My new year’s resolution for 2025? Continue to give the people value options for their NBA lineups on DraftKings.
Let’s get that going with tonight’s seven-game featured slate.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $300K Friday 8’s [$100K to 1st]
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SF/PF Ausar Thompson, Detroit Pistons vs. Charlotte Hornets, $4,000
Someone’s going to have to step on in the absence of Jaden Ivey (leg), who was sitting second on the Pistons in usage rate (26.3%) and third on the team in minutes per game (29.9) prior to his gruesome injury on Wednesday. In reality, it’ll be a few players getting increased opportunity. Malik Beasley ($5,500) will likely re-enter the starting lineup, while Tobias Harris ($4,900) and Tim Hardaway Jr. ($4,100) could be asked to take on larger offensive roles. However, it’s Thompson that garners my interest on Friday. The forward is averaging a tantalizing 1.01 FPTS per minute played in 2024-25 and he’s already seen his role increase in Detroit’s past two contests. Thompson registered 40.75 FPTS back on December 16 against the Heat in less that 27 minutes of action. He has some DFS ceiling to dream on.
SF/PF Cam Whitmore, Houston Rockets vs. Boston Celtics, $3,900
Speaking of the Thompson twins, Amen Thompson still has one game remaining in his suspension for an on-court incident with Miami last week. Considering that Thompson had been averaging 34.8 minutes in his last four contests, this leaves a pretty sizable gap in the Rockets’ rotation — one that was filled quite nicely by Whitmore in Wednesday’s victory over the Mavericks. The sophomore led all Houston reserves with 24.0 minutes of run, using that opportunity to register 18 points, three rebounds and 25.75 FPTS. Overall, Whitmore’s 20.2% usage rate versus Dallas ranked third on the roster behind only Alperen Sengun ($9,400) and Jalen Green ($6,600). I’m willing to go back to the well with Whitmore a second time, even in a difficult matchup.
PG/SG Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs at Denver Nuggets, $3,400
With Jeremy Sochan (back) unavailable for the second-half of Tuesday’s drubbing of the Clippers, Castle moved into the starting lineup in the third quarter and produced quite well. All told, the rookie would finish with 15 points, four assists, four rebounds and 29.5 FPTS. It’s not like we haven’t see Castle play well before, either. In the 17 games he’s started in his brief career, the former lottery pick is averaging 14.6 points and 4.5 assists in just over 30 minutes per contest. That includes six games with at least 30.0 FPTS. The good news is, with a price tag barely over the minimum, he won’t need to be nearly that productive to bring back value on Friday’s slate. But if he does? You’re laughing to the bank.
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All views expressed are my own. I am an employee of DraftKings and am ineligible to play in public DFS or DKSB contests.
