Fantasy basketball selections, daily fantasy sports insights, and wagering advice for Friday’s NBA matchups.
ESPN’s daily fantasy basketball cheat sheet serves as your pregame hub before finalizing your lineups for the evening’s matchups. Here, you will find our top recommendations for the night, including a list of players available for streaming and injury updates for each game.
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Top streamers | Best bets | DFS picks | Odds & Injury report
Key information for Friday’s games
The conclusion of the season is nearly upon us! This marks the final Friday of the NBA season, with all teams set to compete. With 15 games and 30 teams taking the court, it promises to be a significant evening. Seven of the matchups involve teams vying for playoff positions, and numerous seeds in both conferences remain undecided.
The most anticipated game of the night features the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder facing off against the third-seeded Denver Nuggets. However, the Thunder have already secured the best record in the league and thus have less at stake, while the Nuggets are engaged in a fierce battle to maintain their position. The Thunder will rest all their key rotation players tonight, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, and others. Despite their records, the Nuggets are favored heavily in this matchup.
The Atlanta Hawks will take on the Cleveland Cavaliers, with the Hawks needing a victory to secure their playoff berth and attempt to ascend to the fifth seed. This game is a rematch from Wednesday, where the Cavaliers triumphed by six points. The Cavs are just one game behind the Knicks for the third seed, but both Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen are unavailable tonight, leading to the Hawks being favored by 8.5 points.
The matchup with the narrowest spread of the night sees the ninth-seeded Portland Trail Blazers as 1.5-point favorites at home against the eighth-seeded LA Clippers. The teams are separated by just one game for the coveted eighth seed, which offers two opportunities for playoff entry compared to the more challenging route from the ninth seed.
These and numerous other narratives will unfold tonight. As we have throughout the season, let’s delve into the matchups to pinpoint some fantasy streaming options, betting insights, and daily fantasy players to watch for this final “TGIF” slate of the regular season.
Friday’s fantasy stream team
Jeremiah Fears, SG/PG, New Orleans Pelicans (rostered in 28.5% of ESPN leagues): Fears is concluding his rookie season with an impressive performance. He scored a career-high 40 points on Tuesday and has averaged 27.0 PPG, 5.0 APG, and 2.8 3PG throughout April.
Tre Jones, PG, Chicago Bulls (48.7% rostered): Jones has been consistently strong for the Bulls in the final stretch, averaging 20.1 PPG and 5.5 APG over the last 11 games. He has become a reliable fantasy starter.
Will Riley, SG/SF, Washington Wizards (23.6% rostered): Riley rebounded from a two-point outing on Tuesday with a standout performance of 23 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists against the same Bulls team on Thursday. Over his last nine games, Riley has averaged 19.9 PPG, 4.8 RPG, and 1.6 3PG.
Cameron Johnson, PF/SF, Denver Nuggets (31.2% rostered): Johnson has concluded the season on a high note after facing injury and shooting struggles for much of the year. In his last four games, he has averaged 17.8 PPG, 6.3 RPG, and 2.5 3PG.
*Additional streaming options in ESPN leagues can be found in the Top Daily Fantasy values of the day section.
Dre’s favorite bets for Friday
Evan Mobley over 8.5 rebounds (+103)
Mobley recorded 19 rebounds against the Hawks on Wednesday. In their previous matchup, he secured 14 rebounds. Mobley has achieved double-digit rebounds in four of his last six games, averaging 11.0 RPG during that span.
Thunder +10.5 over Nuggets (-110)
This matchup is intriguing on multiple fronts. If both teams were at full strength, it would be anticipated as a significant contest between two championship contenders. With the Thunder resting their key players, the game could have blowout potential, but the Nuggets may also choose to rest their stars. Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Aaron Gordon are all listed as questionable, while Peyton Watson is out. The Thunder consistently play hard with strong defense, regardless of who is on the court, giving them a chance to keep the game competitive. If the Nuggets do rest their stars, the Thunder plus double-digit points becomes an even more appealing option.
Jrue Holiday over 23.5 points + assists (-108)
Holiday has concluded the season on a strong note, playing alongside Scoot Henderson. In his last four games, he has averaged 22.3 PPG and 7.0 APG (29.3 P+R). This includes his last game against the Clippers, where he scored 30 points and recorded two assists on March 31.
Top Daily Fantasy values of the day
Play DFS basketball at DraftKings.
$8,100+ salaries
Paolo Banchero, PF, Orlando Magic ($8,900)
Banchero has averaged over 48 fantasy points in his last three games and should be a strong play tonight as the Magic aim to secure a playoff spot. His opponents rank 29th in fantasy production against opposing power forwards.
Paul George, SF/PF, Philadelphia 76ers ($8,300)
George had been performing well in every game since his return last month until last night, when he struggled against the Rockets. Expect a bounce-back performance tonight in a crucial game for the 76ers against George’s former team, the Indiana Pacers.
$6,100-$8,000 salaries
Tre Jones, PG/SG, Chicago Bulls ($7,000)
Jones has recorded at least 37 fantasy points in three consecutive games, exceeding 45 in two of those, and is expected to continue his production on Friday.
Will Riley, SF/PF, Washington Wizards ($6,800)
Riley has surpassed 43 fantasy points in three of his last four games, including a remarkable 55.8 fantasy points last night, and is up against a Heat defense that ranks 28th in fantasy production allowed to his position.
$3,500-$6,000 salaries
Dylan Harper, PG, San Antonio Spurs ($6,000)
Harper started and played 33 minutes on Wednesday, taking on a larger role with Stephon Castle sidelined. Castle is questionable again on Friday, and the Spurs are secure in their playoff position, which means they may not rush him back, allowing Harper to maintain a significant role.
Julian Reese, PF, Washington Wizards ($6,000)
Reese has been impressive in most of his recent games, achieving at least 39 fantasy points in three consecutive outings. If he plays tonight, he poses a strong threat to achieve his fourth straight points-rebounds double-double.
Projections and Injury Reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook
Detroit Pistons at Charlotte Hornets
7 p.m. ET
Line: Pistons +5.5 (-108) | Hornets -5.5 (-112)
Money line: Pistons +170 | Hornets -205
Total: 225.5 (-112 O, -108 U)
BPI Projection: Hornets by 1, straight up 53%, 226.1 total points.
Injury Report:
Pistons: Kevin Huerter, (GTD – Illness)
Hornets: Coby White, (GTD – Groin); PJ Hall, (OFS – Ankle)
Miami Heat at Washington Wizards
7 p.m. ET
Line: Heat -16.5 (-112) | Wizards +16.5 (-108)
Money line: Heat -1600 | Wizards +900
Total: 245.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Heat by 15.6, straight up 88%, 247.3 total points.
Injury Report:
Heat: Dru Smith, (GTD – Foot); Nikola Jovic, (OUT – Ankle); Terry Rozier, (OFS – Not Injury Related)
Wizards: Alex Sarr, (GTD – Toe); Bilal Coulibaly, (GTD – Heel); Jaden Hardy, (GTD – Back); Tre Johnson, (GTD – Foot); Tristan Vukcevic, (GTD – Knee); Anthony Davis, (OFS – Finger); Cam Whitmore, (OFS – Shoulder); D’Angelo Russell, (OFS – Not Injury Related); Kyshawn George, (OFS – Elbow); Trae Young, (OFS – Quadriceps)
Cleveland Cavaliers at Atlanta Hawks
7 p.m. ET on Prime Video
Line: Cavaliers +7.5 (-105) | Hawks -7.5 (-115)
Money line: Cavaliers +270 | Hawks -340
Total: 232.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Hawks by 0.6, straight up 52%, 240.7 total points.
Injury Report:
Cavaliers: Jaylon Tyson, (GTD – Toe); Donovan Mitchell, (OUT – Ankle); Jarrett Allen, (OUT – Knee); Sam Merrill, (OUT – Hamstring); Thomas Bryant, (OUT – Calf)
Hawks: Jock Landale, (OUT – Ankle)
New Orleans Pelicans at Boston Celtics
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Pelicans +16.5 (-115) | Celtics -16.5 (-105)
Money line: Pelicans +850 | Celtics -1450
Total: 224.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Celtics by 11, straight up 80%, 224.4 total points.
Injury Report:
Pelicans: Karlo Matkovic, (GTD – Back); Bryce McGowens, (OUT – Toe); Dejounte Murray, (OUT – Hand); Trey Murphy III, (OUT – Ankle); Yves Missi, (OUT – Hand); Zion Williamson, (OUT – Knee)
Celtics: Jaylen Brown, (GTD – Achilles)
Philadelphia 76ers at Indiana Pacers
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: 76ers -15.5 (-110) | Pacers +15.5 (-110)
Money line: 76ers -1350 | Pacers +800
Total: 232.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: 76ers by 6.5, straight up 70%, 238.0 total points.
Injury Report:
76ers: Johni Broome, (GTD – Knee); Cameron Payne, (OUT – Hamstring); Joel Embiid, (OUT – Abdomen)
Pacers: Johnny Furphy, (OFS – Knee); Aaron Nesmith, (GTD – Neck); Andrew Nembhard, (GTD – Back); Ben Sheppard, (GTD – Hip); Kobe Brown, (GTD – Back); Pascal Siakam, (GTD – Ankle); T.J. McConnell, (GTD – Hamstring); Ivica Zubac, (OFS – Ribs); Tyrese Haliburton, (OFS – Achilles)
Toronto Raptors at New York Knicks
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Raptors +6.5 (-110) | Knicks -6.5 (-110)
Money line: Raptors +220 | Knicks -270
Total: 218.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Knicks by 5, straight up 65%, 222.4 total points.
Injury Report:
Raptors: Chucky Hepburn, (GTD – Knee); Trayce Jackson-Davis, (GTD – Illness)
Knicks: Tyler Kolek, (GTD – Oblique)
Orlando Magic at Chicago Bulls
8 p.m. ET
Line: Magic -15.5 (-105) | Bulls +15.5 (-115)
Money line: Magic -1050 | Bulls +675
Total: 242.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Magic by 6.3, straight up 69%, 239.1 total points.
Injury Report:
Magic: Jett Howard, (OUT – Ankle); Jonathan Isaac, (OUT – Knee)
Bulls: Anfernee Simons, (GTD – Wrist); Guerschon Yabusele, (GTD – Shoulder); Isaac Okoro, (GTD – Quadriceps); Josh Giddey, (GTD – Hamstring); Matas Buzelis, (GTD – Illness); Zach Collins, (OFS – Toe)
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