It’s Friday. The National Basketball Association (NBA) has a total of eight games on the schedule, including a doubleheader streaming on Prime Video. The Cleveland Cavaliers travel to meet the Dallas Mavericks at 7:30 p.m. ET, while the Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors battle at 10:00 p.m. ET.
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: $10,900
- FanDuel: $10,900
Cade Cunningham heads into this game averaging 50.7 fantasy points per game (fantasy points per game), which is nearly five points per contest more than any other option available on the board. While you’ll have to pay up for that difference, the price isn’t terribly steep.
Facing the Memphis Grizzlies, who have an opponent rank of 25, should ensure that Cunningham has a huge evening. He has posted 10+ assists in five of his past six games, while hitting the mark in nine of the past 11 outings.
Cunningham also has at least five rebounds in seven of those 11 games. He is averaging 20.0 points, 11.8 assists and 4.2 rebounds with 2.7 three-pointers per game in six March outings.
- DraftKings: $9,500
- FanDuel: $9,500
Also at the guard spot, Donovan Mitchell is a decent play, especially if you want to watch your player on TV. Mitchell has a very favorable matchup against the Mavericks, who have an opponent rank of 29th. He is averaging 45.3 fantasy points per game.
Mitchell recently missed about two weeks due to a groin injury, but he is averaging 24 points, 5.3 assists, five rebounds, 2.3 three-pointers and 1.3 steals per game in three games since returning from his injury. He is averaging 29 points, seven assists, 3.8 rebounds, 2.5 steals and two three-pointers in his past four games against Western Conference teams.
- DraftKings: $9,100
- FanDuel: $9,100
Jalen Brunson isn’t quite S-tier, but he is a good alternative if you have a salary crunch, and if you can’t make the math work to afford Cade Cunningham at the top of your lineup. I was hoping to find a forward worthy of the top spot here, but nobody is worth paying a huge price for tonight.
Brunson has rolled up 24+ points in three consecutive outings, and he is working on a streak with at least seven assists. He is averaging a double-double in March, posting 22.1 points and 10 assists while hitting 2.6 three-pointers per game.
NBA DFS Cash Game Targets
- DraftKings: $8,800
- FanDuel: $8,600
The forward with the best matchup on the evening is Kevin Durant. He has racked up 41.7 fantasy points per game, and he faces a New Orleans defense that ranks 19th in opponent rank. He should be able to go off, and he won’t break the bank in terms of DFS salary.
There are some better frontcourt alternatives, but they’re either questionable due to injuries, coming back from a recent ailment or facing a tougher matchup than Durant. In his two meetings with the Pelicans this season, Durant is averaging 25 points, 6.5 rebounds and five assists with five total three-pointers, four total blocks and a steal.
- DraftKings: $8,200
- FanDuel: $8,100
If you want to build a Cavaliers stack, Evan Mobley is an essential part of your DFS lineup. The Mavericks have an opponent rank of 26, while Mobley is good for 39.7 fantasy points per game. At a minimum, he should record a double-double.
Mobley went for 18 points and 13 rebounds in Orlando on Wednesday, while adding four assists and two blocks. That’s a good night. He is averaging 18.4 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.8 blocks in five games this month. Mobley has at least two blocks in three straight outings, too.
- DraftKings: $7,800
- FanDuel: $8,500
If you don’t want to pay close to five figures for the top backcourt options, Amen Thompson could be the answer to your pra… OK, we won’t make that stupid joke again. I bet he has never heard that one, either.
Thompson is averaging 21.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists in six March contests, while hitting a rather efficient 63% from the field. He has really grown into quite the player, and he also uses his quick hands to rack up plenty of steals.
Thompson has 10 steals in six games this month, and at least one steal in 26 of his past 27 outings.
NBA DFS GPP Targets
- DraftKings: $6,700
- FanDuel: $6,800
There are so many solid backcourt options at different tiers on Friday night, so choose wisely. Reed Sheppard has averaged 26.4 fantasy points per game, and he faces a Pelicans team with an opponent rank of 28. It’s a solid spot, and he comes with a mid-tier price.
After a 13-game run with double-digit point totals, including 30 against Golden State on March 5th, Sheppard is just 6-of-22 for eight points in his past two games.
Expect Sheppard to break out against a leaky New Orleans defense, but don’t expect a gigantic line. He is averaging 11 points, four assists and 3.5 rebounds in two matchups versus New Orleans this season, while also averaging three three-pointers per game.
- DraftKings: $6,000
- FanDuel: $6,200
Swingman Naji Marshall should be a tremendous play against the Cavaliers on Friday night. He missed a little bit of time to kick off March, but he is back in the starting lineup and is worth rostering against Cleveland.
Marshall has been a little shaky since making his way back, and that’s a big reason his cost has dropped. But, he showed during a six-game span from February 10-26 what he can do when he is 100%. During that span, he scored 15+ points in every game, including a pair of 30-point outings, while also chipping in with a smattering of assists and a steal or two.
- DraftKings: $4,800
- FanDuel: $5,100
Jaylon Tyson is a strong alternative in the frontcourt, and he won’t cost you a ton. Jarrett Allen (knee) is out for a fourth consecutive game, so Tyson and Thomas Bryant (see below) will be the beneficiaries of more playing time.
Tyson is facing a team with an opponent rank of 29. He has averaged 25.9 fantasy points per game, including a few bangers when he has played a full allotment of minutes. Roll the dice here.
NBA DFS Value Plays
- DraftKings: $3,900
- FanDuel: $3,900
Thomas Bryant is a low-cost option in the middle who should exceed DFS salary expectations, as he gets considerable time alongside Jaylon Tyson, with Jarrett Allen (knee) on the shelf.
Even if you punt the spot, allowing you to load up at other positions, Bryant will provide value.
- DraftKings: $3,600
- FanDuel: $3,700
Ryan Dunn is a tremendous option at a low cost, especially if things break right. Dillon Brooks (hand) is sidelined, and that’s for certain. But swingman Grayson Allen (knee) is also questionable.
Dunn could be in line for a ton of minutes. While facing Toronto isn’t a very favorable matchup, he could see a huge amount of minutes at a very low cost.
- DraftKings: $4,000
- FanDuel: $4,800
If you’re not quite feeling the logic on Ryan Dunn, or you are scared off if Grayson Allen is active for Phoenix, Keon Ellis is a good alternative. Or, you could potentially use both and really save a ton of cap space to use elsewhere.
Ellis went off for 20 points on 6-of-9 shooting in Orlando on Wednesday, while adding four boards, an assist, a block and a steal. He is averaging 19.5 points with 4.5 three-pointers per game in the past two games, too. Strike while the iron is hot.
