There are six NBA games on Friday’s slate.
No team is playing the second leg of a back-to-back.
As for injuries, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Cade Cunningham, LaMelo Ball and Guerschon Yabusele are questionable. Andre Drummond is doubtful. RJ Barrett, Kyle Kuzma, De’Andre Hunter, Caris LeVert, Khris Middleton, Malcolm Brogdon, Bruce Brown, Davion Mitchell, Kelly Olynyk, Jakob Poeltl, Georges Niang, Marjon Beauchamp and Sam Merrill are out. Keep track of all the pertinent injury updates at DK Live.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, there are three double-digit favorites: SAS -11.5 over CHA, CLE -16.5 over WAS and OKC -19 over TOR. There is one game within 3 points: PHI -1.5 over DET. There are three games with a total of at least 230: UTA/PHO (231.5), CLE/WAS (233.5) and MIL/ATL (236.5). There is one game below 220: MIA/BKN (209.5).
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $300K Friday 8’s [$100K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Toronto Raptors ($10,700): Shai has been simply marvelous this season. He’s been better in category leagues due to the insane shooting efficiency, but in points leagues and daily fantasy, you feel comfortable knowing that you’re getting what you paid for. That said, he did fail to hit 40 FPTS six times this season and was hovering in the 40-to-50 FPT range. Recently, though, there have been more ceiling outcomes. He put up 74.5 FPTS on Wednesday and finished with 81.5 FPTS seven games ago. It’s a ceiling that none of the other players at the position are likely to sniff.
Other Options: Tyrese Maxey ($9,900), De’Aaron Fox ($8,500), Tyler Herro ($8,400), Dyson Daniels ($7,200)
Value
K.J. Simpson, Charlotte Hornets vs. San Antonio Spurs ($4,300): LaMelo Ball has missed the last five games, which has allowed Simpson to play around 25 minutes per game. Simpson has put up at least 20 FPTS in three of those games. Ball is questionable once again, so Simpson could get the start and possibly play over 30 minutes because Vasilije Micic was traded to Phoenix.
Other Options: Bilal Coulibaly ($5,500), Ty Jerome ($4,700)
Forward
Stud
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks at Atlanta Hawks ($11,800): Giannis has missed the last two games due to knee and calf issues. He’s officially questionable for this one. I’m not crazy about paying up at forward on this slate, so it’s pretty much Giannis or pay down. In two prior games against Atlanta this season, Giannis put up 53.75 and 74 FPTS.
Other Options: Guerschon Yabusele ($6,000)
Value
Bilal Coulibaly, Washington Wizards vs. Cleveland Cavaliers ($5,500): I hate the matchup, as Cleveland is one of the better defensive teams in the league. That said, Coulibaly did put up 47 FPTS against them back in December without Kyle Kuzma in the lineup. On Friday, Coulibaly notched his first career triple-double. Without Kuzma in the lineup again. Coincidence? I think not. Coulibaly has put up 34, 42.75 and 47.5 FPTS in the last three games while playing 31, 37 and 37 minutes. His offensive game has definitely grown and he should continue getting the opportunities to contine developing.
Other Options: Bobby Portis ($5,500) if Giannis is out, Nikola Jovic ($5,200), Tosan Evbuomwan ($4,000)
Center
Stud
Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs at Charlotte Hornets ($11,000): The range for Wembanyama has been 45-to-65 FPTS with somewhere in the 50’s the sweet spot. The thing is, the ceiling is so high when he puts it all together, and that’s what we’re paying for. He’s going to score and grab rebounds, but he’s also in play to block 10 shots. The addition of De’Aaron Fox should make his life easier on offense due to his blazing speed and scoring ability.
Other Options: Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,800) if he plays, Joel Embiid ($10,000), Isaiah Hartenstein ($7,000), Jarrett Allen ($6,400), Onyeka Okongwu ($6,300)
Value
Richaun Holmes, Washington Wizards vs. Cleveland Cavaliers ($3,500): Alex Sarr has already been ruled out. Jonas Valanciunas was traded, so Holmes is going to play heavy minutes against the Cavaliers big front line. On Wednesday, Holmes played 27 minutes and put up 21.75 FPTS.
Other Options: Kel’el Ware ($6,000), Bobby Portis ($5,500) if Giannis is out, Moussa Diabate ($4,300) if he starts, Tristan Vukcevic ($3,000)
