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There will be six games played across the NBA on Friday and it’s a bit of a tricky DFS slate. With so many players changing teams at the trade deadline Thursday, some of the teams in action Friday could be dealing with limited depth charts.
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 2/9/24. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our awesome NBA injuries report tool, as the slate can completely change before lineups lock at 7:00 p.m. EST on FanDuel and DraftKings.
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Today's NBA DFS Core Picks
Make sure to review our free matchup ratings to see who our system is singling out as particularly strong plays tonight.
Nikola Jokic is one of the top options whenever the Nuggets are in action. He produced another excellent stat line Thursday, recording 24 points, 13 rebounds, nine assists, and three blocks against the Lakers. He has increased both his scoring and rebounding averages this season, while still producing 9.0 assists per game. Expect him to be a difficult matchup for the Kings, who don’t have much of a defensive presence inside the paint.
The Hornets were active at the trade deadline, dealing away Gordon Hayward and P.J. Washington. Washington had been very productive of late, averaging 16.9 points over the last 10 games. Brandon Miller and Miles Bridges are now the undisputed top-scoring options for the Hornets until LaMelo Ball (ankle) returns. Ball is out again Friday, so look for Miller to exploit a matchup against a Bucks team that has played at the fourth-fastest pace in the league.
There are a few players on the Rockets who are appealing for this slate. Not only are they shorthanded with Fred VanVleet (thigh) and Tari Eason (leg) out, but they will play a Raptors team that has the eighth-worst defensive rating in the league. Amen Thompson started in place of VanVleet on Tuesday against the Pacers, finishing with 13 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, and three blocks over 34 minutes. He is an appealing option on both sites, but especially on DraftKings, where he has a cheap salary.
Top Core Plays:
- Nikola Jokic, DEN @ SAC – C ($11,600 DK; $11,900 FD)
- Brandon Miller, CHA @ MIL – SG/SF ($7,500 DK; $7,600 FD)
- Amen Thompson, HOU @ TOR – PG/SG ($5,300 DK; $7,200 FD)
Today's NBA DFS Value Picks
Despite the potential for Joel Embiid (knee) to miss the remainder of the regular season, the 76ers did not add a center at the trade deadline. They should have their hands full Friday against Onyeka Okongwu, who will start again in place of Clint Capela (thigh). Over five starts this season, Okongwu has averaged 17.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks.
Going back to the Rockets, Dillon Brooks is an excellent value target on both sites. He was more aggressive offensively with VanVleet out, scoring 23 points on 15 shot attempts against the Pacers. Not known for his efficiency, he has improved in that department this season by shooting 45.8 percent from the field, which would the highest mark of his career.
An interesting value play to monitor is Eugene Omoruyi for when the Wizards take on the Celtics. The Wizards traded away Daniel Gafford on Thursday and Marvin Bagley III (back) remains out. If the newly acquired Richaun Holmes is not able to play, then Omoruyi could log plenty of minutes. He showed upside against the Suns earlier this week, posting 16 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, and three steals over 23 minutes.
Top Value Plays:
- Onyeka Okongwu, ATL @ PHI – PF/C ($6,200 DK; $7,100 FD)
- Dillon Brooks, HOU @ TOR – SG/SF ($4,800 DK; $5,300 FD)
- Eugene Omoruyi, WAS @ BOS – SF/PF/C ($3,800 DK; $4,200 FD)
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Today's NBA DFS Picks: Point Guard
The matchup between the Nuggets and Kings will provide two appealing point guards for DFS. Jamal Murray has been excellent of late, averaging 22.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 7.8 assists over his last six games. As the driving force behind the Kings’ offense, De’Aaron Fox is averaging a career-high 26.9 points per game.
In terms of value options at point guard, be sure to target Thompson. Until VanVleet gets healthy, Thompson is going to be someone to strongly consider rolling with in DFS on a nightly basis.
Top PG Options:
- Jamal Murray @ SAC, ($8,400 DK; $8,800 FD)
- De’Aaron Fox vs. DEN, ($8,200 DK; $9,100 FD)
- Amen Thompson @ TOR, ($5,300 DK; $7,200 FD)
Today's NBA DFS Picks: Shooting Guard
Miller and Brooks both qualify at the shooting guard spot and make for great targets. Miller has really taken his game to the next level lately, averaging 23.3 points and 3.2 three-pointers over the last 12 games.
Another member of the Rockets to consider is Jalen Green. His overall numbers are down this season with the Rockets having added VanVleet and Brooks. However, when VanVleet was out against the Pacers, he scored 30 points over 33 minutes. The key was that he attempted 20 shots in the game, compared to his season average of 15.2 shot attempts per game.
Top SG Options:
- Brandon Miller @ MIL, ($7,500 DK; $7,600 FD)
- Jalen Green @ TOR, ($7,300 DK; $7,500 FD)
- Dillon Brooks @ TOR, ($4,800 DK; $5,300 FD)
Today's NBA DFS Picks: Small Forward
We already touched base on Bridges, who has also benefited from the Hornets being so shorthanded. Working our way down the salary scale a bit further brings us to Tobias Harris, who the 76ers need more scoring from with Embiid out. He has a great matchup against the Hawks, who have played at the fourth-fastest pace and have the third-worst defensive rating in the league.
A small forward to consider with a cheap salary is Corey Kispert. He is an excellent shooter, shooting 48.6 percent from the field and 36.1 percent from behind the arc for the season. Over the last four games, he has averaged 20.0 points. With the Wizards potentially set to be shorthanded, he could get extended minutes.
Top SF Options:
- Miles Bridges @ MIL, ($8,600 DK; $8,900 FD)
- Tobias Harris vs. ATL, ($7,800 DK; $8,300 FD)
- Corey Kispert @ BOS, ($4,700 DK; $4,900 FD)
Today's NBA DFS Picks: Power Forward
In terms of safer power forwards to target, Jalen Johnson is right up there. Amid a breakout campaign, he has averaged 16.8 points, 9.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.8 steals over his last 13 games. With Embiid no longer patrolling the paint for the 76ers, Johnson could be met with little resistance.
Yet another player on the Rockets to consider is Jabari Smith Jr. Despite his improved efficiency this season, he has been a bit inconsistent. Over his last six games, he scored at least 18 points three times. However, he also had two games in which he scored three or fewer points. The Raptors are a good matchup, though, making Smith a viable tournament option.
Top PF Options:
- Jalen Johnson @ PHI, ($7,400 DK; $8,100 FD)
- Jabari Smith Jr. @ TOR, ($5,400 DK; $6,200 FD)
- Eugene Omoruyi @ BOS, ($3,800 DK; $4,200 FD)
Today's NBA DFS Picks: Center
Jokic is one of our core plays and Okongwu is one of our top value options. Deciding between the two really comes down to how you want to construct your lineup. If you are ok spending up at the center spot, then roll with Jokic. For those looking to spend more of their budget at other positions, then Okongwu should be strongly considered.
Another potential value option at center is Nick Richards, who remained with the Hornets through the trade deadline. Over 28 games as a starter, he has averaged 9.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks.
Top C Options:
- Nikola Jokic @ SAC, ($11,600 DK; $11,900 FD)
- Onyeka Okongwu @ PHI, ($6,200 DK; $7,100 FD)
- Nick Richards @ MIL, ($5,900 DK; $6,000 FD)
Today's Top NBA DFS Game Stacks
- Hawks @ 76ers (243 total)
- Wizards @ Celtics (236 total)
- Pelicans @ Lakers (234 total)
Today's Top NBA DFS Avoids
- Stay away from Jordan Poole, who has scored a total of four points over his last two games.
- The starters for the Celtics are risky. They have a great matchup against the Wizards, but if they race out to a big lead early, they might not play much in the fourth quarter.
- The Bucks’ starters are also a bit risky against the Hornets. It’s the second game of a back-to-back set for them, so the Bucks might aim to sit them more in the second half if they have built up a sizable lead by then.
My Favorite NBA DFS Picks for Today
Here is where I leave you with some of my favorites.
- My favorite overall play on the slate: Amen Thompson
- My favorite CASH play on the slate: Onyeka Okongwu
- My favorite GPP play on the slate: Tobias Harris
- My favorite value play: Dillon Brooks
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