There are seven NBA games on Friday’s slate.
CHI, GSW, SAC and SAS are playing the second leg of a back-to-back. BOS plays on Saturday.
As for injuries, LeBron James, Jayson Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis, Andre Drummond and Al Horford are questionable. Austin Reaves is out. Keep track of all the pertinent injury updates at DK Live.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, the biggest favorite is BOS -6.5 at home over MIL. The rest of the games are within 3 points. There are three games with a total of at least 230: LAL/ATL (233), MIL/BOS (230.5) and IND/CHI (245.5). There is one game with a total below 220: ORL/PHI (210.5). There are three home dogs: PHI, SAS and CHI. Log into DK Sportsbook for the updates.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $300K Friday 8’s [$100K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks vs. Los Angeles Lakers ($9,100): Young has been dealing with an Achilles issue but he’s probable for this one. The fantasy goodies haven’t been superfluous for Young recently because he hasn’t been asked to do as much. Five straight wins says it is the right strategy. Over the last four games, he’s put up 30.5, 46.5, 26.5 and 40.25 FPTS. He has gone over 60 FPTS three times this season with a high of 71.5 FPTS, so there is access to ceiling if the Hawks are pushed. I initially had some doubts with Young because the Lakers are in disarray right now, having lost by 29 and 41 points over the last two games and LeBron James is questionable for this one. That said, DK Sportsbook has the Hawks favored by only 2.5 points with the total at 233.
Other Options: De’Aaron Fox ($9,000), Jaylen Brown ($8,600), Tyrese Haliburton ($8,300), Derrick White ($7,100), Malik Monk ($7,000), Bennedict Mathurin ($6,800), Anfernee Simons ($6,600)
Value
Payton Pritchard, Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks ($5,800): Pritchard won’t stop. He can’t stop. He will not stop. Getting bucket after bucket after bucket. The odds-on-favorite to win Sixth Man of the Year, Pritchard has put up 33.75, 45.35, 40.25, 44.75 and 35 FPTS over the last five games. The usage rate has been in the 22 to 24 percent range over that span.
Other Options: Ayo Dosunmu ($5,700), Devin Vassell ($5,300), Stephon Castle ($4,800), Dalton Knecht ($4,700)
Forward
Stud
Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic at Philadelphia 76ers ($9,500): It’s been 19 games that the Magic have been without Paolo Banchero. No problemo as they are 13-6 over that span, mainly due to the play of Wagner. The usage rate has been over 30% in every game but four and he’s exceeded 40 FPTS in all but four of those contests as well, with two over 60 and a high of 71 FPTS. At 6-foot-10 and 225 pounds, he’s too quick for bigs and too long and strong for smaller wings. He has a decent handle package and can make it rain from downtown.
Other Options: Giannis Antetokounmpo ($12,000), Jaylen Brown ($8,600), Jalen Johnson ($8,500), DeMar DeRozan ($7,400), John Collins ($7,200), Lauri Markkanen ($7,000), Bennedict Mathurin ($6,800), Jeremy Sochan ($6,100)
Value
Obi Toppin, Sacramento Kings at Chicago Bulls ($3,600): Toppin won’t sniff 30 minutes unless an injury happens and he’s more than likely to play in the high-teens to low-20s. But he can get hot and produce fantasy goodies in the right environment, and this should be a good one for him, as the Bulls are 27th in defensive efficiency and second in pace. Toppin has gone for at least 28 FPTS in each of the last three games with a 30.25 performance in only 14 minutes two games ago.
Other Options: Deni Avdija ($6,000), Guerschon Yabusele ($6,000), Jerami Grant ($5,700), De’Andre Hunter ($5,000), Julian Champagnie ($4,900), Rui Hachimura ($4,900), Dalton Knecht ($4,700)
Center
Stud
Nikola Vucevic, Chicago Bulls vs. Indiana Pacers ($8,400): Over the last eight games, Vucevic has put up over 40 FPTS in every contest with two over 50 and a high of 59 FPTS. The game he didn’t hit the mark, he finished with 39 FPTS. He’s been scorching hot from downtown, shooting over 40%, but the Bulls are playing fast and, fundamentally, they’ve made a concerted effort to attack the rim and kick out for treys. Vucevic has benefitted from the philosophical change. This game has a whopping total of 245.5, so points are expected to be scored.
Other Options: Giannis Antetokounmpo ($12,000), Anthony Davis ($10,200), Domantas Sabonis ($9,300), John Collins ($7,200), Myles Turner ($6,700), Walker Kessler ($6,300)
Value
Moritz Wagner, Orlando Magic at Philadelphia 76ers ($4,500): It’s been a three-headed center monster for Orlando with Goga Bitadze, Wendell Carter Jr. and Wagner. Usually Wagner plays in the teens, but over the last two games, he’s received 21 and 28 minutes, contributing 26 and 44 FPTS. Against Brooklyn three games ago, he put up 30 FPTS in only 16 minutes, so he can still produce in limited playing time.
Other Options: Guerschon Yabusele ($6,000), Clint Capela ($5,400), Zach Collins ($5,000) if Wembanyama is out, Onyeka Okongwu ($4,400), Obi Toppin ($3,600)
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $300K 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.
