FREE 02/08 NBA Cheat Sheet: Top DFS Plays

Tonight’s 7-game NBA slate offers plenty to dive into, with a mix of game environments that should shape how you approach roster construction. The two standout matchups from a DFS perspective are OKC at MEM (242.5 total) and GSW at CHI (239.5 total), both tipping off at 08:00 PM ET. These high-total, fast-paced games are likely to attract heavy ownership, so finding the right pieces—or creative ways to pivot—will be key. With the first game starting at 07:00 PM ET and the last one at 09:00 PM ET, there’s some room for late swap strategy as well.

The rest of the slate features slower-paced matchups with lower totals, which could make value plays or under-the-radar options more appealing in tournaments. Balancing exposure to the chalky high-total games while capitalizing on overlooked spots will be crucial tonight. With that in mind… Our February 08 Starting Five is now LIVE!

Game Environment Analysis

SAS @ ORL (O/U: 217.0, Spread: -3.0)

• Pace: SAS (14th) vs ORL (29th)
• Off Eff: SAS (15th) vs ORL (29th)
• Def Eff: SAS (18th) vs ORL (2nd)

ATL @ WAS (O/U: 237.5, Spread: 7.0)

• Pace: ATL (2nd) vs WAS (4th)
• Off Eff: ATL (21st) vs WAS (30th)
• Def Eff: ATL (17th) vs WAS (30th) 🎯

GSW @ CHI (O/U: 239.5, Spread: 5.5)

• Pace: GSW (16th) vs CHI (3rd) 🏃 (Pace mismatch)
• Off Eff: GSW (20th) vs CHI (14th)
• Def Eff: GSW (9th) vs CHI (25th) 🎯

POR @ MIN (O/U: 215.0, Spread: -6.0)

• Pace: POR (19th) vs MIN (26th)
• Off Eff: POR (26th) vs MIN (13th)
• Def Eff: POR (24th) vs MIN (7th)

OKC @ MEM (O/U: 242.5, Spread: 2.0)

• Pace: OKC (8th) vs MEM (1st)
• Off Eff: OKC (6th) vs MEM (5th)
• Def Eff: OKC (1st) vs MEM (5th)

BOS @ NYK (O/U: 232.5, Spread: 4.0)

• Pace: BOS (24th) vs NYK (25th)
• Off Eff: BOS (4th) 🔥 vs NYK (2nd)
• Def Eff: BOS (6th) vs NYK (19th)

DEN @ PHX (O/U: 237.0, Spread: 4.5)

• Pace: DEN (5th) vs PHX (23rd) 🏃 (Pace mismatch)
• Off Eff: DEN (3rd) 🔥 vs PHX (8th)
• Def Eff: DEN (16th) vs PHX (26th) 🎯

Legend:

🏃 = Significant pace mismatch

🔥 = Strong offense vs weak defense

🎯 = Poor defensive team

⚠️ = Blowout risk

Bold = Favored team

PG - Jordan Poole ($7,100)

Jordan Poole ($7,100) stands out as a strong play tonight in his matchup against Atlanta. His 1.23 FPPM and projection of 39.5 DK points make him a top option at his price point, offering solid value at 5.6x. Poole is coming off a season-high 45-point performance, showcasing his ability to hit a ceiling when he gets hot. The Hawks rank middle-of-the-pack defensively but tend to give up production to scoring-first guards, especially in high-paced game environments like this one projects to be. With Poole projected for 32 minutes and leading the Wizards’ offense, he’s in an excellent spot to capitalize on volume and usage.

At 18.1% ownership, Poole will likely be one of the more popular plays on the slate, but the chalk feels warranted given his tournament-leading Boom% (29.4%) and appearance in over 21% of optimal lineups. While there’s always risk with his scoring-dependent profile—evidenced by some recent volatility—his upside is undeniable if his shot falls early. If you’re comfortable eating chalk at guard, Poole offers enough ceiling potential to justify it in both cash games and GPPs tonight.

More PG Plays:

• Trae Young ($9,600)
• Stephen Curry ($8,400)
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($10,900)

SG - Bilal Coulibaly ($5,700)

Bilal Coulibaly ($5,700) stands out as one of the most intriguing plays on tonight’s slate. Projected for 33.8 DK points at a strong 5.9x value, he’s earned his spot as the top-ranked tournament play in this price range. Over his last four games, Coulibaly has consistently delivered across multiple stat categories, including a triple-double and a game-high 26-point outing. He’s averaging over 36 minutes per game during this stretch, and with Atlanta ranking middle-of-the-pack defensively against shooting guards, the opportunity is there for him to continue producing at a high level. His recent performances suggest he can fill the stat sheet in numerous ways, making him a well-rounded DFS option.

The main concern here is ownership—at 32.7%, he’ll be one of the chalkiest plays on the slate. However, given his consistency and upside at this price point, it’s chalk that feels justified in both cash and tournaments. Coulibaly has a solid Boom% of 31.9% and appears in nearly 23% of optimal lineups, so fading him comes with risk if he hits his ceiling again tonight. While it’s worth considering leverage elsewhere if you’re building multiple lineups, Coulibaly’s combination of minutes, production, and matchup makes him hard to ignore in single-entry or smaller-field contests.

More SG Plays:

• Dyson Daniels ($7,100)
• Anthony Edwards ($9,700)
• Coby White ($6,400)

SF - Coby White ($6,400)

Coby White is shaping up as a solid mid-range option at $6,400, especially given his increased role in the Bulls’ offense post-LaVine trade. Over his last four games, he’s averaging 21.3 points and 4.8 assists while attempting 16 shots per game—a clear uptick from earlier in the season. With a 1.04 FPPM rate and projected for 32 minutes against Golden State, White has a strong floor and enough upside to justify his 22.2% ownership. The Warriors rank middle of the pack defensively, but they’ve struggled to contain perimeter scorers, making this a favorable spot for White to continue his hot streak.

At 5.2x value and appearing in over 14% of optimal lineups, White’s chalky ownership feels warranted given his consistent production and opportunity in Chicago’s reshuffled rotation. While he may not provide massive leverage in tournaments, his Boom% (21.1%) signals real potential for a ceiling performance if he gets hot from three or racks up assists in what projects to be an up-tempo game environment. If you’re looking for stability with some upside at this price point, White makes a compelling play even as one of the more popular options on the slate.

More SF Plays:

• Jayson Tatum ($9,800)
• Jalen Williams ($8,100)
• Jaylen Brown ($8,100)

PF - Draymond Green ($5,800)

Draymond Green is shaping up as one of the stronger value plays on tonight’s slate at just $5,800. Projected for 33.02 DK points and offering a solid 5.69x value, he checks plenty of boxes for both cash games and tournaments. His 1.07 FPPM production is dependable, and with a projected 31 minutes in a competitive game against Chicago, there’s little reason to doubt his role tonight. The Bulls rank middle-of-the-pack defensively against PFs and Cs, which bodes well for Green’s ability to fill the stat sheet across multiple categories without needing heavy scoring volume. With Golden State likely leaning on him for secondary playmaking and defensive versatility, his floor feels secure while his ceiling is still respectable given his Boom% of 27.6%.

The ownership projection of 26.1% makes him one of the chalkier options on the slate, but it seems justified given his price point and role in this matchup. He also appears in 22.2% of optimal lineups, further reinforcing his viability as a core play tonight. While eating chalk isn’t always ideal in tournaments, Green’s balanced production and salary make him difficult to fade unless you’re intentionally pivoting to lower-owned options in similar price ranges like Kyle Kuzma or Jalen Duren. Overall, Draymond provides strong value without sacrificing upside—just be mindful that you’re not gaining much leverage by rostering him in GPPs unless paired with more contrarian plays elsewhere in your lineup.

More PF Plays:

• Naz Reid ($6,700)
• Jayson Tatum ($9,800)
• Paolo Banchero ($8,400)

C - Naz Reid ($6,700)

Naz Reid ($6,700) is a compelling play on this slate, especially given his expanded role in the Timberwolves’ rotation. With Julius Randle sidelined, Reid has stepped into heavy minutes and delivered across multiple stat categories. Over the last three games, he’s averaged 36.0 minutes and has shown strong production with 22.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 2.0 blocks per game. His ability to contribute in all areas makes him a consistent DFS option, particularly against a Portland defense that ranks poorly against frontcourt players. At 1.05 FPPM and projected for nearly 37 DK points tonight, Reid offers solid value at 5.5x his salary.

The biggest question is whether his high ownership (25.6%) is worth eating in tournaments. While chalk isn’t always ideal, it feels warranted here given Reid’s role and consistency as a starter lately. He’s appeared in over 14% of optimal lineups, which reinforces his ceiling potential relative to his price tag. The matchup also works in his favor—Portland has struggled defensively all season and lacks the interior presence to slow him down. If you’re looking for a high-floor option with upside who fits well into both cash games and GPPs, Reid should be firmly on your radar tonight despite the elevated ownership numbers.

More C Plays:

• Nikola Jokic ($12,800)
• Nikola Vucevic ($8,000)
• Isaiah Hartenstein ($7,000)

Good luck! Make sure to check the Lineup Optimizer for latest updates before lock. Visit DFS Hero for our full suite of DFS tools including the Lineup Optimizer, Contest Simulator, Player Projections, and Ownership Projections. Use code HEROPLAY15 to get 15% off your first month!