NBA Daily Fantasy Picks
On Friday, there are 11 games on the NBA slate, led off by a non-conference matchup between the Rockets and Hornets. Currently, the Rockets are the 2-point favorites on the road. In an Eastern Conference showdown, the 76ers travel to take on the Hawks with Atlanta as the 9.5-point home favorite. To wrap things up, the Suns and Lakers square in Los Angeles. The Lakers come in as the 6.5-point favorite.
Studs DFS Player
Joel Embiid | Philadelphia 76ers
FantasyData Projection: 56 | DraftKings Cost: $11600
So far, Joel Embiid has played the Hawks one time, surpassing his season-long fantasy average of 57.1 with a 35.0 point performance (DFS). On this slate, he is 2nd in usage rate and is averaging 34.6 minutes per game. Through 66 games, he has surpassed his fantasy average 31 times. With a projected 56.2 fantasy points, Embiid will cost $11600.
Pascal Siakam | Toronto Raptors
FantasyData Projection: 45 | DraftKings Cost: $9300
Over his last three games, Pascal Siakam has averaged 55.7 fantasy points. When looking back on his previous five games, he has surpassed his fantasy point projection three times. In terms of usage rate, he is ranked 14th among today’s other options usage rate (27.3) and has a field goal percentage of 47.9% on an average of 37.5 minutes per game.
Kyrie Irving | Dallas Mavericks
FantasyData Projection: 46 | DraftKings Cost: $9900
So far this year, Kyrie Irving has a usage rate of 29.4, which is 10th among today’s option. As of late, he has taken on an even bigger role in the team’s offense, surpassing his season-long field goal attempt numbers in three straight games. For the season, he is averaging 46.0 fantasy points per game on a field goal percentage of 49.4%.
Jimmy Butler | Miami Heat
FantasyData Projection: 40 | DraftKings Cost: $8900
For the season, Jimmy Butler is averaging 42.3 fantasy points per game while playing an average of 33.4 minutes. In his previous game, Butler scored 24 points against the 76ers and has averaged 51.3 fantasy points per game over his last three games. This year, the Wizards are 12th in points allowed to SF’s. Butler has averaged 38.5 fantasy points per game against opponents in the middle third of the league at defending his position.
Value DFS Player
CJ McCollum | New Orleans Pelicans
FantasyData Projection: 38 | DraftKings Cost: $8000
By adding CJ McCollum, you should be getting plenty of bang for your buck, McCollum is not only one of the top players in terms of usage rate, but he has increased his usage in four straight games. Through 73 games, he is averaging 38.2 fantasy points per game and is coming off a matchup vs. the Grizzlies in which he scored 31 points on 10 of 16 shooting in 32 minutes.
Kevin Porter Jr. | Houston Rockets
FantasyData Projection: 37 | DraftKings Cost: $7900
In his most recent game, Kevin Porter Jr. finished with 42.75 fantasy points on 20 points and 3 rebounds. Today he will be matched up against a defensive unit that is 26th in points allowed per game. Over their last three games, the Hornets are giving up 118.0 points per game which is the 20th most in that span. For the season, Porter Jr. is averaging 37.6 fantasy points per game.
Scottie Barnes | Toronto Raptors
FantasyData Projection: 35 | DraftKings Cost: $8100
So far, Scottie Barnes has faced off against the Celtics in three games and is averaging 35.5 fantasy points and 16.3 points per game. Both figures are better than his season averages. Coming in at a price tag of $8100, Barnes has a fantasy projection of 35.2. He has surpassed this figure in 49% of his games.
Jaden Ivey | Detroit Pistons
FantasyData Projection: 30 | DraftKings Cost: $7500
Jaden Ivey has one of the better matchups of the day against a Pacers defensive unit sitting 29th in points allowed. This year, Ivey has averaged 31.8 fantasy points per game when taking on opponents in the bottom third of the league in points allowed. Also, look for him to play a bigger role in the team’s offensive game plan, with Bojan Bogdanovic set to miss today’s contest.
