What’s going on, everybody? Josh Engleman is back again with my DraftKings NBA DFS picks according to Stokastic’s NBA DFS Sims, NBA DFS projections and NBA DFS ownership projections. Also, I’ll be on The Deeper Dive later tonight, where we’ll break everything down again once we get more injury news.
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DraftKings NBA DFS Picks Today, February 21
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5 – Donovan Mitchell
Position: PG/SG | Salary: $8,300
Projections: 26.0 Points, 4.3 Rebounds, 4.7 Assists, 1.7 Stocks
I went with 32 minutes for Mitchell, and he looks fantastic in this matchup against the Knicks. Whether New York is at full strength or shorthanded, I’m not too worried. It’s a pace-up spot for Cleveland, and the Knicks defense isn’t great. This is the type of game where Cleveland can get up and lean on its starters. That multi-position eligibility makes Mitchell even more appealing. Sign me up.
4 – Damian Lillard
Position: PG | Salary: $9,500
Projections: 29.6 Points, 4.5 Rebounds, 6.8 Assists, 1.3 Stocks
With Giannis Antetokounmpo likely out and Bobby Portis definitely out, Lillard could be in a prime spot. Now, there’s a real chance Lillard will sit out this back-to-back, so keep your eye on the news. But if he plays, this matchup is as good as it gets. Washington’s defense is a mess, and with two of the Bucks’ key offensive players missing, Lillard will have to do a lot. If he’s in, he’s one of the best plays on the slate.
Update: Damian Lillard is Out.
3 – Kyshawn George
Position: PF | Salary: $4,700
Projections: 12.1 Points, 5.3 Rebounds, 2.4 Assists, 1.8 Stocks
George’s minutes are huge — I have him at 34, but he could push 38 if this game stays competitive. The Wizards are prioritizing their young players in the rotation, so George should see a big workload. The matchup is solid too. A shorthanded Bucks team missing Giannis and Portis is going to struggle defensively. If you need value today, George at $4,700 is looking really strong.
2 – Kyle Kuzma
Position: SF/PF | Salary: $6,900
Projections: 21.7 Points, 7.5 Rebounds, 3.0 Assists, 1.1 Stocks
Speaking of the Wizards, revenge narrative alert! With Lillard sitting, Kuzma is in an even better spot. He’s locked into big minutes — I went with 35, but if things break right, he could play 40. This is Kuzma’s chance to shine against his former team, and I expect him to take full advantage. With an expanded role and a favorable matchup, Kuzma is one of the top plays on the slate.
1 – De’Aaron Fox
Position: PG/SG | Salary: $8,200
Projections: 24.3 Points, 4.5 Rebounds, 7.1 Assists, 2.0 Stocks
The big news here is no Victor Wembanyama and potentially other absences as well. The Spurs are on a back-to-back, so we could see even more players ruled out. Fox is already projecting to be a high-usage guy, but with Wembanyama off the floor, things get even easier. Instead of sharing the floor with a 30%-usage player, Fox will be paired with the likes of Bismack Biyombo, Sandro Mamukelashvili or Charles Bassey. That’s a massive boost. Fox is the clear No. 1 ConTENder for today’s slate.
