Friday’s seven game NBA slate features a nationally televised doubleheader and several standout DFS opportunities, with Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun leading a strong core of plays
NBA Friday schedule features seven games, highlighted by a nationally televised doubleheader on ESPN. The Dallas Mavericks visit the Boston Celtics at TD Garden at 7 p.m. ET, followed by the Los Angeles Clippers taking on the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center at 9:30 p.m. ET. Here are the top DFS plays across the full slate.
Core plays worth building around
Alperen Sengun (C, Houston Rockets) is the top play on the board Friday, priced at $9,400 on DraftKings and $9,800 on FanDuel. Sengun is averaging 44.2 fantasy points per game and draws a Portland Trail Blazers defense ranked 28th against opposing centers. Portland has allowed 118.3 points per game this season while surrendering 47.6% shooting from the field. Sengun should face minimal resistance from the Blazers’ frontcourt.
Kevin Durant (SF, Houston Rockets) sits just below Sengun at $9,200 on DraftKings and $9,400 on FanDuel, making him a strong pairing option or standalone play. Durant has averaged 28.6 points per game while hitting two or more three-pointers in eight consecutive outings. He is shooting 6-for-11 from deep in two March games and recorded four steals in an overtime loss to Golden State on Thursday, giving him strong all-around value heading into Friday.
LaMelo Ball (PG, Charlotte Hornets) at $8,700 on DraftKings and $8,400 on FanDuel is riding one of the hottest streaks in the league. Charlotte has won six consecutive games by 15 or more points, becoming just the seventh team in NBA history to accomplish that feat. Ball has scored at least 15 points in seven straight games, dished at least six assists in eight of his last nine and has hit two or more three-pointers in seven consecutive outings.
Cash game targets for stable floors
Devin Booker (PG/SG, Phoenix Suns) at $8,300 on DraftKings and $8,000 on FanDuel draws a New Orleans Pelicans defense ranked 27th against opposing guards. Booker is averaging 39.2 fantasy points per game this season and is coming off a 27-point performance Thursday against Chicago that included six rebounds, two steals and two three-pointers. He averaged 25 points across a back-to-back in New Orleans in December.
Amen Thompson (PG, Houston Rockets) at $8,200 on DraftKings and $8,600 on FanDuel faces a Portland defense ranked 20th. Thompson has posted three consecutive double-doubles, averaging 20 points, 11 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.3 steals across that stretch. He scored exactly 24 points in each game of a back-to-back against Portland in January while averaging 10.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists.
Grayson Allen (PG, Phoenix Suns) at $7,300 on DraftKings and $6,900 on FanDuel is a salary-saving alternative against the same favorable Pelicans defense. Allen has averaged 22.3 points, 6.7 assists and 1.7 steals over his last three games while knocking down five three-pointers per game in that span. He has made 43 three-pointers across his previous 11 outings.
GPP targets for tournament lineups
OG Anunoby (PF, New York Knicks) at $6,600 on DraftKings and $6,300 on FanDuel draws the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena in a mid-tier price range that offers genuine upside. After a difficult stretch in late February, Anunoby has averaged 14.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 2.7 three pointers across three March outings.
Miles Bridges (PF, Charlotte Hornets) at $6,400 on DraftKings and $6,500 on FanDuel is at a depressed salary after a cold start to March, having averaged just 10 points while shooting 26.1% from the field in two games. A matchup against a generous Miami defense that allowed him 14 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists in November makes him a worthwhile GPP flier at his current price.
Value plays to stretch your salary cap
Ryan Dunn (PF, Phoenix Suns) at $4,200 on DraftKings and $3,900 on FanDuel draws a Pelicans defense ranked 25th. Dunn scored 10 points in each of his two games on Feb. 24 and Feb. 26 and pulled down 11 rebounds Thursday while adding two steals and a block in 24 minutes. He offers solid value at a price that allows roster flexibility elsewhere. Grant Williams at $4,100 on DraftKings against a Miami defense ranked 26th is another budget-friendly option worth monitoring, having recorded nine or more points in three of his last four games.