The 2025 NBA Play-In Tournament reaches its conclusion on Friday, determining the last No. 8 seeds in both the Eastern and Western Conferences, crucial for the playoff setup. The day features significant matchups: the Atlanta Hawks will face the Miami Heat at 7 p.m. ET, with the Memphis Grizzlies hosting the Dallas Mavericks at 9:30 p.m. ET. Star players featured in the NBA DFS player pool include Trae Young, Tyler Herro, Anthony Davis, and Ja Morant, all pivotal for DFS lineups. Morant’s status is in question due to an ankle injury from Tuesday, influencing DFS strategies.

The NBA DFS Optimizer utilizes insights from the SportsLine Advanced-Data Projection Model to identify leading DFS options for daily formats on platforms including DraftKings and FanDuel. It simulates each game 10,000 times, equipping DFS players for effective lineup building with updates on injuries, projections and expert picks.

Some top recommendations from Friday include:

Top NBA DFS picks for Friday, April 18

Trae Young ($9,600 on FanDuel)

Young (Achilles, probable) recorded 28 points against the Magic, recognized for its strong defense but with Miami also noteworthy defensively, Young’s performance is anticipated to be pivotal. Throughout April, he has averaged 25.9 points and 12 assists over seven games.

Scotty Pippen Jr. ($5,400)

The 24-year-old has seen consistent minutes, with 34 against the Warriors in the prior Play-In matchup, making him a solid pick. He averaged 13.2 points across six games this month.

Dyson Daniels ($7,600)

Daniels has shown versatility, achieving seven points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists against the Magic recently. His contributions, especially on defense, improve his DFS viability, with notable stats indicating potential for steals and blocks.

Alec Burks ($4,200)

Burks started the last game versus the Bulls and has diverse scoring abilities, though his impact might not yield huge returns. Yet, he remains key for balanced lineup strategies.

For more information on players beneficial for DFS ambitions, visit SportsLine for additional insights and lineup strategies. Strong performers recommended include Anthony Davis, who is expected to carry more of the load if Morant is unable to play optimally.