Before the All-Star break, Kyrie Irving dropped 42 points, seven rebounds, and seven 3-pointers.
It’s Friday, Feb. 21. We have nine games on the NBA schedule, including two nationally televised games on ESPN. At 7 ET, the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers hook up at Rocket Arena, while the Minnesota Timberwolves and Houston Rockets tip off at 9:30 ET.
Here are our top NBA DFS lineup picks and advice for tonight’s slate of games.
NBA DFS Core Plays
Giannis Antetokounmpo (PF, C – MIL)
- DraftKings: $11,500
- FanDuel: $11,900
Giannis Antetokounmpo will cost you a pretty penny, but he is worth it against the Washington Wizards’ leaky defense. The Wizards rank 30th in the NBA with 121.8 points per game (PPG) allowed, while teams hit 47.6% from the field and 36.8% from behind the 3-point line. Using a Bucks stack to win some bucks is certainly warranted.
The Greek Freak is averaging 59.9 fantasy points per game. He finished with 23 points on 10-of-14 shooting in Thursday’s game against the Clippers following an 18-day layoff. He also added eight rebounds, four assists, and a blocked shot, which was way under his usual showing. He had 20 consecutive double-doubles before the All-Star break, so his DFS managers Thursday were disappointed. It won’t continue.
- DraftKings: $9,500
- FanDuel: $9,000
If you can squeeze Damian Lillard into your lineup, along with Giannis Antetokounmpo, this is the game to do it. Lillard was a dismal 2-for-12 from the field against the Clippers, but he still ended up with 15 points, seven assists, seven rebounds and two steals. He was good for a pair of 3-pointers, too, so at least he made his makes count.
Earlier this season against Washington on November 30th, he went for 25 points, 10 assists, and five rebounds with three steals, a blocked shot, and five 3-pointers in a 124-114 victory against the Wizards at Fiserv Forum.
- DraftKings: $9,500
- FanDuel: $9,200
If you have an aversion to spending big for two guys on the same team, Kyrie Irving is a strong alternative against the skidding New Orleans Pelicans.
Before the All-Star break, Irving was good for 42 points, seven rebounds, and seven 3-pointers on February 12th against the Golden State Warriors, hitting 15-of-25 from the field in a 111-107 victory. He has scored 25+ points in five of the past seven regular-season games. In his most recent game against the Pelicans on January 29th, Irving went for 25 points, nine boards, six assists, and a steal with three 3-pointers in 39 minutes.
NBA DFS Cash Game Targets
- DraftKings: $8,300
- FanDuel: $8,700
It looks like rest did Paolo Banchero some good, as he managed 36 points on 11-of-25 from the field, with 10 rebounds, five assists, and three 3-pointers in 37 minutes in a 114-108 victory in Atlanta on Thursday. He has enjoyed a solid February, averaging 22 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game in eight games this month, while totaling 11 3-pointers in the past three outings.
- DraftKings: $8,100
- FanDuel: $8,100
Bam Adebayo is a strong play in the middle against the Toronto Raptors in a very favorable matchup. The Raptors have allowed 116.5 PPG to rank 25th in the NBA while allowing 46.9% from the field to check in 19th.
The Raptors are 12th in The Association in 3-point defense, allowing 35.7% from behind the 3-point line. Adebayo scored 21 points with 16 rebounds and five assists in 35 minutes against Toronto on December 12th. Before that, Adebayo had a triple-double in NBA Cup group play on November 29th with 14 points, 10 boards, 10 dimes, three steals, and a pair of 3-pointers.
- DraftKings: $7,600
- FanDuel: $7,700
Before the All-Star break, Jordan Poole erupted for 42 points on 15-of-29 shooting against the Indiana Pacers on February 12th, and he chipped in with five rebounds, five assists, two steals, a blocked shot, and six 3-pointers in 41 minutes. It was his second 40-point effort in the past four starts.
In his most recent meeting with the Bucks on December 21st, Poole scored 26 points, with five rebounds and three assists, while knocking down eight 3-pointers in 36 minutes with seven turnovers. Poole is averaging 28.5 points, 5.0 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 5.5 3-pointers made per game in two meetings with the Bucks this season.
NBA DFS GPP Targets
- DraftKings: $6,900
- FanDuel: $7,100
With Bobby Portis Jr. out with a 25-game suspension for violating the league’s anti-drug policy, it opens the door for guys like Kyle Kuzma, Brook Lopez, and Taurean Prince. Kuzma was in the starting lineup Friday against the Clippers, going for 13 points, seven rebounds, and three 3-pointers in 37 minutes. At this price, he could be a strong value.
- DraftKings: $6,700
- FanDuel: $6,900
Jalen Duren‘s assignment on Friday night got a whole lot easier once Victor Wembanyama news came down. Instead of facing the talented Frenchman superstar, he now has to try and solve Congolese journeyman Bismack Biyombo.
Duren had a double-double in his final game before the break on February 12th in Chicago, going for 16 points and 14 rebounds with two blocked shots. He has three double-doubles in the past four games while posting eight or more rebounds in 20 consecutive outings.
Precious Achiuwa (PF, C – NYK)
- DraftKings: $6,200
- FanDuel: $6,300
Precious Achiuwa will likely see a bump in playing time and production with Josh Hart battling patellofemoral syndrome in his right knee. With Hart out and OG Anunoby (foot) carrying a questionable tag into the game, Achiuwa could have a large amount of production for a reasonable price tag.
NBA DFS Value Plays
- DraftKings: $5,500
- FanDuel: $6,300
Jeremy Sochan was good for 12 points, five rebounds, four assists, and a steal with one 3-pointer in 28 minutes against the Suns on Thursday, while hitting 5-of-8 from the field. He will be one of the players who should see an increase in offensive responsibilities with Victor Wembanyama on the shelf.
- DraftKings: $3,300
- FanDuel: $4,300
The Spurs received the unfortunate news that Victor Wembanyama is expected to be sidelined for the remainder of the season due to deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder. The veteran Bismack Biyombo made his first start at center on Thursday against the Phoenix Suns. He went 4-for-4 from the field with eight points, three rebounds, two assists, and a steal in 16 minutes in his first appearance of the 2024-25 NBA season.
- DraftKings: $4,500
- FanDuel: $4,500
Luguentz Dort stepped up his production in the final two games before the All-Star break, averaging 15.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.0 3-pointers made per game. He was 13-of-20 (65.0%) from the field and averaged 32 minutes per game.
