There are eight NBA games on Friday’s slate.
DEN, LAL, MIN, NOP and PHO are playing the second leg of a back-to-back.
As for injuries, . Keep track of all the pertinent injury updates at DK Live.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, there is one double-digit favorite: OKC -12.5 over ATL. There are six games within 3 points: DEN -1 over DET, POR -1.5 over BKN, BOS -2.5 over CLE, CHI -1.5 over TOR, MEM -3 over NYK and LAL -1.5 over LAC. There are five games with a total of at least 230: DEN/DET (236.5), OKC/ATL (241), CLE/BOS (232), TOR/CHI (234.5) and NYK/MEM (245.5). There is one game with a total below 220: POR/BKN (218.5).
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $300K Fadeaway [$100K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Josh Giddey, Chicago Bulls vs. Toronto Raptors ($8,100): On the season, Giddey is averaging 13 points, 7.5 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.5 treys in 29 minutes. In the 10 games since Zach LaVine was traded, Giddey is averaging 19.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.1 blocks and 2.8 treys in 31.9 minutes. He’s put up over 50 FPTS in each of the last four games, with two of those at least 60 FPTS. Now, he faces a Raptors team that is 21st in defensive rating over the last 10 games and could be without Scottie Barnes, who is questionable.
Other Options: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($10,700), Cade Cunningham ($10,200), Jalen Brunson ($9,200), Devin Booker ($8,800), Tyler Herro ($8,700), Tyrese Haliburton ($8,500), Donovan Mitchell ($8,400), Ja Morant ($8,300), Trey Murphy III ($7,900), RJ Barrett ($7,700), Desmond Bane ($7,400), Immanuel Quickley ($7,200), Derrick White ($6,900), Dyson Daniels ($6,700)
Value
Kevin Huerter, Chicago Bulls vs. Toronto Raptors ($4,300): When Huerter first arrived in Chicago, he was playing in the high teens. Over the last three games, he’s received 28, 34 and 30 minutes while hucking up at least 12 shots in all of those contests. He’s put up at least 20 FPTS in all three games, with a high of 36.5 FPTS.
Other Options: Jose Alvarado ($5,900), Christian Braun ($5,500), Payton Pritchard ($5,300), Keon Johnson ($5,100), Malik Beasley ($4,900), Ziaire Williams ($4,900), Lonzo Ball ($4,600), Killian Hayes ($4,300)
Forward
Stud
Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder at Atlanta Hawks ($7,200): In his first game back from injury, Holmgren played 22 minutes and finished with 23.25 FPTS. In the next four games, the playing time increased to the 28-30 minutes range and Holmgren put up over 30 FPTS in all of those contests. On Wednesday, he received 32 minutes and finished with 61.75 FPTS! While he will likely finish in the high-30 FPTS range, there is a 60-FPTS upside because Holmgren can literally stuff the stat sheet.
Other Options: Jayson Tatum ($9,900), Kevin Durant ($9,100), Zion Williamson ($8,900), Josh Hart ($8,300), Jalen Williams ($8,100), Trey Murphy III ($7,900), Jaren Jackson Jr. ($7,700), RJ Barrett ($7,700)
Value
Bol Bol, New Orleans Pelicans at Phoenix Suns ($5,000): It’s America’s favorite game: Whack a Bol! Bol started two games and received over 30 minutes earlier in the month, putting up 52.5 and 26 FPTS. He then played 10, 13 and seven minutes in the next three games. Shrug. On Tuesday, he was reinserted into the starting lineup and put up 39 FPTS in 32 minutes. No one knows if Bol will play or not, but if he does, he’s going to rack up fantasy goodies. Bol averages 1.11 FPTS per minute and does so in a variety of ways. New Orleans is 5th in pace and 22nd in defensive rating over the last 10 games. The one caveat is the matchup against Zion Williamson, who could punk him off the court. The Suns play a back-to-back with the Pelicans on Thursday and Friday. This piece is being written before the start of the Thursday night matchup.
Other Options: Tobias Harris ($5,800), Christian Braun ($5,500), Aaron Gordon ($5,400), Santi Aldama ($5,300), Aaron Wiggins ($5,000), Bol Bol ($5,000) if he starts, Malik Beasley ($4,900), Ziaire Williams ($4,900), Al Horford ($4,800), Kevin Huerter ($4,300), Sam Hauser ($3,900) if Holiday and Brown are out
Center
Stud
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets at Detroit Pistons ($12,200): Jokic is always expensive. So is a Ferrari. Stop complaining because Jokic has the highest floor/ceiling combo in the game. He’s failed to hit 50 FPTS only six times this season. He’s gone over 80 FPTS 11 times, with four of those over 90!
Other Options: Kevin Durant ($9,100), Jaren Jackson Jr. ($7,700), Chet Holmgren ($7,200), Myles Turner ($6,300)
Value
Zach Collins, Chicago Bulls vs. Toronto Raptors ($5,500): With Nikola Vucevic out the last two games, Collins has started and played 28 and 38 minutes. He finished with 30.75 and 57.75 FPTS. Vucevic is doubtful for Friday so Collins could get another start and play a ton of minutes. Collins is a versatile big man that can do all the big man stuff, but also shoot from downtown and he is an excellent passer.
Other Options: Kel’el Ware ($5,800), Onyeka Okongwu ($5,600), Aaron Gordon ($5,400), Al Horford ($4,800), Yves Missi ($4,700)
