NBA DFS Picks for Daily Fantasy Basketball on DraftKings and FanDuel (2/26/24)

Free daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for today's slate on DraftKings and FanDuel. Use Mike Barner's NBA DFS expert picks to building winning DFS lineups on February 26, 2024.

Monday doesn’t bring a ton of excitement with just four games in the NBA. It also makes for a tricky DFS slate because of the limited number of options.

The key to being successful in NBA DFS comes down to making adjustments during the day as injury information becomes available. But it's always really important to have a game plan and the best players and spots circled first before making those adjustments. To keep up with all the latest developments and get access to updated projections, grab an NBA season pass and also gain access to our RotoBaller Premium Discord where @chiefjustice6 is talking about the slate up until lineups lock!

This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 2/26/24. 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 FanDuel and DraftKings. Good luck, RotoBallers!

Today's NBA DFS Core Picks

Let's first take a look at our premium projections to see who we want to target for our top spend-ups tonight.

The matchup between the Pacers and Raptors is likely going to be the most fantasy-friendly option of the night. The Pacers have played at the second fastest pace in the league. The Pacers also have the fifth-worst defensive rating, while the Raptors have the ninth-worst mark in that same category.

Tyrese Haliburton has a hefty salary on both sites, but he could be well worth it. He has recorded five straight double-doubles and produced 21 points and 12 assists the last time these two teams met.

Going over to the Raptors’ side of things, RJ Barrett and Jakob Poeltl stand out at more appealing salaries. Barrett has been terrific since being acquired from the Knicks, averaging 20.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists over 20 games. Poeltl recorded a double-double the last time he took on the Pacers and is averaging 13.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 2.1 blocks over his last nine games.

1. 1. Tyrese Haliburton, IND vs. TOR – PG ($9,500 DK; $9,700 FD)
   2. RJ Barrett, TOR @ IND – SG/SF ($7,000 DK; $7,300 FD)
   3. Jakob Poeltl, TOR @ IND – C ($6,400 DK; $6,800 FD)

Today's NBA DFS Value Picks

The Heat will be dealing with al limited depth chart when they take on the Kings. Jimmy Butler will be serving a one-game suspension and both Terry Rozier (knee) and Tyler Herro (knee) are listed as questionable. If all three are out, Jaime Jaquez Jr. could play a ton and receive added shot attempts. Even if Rozier and/or Herro are able to take the floor, Butler being out should leave Jaquez with a sizable enough role to be worth considering in DFS.

Going back to the Raptors and Pacers game, Bennedict Mathurin and Gary Trent Jr. are two shooters who could thrive. Mathurin has started the last two games with Aaron Nesmith (ankle) out, averaging 14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 2.0 steals.

Trent is shooting 41.9 percent from behind the arc this season and is on pace to average at least 2.4 three-pointers for the fourth straight season. He’s a bit risky because he doesn’t provide much in terms of rebounds or assists, but if he’s locked in from behind the arc, his salary is cheap enough on both sites that he can still provide value.

Top Value Plays:

1. 1. 1. Jaime Jaquez Jr., MIA @ SAC – SF/PF ($5,600 DK; $5,900 FD)
      2. Bennedict Mathurin, IND vs. TOR – SG/SF ($5,500 DK; $5,800 FD)
      3. Gary Trent Jr., TOR @ IND – SG ($4,800 DK; $4,900 FD)

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Today's NBA DFS Picks: Point Guard

While Haliburton stands out as one of the top point guards to target, Immanuel Quickley is someone to consider for those looking for a mid-tier option at the position. Over his last 10 games, he has averaged 17.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 5.1 assists.

full-court pass ✔️
steal ✔️
layup ✔️

Tyrese Haliburton was ALL OVER the floor on this sequence 🔥 pic.twitter.com/oImYW1pl3D

— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) February 25, 2024

Even with Haliburton healthy, Andrew Nembhard has started each of the last eight games for the Pacers. While his numbers aren’t off the charts, he averaged 31 minutes during that span. That much playing time in what should be a high-scoring game leaves him with viable upside. In his last meeting with the Raptors, he produced 14 points, three rebounds, five assists, and two steals.

Top PG Options:

1. 1. 1. Tyrese Haliburton vs. TOR, ($9,500 DK; $9,700 FD)
      2. Immanuel Quickley @ IND, ($7,200 DK; $6,900 FD)
      3. Andrew Nembhard vs. TOR, ($5,100 DK; $5,900 FD)

Today's NBA DFS Picks: Shooting Guard

Even with the Knicks having improved depth after the trade deadline, they are still dealing with injuries to Julius Randle (shoulder) and OG Anunoby (elbow). DiVincenzo is playing a ton, including logging at least 32 minutes in both games coming out of the All-Star break. Playing that much against a Pistons team that has the worst defensive rating in the league could be a recipe for success.

Mathurin and Trent are the two value options to consider for this position. While Trent might have the higher scoring upside, Mathurin’s ability to contribute in areas outside of the scoring column likely leaves him with the higher floor.

Top SG Options:

1. 1. 1. Donte DiVincenzo vs. DET, ($7,100 DK; $7,600 FD)
      2. Bennedict Mathurin vs. TOR, ($5,500 DK; $5,800 FD)
      3. Gary Trent Jr. @ IND, ($4,800 DK; $4,900 FD)

Today's NBA DFS Picks: Small Forward

Barrett’s teammate Scottie Barnes is a top DFS option whenever the Raptors are in action. His leading role on the team and ability to contribute in so many categories leaves him with an extremely high floor. The last time he faced the Pacers, he recorded 29 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists.

Duncan Robinson is another player who should benefit from the Heat being shorthanded, especially if Rozier and Herro can’t play. He has been terrific from behind the arc, shooting 41.3 percent and averaging 2.8 three-pointers over 28 minutes per game.

Top SF Options:

1. 1. 1. Scottie Barnes @ IND, ($8,900 DK; $9,300 FD)
      2. RJ Barrett @ IND, ($7,000 DK; $7,300 FD)
      3. Duncan Robinson @ SAC, ($5,400 DK; $5,600 FD)

Today's NBA DFS Picks: Power Forward

Pascal Siakam is coming off a quiet performance against the Mavericks in which he only scored 12 points on 11 shot attempts. Expect him to be more aggressive against the Raptors, who he scored 23 points against in their last meeting. In that game, he attempted 17 shots from the field and nine free throws.

In addition to Jaquez, Simone Fontecchio is a power forward to consider at a cheaper salary. Over his five games with the Pistons, he has logged at least 26 minutes four times. The added playing time has propelled him to average 15.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists with his new squad.

Top PF Options:

1. 1. 1. Pascal Siakam vs. TOR, ($8,100 DK; $7,800 FD)
      2. Jaime Jaquez Jr. @ SAC, ($5,600 DK; $5,900 FD)
      3. Simone Fontecchio @ NY, ($4,800 DK; $5,600 FD)

Today's NBA DFS Picks: Center

While Poeltl could thrive in his matchup with the Pacers, Bam Adebayo has the potential to be the top center for this entire slate. The last three games that Butler missed, Adebayo averaged 20.3 points, 13.0 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 2.0 steals.

Bam Adebayo slams it through contact for the and-1 💪

Sixers-Heat | Live on the NBA App
📲 https://t.co/hCWZYvQ7bS pic.twitter.com/h6jLY6HYMx

— NBA (@NBA) February 15, 2024

In the same salary range as Poeltl is Myles Turner. He did not take the floor the last time these two teams met, but he is coming off a 33-point performance against the Mavericks on Sunday. Across his last six games, he has provided 21.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and 1.2 blocks.

Top C Options:

1. 1. 1. Bam Adebayo @ SAC, ($8,600 DK; $9,000 FD)
      2. Myles Turner vs. TOR, ($6,900 DK; $7,100 FD)
      3. Jakob Poeltl @ IND, ($6,400 DK; $6,800 FD)

Today's Top NBA DFS Game Stacks

1. 1. 1. Raptors @ Pacers (245 total)
      2. Heat @ Kings (224.5 total)
      3. Pistons @ Knicks (223.5 total)

Today's Top NBA DFS Avoids

1. 1. 1. The players on the Nets. While the Grizzlies have been hammered by injuries, they still have the 10th-best defensive rating in the league.
      2. This might be a good night to fade Jaden Ivey. He has shot 27.7 percent from the field over his last four games and is facing a Knicks team that has the ninth-best defensive rating.
      3. Until Isaiah Hartenstein is officially no longer on a minutes restriction, he’s someone to avoid.

My Favorite NBA DFS Picks for Today

Here is where I leave you with some of my favorites.

1. 1. • My favorite overall play on the slate: Tyrese Haliburton
      • My favorite CASH play on the slate: Bam Adebayo
      • My favorite GPP play on the slate: Donte DiVincenzo
      • My favorite value play: Bennedict Mathurin

NBA DFS News and Injury Alerts

More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis