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Friday presents a potentially tricky 10-game slate in the NBA. Multiple teams will be playing the second game of a back-to-back set, so we have some potential rest situations to deal with. DraftKings has split the slate into two featured contests. Six games make up the first slate, while the four late games make up the featured late slate. FanDuel will include all 10 games in their main slate.
The key to being successful in NBA DFS comes down to making adjustments during the day as injury information becomes available. But it's always really important to have a game plan and the best players and spots circled first before making those adjustments. To keep up with all the latest developments and get access to updated projections, grab an NBA season pass and also gain access to our RotoBaller Premium Discord where @chiefjustice6 is talking about the slate up until lineups lock!
This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 2/23/24. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our awesome NBA injuries report tool, as the slate can completely change before lineups lock at 7:30 p.m. EST on FanDuel and DraftKings. Good luck, RotoBallers!
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Today's NBA DFS Core Picks
Let's first take a look at our premium projections to see who we want to target for our top spend-ups tonight.
The Timberwolves did not play Thursday, meaning that Anthony Edwards will be fresh for their matchup against the Bucks. It’s a great opponent for him, given that the Bucks have played at the fifth-fastest pace in the league. Coming into the matchup, Edwards has averaged 28.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.2 steals over his last 12 games. Expect him to have an incredibly high floor.
The Hawks are a fantasy-friendly opponent. They have played at the third-fastest pace and have the second-worst defensive rating in the league. That should be music to the ears of Scottie Barnes, who is having a breakout campaign with averages of 20.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.4 blocks.
The Cavaliers are one of the teams that will be playing the second game of a back-to-back set. Donovan Mitchell (illness) did not take the floor against the Magic on Thursday. If he does return Friday, he still might not be completely healthy. Darius Garland has a reasonable salary on both sites and is no longer on a minutes restriction, leaving him with the potential to provide value.
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- Anthony Edwards, MIN vs. MIL – SG/SF ($8,700 DK; $9,500 FD)
- Scottie Barnes, TOR @ ATL – PG/SF/PF ($8,800 DK; $9,100 FD)
- Darius Garland, CLE @ PHI – PG ($6,300 DK; $6,600 FD)
Today's NBA DFS Value Picks
After playing the Lakers on Thursday, the Warriors will take on the Hornets on Friday. While they might not rest any of their veterans, they could look to give their younger players added minutes. Brandin Podziemski, who has averaged 12.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 5.8 assists over the last 12 games, should be locked into significant playing time. The Hornets have the worst defensive rating in the league, making Podziemski even more appealing.
The Wizards don’t have many viable options left at center following the trade of Daniel Gafford. Over the last three games, Marvin Bagley III has provided 11.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in a starting role. Facing a Thunder team that doesn’t have a ton of size up front leaves Bagley with the potential to provide significant value.
Nick Richards continues to start at center for the Hornets with Mark Williams (back) sidelined. Over 33 starts this season, Richards has averaged 10.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks. He comes with a cheap salary on both sites, making him someone to strongly consider in tournament play.
Top Value Plays:
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- Brandin Podziemski, GS vs. CHA – SG/SF ($6,100 DK; $6,000 FD)
- Marvin Bagley III, WAS @ OKC – PF/C ($5,500 DK; $6,100 FD)
- Nick Richards, CHA @ GS – C ($5,400 DK; $5,700 FD)
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Today's NBA DFS Picks: Point Guard
Not only do the Hawks play at a fast pace, but the Raptors have the ninth-worst defensive rating in the league. That could lead to a big night for Trae Young. Over three previous meetings with them this season, Young has averaged 34.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 13.3 assists.
Trae Young closes his #Starry3PT-opening round STRONG!
All 5 money balls give him 26.#StateFarmSaturday on TNT pic.twitter.com/Uv7jCJ9ZE8
— NBA (@NBA) February 18, 2024
In addition to Garland, Tre Mann is another point guard with reasonable salaries to consider. LaMelo Ball (ankle) recently returned to practice for the Hornets, but the team has not said when he will return to game action yet. Mann has been starting with him out, putting up 13.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 6.5 assists over the last four games.
Top PG Options:
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- Trae Young vs. TOR, ($9,700 DK; $9,400 FD)
- Darius Garland @ PHI, ($6,300 DK; $6,600 FD)
- Tre Mann @ GS, ($5,600 DK; $6,300 FD)
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Today's NBA DFS Picks: Shooting Guard
In addition to Edwards and Podziemski, Vince Williams Jr. is worth considering at shooting guard. With the Grizzlies having been hammered by injuries, Williams has stepped into a prominent role. He couldn’t have played much better, putting up 16.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.5 steals over his last 16 games.
Top SG Options:
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- Anthony Edwards vs. MIL, ($8,700 DK; $8,500 FD)
- Vince Williams Jr. vs. LAC, ($7,000 DK; $7,100 FD)
- Brandin Podziemski vs. CHA, ($6,100 DK; $6,000 FD)
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Today's NBA DFS Picks: Small Forward
For those who don’t want to pay up for Barnes at his hefty salaries, his teammate RJ Barrett is another player who could exploit this juicy matchup against the Hawks. Since being acquired from the Knicks, Barrett has averaged 20.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists.
Scottie Barnes hits the Mikal Bridges celly in Mikal's face 🤣 pic.twitter.com/D7mwwTeyxN
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 23, 2024
Staying in that same game, don’t sleep on De’Andre Hunter. While his playing time was initially limited in his return from a knee injury, he played 28 minutes in both of the last two games. He scored a least 21 points in both of them, draining six three-pointers along the way. For the season, he is shooting 42.1 percent from behind the arc.
Top SF Options:
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- Scottie Barnes @ ATL, ($8,800 DK; $9,100 FD)
- RJ Barrett @ ATL, ($6,900 DK; $7,300 FD)
- De’Andre Hunter vs. TOR, ($4,900 DK; $5,300 FD)
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Today's NBA DFS Picks: Power Forward
After logging just 15 minutes per game for the Hawks last season, Jalen Johnson has logged 34 minutes per game this season. Over his last 25 games, he is averaging 16.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.3 steals. While his salary isn’t cumbersome on FanDuel, it’s especially appealing on DraftKings.
Jonathan Kuminga is another young player on the Warriors who should play a lot against the Hornets. He is an efficient scorer, shooting 53.2 percent from the field this season. It should also help his cause that the Hornets have allowed the sixth-most rebounds per game in the league.
With the Hornets dealing away P.J. Washington, Grant Williams has immediately stepped into a significant role off the bench. Over the last four games, he has averaged 18.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists. He’s way too cheap on both sites.
Top PF Options:
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- Jalen Johnson vs. TOR, ($7,300 DK; $8,100 FD)
- Jonathan Kuminga vs. CHA, ($6,700 DK; $6,800 FD)
- Grant Williams @ GS, ($4,600 DK; $5,200 FD)
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Today's NBA DFS Picks: Center
Wembanyama has been putting up crazy stats as his rookie season has moved along. The Spurs haven’t been limiting his playing time as much lately, which has enabled him to average 22.1 points, 10.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.5 steals, and 3.5 blocks over the last 15 games. In two previous meetings with the Lakers, he has averaged 21.5 points, 14.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.5 steals, and 4.0 blocks.
Bagley and Richards are the top two potential value options at the center spot. While Richards has the cheaper salaries on both sites, Bagley has a higher offensive upside.
Top C Options:
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- Victor Wembanyama @ LAL, ($9,200 DK; $10,400 FD)
- Marvin Bagley III @ OKC, ($6,100 DK; $6,100 FD)
- Nick Richards @ GS, ($5,400 DK; $5,700 FD)
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Today's Top NBA DFS Game Stacks
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- Raptors @ Hawks (245 total)
- Wizards @ Thunder (241.5 total)
- Spurs @ Lakers (239.5 total)
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Today's Top NBA DFS Avoids
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- Be careful with the key players on the Thunder. They just played the Clippers on Thursday and will now take on the lowly Wizards. If they race out to a big lead early, their starters might not play much in the fourth quarter.
- The Clippers will also face an inferior foe in the Grizzlies on the second night of their back-to-back set. Their starters are in jeopardy of sitting out most of the fourth quarter if they have built up a big lead by then.
- While Rudy Gobert versus Brook Lopez is a fun defensive matchup, I want no part of either of them in DFS.
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My Favorite NBA DFS Picks for Today
Here is where I leave you with some of my favorites.
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- My favorite overall play on the slate: Anthony Edwards
- My favorite CASH play on the slate: Trae Young
- My favorite GPP play on the slate: Marvin Bagley III
- My favorite value play: Grant Williams
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