There are three NBA games on Friday’s slate.
POR is playing the second leg of a back-to-back.
As for injuries, Yves Missi is probable. LaMelo Ball, Miles Bridges, Caris LeVert and Santi Aldama are questionable. Evan Mobley, Joel Embiid and Andre Drummond are out. Keep track of all the pertinent injury updates at DK Live.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, CHA is -4.5 over POR at home with the total at 221.5. CLE is -9.5 over PHI on the road with the total at 227.5. MEM is -11 over NOP at home with the total at 240.5. Log into DK Sportsbook for the updates.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $333K Fadeaway [$100K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers ($10,000): Without Joel Embiid in the lineup, Maxey has had to shoulder much of the offensive onus. Over the last eight games, he’s playing around 40 minutes per game and produced at least 45 FPTS seven times with five of those over 50 FPTS. Cleveland is normally one of the best defensive teams in the league, but over the last 10 games, they have been 24th in defensive rating. Evan Mobley has missed 3 1/2 of those contests due to injury and he’s already been ruled out for Friday.
Other Options: LaMelo Ball ($10,500) if he plays, Donovan Mitchell ($8,300), Trey Murphy III ($8,200), Paul George ($8,000), Desmond Bane ($7,900), CJ McCollum ($7,600), Darius Garland ($7,500), Scoot Henderson ($6,800)
Value
Luke Kennard, Memphis Grizzlies vs. New Orleans Pelicans ($4,500): The playing time and production have been volatile this season for Kennard. There were stretches when he was playing in the high-teens while at other times he was receiving close to 30 minutes. Over the last four games, Kennard has played 30, 26, 20 and 26 minutes. A notable shift was that he got the start when Ja Morant was out, keeping Scotty Pippen Jr. in a reserve role. Kennard has size, playmaking chops and is deadly from downtown, so his ability to space the floor and make the right reads seem to have entrenched him in a significant role. He’s put up at least 27 FPTS in three of the last four games with two of those over 30 FPTS.
Other Options: Nick Smith Jr. ($4,200), Cody Martin ($3,900) if Miles Bridges is out, Vasilije Micic ($3,400) if LaMelo Ball is out
Forward
Stud
Deni Avdija, Portland Trail Blazers at Charlotte Hornets ($7,000): While the outside shot is still suspect, Avdija has certainly developed into a well-round player. He is a bull in transition and can now navigate with both right and left hands. He’s been doing yeoman’s work on the glass and racking up steals like a thief in the night. Over the last eight games, Avdija has put up over 40 FPTS in six of those contests. Charlotte has been seventh in pace over the last 10 games.
Other Options: Trey Murphy III ($8,200), Jaren Jackson Jr. ($8,100), Paul George ($8,000)
Value
Nick Smith Jr., Charlotte Hornets vs. Portland Trail Blazers ($4,200): With Brandon Miller out, it’s been Smith Jr. getting the starts. Over the last three games, he’s played 26, 30 and 31 minutes. He’s primarily a hucker and a chucker, averaging double-digit shot attempts in each contest, and doesn’t contribute much in the periphery categories, but he has racked up a steal in all those games and dished out five dimes on Wednesday. That translated to 19.25, 27.75 and 24.25 FPTS.
Other Options: Guerschon Yabusele ($5,000), Cody Martin ($3,900) if Miles Bridges is out
Center
Stud
Mark Williams, Charlotte Hornets vs. Portland Trail Blazers ($7,800): Since Williams was unleashed four games ago, he’s played 36, 33, 30 and 33 minutes, producing at least 54 FPTS in three of those contests. He won’t stop, can’t stop. The only things that can do the job are injury and foul trouble.
Other Options: Jaren Jackson Jr. ($8,100)
Value
Guerschon Yabusele, Philadelphia 76ers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers ($5,000): The range of outcomes is wide for Yabusele, as he can finish in the teens for FPTS or exceed 40. The one thing we can count on is that he’s going to play over 30 minutes, unless the 76ers get blown out, as both Joel Embiid and Andre Drummond have been ruled out.
Other Options: Guerschon Yabusele ($5,000), Daniel Theis ($4,600) if Yves Missi is out
