The App is Back! Don’t forget to download the NBC Sports EDGE app to receive real-time player news, mobile alerts and track your favorite players. Plus, now you can check out articles and player cards. Get it here!
This article aims to highlight some of the best NBA DFS Plays at every position for your cash game lineups. Keep in mind that the following player write-ups were constructed earlier in the day, and sometimes injury/rest situations can alter the fantasy landscape. Monitoring our NBA News & Headlines Feed throughout the day will keep you in the loop while giving you the subsequent DFS consequences of each information piece.
We’ll take a look at Friday’s 11-game slate starting at 7:00 ET.
Editor’s Note: Dominate daily with our premium DFS Tools that are packed with our lineup optimizer, a salary tracker, projections and much more. And don’t forget to use promo code SAVE10 to get 10% off. Click here to learn more!
POINT GUARD
Ja Morant – Memphis (vs. Atlanta) - DK: $9,600 / FD: $9,000 / Yahoo: $40
Morant is averaging 25 points per game, with a ton of peripheral stats every game. He ranks ninth among qualifying players in usage rate (31.3 percent) and is without a doubt the driver of this team. Given that both squads play at a high pace, this game has one of the higher over/unders of the busy night, giving it plenty of fantasy potential. Atlanta is the third-best PG matchup and 10th best overall; the Hawks rank 25th in defensive rating. Vegas expects a close game, which along with the high total is the perfect fit for tonight’s top PG option.
Also Consider: Steph Curry, Chris Paul, Trae Young, LaMelo Ball, Fred VanVleet, Damian Lillard, Malcolm Brogdon, Monte Morris
SHOOTING GUARD
Terry Rozier – Charlotte (vs. Minnesota) - DK: $6,000 / FD: $6,300 / Yahoo: $23
I’d like to try to fit multiple guards from this game in my lineup tonight, but as a base play, I like the cheaper salary of Rozier compared to Russell. Rozier is coming off a career game Wednesday night, but even putting that one aside, he’s hot right now. His six steals vs. the Magic were amazing, but the game before he had 32 points vs. the Wizards, one of the defensive surprises of the season. This matchup is super fantasy-friendly, with both the Hornets and Timberwolves playing at a fast pace. Though Minnesota ranks fourth in defensive rating, they are above average in fantasy points allowed, and rank eighth to SGs. The Timberwolves turn the ball over at the third-highest rate. In another high-scoring, competitive game, I’m looking to get as much value from this game as I can.
Also Consider: D’Angelo Russell, Kevin Huerter, Desmond Bane, Zach LaVine, Bradley Beal
SMALL FORWARD
Franz Wagner – Orlando (vs. Chicago) - DK: $4,300 / FD: $5,100 / Yahoo: $14
Speaking of value, Wagner is a very affordable way to play SF. The matchup is good (Chicago ranks fifth in fantasy points to opposing SFs) and Wagner appears to be out of his shooting slump. He bounced back in a big way Wednesday night with 16 points, seven rebounds and four assists, shooting 58 percent from the field after going 1-for-13 in the two previous games. He can easily play over 30 minutes with Cole Anthony off the court, and I think he stays around 30 fantasy points tonight.
Also Consider: Andrew Wiggins, Buddy Hield, Josh Giddey, Luguentz Dort
POWER FORWARD
Jarred Vanderbilt – Minnesota (at Charlotte) - DK: $4,700 / FD: $6,000 / Yahoo: $13
The Hornets play at the third-highest pace and give up the fourth-most overall fantasy points. They are especially generous in the frontcourt, making Vanderbilt and Towns interesting options tonight. Vanderbilt’s salary varies a bit, but he’s very reasonable, and along with Wagner, allows you to fit another star player in tonight’s lineups. Vanderbilt has four double-digit rebound games in a row, with three of those going for over 30 fantasy points per game. He’s averaging three steals per game in those three, and double-doubled in one.
Also Consider: Kyle Kuzma, Domantas Sabonis, Julius Randle, Giannis Antetokoounmpo, Precious Achiuwa (if Anunoby is out again)
CENTER
Anthony Davis – LA Lakers (vs. Sacramento) - DK: $10,800 / FD: $11,000 / Yahoo: $48
There are a few center options I’m good with tonight, but none are as likely to hit their ceiling as Davis against the Kings. Sacramento is the best center matchup in the league by a lot, and Davis has been amazing in previous matchups like this one (Charlotte is the closest comp; he had 68). Even with LeBron James back, Davis should easily double-double and possibly more in this high scoring, lax defense game.
Also Consider: Karl-Anthony Towns, Clint Capela, Montrezl Harrell, Rudy Gobert
ADDITIONAL NOTES
Luguentz Dort (G/F – OKC) is a solid way to round out a G or F spot tonight. He generally puts up between 25-35 fantasy points but has a higher ceiling than that without too much risk of a total dud thanks to his defensive mindset. He is a lock to score double-digit points and without Gilgeous-Alexander, is guaranteed to play plenty of minutes. Our NBA DFS Optimizer loves him tonight as a best point per dollar play.
D’Angelo Russell (G – MIN) is a bit pricey, but another solid play at G tonight if you can fit him. I’ve noted the positive game effects already, and Russell is equipped to take advantage, scoring double digits, and probably coming away with multiple steals tonight. Look for he and Towns to connect at the rim to boost Russell’s assist totals too.
Kyle Kuzma (F – WAS) is only the most affordable Wizard to consider tonight. Bradley Beal is certainly in contention for lineup space too, but Kuzma actually gets the league’s second-best forward matchup vs. the Thunder. The Wizards also get the pace bump, and benefit of the Thunder’s overall fantasy generosity. Washington is a pretty big road favorite, but we’ve seen the Thunder manage to keep games close so everyone benefits from their full complement of minutes. Kuzma can be a strong F play in cash game lineups tonight.
