There are six NBA games on Friday’s slate.
No team is playing the second leg of a back-to-back.
As for injuries, Al Horford and Josh Green are probable. Immanuel Quickley, Gradey Dick, Jordan Hawkins, Kelly Olynyk, Jamal Shead, Dante Exum, Talen Horton-Tucker, Sam Hauser and AJ Green are questionable. Daniel Theis is doubtful. LaMelo Ball, Paul George, Mark Williams, Zach LaVine and Maxi Kleber are out. Keep track of all the pertinent injury updates at DK Live.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, there are two double-digit favorites: LAC -13.5 over CHA and BOS -10.5 over NOP. There are three games within 3 points: DAL -1 over DET, TOR -2 over CHI and MIL -2.5 over SAS. There are five games with a total of at least 230: DAL/DET (230), DEN/PHI (231.5), CHI/TOR (231.5), BOS/NOP (230.5) and MIL/SAS (230). There is one game with a total below 220: LAC/CHA (214).
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $300K Friday 8’s [$100K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors at Chicago Bulls ($9,400): Over the last five games, Barnes has put up over 50 FPTS three times but finished with 39 FPTS twice, so the range of outcomes is somewhat wider than we want for paying this price. I think another 50-burger is the likelier outcome, though, as the matchup is a fantasy-friendly one. The Bulls have been sixth in pace and 22nd in defensive rating over the last 10 games. Barnes stuffs the stat sheet and is always a threat to triple-double on any given night.
Other Options: Cade Cunningham ($10,100), Tyrese Maxey ($9,700), James Harden ($9,300), Damian Lillard ($9,000), Dejounte Murray ($8,200), Trey Murphy III ($7,600), Jamal Murray ($7,500),
Value
Malik Beasley, Detroit Pistons vs. Dallas Mavericks ($5,100): Beasley is primarily a three-point specialist, and I usually hate clicking on these types of players, but production is production and Beasley has been getting the volume and putting it through the hoop at a high level. While he likely won’t play over 30 minutes, he’s likely going to put up over double-digit shots as defenses continue to converge on Cade Cunningham. Beasley has put up over 30 FPTS in each of the last three games.
Other Options: Vasilije Micic ($5,500), Stephon Castle ($5,200), Payton Pritchard ($5,100), Bruce Brown ($4,600)
Forward
Stud
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks at San Antonio Spurs ($11,500): Giannis is one of the most unstoppable fantasy forces in the game, stuffing the stat sheet on a nightly basis while being elite in points and rebounds. He’s contributed at least 50 FPTS in the last six games with three over 60 and a high of 72.5 FPTS. The last time he faced San Antonio, Giannis put up 58.5 FPTS.
Other Options: Jayson Tatum ($9,500), Scottie Barnes ($9,400), Trey Murphy III ($7,600), PJ Washington ($7,300), Kawhi Leonard ($6,900)
Value
Bruce Brown, Toronto Raptors vs. Chicago Bulls ($4,600): Since returning to action at the end of December, it’s taken a minute for Brown to get settled into the rotation. He looks comfortable now, putting up at least 31 FPTS in three of the last five games. The playing time range has been wide, from 20 to 29 minutes, but the fast-paced, little-defense Bulls should make fantasy goodies appear regardless.
Other Options: Aaron Gordon ($4,400)
Center
Stud
Ivica Zubac, Los Angeles Clippers at Charlotte Hornets ($7,500): I really like Daniel Gafford too. As for Zubac, he’s coming off back-to-back 50-FPTS games. Mark Williams is out for Charlotte, so Zubac should feast on both Moussa Diabate and Taj Gibson.
Other Options: Nikola Jokic ($12,000), Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,500), Victor Wembanyama ($11,000), Daniel Gafford ($7,400), Kristaps Porzingis ($7,000), Jakob Poeltl ($6,600)
Value
Aaron Gordon, Denver Nuggets at Philadelphia 76ers ($4,400): I don’t like paying down at center on this slate. Paying up at the position looks like the way to go. As for Gordon, he had been mired in the low 20s since returning from injury. On Wednesday, he got the start and received 30 minutes for the first time in a while. Earlier in the season, the production was inconsistent but he was putting up 40 and 50 FPTS from time to time when playing in the low-30s.
