We have an action-packed eight-game NBA DFS core slate Friday night, including a doubleheader on ESPN. It begins with the Heat continuing their four-game road trip against the Bucks before Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and the Thunder taking on Devin Booker and the Suns on the second night of a back-to-back match at 10 PM ET. Our DraftKings lineup has a good mix of multiple-value veterans and sleepers under $6K that are the kind of low-risk, high-reward options that are key in day-to-day fantasy basketball tournaments.
Before we break down all of our picks, here are the most important scoring rules for DraftKings contests: Three-point field goal made (+0.5 point), bounce (+1.25 points), assist (+1.5 points), steal and block (+2 points), double-double (+1.5 points — maximum one per player) and triple double (+3 points — maximum one player).
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Friday night main show, $50,000 budget
PG Jalen Brunson, Knicks @ Wizards ($ 8.800). Before the All-Star break, the Vet shined against the Hawks, posting 28 points, nine rebounds and five assists for 44.8 points on the DraftKings. Brunson has scored 40 or more DraftKings points in five straight games and is averaging 49 DraftKings points per game this month. He will look to add another 40-point effort against the Wizards, who give the PCs the 13th fewest DraftKings points per game (48.03). He’s not an ideal match for the veteran point guard, but he has played well in two games against the Wizards this season, averaging 33.0 points, 6.0 assists and 5.5 assists per game. Brunson also shot an efficient 47.9% from the field and 55.6% from three-point range. With that kind of production, we’ll take a chance with Brunson as first guard for tonight’s lineup.
SG Paul George, Clippers contro Kings ($ 8.200). George will be our second starting guard for tonight’s main roster as he faces a Kings team, who just played Thursday night against the Trail Blazers. The All-Star forward has scored 20 or more points in five of his last six games, which is a good sign for tonight. The 32-year-old George played well in the Clippers’ last game against the Suns, posting 26 points, six rebounds and five assists. George had 43 DK points in that contest and passed the 40-point mark in four of his last six games. The veteran winger could struggle tonight against Sacramento, which allows the SGs the 12th fewest DraftKings points per game (41.97). However, when George faced the Kings in October, he had 40 points (16-31 FG, 3-10 3pt), six rebounds and six assists. If the veteran can have another full performance like this tonight, our starting backcourt should be in top shape.
SF Khris Middleton, Bucks contro Heat ($ 6.300). With Giannis Antetokounmpo (wrist) listed as questionable for tonight’s game, Milwaukee may have to rely on the pairing of Middleton and Jrue Holiday. Middleton hasn’t rejoined the starting lineup since he returned from a knee injury, but has nonetheless been productive. The 31-year-old small forward is averaging 15.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game in his last 10 games. He also scored in double figures in six consecutive games and produced 32.2 DraftKings points per game. One of those games was against tonight’s opponent: the Heat, where Middleton recorded 24 points, seven rebounds and four assists in 20 minutes (39.3 DK points). Miami has struggled against opposing SF this season, allowing the eighth-most DK points per game (42.76).
PF Cameron Johnson, Nets @ Bulls ($ 5.200). Johnson will be one of our first value plays for tonight’s main roster. The 26-year-old forward has scored 10 or more points in his first three games with the Nets. The former Suns forward did not play in the last game in Brooklyn on Feb. 9. Still, Johnson should be a nice pivot for DFS players looking to save some salary. With Spencer Dinwiddie and Mikal Bridges drawing attention on the perimeter, Johnson should be able to get the of him as Chicago is allowing the 10th-most DraftKings points per game at PFs (41.62) this season.
C Rudy Gobert, Timberwolves contro Hornets ($ 7.200). Gobert doesn’t have the All-Star center look we’ve seen with the Jazz in recent years. However, he is still averaging 13.3 points, 11.6 rebounds and 33.1 DK per game in his first season with Minnesota. The 30-year-old Gobert is coming off consecutive 40 DK points against Dallas (40) and Washington (48.8). It wouldn’t be shocking to see the veteran walk out tonight against the Hornets, who have allowed the most DK points per game (60.32) to centers this season. Gobert last played against the Hornets, he had 17 points and 17 rebounds in a two-point win in November.
G Gabe Vincent, Heat @ Bucks ($ 5.000). With Kyle Lowry (knee) out again for tonight’s game against the Bucks, Vincent will be in the starting lineup for the seventh straight game. In the previous six starts, the 26-year-old combo guard averaged 14.2 points and 25.2 DraftKings points per game. Additionally, Vincent has scored at least 20 or more DraftKings points in his last five games. In the Heat’s last game against the Bucks earlier this month, Vincent had seven points, three rebounds and one assist (17.8 DraftKings points) in 34 minutes. However, in the first two meetings against the Bucks, Vincent went out for 28 and 27 points. DFS players are hoping for a similar performance tonight, especially with Tyler Herro (knee) listed as likely.
F Jonathan Kuminga, Warriors vs. Rockets ($ 4.200). The 20-year-old forward is an underrated game in tonight’s main list, as he will likely be in the starting lineup for Andrew Wiggins tonight. The former NBA G League champion Ignite produced 10 points, five assists and three rebounds in 25 minutes against the Lakers on Thursday night. It was the second consecutive game where Kuminga scored in double figures and recorded over 20 DK points. We ran into Cam Reddish last night as a value play, so let’s hope we have the same luck tonight with Kuminga.
UTIL Immanuel Quickley, Knicks @ Warriors ($ 4.700). Our final play for tonight’s main roster will be Quickley, who has scored in double figures in five straight games. During that time, the former Kentucky guard also recorded 27.24 DraftKings points per game. Quickley last played against the Wizards on January 18, he had 18 points (6-13 FG, 2-6 3pt) and five rebounds in 32 minutes (26.8 DK points). The third-year guard should be on many DFS players’ radar, as the Wizards are ranked #27 against PG/SG in OPRK.
