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After a busy week of work, the NBA features a smaller, three-game slate on DraftKings this Friday. It should still be a fun fantasy basketball night, though, since there are many interesting options to consider from the six teams in the player pool. Of those six teams, only the Trail Blazers played Thursday and are on the second night of a back-to-back but the other five teams will all be back in action on Saturday as part of a massive 14-game schedule.
Even though the slate is smaller on Friday, I found some excellent fantasy options to consider, so let's look at the best of these matchups from a DFS perspective on DraftKings. If you're looking for FanDuel-specific advantage, check out Thunder Dan's FanDuel picks!
This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 1/24/25. Remember to monitor NBA injury news and our awesome NBA injuries report tool, as the slate can completely change before lineups lock at 7:00 p.m. EST on DraftKings.
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DraftKings NBA DFS Core Picks
Tyrese Maxey, PHI – PG ($10,000)
Despite the Sixers' sinking season, Maxey continues to be a great fantasy option to build around, delivering big nights on a regular basis regardless of the lineup around him. He has scored as least 28 points in eight straight games and averaged 30.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 1.5 steals per game for 50.25 DraftKings points per game over that span.
A career year for @TyreseMaxey across the board 📈
🔔 26.4 PTS* | 5.8 AST | 2.0 STL* | 3.2 3PT*
(*Career High)Will he earn his second straight #NBAAllStar nod? pic.twitter.com/z17WmvYikW
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 21, 2025
Maxey has over 50 DraftKings points in three of his last four games and is coming off 28 points, 10 assists, and 51.5 DraftKings points on Tuesday in his most recent contest. On Friday, he has a tough matchup against the Cavs but will continue to carry enough volume that he's a good play with a high ceiling despite the tough matchup.
Trey Murphy III, NO – SG/SF ($8,200)
The Pelicans should be well-rested after Wednesday's game was canceled due to weather issues. They haven't played since Monday when they won their fourth straight game by beating the Jazz by four points. Despite the extra layoff, they'll still be without Zion Williamson (reconditioning) and Brandon Ingram (ankle), so Murphy should continue to feature in the offense.
On Monday, he hit a huge three-pointer to help ice the game and finished with 24 points, seven rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks for a total of 45.25 DraftKings points.
helping off Trey Murphy is craaaaaazy pic.twitter.com/BKlU7Vt5QW
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) January 21, 2025
Murphy has at least 43 DraftKings points in five of his last six games and is emerging as a star fantasy producer.
On Friday, he and the Pelicans are in a great pace-up spot against the Grizzlies, who play at the fastest pace in the NBA. Memphis has given up more DraftKings points per game to small forwards than any other team in the NBA. When the two teams met just after Christmas, Murphy lit up Memphis for 35 points and 48.25 DraftKings points in an eight-point loss. There should again be plenty of fantasy points from this matchup, so building around Murphy is a strong play to consider, especially with his positional flexibility.
Mark Williams, CHA – C ($7,800)
One of the biggest injury question marks coming into Friday's slate is LaMelo Ball ($10,500; wrist), who is listed as questionable. With Brandon Miller (wrist) done for the season, the Hornets offer plenty of value and opportunity in a great matchup against the Trail Blazers. Lately, Mark Williams has been stepping up for the Hornets and becoming a go-to option anytime Charlotte is on the slate.
Williams got a late start to the season after missing almost a full year, but he has been locked in with over 50 DraftKings points in four of his last five games. He had four double-doubles to start that run and then set a new career-high with 38 points against Memphis on Wednesday.
Mark Williams 38 PTS on 14/18 FG pic.twitter.com/fYhLcqz97Q
— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) January 23, 2025
Williams averaged 25.0 points, 14.0 rebounds, and 52.6 DraftKings points per game over his last five outings, and getting him under $8,000 in a matchup with the Trail Blazers makes him an exceptional building block to consider. If Ball is out, Williams could carry even more of the scoring load.
Others Under Consideration: Ja Morant - PG ($9,000), Donovan Mitchell - PG/SG ($8,300), Jerami Grant - PF ($5,400)
DraftKings NBA DFS Tournament Pivots
CJ McCollum, NO - PG/SG ($7,600)
McCollum can be boom or bust, which is why I like him for tournament lineups where we have to swing for the fences and can take some extra risk. He lit up the Jazz for 26 and 45 points in his last two games, producing 42.25 and 68.5 DraftKings points.
CJ McCollum starting to heat up 👀
10 straight points and 36 overall!
Close one in Q4 on NBA League Pass 🍿 pic.twitter.com/Vbp0SgIehz
— NBA (@NBA) January 21, 2025
In his 20 games without Zion and Ingram, McCollum has averaged 38.6 DraftKings points per contest. He produced 32 points and 49.5 DraftKings points in his most recent matchup with Memphis after scoring 30 points and finishing with 41 DraftKings points when he faced them earlier this season.
McCollum brings a very high ceiling from this affordable price point, and since the Grizzlies allow the 10th-most fantasy points to opposing shooting guards, using him to anchor your tournament lineup makes sense on Friday.
Darius Garland, CLE - PG ($7,500)
The Cavaliers will be without Evan Mobley (calf) for a fourth straight game on Friday as they visit the Sixers. In the five games Garland has played without Mobley this season, he averaged 43.4 DraftKings points. In each of the three games without Mobley due to this injury, Garland had at least 35 DraftKings points, highlighted by 46.25 DraftKings points against the Timberwolves last week.
He scored 26 points and helped the Rockets climb back into their road game on Wednesday in Houston, finishing with 42 DraftKings points. He did come up short at the free throw line in the closing seconds, but he still had a strong game from a fantasy perspective.
Darius Garland scoop layup FOR THE LEAD pic.twitter.com/EdGRQVr1w0
— Dylan🔮🪼🎆 (@dillybar2145__) January 23, 2025
He'll look to bounce back from his late-game letdown and put together another big stat line while helping the Cavs get back into the win column in their visit to face short-handed Philadelphia.
Guerschon Yabusele, PHI - PF/C ($5,000)
The Sixers will be without Joel Embiid (knee) and Andre Drummond (toe), so Yabusele will once again be poised to step into big minutes at center. The fact that he's still power forward eligible as well helps him fit into more roster builds, especially if Mark Williams is part of your core plays.
Drummond played on Tuesday, so Yabusele came off the bench in his return from a two-game absence of his own due to a knee injury. Even in just 24 minutes, though, Yabusele reminded everyone of his fantasy upside with 22 points and 32.25 DraftKings points.
22 PTS 🇫🇷 4 3PM 🇫🇷 8/13 FG
Guerschon Yabusele tied his CAREER-HIGH in scoring last night vs. the Nuggets! The #GLeagueAlum is averaging 10.4 PPG and 5.3 RPG this year for the @sixers. pic.twitter.com/RAAIZ2iXnw
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) January 22, 2025
In his nine games this year without both Drummond and Embiid, Yabusele averaged 28.8 DraftKings points at the rate of 1.24 DraftKings points per minute. He has had success when stepping into a larger role, and getting him at only $5,000 makes him a great value play Friday.
Yves Missi, NOP - C ($5,100)
After both big men missed two games due to illness, Missi is probable to play Friday while Zion is out. The first-round pick from Baylor has gotten plenty of playing time this year with all the injuries on the Pelicans' roster and is averaging 9.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 25.2 DraftKings points per game in his 41 contests.
In his last 21 games without Zion, Missi averaged 29.3 DraftKings points, and he'll get a good matchup on Friday against the Grizzlies, who Mark Williams just crushed in their most recent game.
Memphis has plenty of size, for sure, but they play fast enough that Missi should still be able to outperform his salary this Friday, especially if he starts in place of Zion.
Others Under Consideration: LaMelo Ball - PG ($10,500), Paul George - SG/SF ($8,000), Desmond Bane - SG ($7,900), Anfernee Simons - PG ($6,400)
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DraftKings NBA DFS Value Picks
Nick Smith Jr., CHA – SG/SF ($4,200)
The Hornets will be without Miller and could also potentially be missing Ball and Miles Bridges ($7,400; back, questionable). With plenty of usage available, Smith will continue to be a great value play after posting 24.25, 27.75, and 19.25 DraftKings points in his three games since moving into the lineup. He took at least 10 shots in each of those games, but he could be set for even more work Friday.
Nick Smith Jr. was once a high-touted prospect. He's showing signs of figuring things out in the NBA. These shots all came around a handful of spot-up threes he made too. Nice midrange pullup. Soft touch on the lefty floater. And a really good pullup three off the screen. pic.twitter.com/ActoIyePBh
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) January 21, 2025
He will likely be a very popular value play at this salary, but he offers too much potential to pass up. His ceiling will be extremely high if he takes on even more work in Charlotte's offense.
Georges Niang, CLE – SF/PF ($3,800)
Without Mobley, Niang will be set up for more work in a potential revenge game against the Sixers. He has played 20+ minutes in each of the last three games dating back to his double-double against the Timberwolves last Saturday that resulted in 34 DraftKings points.
He hasn't been quite that productive in his two games since but has still chipped in 18 and 14.75 DraftKings points. He and Dean Wade ($3,900) are both still priced under $4,000 and serve as great value plays for as long as Mobley is out. Niang's revenge element gives him a slightly higher ceiling in Friday's contest.
Jordan Hawkins, NO – SG ($3,400)
Another good option under $4,000 for Friday is Jordan Hawkins of the Pelicans. He has played 20+ minutes in four straight games off the bench for New Orleans and made a significant impact. He scored at least nine points in each of those four games and posted over 24 DraftKings points in two of those games, including on Monday against the Jazz when he had 18 points and 24.75 DraftKings points in 21 minutes.
Hawk with 16 PTS off the bench 👀 pic.twitter.com/kDLCmcNubE
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) January 21, 2025
Josh Okogie, CHA – SF/PF ($3,200)
If Bridges ends up sidelined along with Miller, Okogie could step into a larger role in the Hornets frontcourt. He was acquired by Charlotte from the Suns in the Nick Richards trade, and he has appeared in two games for his new squad.
The athletic wing had five points and 15.5 DraftKings points in 19 minutes on Monday and followed that with six points and 15.0 DraftKings points in 13 minutes on Wednesday. Okogie always plays hard and could be lined up for enough volume to overcome his inefficiency, depending on which of his new teammates are in or out on Friday.
Others Under Consideration: Santi Aldama - PF ($4,800), Dean Wade - SF/PF ($3900), Ty Jerome - PG ($4,100), Javonte Green - SF/PF ($3,600), Vasilije Micic - PG ($3,400) if Ball is out
Today's Top NBA DFS Game Stack
Pelicans at Grizzlies (243 total)
As reflected above, the Pelicans are a great place to start your lineup on Friday since they play in a pace-up spot against the Grizzlies. Without Zion, there is plenty of usage available for CJ McCollum ($7,600), Trey Murphy III ($8,200) and Dejounte Murray ($8,400). In the frontcourt, Yves Missi ($5,100) will get more work while Javonte Green ($3,600) could start without Zion. Jordan Hawkins ($3,400) also brings great value under $4,000.
On the other side, the Grizzlies' main contributors are a little more expensive and aren't in quite as good of a spot since they always play at pace. Ja Morant ($9,000), Desmond Bane ($7,900), and Jaren Jackson Jr. ($8,100) are solid places to start the stack with Zach Edey ($4,000) and Brandon Clarke ($3,500) solid frontcourt pieces to consider. Luke Kennard ($4,500) has also been hot lately, producing over 27 DraftKings points with 15+ points in three of his last four games.
My Favorite NBA DFS Picks for Today
Here is where I leave you with some of my favorites.
- My favorite OVERALL play on the slate: Trey Murphy III
- My favorite CASH play on the slate: Mark Williams
- My favorite GPP play on the slate: CJ McCollum
- My favorite VALUE play: Nick Smith Jr.
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