There are seven NBA games on Friday’s slate.
CLE and UTA are playing the second leg of a back-to-back.
As for injuries, Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jamal Murray, Chris Boucher, Trendon Watford and Ziaire Williams are questionable. Cade Cunningham, LaMelo Ball, Zion Williamson, Miles McBride, CJ McCollum, RJ Barrett, Ochai Agbaji and Gary Payton II are out.
Keep track of all the pertinent injury updates at DK Live.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, there are three double-digit favorites: GSW -11.5 over NOP, DEN -16.5 over UTA and LAC -12.5 over BKN. There is one game within 3 points: NYK -1 over MIL. There are two games with a total of at least 230: UTA/DEN (237.5) and CLE/DET (231.5). There are two games below 220: CHA/TOR (218.5) and LAC/BKN (213.5).
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $150K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Russell Westbrook, Denver Nuggets vs. Utah Jazz ($7,400): Part of this recommendation is due to the Jamal Murray injury, while the other aspect is the matchup. Murray is questionable and Westbrook would likely get the starting nod and play over 30 minutes if Murray is out. Over the last 10 games, Utah is second in pace and 22nd in defensive rating, so it should be a fantasy-friendly environment. Even if Murray plays, Westbrook has a good chance of finishing in the 30-FPTS range. If Murray is out, well….Westbrook put up 63 FPTS in 42 minutes against Golden State six games ago.
Other Options: James Harden ($9,600), Scottie Barnes ($8,500)
Value
Tyler Kolek, New York Knicks at Milwaukee Brewers ($3,200): Both Jalen Brunson and Miles McBride are out, so there’s a good chance Kolek gets the start and plays a ton of minutes. How many? That is the question, but he’s played around 18 minutes in each of the last three games, garnering the trust of Thibs. I think he plays in the high-20s and possibly over 30. Kolek isn’t a scorer, but he doesn’t turn the ball over and has dished out seven, nine and eight dimes. He’s cheap for the possible spike in playing time.
Other Options: Christian Braun ($6,000), Isaiah Collier ($5,300), Jose Alvarado ($5,100), Dennis Schroder ($5,100), Kevin Porter Jr. ($4,900), Gary Trent Jr. ($4,700), Nick Smith Jr. ($4,500), KJ Simpson ($4,000), Ja’Kobe Walter ($3,900), Damion Baugh ($3,800), Marcus Sasser ($3,300)
Forward
Stud
Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers at Brooklyn Nets ($8,800): It took time for the Kawhibot 2000 to get the proper replacement parts and software upgrades, but the engineers seemed to have calibrated everything to perfection. Leonard has put up over 40 FPTS in each of the last seven games with three over 50 FPTS. Most importantly, Leonard has played at least 40 minutes in each of the last two games and there is no back-to-back scenario.
Other Options: Kevin Durant ($9,300), Miles Bridges ($8,900), Scottie Barnes ($8,500), OG Anunoby ($7,000), Michael Porter Jr. ($6,900), Kyle Kuzma ($6,200)
Value
Christian Braun, Denver Nuggets vs. Utah Jazz ($6,000): I’m not crazy about the price, but I like the matchup and floor/ceiling combo. Over the last two games, Braun has played 38 and 39 minutes, putting up 32.75 and 47.5 FPTS. The Pelicans have been dead-last in defensive rating over the last 10 games and Nikola Jokic is back, so Braun could get a ton of cheapies cutting to the basket.
Other Options: Kelly Olynyk ($5,800), Gary Trent Jr. ($4,700), Jonathan Mogbo ($4,400), Ja’Kobe Walter ($3,900)
Center
Stud
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets vs. New Orleans Pelicans ($12,300): Prior to suffering an injury, Jokic put up 76.25 FPTS. In his first game back from a five-game absence, Jokic put up 71 FPTS. Jokic has the highest floor/ceiling combo in the game, is a threat to triple-double on any given night and has 100-FPTS upside. New Orleans is dead-last in defensive rating, so, despite the elevated price, don’t be hatin’.
Other Options: Karl-Anthony Towns ($10,200), Kevin Durant ($9,300), Ivica Zubac ($8,100), Jarrett Allen ($6,700), Rudy Gobert ($6,300), Brook Lopez ($6,200)
Value
Jonathan Mogbo, Toronto Raptors vs. Charlotte Hornets ($4,400): With the Raptors in tank mode, Mogbo has played in the mid-to-high 20s in each of the last five games. Over the last three contests, he’s finished with 28, 28.25 and 35.25 FPTS. Now he faces a Charlotte team that is 27th in defensive rating over the last 10 games.
Other Options: Kelly Olynyk ($5,800), Yves Missi ($4,500)
