It’s Friday. The National Basketball Association (NBA) has a total of just five games on the schedule, including a nationally-televised doubleheader on ESPN. The Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons have a Central Division clash at 7:00 p.m. ET, while the Denver Broncos and Oklahoma City Thunder meet at 9:30 p.m. ET at Paycom Center.
Here are our top NBA DFS picks and advice for tonight’s slate.
View the best player prop bets for tonight’s slate with our NBA Prop Bet Cheat Sheet
NBA DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer
NBA DFS Core Plays
- DraftKings: $9,800
- FanDuel: $10,000
A good spot to start for your lineup on Friday is swingman Jaylen Brown, who is averaging 46.6 fantasy points per game. He is facing a Brooklyn Nets defense with an opponent rank of 19, so it’s a favorable matchup.
Since the All-Star break, Brown has scored at least 23 points in all three games, averaging 26 points, 11.3 rebounds, 7.7 assists and 1.3 three-pointers per game, including a triple-double at Golden State on February 19th.
The last time he faced the Nets, Brown also had a triple-double, going for 27 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds with four three-pointers and a steal on January 23rd in Brooklyn. Against the Nets this season, Brown is averaging 27.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.7 three-pointers per game in three meetings.
- DraftKings: $9,000
- FanDuel: $8,800
When filling the point guard position, Jalen Brunson is the best option today. He is averaging 41.1 fantasy points per game, and faces a struggling Bucks team with an opponent rank of 27. In four games since returning from the All-Star break, Brunson has scored at least 19 points in all four outings, while posting six or more assists in three of the four outings. He has also dropped in seven triples.
Brunson has tormented the Bucks this season, averaging 36.5 points, four assists, 2.5 rebounds and 2.5 three-pointers per game in two previous meetings. He scored 36 points in Milwaukee on October 28th, while going for 37 points and four triples in an NBA Cup game at Madison Square Garden on November 28th.
- DraftKings: $8,600
- FanDuel: $8,100
The lanky big man for Oklahoma City is coming off an absolute stinker on Tuesday in Toronto, as he was limited to just seven points on 3-of-8 shooting, while pulling down nine rebounds with four assists, three blocks and a steal in 30 minutes. Chet Holmgren has shot just 8-of-22 (36.4%) from the field in the past two outings.
While DFS players in the past two games are muttering Holmgren’s name, his price tag has dropped, making him a tremendous value play against the visiting Denver Nuggets. Holmgren is averaging 34.9 fantasy points per game, while the Nuggets are 24th in opponent rank. Look for Holmgren to bounce back, even with Nikola Jokic lurking in the paint.
NBA DFS Cash Game Targets
- DraftKings: $6,500
- FanDuel: $6,200
If you’re looking for a New York stack, swingman Josh Hart is a strong option. He is good for 31.9 fantasy points per game, while facing a Milwaukee defense that has an opponent rank of 25. With just five games to choose from, the Knicks are looking awfully good against the Bucks’ leaky defense.
Milwaukee is allowing 115.4 points per game, which ranks 16th in the NBA. Opposing teams are shooting 46.5% (11th) from the field against Milwaukee and 36.4% (20th) from behind the three-point line. The last time Hart faced the Bucks, he went for 19 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists and three steals.
- DraftKings: $6,300
- FanDuel: $7,200
Naji Marshall is coming off a giant performance against the Sacramento Kings on Thursday, going for 36 points on 14-of-23 shooting, including 1-of-4 from behind the three-point line and 7-of-11 from the free-throw line. He added 10 rebounds and six assists.
Marshall has seen his scoring averages increase every month this season. He is averaging 18.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.4 steals in nine games this month. Marshall is averaging 14.5 points, seven rebounds, four assists and 1.5 steals in two meetings versus the Grizzlies this season, including a pair of three-pointers.
- DraftKings: $6,000
- FanDuel: $6,300
The 21-year-old from the University of South Carolina has really stepped up his play in February, going for 20+ points in four of the past five games. In that five-game span, GG Jackson is averaging 21.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.4 three-pointers, 2.2 assists and 1.2 blocks per game.
Jackson is averaging just 20 fantasy points per game, but don’t be dissuaded by that figure. His playing time has been ratcheted up lately, and so has his production. He is facing a Dallas defense with an opponent rank of 28.
NBA DFS GPP Targets
- DraftKings: $5,800
- FanDuel: $4,800
Jaylin Williams is likely to come off the bench after being in the starting five with Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) and Chet Holmgren (back) sidelined. He went for 30 points and 11 rebounds with five three-pointers in a start in Detroit on Wednesday.
Expect Williams to come off the bench, with his playing time returning to the neighborhood of 15-20 minutes. However, he still has the potential for double-digit points with a smattering of assist sand rebounds, with an occasional three-pointer. He is quite the value on FanDuel.
- DraftKings: $5,600
- FanDuel: $5,400
Khris Middleton has picked up the pace lately, and he is a strong play against a Grizzlies defense with an opponent rank of 26. He is good for 22.5 fantasy points per game, and those numbers have been on the rise across the past five outings.
Middleton had been nursing a shoulder injury, but that didn’t appear to set him back against Sacramento on Thursday, going for 17 points, five rebounds and four assists. He has had a nice resurgence since coming over from Washington. Middleton has scored 17+ points in three of the past four outings.
- DraftKings: $5,500
- FanDuel: $6,000
Brandon Williams gets a crack at the Grizzlies, and their opponent rank of 24. He has racked up 13+ points in five consecutive games, while hitting the mark in 11 of the previous 12 outings. He’ll step out for an occasional three-pointer, but that’s not a huge part of his game.
Williams has managed at least four assists in five straight outings, and he has shot 50% or better from the field in each of those contests. Williams has also been good for three blocks in the past three games, and at least one steal in five of the previous seven outings.
NBA DFS Value Plays
- DraftKings: $4,800
- FanDuel: $5,000
Olivier-Maxence Prosper will get a crack against his former NBA team, and he should be in the starting five. He has been a little erratic lately, but he is averaging 12.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists, one steal and 1.6 three-pointers in nine games this month.
Prosper should be amped to face the Mavericks. It won’t take much for him to exceed DFS salary expectations.
- DraftKings: $3,500
- FanDuel: $4,000
Craig Porter Jr. is likely to benefit from extra run with Donovan Mitchell (groin) sidelined. Sam Merrill, Dennis Schroder and Jaylon Tyson are also likely to see some extra minutes. Remember that James Harden (thumb) suffered a fractured thumb last time out.
- DraftKings: $3,700
- FanDuel: $4,000
With rookie swingman Cooper Flagg (foot) unlikely to play, Caleb Martin should see considerable playing time against the Grizzlies. Khris Middleton, Naji Marshall and Martin have been the biggest beneficiaries with the rookie sidelined the past five games.
