Now that we have our feet wet again after Thursday's return, let's jump into the weekend with some momentum. DraftKings and FanDuel have drastically different slates on Friday. DK has cut off the three games that tip-off after 8:30 p.m. ET, but FanDuel will offer every one of them for a 9-gamer.

There will surely be plenty of injury news, so check out our Discord closer to lock for updates regarding core plays and more. We'll be live at 5 p.m. ET to break the slate down some mo

 

 

 

Before actually diving into the meat and potatoes, welcome to the NBA DFS season. If this is your first time reading our column on NBA DFS picks, I just want to welcome you and give you a few tips and tricks on what you should be looking for each night.

  • News outlets: reliable sources that give us injury news & starting lineups
  • Pace of play: who's playing fast vs. who's playing slow. Which teams get a pace-up spot (more possessions) vs. pace-down (fewer possessions)
  • Usage rates: is a percentage of how many plays that player is being used in
  • NBA DFS Projections
  • Lineup Generator
  • NBA Ownership

NBA DFS Picks & Daily Fantasy Playbook Today, February 21st

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Pre/Post-Lock Update

This section will be used for anything that changes from the morning until right up to roster lock. 

Injury updates, players we’re higher on than we were in the morning and so much more.

UPDATE 6:06 p.m. ET

  • Vince Williams - OUT
  • Jonathan Isaac - OUT
  • OG Anunoby - IN
  • Giannis - “will remain limited to around 24 minutes if he plays,” per source.

NBA Injuries, News & Updates Today, 2/21

  • Damian Lillard - OUT
  • Bobby Portis - OUT (suspended)
  • Josh Hart - OUT
  • Jalen Suggs - OUT
  • Victor Wembanyama - OUT
  • Daniel Gafford - OUT
  • Fred VanVleet- OUT
  • Jakob Poeltl - OUT
  • Malcolm Brogdon - OUT
  • Brandon Boston - OUT
  • Javonte Green - OUT
  • Caleb Martin - OUT
  • Taurean Prince - OUT
  • Anthony Edwards - Q
  • Rudy Gobert - Q
  • OG Anunoby - Q
  • PJ Washington - Q
  • Mike Conley - Q
  • Vince Williams - Q
  • Nikola Jovic - Q
  • KJ Martin - Q
  • Dwight Powell - D

 

 

 

NBA DFS Slate & Game Overviews

In the section below, I’m listing the most notable things we need to look at in Las Vegas, including notable O/U and spreads. Not every game is listed, but every game listed has the pace and defensive numbers listed.

Washington Wizards vs. Milwaukee Bucks

  • Total: 230
  • Spread: MIL - 6.5
  • Plenty of injuries

Dallas Mavericks vs. New Orleans Pelicans

  • Total: 238
  • Spread: DAL -5.5
  • Battle of the two worst teams in defensive efficiency across their last 10 games, respectively

San Antonio Spurs vs. Detroit Pistons

  • Total: 235.5
  • Spread: DET -4
  • Game total a bit higher than I expected 

Houston Rockets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

  • Total: 220.5
  • Spread: HOU -3
  • Almost everyone that matters is questionable for MIN – could open up some post-lock leverage plays

Sacramento Kings vs. Golden State Warriors

  • Total: 236.5
  • Spread: GSW -2
  • Later-night hammer and a high, competitive total/spread

 

 
 

 

NBA DFS Core Player Pool & Lineup Picks

Here are the core players I’m looking at for my NBA DFS picks tonight. You can see the full analysis of tonight’s NBA DFS projections and player pool below or skip ahead to building the best lineups possible by locking these into the aforementioned lineup generator now.

High

  • Paolo Banchero, Zion Williamson, De'Aaron Fox, Cade Cunningham, Kyrie Irving, Franz Wagner

Mid

  • Kyle Kuzma, PJ Washington, Jordan Poole, Naz Reid, Jarrett Allen, Brook Lopez, Jalen Duren, Ausar Thompson (DK only), Brandon Podziemski (FD only), Alex Sarr

Value

  • Kevin Porter, Wendell Carter (only if starting*), Ryan Rollins, Max Christie, Gary Trent, Cole Anthony, Charles Bassey (only if starting* - large GPP)

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Stacks

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