Happy Friday, everyone! The NBA has a full slate of games on the docket, with something for every modern hoops fan. This gives us a massive pool of players for which to construct DFS lineups, so let’s talk about the best options for a DraftKings Classic squad.
The league has been full of surprises through the first few weeks of action. The Jazz and Spurs have already defied expectations in the West, while the new-look Cavaliers look incredible with Donovan Mitchell in town. And of course, the Suns and Bucks are still awesome.
One thing’s for sure: NBA fans have been treated to an exciting opening stretch of action. And what’s better than a full slate of NBA hoops after a busy work week? Winning money off it, that’s what’s better. Let’s dive right in, reveal our Friday night DraftKings NBA lineup, and briefly discuss each of our picks.
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NBA DFS 11/4: Best picks for Friday night slate
PG: Darius Garland, Cavaliers at Pistons ($6,900)
With big names like Luka ($12,400) and Ja ($10,100) costing five figures, consider grabbing Garland at a discount. The All-Star point guard has just one game under his belt since returning from an eye injury caused by a collision on Cleveland’s opening night. But he sure looked good in his return! Garland looked extremely comfortable alongside Cavs offseason acquisition Donovan Mitchell, and the two guards served as the main culprits in Cleveland’s second overtime win over Boston in five days. In the W, Garland basically did it all: 29 points, 12 assists, five rebounds, three steals. He shot well from the field and line, and only committed one turnover. All said, he finished with 62.75 fantasy points. Detroit has been the most generous fantasy defense to backcourts in the NBA this young season, allowing 59.8 points per game to guards. Keep an eye on his status, as he’s currently questionable with a knee issue he picked up against Boston. But if he goes — and Mitchell can’t due to an ankle sprain from that same game — Garland could be a top-five PG play this evening at just under $7,000.
Note: If Garland sits this one out, swap him out for Tyrese Maxey ($6,500) — the 76ers will be without James Harden for up to a month with a foot injury, and Maxey has looked spectacular out of the gates this season. Philly has a home game against the Knicks, who rank just 24th in fantasy points allowed to PGs.
NBA DFS 11/4: Best picks for Friday night slate
SG: Desmond Bane, Grizzlies vs. Hornets ($7,900)
Bane has been phenomenal through the Grizzlies’ first seven games, and he just seems to be getting better and better. He’s especially sizzling over his past four contests, averaging 49.3 fantasy points while lighting it up to the tune of 32.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists. He’s a three-point machine, hitting 22 from deep during that four-game stretch, and his percentages have been superb. Charlotte continues to flaunt a young, undisciplined defense, so don’t be surprised if Bane continues his hot streak on Friday evening.
NBA DFS 11/4: Best picks for Friday night slate
SF: Royce O’Neal, Nets at Wizards ($5,400)
With two stars in our backcourt, we must grab a relative value play to fill our three-spot — salary money goes quick in these full slates! O’Neal has been one of the lone bright spots for the fiasco that has been the Nets’ 2022 season. An under-the-radar offseason acquisition from the fire-selling Jazz, the veteran three-and-D swingman offers a little bit of everything for his fantasy investors. He averages 10.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, three assists, and 1.4 steals per game and should see a big usage boost with Kyrie Irving suspended for at least the next five games. The Wizards are mediocre at best defensively, and rank in the bottom eight in the NBA in fantasy points allowed to small forwards.
NBA DFS 11/4: Best picks for Friday night slate
PF: Marcus Morris Sr., Clippers at Spurs ($5,400)
Another great veteran value play, Morris Sr. has exhibited his customarily-smooth jumper from the jump this season. He’s posted 30-plus fantasy points in each of L.A.’s past three games, and erupted for 43.5 in Houston on Wednesday. Now he faces another young, inexperienced Texas team in San Antonio, the third-most generous fantasy defense to opposing power forwards. Morris is streaky, but he’ll reward you handsomely if you catch him when he’s hot.
NBA DFS 11/4: Best picks for Friday night slate
C: Jakob Poeltl, Spurs vs. Clippers ($6,700)
One of the sole veterans on Gregg Popovich’s Spurs, Poeltl quietly goes about his business down low but almost always comes away with a solid line. Don’t be dismayed by his 16 fantasy point performance his last time out against Toronto — San Antonio got boat-raced 143-100 and Pop barely played the starters most of the game. Before that game, Poeltl had fantasy totals of 36, 47.8, 31, 40, 35.5, and 41.5. He also put up 17/11/5 in his one game against the Clippers last season. Plenty of value with the big fella here.
NBA DFS 11/4: Best picks for Friday night slate
G: Monte Morris, Wizards vs. Nets ($5,000)
Morris has been a hit in Washington since coming over from Denver in the Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Will Barton trade. He can be a bit inconsistent, but he typically puts up solid lines against weak defensive opponents. The Nets are the eighth-worst fantasy defense in hoops, allowing an average of 47.4 points per game across all positions, and they’ll be without Irving for at least five games. You can expect a baseline of about 26 fantasy points for Morris this evening.
NBA DFS 11/4: Best picks for Friday night slate
F: Max Strus, Heat at Pacers ($5,200)
Strus has been on the loose this season, posting 30-plus fantasy points four different times and coming up big when Miami needs a key three-pointer or defensive stop. At this price range, we’re basically looking for a high-floor play so we can afford a bigger splash for our utility spot. Strus averages 25.5 fantasy points, and the Pacers have a young, often-unfocused defense. Go to the Max.
NBA DFS 11/4: Best picks for Friday night slate
Util: Jonas Valanciunas, Pelicans vs. Warriors ($7,200)
With $7,500 left to spend, we select Big V for our utility spot. And what a utility man! Valanciunas is a walking double-double, and feasts upon inferior front courts when he’s needed most. Without high-usage teammates Zion Williamson (hip) and Brandon Ingram (concussion), expect C.J. McCollum to hit Valanciunas down low against Golden State’s Kevon Looney and James Wiseman. Big V averaged 14/12.5/4 against the Warriors last season — expect similar results tonight, with maybe 6-10 more points if Zion and BI remain sidelined. The Warriors have allowed the third-most points to opposing centers this season, so this feels like a solid way to cap off a strong DraftKings lineup.
