It took a week, but you know the NBA regular season has official started, because All-Star players are beginning to drop like flies. Scottie Barnes (eye) and Paolo Banchero (oblique) are going to be missing long-term, while the league has fined the 76ers $100,000 for whatever the heck is happening with Joel Embiid (knee). It’s good to be back to normal.
Still, injuries open up opportunity and opportunity opens up value. Let’s break it all down and find some underpriced assets on Friday’s seven-game featured slate.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $350K Friday 8’s [$100K to 1st]
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PF/C Mo Wagner, Orlando Magic at Cleveland Cavaliers, $3,900
I’m not 100% sure how the Magic are going to adjust their starting lineup with Banchero sidelined, but I think it’s important to consider matchup when it specifically comes to Friday’s contest. The Cavaliers are massive in the front court, starting the gargantuan duo of Evan Mobley ($7,400) and Jarrett Allen ($7,100). With that in mind, I don’t think it’s misguided to assume that Orlando will want to counter with size of its own — that means Wagner. The older of the Wagner brothers hasn’t been asked to play too large a role in 2024-25, yet he’s averaged 1.23 FPTS per minute through five games, which is the third-highest mark on the roster. In the one contest he’s started since the beginning of last season, Wagner collected a 19-point, 11-rebound double-double. I’d also keep an eye on Anthony Black ($4,200) in this spot, yet it’s Wagner who I believe has the highest ceiling.
SF Zaccharie Risacher, Atlanta Hawks vs. Sacramento Kings, $4,500
It was initially unclear how much the former first-overall pick was going to play early on in his rookie campaign, yet injuries have forced the Hawks’ hand. Dyson Daniels (hip), Bogdan Bogdanovic (hamstring), De’Andre Hunter (knee) and Vit Krejci (thigh) are all banged up, which has left a ton of minutes and shot volume available on the wing. That’s why Risacher has started the past three games for Atlanta and that’s how he had his first breakout performance on Wednesday. In 34.7 minutes, the 19-year-old registered 17 points, six rebounds and a pair of blocks, finishing with a career-high 33.0 FPTS. It’s far from a lock that Risacher will be able to do that again on Friday, but this at least seems like a great environment for DFS, with the Hawks ranking third in the NBA in pace (104.4) and the Kings sitting 11th (100.9). In an uptempo script, Risacher can use his youth and his athleticism to his advantage. His ceiling his high this evening.
PG Jose Alvarado, New Orleans Pelicans vs. Indiana Pacers, $4,600
If you think the Hawks are dealing with a disproportional amount of injuries this early in the season, let me introduce you to the Pelicans. Dejounte Murray (hand), CJ McCollum (thigh), Trey Murphy (hamstring) and Herb Jones (shoulder) have all already been ruled out for tonight’s contest. On top of that, Jordan Hawkins ($5,200; back) and Daniel Theis ($3,800; ankle) are questionable to suit up against the Pacers. Each started for New Orleans in its loss to Golden State on Wednesday. That doesn’t leave many healthy bodies, but Alvarado is one of them. In that defeat in California, Alvarado scored 35.75 FPTS, as the guard racked up 16 points, five rebounds and four assists. Indiana has not been a strong defensive team in 2024-25, entering play on Friday with the league’s ninth-worst defensive rating (115.1). Alvarado will be forced into an eye-popping amount of run in this tilt, and he should be able to thrive.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $350K Friday 8’s [$100K to 1st]
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All views expressed are my own. I am an employee of DraftKings and am ineligible to play in public DFS or DKSB contests.
