Betting tips, DFS picks for Friday’s three NBA playoff games
ESPN’s fantasy basketball each day cheat sheet is your pregame vacation spot earlier than you set your lineups for that night time’s games. Here you may learn our greatest recommendation for the night time, together with a collection of gamers you’ll be able to stream in addition to game-by-game damage stories.
What you could know for Friday’s games
The Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic head into Game 6 with Detroit combating to remain alive after Cade Cunningham‘s 45-point efficiency in Game 5. Orlando, in the meantime, should regroup with out Franz Wagner and clear up pricey missed free throws which have saved the sequence tight.
The Cleveland Cavaliers take a 3-2 lead right into a pivotal Game 6 in opposition to the Toronto Raptorsaiming to shut out the sequence on the street behind Donovan Mitchell and James Harden. The Raptors, in the meantime, will learn on Scottie Barnes‘two-way impression and hope for readability round Brandon Ingram‘s standing in a must-win spot.
In the Western Conference, the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets meet in Game 6 with Houston gaining momentum after back-to-back wins, fueled by his younger core regardless of Kevin Durant‘s absence. Los Angeles, in the meantime, should rediscover its perimeter taking pictures and depend on LeBron James in a closeout scenario to keep away from a Game 7.
Here’s a take a look at the betting angles and DFS performs of curiosity for Friday’s playoff slate.
Moody’s Bets for Friday
Tobias Harris to attain 24+ factors and rebounds (-117): Harris has recorded a minimum of 24 mixed factors and rebounds in 4 of his final 5 games. He’s averaged 16.6 discipline objective makes an attempt and 13.6 rebound possibilities over that stretch. The solely Piston with a better utilization charge than Harris (24.0%) is Cunningham (35.5%). It’s price noting Harris is questionable with an ankle damage.
Austin Reaves 25+ factors (+117): Reaves did not begin in Game 5 after coming back from an indirect pressure, however nonetheless completed with 22 factors in 33 minutes regardless of inefficient taking pictures. This was considered one of simply two games this season he is performed a minimum of half-hour alongside LeBron James and with out Luka Doncic. On the opposite hand, he scored 44 factors in opposition to the Raptors on Dec. 4, 2025.
Top Daily Fantasy Values of the Day
$8,100+ Salaries
Cade Cunningham, PG, Detroit Pistons ($10,600): Cunningham stays the engine that drives the Pistons’ offense. He’s averaging 50.8 fantasy factors and 40.2 minutes per sport, together with a 35.5% utilization charge within the sequence. With Detroit’s season on the road, he ought to proceed to see heavy involvement whatever the final result.
Alperen SengunC, Houston Rockets ($9,000): Sengun and the Rockets need to accomplish a Herculean feat by getting back from a 3-0 deficit on this sequence. His fantasy manufacturing has been inconsistent, however he did publish 70.5 fantasy factors in Game 3. Sengun additionally picked aside the Lakers’ double groups in Game 5 ending with 40.8 fantasy factors, utilizing his playmaking to create open appears to be like for teammates. He ought to stay closely concerned on Friday night time.
Scottie Barnes, PF, Toronto Raptors ($8,800): Barnes has scored a minimum of 49 fantasy factors in three straight games, together with a 62.2-point efficiency. He’s posted a 24.2% utilization charge throughout that stretch and will see much more on Friday night time in opposition to the Cavaliers if Brandon Ingram (heel) is dominated out.
$6,100-$8,000 Salaries
Jabari Smith Jr.., PF/C, Houston Rockets ($6,700): Smith Jr. is one other robust worth for DFS gamers, providing a dependable ground at his worth. He’s scored a minimum of 30 fantasy factors and performed 39 or extra minutes in each sport this sequence, making him a gradual choice to spherical out lineups.
$3,500-$6,000 Salaries
Rui HachimuraSF/PF, Los Angeles Lakers ($4,900): Hachimura has been constant on this sequence and gives DFS gamers with a strong ground relative to his price. He’s averaged 25.1 fantasy factors and 39.2 minutes per sport, which supplies a transparent image of his function. Hachimura contributes primarily as a scorer, with added manufacturing in rebounds and assists.
Anthony BlackPG/SG, Orlando Magic ($4,700): Black completed with 36.2 fantasy factors in 39 minutes in Game 5 following Franz Wagner’s damage. He has a robust probability to copy that manufacturing in Game 6 with Wagner already dominated out. Black is a robust worth play since his fantasy output is not tied solely to scoring, as he contributes throughout a number of classes. He’s averaged 15.2 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 3.8 APG and 1.4 SPG in house games this season.
Projections and Injury Reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds offered by DraftKings Sportsbook

Detroit Pistons at Orlando Magic
7 pm ET
Line: Pistons -3.5 (-118) | Magic +3.5 (-102)
Moneyline: Pistons -170 | Magic +142
Total: 210.5 (-105 W, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Pistons by 5, straight up 65%, 214.5 whole factors.
Injury Report:
Pistons: Kevin Huerter(GTD – Thigh); Tobias Harris(GTD – Ankle)
Magic: Jonathan Isaac(GTD – Knee); Franz Wagner(OUT – Calf)

Cleveland Cavaliers at Toronto Raptors
7:30 p.m. ET
Line: Cavaliers -4.5 (-110) | Raptors +4.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Cavaliers -192 | Raptors +160
Total: 218.5 (-110 W, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Raptors by 2, straight up 56%, 221.8 whole factors.
Injury Report:
Cavaliers: None reported
Raptors: Chucky Hepburn(OFS – Knee)

Los Angeles Lakers at Houston Rockets
9:30 p.m. ET
Line: Lakers +3.5 (-112) | Rockets -3.5 (-108)
Moneyline: Lakers +136 | Rockets -162
Total: 205.5 (-110 W, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Rockets by 4.6, straight up 64%, 211.1 whole factors.
Injury Report:
Lakers: Luka Doncic(OUT – Hamstring)
Rockets: Kevin Durant(GTD – Ankle); Fred Van Vleet(OUT – Knee); Steve Adams(OFS – Ankle)
