After Thursday’s tiny three-game slate, we have a robust 11 games for Friday. MIL, MIN and POR are playing the second leg of a back-to-back. ATL, BKN, CLE and LAC play on Saturday as well.
As for injuries, Jalen Duren, Luke Kornet, Ryan Dunn and Trey Murphy III are doubtful. Zion Williamson, Jamal Murray, Draymond Green, De’Anthony Melton, Brandin Podziemski, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Dean Wade, Cameron Payne, Noah Clowney and TJ McConnell are questionable. Miles Bridges, Ja Morant, Tyrese Maxey, Jaylen Brown, Kyle Kuzma, Aaron Gordon, Desmond Bane and PJ Washington are out. Keep track of all the pertinent injury updates at DK Live.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, the WAS/MEM, MIA/DEN and POR/MIN games are not on the board as of 8 p.m. ET on Thursday. There is one double-digit favorite: BOS -13.5 over BKN. The tighest spread is DET -1 over ATL. There is one game with a total of at least 230: IND/CHA (233.5). There are two games with a total below 220: NO/ORL (215) and HOU/OKC (219.5).
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $350K Friday 8’s [$100K to 1st].
Guard
Stud
Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks vs. Phoenix Suns ($11,600) – Let us all exhalt his name, “HalleLuka!” Doncic is averaging a robust 1.62 FPTS per minute while garnering a usage rate of 34.9% on the season. He stuffs the stat sheet and is a threat to triple-double on any given night. He’s finished in the 40-FPT range three times this season, but that is his absolute floor outside of injury or ejection. Doncic has exceeded 60 FPTS three times this season with a high of 71.75 FPTS. These teams met in the second game of the season and Doncic finished with 63.5 FPTS. Yes, the price is very expensive and there are plenty of options on a massive 11-game slate. That said, Doncic is one of the few that can approach 90 or even 100 FPTS, breaking the slate.
Other Options – Trae Young ($10,400), LaMelo Ball ($9,600), Anthony Edwards ($9,300), Jalen Brunson ($8,900), Cade Cunningham ($8,700), Tyrese Haliburton ($8,100), Jordan Poole ($7,900), Derrick White ($7,200), Scottie Pippen Jr. ($6,500), Jaden Ivey ($6,300), Buddy Hield ($6,200)
Value
Carlton Carrington, Washington Wizards at Memphis Grizzlies ($5,500) – Carrington didn’t start the season with a bang, playing 26, 25 and 21 minutes and exceeded 20 FPTS just once. He was starting, though, and two of those games were blowouts, so he didn’t get a full complement of minutes. Over the last three games, Carrington has shined, playing 33, 37 and 33, producing 32, 29 and 36.5 FPTS. He’s not hucking and chucking, as he attempted double-digit shots only once over that span, but he’s scored 16 points in two of those games. The allure of Carrington is that he rebounds and dishes out dimes while racking up steals. On the season, he’s turned the ball over eight times, with five of those in the first three games. He is 32nd in the NBA in assist-to-turnover ratio. The Wizards were already going to give him playing time because it’s all about development, but taking care of the ball is an endearing quality that the coaching staff for sure appreciates, making the playing time that much more secure.
Other Options – Jose Alvarado ($5,700), Dyson Daniels ($5,700), Bennedict Mathurin ($5,400), Christian Braun ($5,300), Payton Pritchard ($5,200), Tre Mann ($5,000), Miles McBride ($4,600), Brandon Boston Jr. ($4,400), Anthony Black ($4,000), Cody Martin ($3,800)
Forward
Stud
Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks at Detroit Pistons ($8,500) – It took about three games for Johnson to get situated to the new season, but he has thrived since then. Johnson has exceeded 50 FPTS in four of the last six games. He’s blocking shots, getting steals, grabbing rebounds and, of course, getting buckets. What has been most impressive, though, has been the playmaking. Johnson has dished out seven, four, eight, nine, four and seven dimes over the last six games.
Other Options – Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,200), Jayson Tatum ($10,500), Devin Durant ($9,000), Julius Randle ($8,200), Pascal Siakam ($8,000), Jaren Jackson Jr. ($7,200), Josh Hart ($6,700), Michael Porter Jr. ($6,300), Buddy Hield ($6,200), Bilal Coulibaly ($6,200), Santi Aldama ($6,100)
Value
Alex Sarr, Washington Wizards at Memphis Grizzlies ($5,400) – Sarr entered the league as a physcial marvel whose defense would play right away. And it has been as good as advertised. He’s blocked at least two shots in every game with two games with four. He’s also done work on the boards, like what big men should do. The offense has always been the question. He shoots a lot of jumpers and doesn’t have a diverse bag down on the block. That said, I have seen him take defenders off the dribble, shimmy shake and fadeaway for midrange Js. He’s raw but there’s potential. Sarr has attempted double-digit shots in four of the last five games but has converted more than four only once. He’s gone for over 30 FPTS in each of the last three games. There’s access to 40-FPTS if he makes a few more shots.
Other Options – Tobias Harris ($5,900), Dyson Daniels ($5,700), Naz Reid ($5,700), Zaccharie Risacher ($5,500), Bennedict Mathurin ($5,400), Christian Braun ($5,300), Peyton Watson ($4,600), Cody Martin ($3,800), Haywood Highsmith ($3,300) if he starts
Center
Stud
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets vs. Miami Heat ($11,800) – Is Denver playing? Ok, I’ll take Jokic. I don’t care the price. Fine, I am price sensitive but not really when it comes to Jokic. It’s like buying a Ferrari. You know what you’re getting and happy with the purchase. Like Doncic, Jokic is a threat to triple-double on any given night and canbreak the slate. He has the highest floor/ceiling combo in the league. Jokic has scored at least 60 FPTS in every game this season. That’s his floor! You want ceiling? He’s exceeded 80 FPTS twice and that’s not even the top. Jokic has 100-FPT ceiling!
Other Options – Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,200), Karl-Anthony Towns ($8,400), Julius Randle ($8,200), Pascal Siakam ($7,800), Jarrett Allen ($7,000), Myles Turner ($6,200)
Value
Kevon Looney, Golden State Warriors at Cleveland Cavaliers ($3,500) – Looney likely won’t play over 20 minutes, but there’s a slight chance that he does. His size will be needed against the Cavs with Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. Looney is averaging 0.99 FPTS per minute and has exceeded 20 FPTS three times this season, with a high of 35.25 FPTS.
Other Options – Jusuf Nurkic ($5,800), Naz Reid ($5,700), Alex Sarr ($5,400), Goga Bitadze ($5,000) if he starts, Neemias Queta ($4,500), Isaiah Stewart ($4,300), Jay Huff ($3,500)
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $350K Friday 8’s [$100K to 1st]
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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is sontzu) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
