There are two NBA games on Friday’s slate.
As for injuries, Ja Morant, Nikola Jovic, Pelle Larsson, Kevin Love are questionable.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, MIA is -1 over ATL on the road with the total at 220. MEM is -6.5 over DAL at home with the total at 221.5.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $350K Play-in Special [$100K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Tyler Herro, Miami Heat at Atlanta Hawks ($9,100): The Miami offense is often an egalitarian one, but there are times when one player carries the team on the shoulders like Atlas when the situation is deemed worthy. On the season, Herro garnered a 28% usage rate. In Wednesday’s Play-in game against the Chicago Bulls, Herro had a 36% usage rate and put up 50.25 FPTS, leading the Heat to victory. In a win or go home game on Friday, Herro will more than likely have another high-usage game. Over the last 10 games, Atlanta has been fifth in pace and 20th in defensive rating, so there should be plenty of opportunities for fantasy goodies. In four regular season games against Atlanta, Herro went for at least 50 FPTS in three. In the one “miss,” he finished with 49.75 FPTS.
Other Options: Desmond Bane ($8,000)
Value
Davion Mitchell, Miami Heat at Atlanta Hawks ($5,500): As mentioned in the Herro section, the matchup is a good one, as Atlanta plays fast and isn’t the most stout defensive team. Stout and defensive are the two buzz words that describe Mitchell. He’s only six-feet tall, but a solid 202 pounds with a dawg mentality on defense that has endeared him to Eric Spoelstra. And that has provided minutes for Mitchell, and minutes are half the battle. Yo, Joe! On Wednesday, Mitchell played 33 minutes off the bench and produced 34 FPTS. He only played 20 and 22 minutes in the last two games of the regular season due to resting for the Play-in, but prior to that Mitchell played over 30 minutes in 12 straight, and put up at least 30 FPTS in eight of those with a high of 43.25 FPTS.
Other Options: Klay Thompson ($5,100), Caris LeVert ($4,600), Duncan Robinson ($4,000), Brandon Williams ($4,000), Alec Burks ($3,600), Luke Kennard ($3,400)
Forward
Stud
Anthony Davis, Dallas Mavericks at Memphis Grizzlies ($10,000): When healthy, Davis is one of the best two-way players in the game. He not only stuffs the stat sheet but can dominate in every statistical category. On Wednesday, Davis garnered a 33.7% usage rate and finished with 49.25 FPTS in 35 minutes. He has 70-FPTS upside, something he did three times this season, with the most recent two games ago. The offense is going to flow through Davis and he will likely be matched up against Jaren Jackson Jr. for most of the game. In his career, Davis has faced JJJ 14 times. Granted, three of those were as a New Orleans Pelican, while the other nine were with the Lakers, so the context is important. That said, he averaged 27 points, 12.9 rebounds and 3.4 blocks during those contests.
Other Options: Andrew Wiggins ($7,600), PJ Washington ($7,000)
Value
Kyle Anderson, Miami Heat at Atlanta Hawks ($3,800): I’m not enamored with Mr. Anderson, but he will likely play over 20 minutes due to his veteran experience and has 30-FPTS upside. Anderson is a low-usage player, but he’s able to contribute a little something in every statistical category. It’s an uptempo game for Miami, so there should be opportunities for fantasy goodies.
Other Options: Naji Marshall ($5,300), Klay Thompson ($5,100), Santi Aldama ($4,700), Caris LeVert ($4,600), Duncan Robinson ($4,000), Luke Kennard ($3,400)
Center
Stud
Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies vs. Dallas Mavericks ($6,200): Anthony Davis will probably play some center, with most coming to close the game. Until then, Dallas will likely play lots of Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II, which means Edey should get over 30 minutes again because of his screening prowess for Morant and yeoman’s work on the glass. Edey has played at least 30 minutes in four of the last five games. He ended with 29 minutes in the game he didn’t. He’s gone for over 30 FPTS in four of the last five games, with two of those over 40 FPTS.
Other Options: Anthony Davis ($10,000), Onyeka Okongwu ($7,100)
Value
Santi Aldama, Memphis Grizzlies vs. Dallas Mavericks ($4,700): Aldama won’t play 30 minutes, but somewhere in the mid-to-high 20s seems likely. Aldama is a matchup nightmare due to being seven-feet with the ability to make it rain from downtown. On Wednesday, he played 27 minutes and put up 27 FPTS. Dallas will likely play two bigs for as long as it can, so Aldama’s ability to space the floor should open up some creases for Ja Morant.
Other Options: Kel’el Ware ($5,700)
