Top NBA DFS Plays & Pick'Em Picks 2/23 | Running Down a Busy Friday Slate!

Top DFS Plays & Pick 'Ems for Friday's NBA Action!

Author

Ryan Humphries
February 23, 2024

Written By: Ryan Humphries on Twitter & LineStar chat @Ryan_Humphries

Pick’Em Prop Offers 2/23/24 💸

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DFS Main Slate Rundown 📰

It’s another busy day in the NBA with 10 games on the Friday schedule! Depending on your preferred DFS site, you’ll be looking at either a six-game main slate (DraftKings) or the full 10-game main slate (FanDuel) -- DraftKings has elected to exclude the four late games from their main slate. This is a bit irritating from my perspective since I do my best to cover top plays on both sites equally but, for the sake of this newsletter, we’ll stick to spotlighting players from the six mutually shared games, though, I’ll still list off some favorable plays for the late games as well. Anyhow, let’s get into it! Best of luck!

 

Today’s Key Injuries

  • Raptors: RJ Barrett - Questionable

  • Hawks: O. Okongwu - OUT

  • Cavaliers: D. Mitchell - Questionable

  • 76ers: J. Embiid - OUT, D. Melton - Probable, N. Batum - Questionable, K. Lowry - OUT

  • Clippers: None

  • Grizzlies: J. Jackson Jr. - Probable, S. Pippen Jr. - OUT, J. LaRavia - Questionable

  • Wizards: None

  • Thunder: None

  • Heat: T. Herro - Questionable, T. Rozier - OUT, J. Richardson - OUT

  • Pelicans: Z. Williamson - Questionable, B. Ingram - Questionable

  • Suns: B. Beal - Questionable

  • Rockets: T. Eason - OUT

 

FanDuel Main Slate Only

  • Nuggets: K. Caldwell-Pope - Questionable

  • Trailblazers: M. Brogdon - OUT, S. Henderson - OUT, J. Walker - Questionable

  • Bucks: G. Antetokounmpo - Probable, K. Middleton - OUT, P. Connaughton - Probable

  • Timberwolves: None

  • Hornets: L. Ball - Questionable, M. Williams - OUT, D. Bertans - Questionable

  • Warriors: C. Paul - OUT, G. Payton II - Questionable

  • Spurs: None

  • Lakers: L. James - Questionable, C. Wood - OUT, C. Reddish -Questionable

Main Slate Match-Ups w/ Game Totals & Point Spreads

🆕LineStar NBA Feature Update🆕

As most LineStar Premium subscribers are aware, your subscription includes access to both the mobile app and the desktop LineStar site. Desktop users may notice a new “Team DEF” tool/tab feature that has been added for NBA over the All-Star Break! This tool gives a detailed visual breakdown of team defense and DvP (defense versus position) information with expanded sorting options. This is just another useful tool to help you take a more informed NBA DFS approach! And, if you’re someone who exclusively uses the app, be on the lookout for the “Team DEF” tool coming to LineStar mobile in the near future!

Top DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Plays

Note: NBA position designations are never going to perfectly align between the major DFS sites. For the purposes of these newsletters, positional designations will default to DraftKings.

Point Guards/Shooting Guards to Consider 🏀

PG Trae Young, ATL | DK: $9.4k, FD: $9.3k | vs. TOR

Young heads into the second half of the season under $9,500 on both sites and he’ll be in a sneaky-good spot at home tonight. The Raptors, who are on the second leg of a back-to-back, have ranked 28th in DEFRTG since trading away Pascal Siakam on Jan. 18th and they’re 26th versus PGs L10Games. Defense isn’t exactly the Hawks’ strong suit either as they’re 29th in DEFRTG on the season. So, this will result in a slate-high 244.5 over/under in this game. Trae Young had a few “so-so” performances heading into the All-Star Break but we’ll look for him to come out fresh and firing on all cylinders after the Hawks’ received a nine-day layoff.

 

PG Tyus Jones, WAS | DK: $6.1k, FD: $7.2k | @ OKC

While I have my concerns over whether Tyus Jones can continue his current level of play, it isn’t all too surprising that things are finally clicking for him. Jones routinely showed off a great DFS ceiling when he earned spot starts with the Grizzlies in previous seasons but his first season as a full-time starting point guard has had some bumps in the road. Nonetheless, his assist rate has been off the charts recently, and, over his last five games, Jones is averaging 12.6 APG, 16.6 PPG, 1.23 FPPM, and 42.2 DKFP/39.8 FDFP per game. The 9-46 Wizards are once again massive 16-point underdogs today, so the blowout potential is high, but if Washington can keep things within arm’s reach on the scoreboard, Jones may come away with another excellent individual performance.

SG/SF Duncan Robinson, MIA | DK: $4.9k, FD: $5.2k | @ NOP

The Heat are still a bit thin in the backcourt with Terry Rozier and Josh Richardson both out while Tyler Herro (foot) remains questionable. If Herro is out, I believe Robinson will definitely receive a third consecutive start but, if Herro plays, Robinson may return to a role off of the bench. However it shakes out, Robinson should end up playing around 30 minutes which would open the door for 6x (or better) upside. This is Miami’s first game in nine days and Robinson has averaged +33% more FPPG when well-rested. The Pelicans are a strong defense overall (6th in DEFRTG) but they’ve ranked 24th versus shooting guards L10Games.

 

Other Guards to Consider

PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC | DK: $10.9k, FD: $11.4k | vs. WAS

PG Steph Curry, GSW | DK: N/A, FD: $9.5k | vs. CHA (FD Main Slate Only)

SG/SF Anthony Edwards, MIN | DK: N/A, FD: $9.5k | vs. MIL (FD Main Slate Only)

PG/SG Dejounte Murray, ATL | DK: $7.5k, FD: $8.2k | vs. TOR

PG CJ McCollum, NOP | DK: $7.3k, FD: $7.3k | vs. MIA (Preferred if B. Ingram is out)

SG/SF Vince Williams Jr., MEM | DK: $7k, FD: $7.1k | vs. LAC

SG/SF RJ Barrett, TOR | DK: $6.9k, FD: $7.3k | @ ATL

PG Fred VanVleet, HOU | DK: $6.7k, FD: $7.9k | vs. PHX (DK Preferred)

SG Devin Vassell, SAS | DK: N/A, FD: $6.9k | @ LAL (FD Main Slate Only)

PG Darius Garland, CLE | DK: $6.3k, FD: $6.6k | @ PHI (Preferred if D. Mitchell is out)

PG Tre Mann, CHA | DK: N/A, FD: $6.3k | @ GSW (FD Main Slate Only)

SG Eric Gordon, PHX | DK: $4.8k, FD: $4.9k | @ HOU (Only if B. Beal is out + Gordon starts)

SG/SF Cam Whitmore, HOU | DK: $4.4k, FD: $5k | vs. PHX

SG Gary Trent Jr., TOR | DK: $4.3k, FD: $4.7k | @ ATL

SG/SF Isaiah Joe, OKC | DK: $3.2k, FD: $3.8k | vs. WAS

Small Forwards/Power Forwards to Consider 🏀

PF Jalen Johnson, ATL | DK: $7.3k, FD: $8.1k | vs. TOR

We’ll get back into this Hawks/Raptors match-up for another enticing play. Over his last 10 games, Jalen Johnson has supplied at least 38.5 DKFP/37.4 FDFP in seven games. His usage isn’t sky-high but Johnson typically puts up 15-20 points, flirts with, or exceeds, double-digit rebounds, and he can routinely rack up multiple blocks/steals. He posted a 17-point, 12-rebound double-double against the Raptors back on Jan. 28th and Toronto has ranked 25th versus power forwards L10Games.

PF Jalen Williams, OKC | DK: $7.2k, FD: $7.9k | vs. WAS

From one Jalen to another -- Williams stands out as another solid option out of this general price range. He was red-hot heading into the ASB and he has secured at least 40.5 DKFP/39.9 FDFP in four of his last five games. The match-up doesn’t get much better as Washington continues to play at the fastest pace in the NBA while ranking 27th in DEFRTG. The last time these teams met, Williams flirted with a triple-double and came away with 48.75 DKFP/46.4 FDFP. If the Wizards can avoid getting blown out early in this one, Williams is a great bet for another 40-50 FP performance.

 

SF/PF Royce O’Neale, PHX | DK: $4.1k, FD: $4.5k | @ HOU

Value is lacking a bit tonight but Royce O’Neale has provided some nice minutes off of the Suns’ bench since being acquired at the trade deadline. Over the last three games, O’Neale is averaging 27.4 minutes/gm, 9.3 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 3.3 APG, 2.7 STL+BLK/gm, and 28.8 DKFP/29.7 FDFP per game. He’s not going to take over any game scoring-wise, but he contributes in all five categories and doesn’t need to do too much to return value on these DFS salaries.

 

Other Forwards to Consider

PF/C Anthony Davis, LAL | DK: N/A, FD: $11.2k | vs. SA (FD Main Slate Only)

PF Kevin Durant, PHX | DK: $9.7k, FD: $9.9k | @ HOU (Boost if B. Beal is out)

SF/PG Scottie Barnes, TOR | DK: $8.8k, FD: $9.1k | @ ATL

SF/PF Miles Bridges, CHA | DK: N/A, FD: $9k | @ GSW (FD Main Slate Only)

PF Zion Williamson, NOP | DK: $7.9k, FD: $8.3k | vs. MIA (Currently questionable - Boost if B. Ingram is out)

SF Jimmy Butler, MIA | DK: $7.7k, FD: $8.5k | @ NOP (DK Preferred)

PF/C Kyle Kuzma, WAS | DK: $7.4k, FD: $7.7k | @ OKC

PF/C Evan Mobley, CLE | DK: $7k, FD: $7.5k | @ PHI

SF/PF Saddiq Bey, ATL | DK: $5.9k, FD: $6k | vs. TOR

SF/PF Andrew Wiggins, GSW | DK: N/A, FD: $5.5k | vs. CHA (FD Main Slate Only)

PF Gregory “GG” Jackson, MEM | DK: $5.2k, FD: $6.3k | vs. LAC

PF Grant Williams, CHA | DK: N/A, FD: $5.1k | @ GSW (FD Main Slate Only)

SF/SG Trey Murphy III, NOP | DK: $5k, FD: $5.1k | vs. MIA (If B. Ingram is out + Murphy starts)

SF/PF De’Andre Hunter, ATL | DK: $4.9k, FD: $5.3k | vs. TOR

SF/PF Herbert Jones, NOP | DK: $4.8k, FD: $5.8k | vs. MIA (DK Preferred)

SF Luguentz Dort, OKC | DK: $4.6k, FD: $5.2k | vs. WAS

SF/PF Isaac Okoro, CLE | DK: $3.5k, FD: $4.5k | @ PHI

Centers to Consider 🏀

C Chet Holmgren, OKC | DK: $7.6k, FD: $8.2k | vs. WAS

Rolling with a talented center versus the Wizards has been a reliable approach to take all season. Washington has allowed, by far, the most FPPM to centers L10Games (1.49 FPPM) so, even though Holmgren only plays around 30-32 minutes most nights, this is the best match-up he could draw to maximize those minutes. Holmgren was able to put up 49.5 DKFP/49.3 FDFP in just 32 minutes when these teams last met on Jan. 8th. I believe Holmgren will play close to his usual minutes regardless of whether this game trends toward a blowout, but it’s worth noting that he averages -27% less FPPG in games with no rest. However, the Wizards are on the second leg of a B2B as well so I don’t see that factoring much into the equation tonight.

C Ivica Zubac, LAC | DK: $5.4k, FD: $6k | @ MEM

Zubac is off of his minutes restriction and should be expected to play around 28 minutes tonight. He’s averaged 1.15 FPPM L20Games and the Grizzlies have allowed 1.30 FPPM to centers L10Games. This match-up is far from the most enticing game atmosphere but we can feel good about the potential value that Zubac can provide at his low-end salaries.

 

Other Centers to Consider

C Nikola Jokic, PHX | DK: N/A, FD: $12k | @ POR (FD Main Slate Only)

C Bam Adebayo, MIA | DK: $8.4k, FD: $9k | @ NOP

C Rudy Gobert, MIN | DK: N/A, FD: $8k | vs. MIL (FD Main Slate Only)

C Deandre Ayton, POR | DK: N/A, FD: $7.7k | vs. DEN (FD Main Slate Only)

C Jarrett Allen, CLE | DK: $7.1k, FD: $7.8k | @ PHI

C Jakob Poeltl, TOR | DK: $6.2k, FD: $6.5k | @ ATL

C Clint Capela, ATL | DK: $5.9k, FD: $6.3k | vs. TOR

C Marvin Bagley III, WAS | DK: $5.5k, FD: $6.1k | @ OKC

C Kevin Love, MIA | DK: $3.8k, FD: $4.6k | @ NOP (DK Preferred)

PrizePicks NBA Power Play of the Day ⚡

Here is a two-pick “Power Play” I’m liking for today's NBA action over on PrizePicks! Nothing is ever a guarantee to hit but I put my own money on these bets so I don't just lightly throw these out there without believing they'll cash! If it hits, it will return 3x the wager.

Dejounte Murray MORE than 5.5 Assists

Ivica Zubac MORE than 27.0 Fantasy Score

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That will wrap us up with today’s “Daily Dribble” edition! Once again, you can find me on Twitter or in LineStar chat @Ryan_Humphries. Good luck everyone!