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Friday's NBA slate will consist of seven star-studded matchups providing a daily fantasy participant with a player pool brimming with top-tier talent.
Among the 14 teams set to take the floor tonight include one of the day's top projected NBA DFS picks, Nikola Jokic. Jokic leads the Denver Nuggets against Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors.
Perhaps the Daily Fantasy slate's highlight sees Kyrie Irving and the Brooklyn Nets take on Jayson Tatum, and the Boston Celtics as the battle for playoff seeding in the Eastern Conference heats up.
Top Studs and Values for today's NBA DFS DraftKings and FanDuel picks
Before finalizing any of the players for your NBA DFS lineup, read below to see the top studs and value picks available for each position in today's NBA fantasy pool.
Each player is determined by data-driven analysis with player stats, matchup history, and previous performance. With both FanDuel and DraftKings prices and projections along with value ratings from Optimal DFS.
NBA DFS Point Guard:
Stud: Kyrie Irving
FD– $9700 DK – $10100 | Proj Pts FD – 47.1 DK – 47.9 | Value FD – 4.9x DK – 4.7x
With Kevin Durant and James Harden still nursing injuries, Kyrie Irving remains the commander in chief for the Brooklyn Nets. The seven-time All-Star has accumulated 50 fantasy points or more in 10 of his last 16 appearances, including achieving over 60 DFS points in his latest outing.
Irving will likely have another huge night tonight as he prepares to face off against his old team, the Boston Celtics. In the two games Kyrie has played against the Celtics this season, he has averaged 38.5 points, 5.5 assists, and 7 rebounds, all while shooting a remarkable 63.5%. And to put things even more in favor of Kyrie Irving, Brad Stevens and his men are on their second-leg of a back-to-back.
Value: Raul Neto
FD– $3600 DK – $3400 | Proj Pts FD – 24.6 DK – 24.5 | Value FD – 6.8x DK – 7.2x
Raul Neto is an excellent NBA DFS value selection today with an average listing price of $3500. With Deni Advija out with a leg injury, the Brazilian will see an increased role offensively for the Washington Wizards.
In Neto's latest outing, he played 36 minutes and scored 18 points. Expect for him to continue to put up solid numbers tonight against the Oklahoma City Thunder, who, according to Rotoballers, boost the FPPM to shooting guards by 12.54% above league average.
NBA DFS Shooting Guard:
Stud: Paul George
FD– $9400 DK – $9300 | Proj Pts FD – 43.2 DK – 44.8 | Value FD – 4.6x DK – 4.7x
The Clippers will be up against the Houston Rockets tonight, who have played the worst defense in the league over the last two weeks, allowing 123.1 points per 100 possession, via cleaningtheglass.com. That is nearly ten points more than the league average during that span.
Value: PJ Dozier
FD– $3800 DK – $3800 | Proj Pts FD – 21.2 DK – 21.4 | Value FD – 5.6x DK – 5.6x
Since Jamal Murray went down with an injury, PJ Dozier has seen a greater role in the Denver Nuggets offense. Over the last four games, he is averaging just under 19 minutes, including playing a season-high 37 minutes in the overtime victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night.
NBA DFS Small Forward:
Stud: Jimmy Butler
FD– $9300 DK – $9700| Proj Pts FD – 41.0 DK – 40.6 | Value FD – 4.4x DK – 4.2x
Jimmy Butler is always a strong NBA DFS selection, given the consistency and well-roundedness of his game. In his previous outing coming off an ankle injury, Butler recorded 18 points, 11 assists, and 7 rebounds. Look for the five-time All-Star to have another impressive showing tonight as the Miami Heat will be on the road against the Atlanta Hawks, who are without their rising star, Trae Young.
Value: Kelly Oubre Jr.
FD– $6800 DK – $5800 | Proj Pts FD – 28.7.0 DK – 28.7 | Value FD – 4.2x DK – 5.0x
There are not many great choices at the Small Forward position in terms of value, but if you have a couple of extra dollars lying around, Kelly Oubre Jr. is a solid NBA DFS pickup. With the Golden State Warriors continuing to pick up injuries, Oubre Jr. will be asked to do more on the offensive side of the ball. The 25-year-old played 36 minutes in his previous appearance, where he scored 24 points and collected nine rebounds.
NBA DFS Power Forward:
Stud: Jayson Tatum
FD– $9500 DK – $10000 | Proj Pts FD – 44.4 DK – 45.9 | Value FD – 4.7x DK – 4.6x
Jayson Tatum has been quite volatile in terms of NBA DFS this season, but he may just be worth his high salary tonight, especially once the starting lineups get announced. With Jaylen Brown missing last night's game due to a shoulder injury and Kemba Walker unlikely to play the second leg of the back-to-back, Jayson Taum may be the sole focal point of the Boston Celtics offense as they prepare to face the short-handed Brooklyn Nets. In the last three games Brown has been out, Tatum has averaged a double-double with 31 points and 10 rebounds.
Value: Xavier Tillman
FD– $4100 DK – $3900 | Proj Pts FD – 22.9 DK -22.4 | Value FD – 5.6x DK – 5.7x
Xavier Tillman is an incredible NBA DFS value pick-up with his current average listing price of $4000. With Jonas Valanciunas sidelined due to a concussion, Xavier Tillman will continue to be called upon by the Memphis Grizzlies. In the last two games, Tillman has recorded a double-double and is averaging 34 minutes.
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NBA DFS Center:
Stud: Nikola Jokic
FD– $11300DK – $10900 | Proj Pts FD – 54.3 DK – 56.3 | Value FD – 4.8x DK – 5.2x
Nikola Jokic is the clear choice at center tonight. The NBA MVP front runner has recorded an average of 60 fantasy points in his last three performances, including receiving 73 DFS points in the overtime victory against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Since Jamal Murray went down with his knee injury, Jokic has taken his game to another level. He is averaging 29.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 7.75 assists in his previous four appearances while shooting the ball 60.2% from the field. Look for the Joker to continue his current form against the Golden State Warriors tonight. He has recorded over 60 DFS points in both of his previous matchups against the Warriors this season.
Value: Jusuf Nurkic
FD– $5800 DK – $5200 | Proj Pts FD – 30.6 DK – 30.2 | Value FD – 5.3x DK – 5.8x
If you do not have enough money to pick up Nikola Jokic at the center, Jusuf Nurkic is a great NBA DFS value pick-up that is expected to rack up over 30 fantasy points. The Portland Trailblazers are set to play the Memphis Grizzlies tonight, who are without their key big man Jonas Valanciunas, meaning that Nurkic should have a massive matchup advantage in the post.
Other valuable NBA DFS pickups at a low listing price:
Brandon Goodwin – PG
FD– $5000 DK – $3400 | Proj Pts FD – 23.0 DK – 24.2 | Value FD – 4.6x DK – 7.1x
Jordan Poole – PG/SG
FD– $4500 DK – $4000 | Proj Pts FD – 21.0 DK – 21.9 | Value FD – 4.7x DK – 5.5x
Daniel Gafford – C / PF
FD– $5300 DK – $3800 | Proj Pts FD – 25.3 DK – 24.2 | Value FD – 4.8x DK – 6.4x
