NBA DFS Cheat Sheet Today for NBA DFS & PrizePicks: Feb. 21

We’ve got a nine-game slate in the NBA tonight, Feb. 21, for NBA DFS on PrizePicks, as teams return to action after the All-Star break. 

Two of the best teams in the Eastern Conference face-off to start the slate at 7 p.m. ET, as both the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers are on the second leg of a back-to-back. The late nationally televised game sees the Minnesota Timberwolves traveling to Houston to take on the Rockets. 

We’ve got everything you need to lock in on NBA Friday in today’s NBA DFS Cheat Sheet for PrizePicks below, including the top offense vs. defense mismatches, pace up spots, PrizePicks NBA picks, and today’s injury report.

PrizePicks is the easiest way to get real money action on tonight’s NBA games. Pick more or less on player stat projections — from points to rebounds to combos — and get paid if your picks are correct.

Let’s dive into tonight's NBA DFS slate below.

‍

NBA DFS Cheat Sheet Today for PrizePicks: 2/21

Below, find everything you need for the Friday NBA DFS slate on PrizePicks. Click the section to read more. 

• NBA Offense vs. Defense Mismatches
• NBA Pace Report
• NBA PrizePicks Picks Today for NBA DFS
• NBA DFS Injury Report

NBA Offense vs. Defense Mismatches

Here are the top offense vs. defense mismatches across the NBA Friday games.

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Washington Wizards

• The Milwaukee Bucks are 12th in offensive rating over the season (114.6) but rank 21st over the last 10 games (111.7).
• The Wizards rank dead last in defensive rating over the season (119.8) and still rank towards the bottom over the last 10 games (120.2).
• Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 42 points in his lone meeting against the Wizards this season. 
• The Wizards are allowing the sixth-most points to power forwards this season.
• With Bobby Portis suspended, look for more usage from other forwards such as Kyle Kuzma, Andre Jackson, and Taurean Prince.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Utah Jazz

• The Oklahoma City Thunder are top-5 in offensive rating on the season (118.3) and are third in this statistic over the last 10 games (123.1).
• The Utah Jazz are second-to-last in defensive rating on the season (119.6). 
• Their defensive rating remains roughly the same (119.1), but they have seen their ranking go up a few spots over the last 10 games at 23rd.
• Both Jalen Williams and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are averaging over 25 points per game against the Jazz this season. Williams is averaging 26.5 points per game and SGA is averaging 40 points per game.
• The Jazz are allowing the second most points per game to point guards and third most to small forwards. 

NBA Pace Report for NBA Tuesday Games

Here are the NBA games to target for quick-paced play with additional possessions on Friday for NBA DFS on PrizePicks.

Knicks vs. Cavs — 7 p.m. ET

The New York Knicks are 24th in pace over the season (97.3) but 13th in pace over the last 10 games (100.7). They get a pace up spot against the Cleveland Cavaliers, who rank fifth in pace on the season (100.2) and are 12th in pace over the last 10 games (100.8).

Grizzlies vs. Magic — 7 p.m. ET

The Orlando Magic rank second to last in pace over the season (96.2) and in the last 10 games. However, they play the Memphis Grizzlies who rank number one in the league in pace over the season (104.2), giving us one of the best pace up spots on the slate.

Pistons vs. Spurs — 8:30 p.m. ET

Both the Detroit Pistons and San Antonio Spurs have seen an increase in their pace over the last 10 games vs the season. The Spurs have bumped up from 99.3 to 101.9 possessions, while the Pistons have increase from 99.4 to 100.9. This matchup should run slightly pace up versus expectation.

Pelicans vs. Mavericks — 8:30 p.m. ET

The New Orleans Pelicans ranked 13th (99.4) in pace over the season but are ranked fourth (102.3) over the last 10 games, making this game lean pace up.

Thunder vs. Jazz — 9:30 p.m. ET

The Oklahoma City Thunder and Utah Jazz both have remained neutral in their pace over the last 10 games compared to the season — 99.6 to 100.1 possessions for the Thunder and 99.1 to 100.8 for the Jazz.

💰 Use PrizePicks Promo Code "Playbook": Claim free $50 with your first $5+ Lineup

‍

NBA PrizePicks Picks Today for NBA DFS

Here are four of the top NBA DFS picks for today for PrizePicks, February 21.

Thunder G-F Jalen Williams

• Jalen Williams is averaging 26.5 points per game in two games against the Jazz this season, scoring 25+ both times.
• Utah is allowing the third-most points to small forwards this season.
• Both of the previous two Jazz vs. Thunder games saw a combined 230+ combined points.
• Lauri Markkanen is expected to be the primary defender on Williams. Markkanen sees his defensive rating jump up 12 points (117.8 to 129.9) against the Thunder.
• Williams has averaged 19.8 points in February, and has scored at least 20 points in seven of the last 10 games. prior to the All-Star break.

Bucks F Giannis Antetokounmpo

• Giannis Antetokounmpo has only played in one of the two meetings against the Wizards, but had 42 points and 12 rebounds in 38 minutes.
• Antetokounmpo has scored at least 30 points in seven of the last eight games prior to his injury, but only scored 23 points in 24 minutes when he returned on Thursday.
• Bucks head coach Doc Rivers said that Antetokounmpo was on a minutes limit last night — playing six minutes per quarter — ad “probably” will be on a minutes restriction again tonight.
• The Wizards are allowing the most fantasy points to power forwards this season. 
• Washington ranks towards the bottom in the three major counting stats (Points, Rebounds, and Assists) to power forwards. They rank sixth in points allowed, third in assists, and first in rebounds allowed to opposing power forwards.
• Bobby Portis’ suspension means there will be 13.7 points and eight rebounds per game that need to be made up for by the rest of the Bucks.

Mavericks F P.J. Washington

• Washington is expected to be the starting center tonight for the Mavericks on a team that’s without Derrick Lively, Daniel Gafford, and Anthony Davis. These three bigs account for 32 rebounds per game in Dallas. 
• Washington’s last game came against Houston where he only grabbed three rebounds, but Davis grabbed 16. Washington had six potential rebounds before leaving the game early.
• Washington is averaging 11.3 rebounds per game against the Pelicans this season on 16.7 potential rebounds opportunities
• The Pelicans are allowing the most rebounds to opposing centers this season.
• Washington is a game-time decision tonight.

Kings F-C Domantas Sabonis

• Sabonis is averaging 24 points, 15.5 rebounds, and 5 assists against the Warriors this year in two games. 
• With Zach LaVine on the Kings, Sabonis is averaging nearly 20-20 per game with 18.7 points and 16.8 rebounds. 
• The Warriors are allowing the sixth most rebounds and assists per game to opposing centers.
• Sabonis has at least 15 rebounds in each of his last four games.
• Sabonis may have something to prove tonight after he was left out of the All-Star Game despite leading the league in rebounds per game and double-doubles.
• Last year, after he missed he All-Star Game, Sabonis put up 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists vs. the Spurs in his first game back from the break.

NBA DFS Injury Report Today

Below, find all of the NBA DFS Injury news for the NBA Friday games.

Notable Players Out

• Bucks F Bobby Portis (suspension) is out for 24 more games for violating the league’s anti-drug policy. The Bucks will need to rely more on forwards Kyle Kuzma, Taurean Prince, and Andre Jackson to shoulder those additional minutes
• Wizards G Malcolm Brogdon (ankle) is out with an ankle injury. Newly-acquired G Marcus Smart is expected to see more minutes as one of the primary ball-handlers off the bench. 

• Brandon Ingram (ankle) and Jakob Poeltl (hip) remain out for the Raptors. Jonathan Mogbo is expected to keep the starting center role with both RJ Barrett and Scottie Barnes remaining in the frontcourt along with him.
• The Mavericks front court is depleted with injuries to all four centers (Anthony Davis, Derrick Lively, Daniel Gafford, Dwight Powell) and newly acquired forward Caleb Martin. PJ Washington is a game-time decision, but will see minutes at center if he does play tonight.
• Rockets PG Fred VanVleet (ankle) remains out. Aaron Holiday will take his spot at the starting point guard role, and look for Amen Thompson to take on primary ball-handling duties as well, giving him additional assist opportunities.
• Jazz PG Collin Sexton (ankle) remains out of the starting lineup Rookie Isaiah Collier will start in his place.
• PF Jonathan Kuminga (ankle) is still out for the Golden State Warriors. Moses Moody will remain in the starting lineup.

Questionable or Game-Time Decisions

• Bucks coach Doc Rivers said that Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard will be available tonight, but both will “probably” be on minutes restrictions.
• Both OG Anunoby and Josh Hart are game-time decisions for the Knicks. They are expected to play, giving them their full starting lineup against the Cavaliers.
• Jalen Suggs is a game-time decision for the Magic. He’s currently trending towards not being available for this game.
• Three-Point Contest champion and first-time All-Star Tyler Herro is a game-time decision against the Raptors. If he is out, Terry Rozier or Davion Mitchell will likely slot into the starting point guard role.
• PJ Washington is a game-time decision tonight. With Anthony Davis, Derrick Lively, and Daniel Gafford all out, Washington will see an extended run of minutes at the center position if he plays. Behind Washington, the Mavs have Olivier-Maxence Prosper and Kessler Edwards to play down low — both standing at 6-foot-7.
• Three Timberwolves starters (Anthony Edwards, Mike Conley, and Rudy Gobert) are all game-time decisions tonight. They are all likely to play as of writing.

‍

Win Real Money on NBA DFS on PrizePicks

The NBA regular season is back in action after the All-Star break, and the place to play NBA DFS where you can win real money is on PrizePicks.

Just pick more or less on player stat projections — from points to rebounds to combos — and lock in your Lineup to get in on the action. If your picks are correct, you’ll get paid out instantly when the games end.

Come back to the Playbook throughout the remainder of the NBA season for more basketball analysis for your PrizePicks and NBA DFS Lineups.