There are six NBA games on Friday’s slate.
CLE, MEM, MIL, NYK, ORL and SAS are playing the second leg of a back-to-back.
As for injuries, Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert, PJ Washington, Yves Missi and Mike Conley are questionable. Dwight Powell is doubtful. Malcolm Brogdon is out. Keep track of all the pertinent injury updates at DK Live.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, CLE is -6.5 over NYK at home with the total at 240. MEM is -3 over ORL on the road with the total at 222.5. MIA is -3 over TOR on the road with the total at 220.5. DAL is -5.5 over NOP at home with the total at 235.5. The MIL/WAS and DET/SAS games are not on the board yet.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $300K Fadeaway [$100K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons at San Antonio Spurs ($10,300): Since the Spurs acquired De’Aaron Fox, they have played at the third-fastest pace, so it should be an up-and-down affair. San Antonio with Victor Wembanyama had a defensive rating of 114, which placed them in the middle. Without Wembanyama, that number was 119. For perspective, the Wizards and Pelicans are tied for the worst defense at 118.7.
Other Options: Kyrie Irving ($9,300), Trey Murphy III ($8,400), Donovan Mitchell ($8,300), De’Aaron Fox ($8,200), Jordan Poole ($7,600), Darius Garland ($7,400)
Value
Jose Alvarado, New Orleans Pelicans at Dallas Mavericks ($5,500): Alvarado was bad right after the Pelicans lost Dejounte Murray to injury. Over the last two games, though, Alvarado has played 32 and 34 minutes, contributing 42.75 and 43.75 FPTS. He’s attempted 15 and 12 shots, dished out 8 and 9 assists and racked up a total of 5 steals.
Other Options: Malik Beasley ($5,600), Chris Paul ($5,600), Max Christie ($5,400), Carlton Carrington ($5,200), Max Strus ($4,600), Gary Trent Jr. ($4,500), Sam Merrill ($3,900)
Forward
Stud
Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic vs. Memphis Grizzlies ($8,300): I’m good with Franz Wagner as well, but he’s $400 more expensive. Banchero garners around a 33% usage rate and has put up at least 40 FPTS in three of the last five games. It’s a huge pace-up spot, as Memphis has been playing at the second-fastest pace over the last 10 games while being 18th in defensive rating.
Other Options: Franz Wagner ($8,700), Zion Williamson ($8,500) if he plays, Evan Mobley ($8,400), Trey Murphy III ($8,400), Bam Adebayo ($8,100), PJ Washington ($7,200) if he plays, Kyle Kuzma ($6,900), Tobias Harris ($6,100)
Value
Ausar Thompson, Detroit Pistons at San Antonio Spurs ($5,300): Thompson doesn’t play 30 minutes, but he’s uber-efficient when he’s on the court. Most of his buckets are dunks or layups while he contributes a little something something in every category, which provides a relatively high floor. Despite playing in the mid-to-high 20s, Thompson has put up over 30 FTPS in each of the last five games. Now he gets a matchup against a Spurs team that plays fast and will likely be one of the worst defenses without Wembanyama.
Other Options: Naji Marshall ($5,700), Malik Beasley ($5,600), Jeremy Sochan ($5,500) if he starts, Max Chrstie ($5,400), Kyshawn George ($4,700), Karlo Matkovic ($4,600) if Yves Missi is out, Max Strus ($4,600), Gary Trent Jr. ($4,500), Sandro Mamukelashvili ($3,900)
Center
Stud
Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons at San Antonio Spurs ($6,700): I guess I’m stacking the Pistons. As mentioned above, the Spurs are playing fast and will likely have a porous defense without Wembanyama patrolling the paint. There’s also the chance that San Antonio plays small with Jeremy Sochan at center, so Duren should feast on him. Duren has put up over 40 FPTS in three of the last four games.
Other Options: Evan Mobley ($8,400), Bam Adebayo ($8,100), PJ Washington ($7,200) if he plays
Value
Sandro Mamukelashvili, San Antonio Spurs vs. Detroit Pistons ($3,900): With Wembanyama done for the year, Mamukelashvili will likely get significant playing time, especially since Charles Bassey is currently nursing an injury. The only question is how many minutes? Sochan could start, but Mamu should get at least 20 minutes. He’s made 12 career starts with San Antonio and, at the end of last season, averaged 27.1 minutes, 12.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.8 treys in four starts. Mamu averages 1.14 FPTS per minute, the same as De’Aaron Fox.
Other Options: Alex Sarr ($5,,600), Jeremy Sochan ($5,500), Zach Edey ($4,700), Karlo Matkovic ($4,600) if Missi is out
