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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 9-game slate starting at 7:00 ET. Note that Yahoo is running a 7-game main slate starting at 7:30.
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POINT GUARD
Luka Doncic – Dallas (vs. New Orleans) - DK: $11,800 / FD: $10,500 / Yahoo: $49
Fridays are typically big nights in NBA DFS and I’m going a bit stars and scrubs with the lineups today. The last time Doncic scored fewer than 50 fantasy points was almost a month ago. It was against these Pelicans, but it was also a blowout win in which he played only 33 minutes, about five fewer than his norm. He’s riding a streak of three big double-doubles in a row, a mark he’s hit in six of his last seven games. Two of those were triple-doubles. He’s the best bet for 60-plus fantasy points tonight, as New Orleans ranks 30th in defensive rating, fifth in turnover rate, and eighth in overall fantasy points allowed. With Kristaps Porzingis questionable and possibly less than 100 percent, Doncic is worth the spend tonight.
Also Consider: Steph Curry, Cole Anthony, Malcolm Brogdon, Tyrese Maxey, Ricky Rubio, Russell Westbrook
SHOOTING GUARD
Armoni Brooks – Houston (vs. Orlando) - DK: $3,400 / FD: $4,300 / Yahoo: $11
In order to afford the stars, we need some savings. I’m getting them largely from this game, featuring two fast-paced, but defensively deficient teams. That applies especially to Orlando, who ranks 25th in defensive rating and second in overall fantasy points allowed, third to opposing SGs. Brooks is near minimum salary despite picking up a lot of extra minutes with Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr. sidelined. He’s scored over 30 fantasy points in two of the last five games, scoring double-digit points in four of them. His peripherals are sketchy, but if he can notch even a couple assists, steals or blocks he’ll easily pay off his salary.
Also Consider: Bradley Beal, Donovan Mitchell, Tyler Herro, Kevin Huerter, Seth Curry, James Harden, Paul George
SMALL FORWARD
Cameron Johnson – Phoenix (at Golden State) - DK: $4,200 / FD: $3,900 / Yahoo: $10
We loved Johnson and Landry Shamet ($4000 DK, $3800 FD, $10 Yahoo) last night and they both came through for their meager prices. As long as Devin Booker remains out, we should expect the same. Johnson was the bigger ROI both in Tuesday’s game vs. the Warriors and last night vs. Detroit despite playing fewer minutes than Shamet (33 vs. 20 fantasy points in 27 vs. 31 MPG), but I think both are again worth a look in a high-pace, competitive game. The salary-savings is significant!
Also Consider: LeBron James, Andrew Wiggins, Brandon Ingram, Tim Hardaway, Franz Wagner, Caleb Martin
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POWER FORWARD
Kevin Durant – Brooklyn (vs. Minnesota) - DK: $11,400 / FD: $11,000 / Yahoo: $51
Durant is the other star I’m aiming to lock in tonight. The Nets game has the highest over/under of the slate and the Nets are home favorites. Minnesota plays at a similarly high pace as the Nets, but ranks fourth in turnover rate and gives up the 11th-most overall fantasy points. The Timberwolves have an impressive defensive rating, but have been susceptible to forwards. The fact that both Towns and Edwards are trending toward probable tonight gives the game a chance to stay close enough for a full game’s effort from Durant. Durant is doing a bit of everything, as usual, and has been maddeningly close to double-doubles in each of his last four games. Here’s betting he gets there tonight. Even without the bonus, though, he’s averaging nearly 50 fantasy points per game this season, so I’m using him with confidence.
Also Consider: Domantas Sabonis, Evan Mobley, Jae’Sean Tate, Wendell Carter,
CENTER
Dewayne Dedmon – Miami (at Indiana) - DK: $4,800 / FD: $5,500
Bam Adebayo is having surgery, so Dedmon can expect to reprise his role as the starting center for Miami for a few weeks. On Wednesday night, Dedmon turned in a double-double with three assists, two block and a steal despite the Heat scoring only 85 points vs. Cleveland. The matchup doesn’t get better tonight vs. the Pacers, but for the low salary he commands, and the minutes and usage he’s getting, you’ve almost got to do it. With Jimmy Butler also out tonight, Tyler Herro should be good again, and Caleb Martin and Kyle Lowry are worth a look as well.
Also Consider: Joel Embiid, Jonas Valanciunas, Mo Bamba, Deandre Ayton, Jarrett Allen, Rudy Gobert, LaMarcus Aldridge
ADDITIONAL NOTES
Paul George (G/F – LAC) If you decide not to go full stars and scrubs, Paul George is a Tier 2 target I like tonight. The cross-town LA battle should be a good one, with these teams well matched in pace (high), offensive rating (low) and defensive rating (the Clippers are better than the Lakers, both in the top half of the league, though). He offers a very solid floor with 45-plus fantasy point upside.
Cole Anthony (PG – ORL) would pair well with George if you decide not to spend up on Luka. Anthony returned from a two-week absence with 24 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists. I noted the advantages of this game earlier, but have to add that Houston is the absolute best PG matchup in the league. Anthony should have no trouble notching another 45-fantasy point game.
Jae’Sean Tate (F – HOU) was a headliner in this article Wednesday and regular readers know I love him, but even I did not expect the 70-plus outpouring of fantasy points he gave us in that game. Sure, it helped that Christian Wood and Porter Jr. left the game with injuries, but Tate is a high-floor upside player that I almost never have a problem slotting in when he fits. I’ve currently slotted him into my FD lineup at the boosted salary of $7500, but he’s only $6000 on DK and $22 on Yahoo, where he’s the best value. Game factors and DvP can’t be beat. I do like the idea of pivoting to Wood in tournaments and where you can afford to. He’ll be rostered at a much lower rate than Tate given the outcome Wednesday night.
