There are eight NBA games on Friday’s slate.
NYK is playing the second leg of a back-to-back.
As for injuries, Nikola Jokic, Tyler Herro, Rudy Gobert, Chet Holmgren, Deni Avdija, Santi Aldama, John Konchar, Dante Exum, Caleb Martin, Keyonte George, Jerami Grant, Jaden Springer, Alec Burks, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Andrew Wiggins and Aaron Gordon are questionable. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Isaiah Hartenstein, Mark Williams, Jaren Jackson Jr., Kyrie Irving, Jaden Hardy, Kai Jones, PJ Washington, Ochai Agbaji, RJ Barrett, Gradey Dick, Jonathon Mogbo, Jakob Poeltl, Kel’el Ware, Dalano Banton, Robert Williams III, Lugentz Dort, Cason Wallace and Julian Strawther are out. Keep track of all the pertinent injury updates at DK Live. SAS, SAC, NYK and LAC haven’t submitted yet.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, there is one double-digit favorite: CLE -15.5 over CHA. There is one game within 3 points: OKC -3 over POR. There are four games with a total of at least 230: MEM/DAL (238), PHO/DEN (236.5), CLE/CHA (234.5) and SAS/SAC (234.5). There is one game below 220: MIN/MIA (214.5).
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $300K Fadeaway [$100K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors vs. Utah Jazz ($7,900): Shai is money in the bank; as safe as buying a Treasury Bill. He’s priced at $11,100, though. Barnes may not match Shai’s raw points, but I think there’s a chance he gets close with a 50 burger on the grill. RJ Barrett and Jakob Poeltl have already been ruled out, which will likely increase the offensive usage and rebounding numbers for Barnes. The matchup is a good one, as Utah is 8th in pace and 25th in defensive rating over the last 10 games.
Other Options: James Harden ($9,800), Ja Morant ($8,300), Jamal Murray ($7,800), Shaedon Sharpe ($6,800), Immanuel Quickley ($6,600), Isaiah Collier ($6,600), Stephon Castle ($6,200), Devin Vassell ($6,100)
Value
Brandon Williams, Dallas Mavericks vs. Memphis Grizzlies ($3,800): In the first post-Kyrie Irving game for Dallas, Williams received 34 minutes and provided 14 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists and 2 steals, good for 34.75 FPTS. Williams is undersized at 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds, but he’s a professional getter of buckets and provides the offense with juice. He’s too cheap for the expected playing time and role.
Other Options: Christian Braun ($6,000), Spencer Dinwiddie ($5,900), Russell Westbrook ($5,900), Donte DiVincenzo ($5,800), Klay Thompson ($5,500), Max Christie ($5,400), Bogdan Bogdanovic ($5,300), Ty Jerome ($5,100), Keon Ellis ($4,400), Johnny Juzang ($4,400) if he starts, Ja’Kobe Walter ($3,700)
Forward
Stud
DeMar DeRozan, Sacramento Kings vs. San Antonio Spurs ($7,500): Since Domantas Sabonis went down with an injury, DeRozan has played 30 and 42 minutes, producing 28 and 50.5 FPTS. In the 30-minute, 28-FPTS game, he only played 30 minutes due to a blowout. The usage rates were 37% and 27.7%, well above the 24% number on the season. San Antonio has been 9th in pace and 21st in defensive rating over the last 10 games, so the environment should be a fantasy-friendly one.
Other Options: Bam Adebayo ($9,200), Kevin Durant ($8,900), Jalen Williams ($8,500), Scottie Barnes ($7,900), Kawhi Leonard ($7,800), Julius Randle ($7,000), Jaden McDaniels ($6,900), Shaedon Sharpe ($6,800), Devin Vassell ($6,100)
Value
Chris Boucher, Toronto Raptors vs. Utah Jazz ($3,300): Boucher has received over 20 minutes only 10 times this season, but he may make it 11 on Friday because both Jakob Poeltl and Jonathan Mogbo are out. Boucher averages 1.11 FPTS per minute and put up over 30 FPTS eight times this season, with two over 40. The matchup is a good one, as Utah plays fast and eschews defense.
Other Options: Naji Marshall ($6,000), Christian Braun ($6,000), Bol Bol ($5,500) if he starts, Klay Thompson ($5,500), Max Christie ($5,400), Aaron Wiggins ($4,900), Johnny Juzang ($4,400) if he starts, Ja’Kobe Walter ($3,700), Kyle Anderson ($3,700)
Center
Stud
Jonas Valanciunas, Sacramento Kings vs. San Antonio Spurs ($6,900): JV has started the last two games for Sabonis. He only played 23 minutes in the first one due to a blowout, yet he still put up 33.75 FPTS. On Thursday, JV played 32 minutes and went for 48.75 FPTS. JV should feast on the center rotation that the Spurs will trot out there.
Other Options: Nikola Jokic ($12,300), Bam Adebayo ($9,200), Ivica Zubac ($7,700), Isaiah Hartenstein ($7,000), Julius Randle ($7,000), Kyle Filipowski ($6,100)
Value
Jusuf Nurkic, Charlotte Hornets vs. Cleveland Cavaliers ($3,700): Nurkic only played 12 and 15 minutes in the last two games, but Mark Williams is out, so he should at least get over 20 minutes in this one, especially with the size that Cleveland has. Prior to those two games, Nurkic put up over 20 FPTS in five games with Charlotte, with three over 30.
Other Options: Zach Edey ($4,800), Bismack Biyombo ($4,700), Jusuf Nurkic ($3,700), Moussa Diabate ($3,300)
