There are seven NBA games on Friday’s slate.
CHA is playing the second leg of a back-to-back.
As for injuries, Isaiah Hartenstein is available. Amen Thompson, Brandon Williams and Lonnie Walker IV are probable. Andrew Wiggins, Cole Anthony and Cason Wallace are questionable. Luguentz Dort and Corey Kispert are out. Keep track of all the pertinent injury updates at DK Live.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, there are two double-digit favorites: BOS -12.5 over UTA and MIN -13 over NOP. There is no game within 3 points. There are three games with a total of at least 230: PHI/SAS (240), DET/DAL (235.5) and CLE/PHO (239). There are two games below 220: ORL/WAS (215) and HOU/MIA (214.5).
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $150K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs vs. Philadelphia 76ers ($6,700): The impressive rookie has put up at least 30 FPTS in each of the last four games. The one he didn’t was 29.25 FPTS. Castle has an NBA body, is a beast in transition and gets to the paint at will. And he should feast in this one, as the 76ers are extremely thin at center. In addition, Philadelphia has been 13th in pace and 28th in defensive rating over the last 10 games. Castle has gone over 40 FPTS five times this season. I think a sixth is likely with a chance for his first 50-burger.
Other Options: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($11,600), Cade Cunningham ($10,400), Quentin Grimes ($8,800), Derrick White ($7,700), Spencer Dinwiddie ($6,200)
Value
Mike Conley, Minnesota Timberwolves vs. New Orleans Pelicans ($3,600): Over the last two games, Conley has received 28 and 32 minutes, putting up 25 and 24.75 FPTS. For much of the season, he was mired in the low-20s. Minnesota is eighth in the Western Conference, 3.5 games ahead of the Kings, but only 5.5 games out of the second seed. Conley is too cheap for the expected playing time.
Other Options: Isaiah Collier ($5,900), Jrue Holiday ($5,500), Donte DiVincenzo ($5,300), Jeff Dowtin ($5,000), Chris Paul ($4,600), Jaden Hardy ($4,400)
Forward
Stud
Tari Eason, Houston Rockets at Miami Heat ($6,400): Us fantasy nerds have been clamoring for Eason for quite some time because he’s always been a per-minute beast. Well, he’s now getting the minutes. Over the last three games, he’s received 32, 39 and 31 minutes, finishing with 45.25, 35 and 49.5 FPTS. The environment may not be best for fantasy because both squads play slow, but Eason contributes in every statistical category, providing a high floor and access to 50-burgers if things go right.
Other Options: Paolo Banchero ($9,900), Bam Adebayo ($8,400)
Value
Chuma Okeke, Philadelphia 76ers at San Antonio Spurs ($4,200): Okeke is on his second 10-day contract. He only played 16 and 17 minutes in his first two games, but received a whopping 37 minutes on Wednesday, finishing with 41.25 FPTS. With the 76ers in complete tank mode, there’s a good chance he sees over 30 minutes once again. The matchup is a good one, as the Spurs are dead last in defensive rating since Victor Wembanyama was lost for the season.
Other Options: Aaron Wiggins ($5,700) if he starts, Naz Reid ($5,700), Tobias Harris ($5,500), Max Christie ($5,200), Jabari Smith Jr. ($5,200), Kelly Olynyk ($5,100), Dillon Brooks ($5,100), Jeremy Sochan ($5,100), Keldon Johnson ($4,700), Justin Edwards ($4,400), Bruce Brown ($4,100)
Center
Stud
Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets at Miami Heat ($9,500): I love Sengun because of his all-around game, evidenced by the three triple-doubles this season. I hate the price, though. There’s a good chance he ends up in the 30 to 40 FPTS range, which wouldn’t be great, Bob. That said, he’s gone over 50 FPTS 20 times, with two over 65 FPTS. I’m paying for the upside then praying that it’s not a night for downside.
Other Options: Bam Adebayo ($8,400), Kristaps Porzingis ($8,200), Jalen Duren ($6,700)
Value
Kelly Olynyk, New Orleans Pelicans at Minnesota Timberwolves ($5,100): Over the last four games, Olynyk has played at least 30 minutes in three of those contests. The game he didn’t, the Pelicans got blown out by 46 points. He put up at least 20 FPTS in all four games with a high of 33 FPTS. While he doesn’t dominate any category, Olynyk chips in a little something something everywhere.
Other Options: Naz Reid ($5,700), Jaylin Williams ($5,400) if he starts, Jabari Smith Jr. ($5,200), Jeremy Sochan ($5,100), Tristan Vukcevic ($4,200)
