 25.5 fantasy points on Wednesday against the Knicks.
Chicago Bulls vs. Portland Trail Blazers
The Bulls have clinched a spot in the Play-In Tournament after going 10-4 in their last 14 games. In those 14 games, they trail only the Thunder for most points per game, producing 122.6 points per game while playing at the fastest pace in the NBA. They’ll catch the Trail Blazers on the second night of a back-to-back, after Portland won their second straight game by knocking off the Raptors 112-103 on Thursday. The Bulls will look to run early and often against the road-weary Blazers, and they should put up good fantasy points in this contest.
Core Plays: The key to the team’s recent surge has been the elite play of Josh Giddey ($9,900) and Coby White ($8,700). White has over 42 fantasy points in six of his last seven games and Giddey has posted over 47 fantasy points in eight of his last 10. Nikola Vucevic ($7,900) has gone off for 46.25 and 49.0 fantasy points in two of his last three games and is getting back to full strength after missing time with a calf injury earlier in March.
Value Options: The Bulls listed both Dalen Terry ($3,600; calf) and Lonzo Ball ($4,700; wrist) as questionable for this game, and their status will impact the other options value options. Talen Horton-Tucker ($3,800) had taken advantage of extra opportunities to post 23.5 and 40.5 fantasy points in his last two games and Patrick Williams ($3,700) is another bargain value who brings upside. Kevin Huerter ($5,900) and Matas Buzelis ($5,400) have also shown upside and Buzelis went off for 28 points and 50.75 fantasy point sin a standout performance last week against the Mavs.
Phoenix Suns at Boston Celtics
The Suns are still in the race for a spot in the Western Conference Play-in Tournament, but they have dropped four straight and will be without Kevin Durant (ankle) for their matchup on Friday night against the defending champion Celtics. The rest of the Suns have extra fantasy upside with Durant out, but there is also more blowout potential.
Core Plays: The offense will have to rely heavily on Devin Booker ($10,200) and Bradley Beal ($6,700). Booker had 39 points and 59.75 fantasy points against the Bucks on Tuesday and will keep getting all the offensive work he can handle. Beal is ready to return from an eight-game absence and could be on a minutes restriction, so he’s best left for tournament lineups if possible.
Value Options: Collin Gillespie ($4,500) had 18 points and 31 fantasy points against the Bucks and was even better at the end of March with 22 points, 10 assists, and 48.25 fantasy points against the Timberwolves. His playing time could get squeezed by Beal’s return, but he still has enough upside to be worth a look as a cheap option. Grayson Allen ($4,400), Ryan Dunn ($4,100), and Royce O’Neale ($4,000) could also get more work with Durant out. O’Neale is cleared to return after missing Tuesday’s game due to illness.
