There are seven NBA games on Friday’s main slate.
Keep track of all the injury news at DK Network.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, ORL is -5.5 over ATL at home with a 228.5 total. NYK is -6.5 over BOS at home with a 227.5 total. CLE is -12.5 over BKN on the road with a 227.5 total. HOU is -5.5 over DET at home with a 226.5 total. SAS is -3.5 over NOP on the road with a 230.5 total. MEM is -3.5 over MIA at home with a 232.5 total. DAL is -11.5 over WAS at home with a 227.5 total.
This article was written on Thursday night. Any changes will be updated.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $300K Friday 8’s [$100K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs at New Orleans Pelicans ($6,800): Victor Wembanyama stole the show on Wednesday night, but Castle sneakily put up 41.8 FPTS in only 29 minutes. Castle finished with 22 points, seven rebounds, six assists and two steals. The usage rate was a whopping 31.5%. It’s only been one game, but the Pelicans are fifth in offensive pace and 21st in defensive rating, so the game environment should be a fantasy-friendly one, especially for Castle, who likes to get up and down the court in transition.
Other Options: Kevin Durant ($9,200), Donovan Mitchell ($9,100), Jalen Brunson ($8,400), Derrick White ($7,900), Amen Thompson ($7,700), Norman Powell ($7,500), Cooper Flagg ($7,100), Desmond Bane ($6,900), Payton Pritchard ($6,600), Mikal Bridges ($6,200)
Value
Davion Mitchell, Miami Heat at Memphis Grizzlies ($6,000): Mitchell had quite the opener with 16 points, six rebounds, 12 assists, a block and two steals in 35 minutes, good for 49.5 FPTS. The usage rate was only 18.1%, making the performance that much more impressive. Mitchell endeared himself to Coach Eric Spoelstra last season due to his toughness at both ends of the court. That trust looks to have carried over into this season. Memphis always plays fast while Miami has talked about increasing the pace this season. After one game, Miami is third in offensive pace.
Other Options: Herbert Jones ($5,900), Reed Sheppard ($4,800), Lonzo Ball ($4,400), Miles McBride ($4,100), Luke Kennard ($3,800), Cedric Coward ($3,700)
Forward
Stud
Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets vs. Detroit Pistons ($9,400): Sengun is called Mini-Jokic or Turkish-Jokic for a reason. He’s an excellent passer and is a threat to triple-double on any given night. His weaknesses have been the lack of treys and poor free-throw shooting. Well, in the opener, he went 5-of-8 from downtown and 10-of-11 from the line. It’s only been one game, but he looked very comfortable hoisting those shots. Now, the opening game went to double overtime, so the counting stats are inflated, but the usage rate was 28.9%, above the 27% mark from the last two seasons, and it looks like Sengun is leveling up this season.
Other Options: Anthony Davis ($9,800), Kevin Durant ($9,200), Paolo Banchero ($8,500), Evan Mobley ($8,400), Jalen Johnson ($8,300), Jaren Jackson Jr. ($8,200), Franz Wagner ($7,600), Kristaps Porzingis ($7,200), Cooper Flagg ($7,100), Ausar Thompson ($6,500), OG Anunoby ($6,400), Mikal Bridges ($6,200)
Value
Saddiq Bey, New Orleans Pelicans vs. San Antonio Spurs ($4,100): Bey played 30 minutes off the bench in the opener, contributing 13 points, six rebounds, three assists and one steal. Bey is a professional getter of buckets and when he gets hot, he gets scorching hot. In his career, he’s scored at least 30 points eight times with a high of 51 points.
Other Options: Herbert Jones ($5,900), Andrew Wiggins ($5,800), Jabari Smith Jr. ($5,500), Jaylen Wells ($5,200), PJ Washington ($5,000)
Center
Stud
Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs at New Orleans Pelicans ($11,300): We knew that Wembanyama had the potential to break fantasy. Well, that time may be upon us. In the opener, Wembanyama put up 40 points, 15 rebounds, an assist, three blocks and a steal in only 30 minutes. In the offseason, Wembanyama went to the Shaolin Temple and unearthed the secrets from the 36 chambers. Then he returned to earth and was mentored by the great Hakeem Olajuwon. We are all witnesses.
Other Options: Anthony Davis ($9,800), Alperen Sengun ($9,400), Evan Mobley ($8,400), Jaren Jackson Jr. ($8,200), Kristaps Porzingis ($7,200)
Value
Neemias Queta, Boston Celtics at New York Knicks ($5,000): Queta got the start and played 25 minutes, producing 17 points and eight rebounds, good for 26 FPTS. Chris Boucher and Xavier Tillman only played 16 minutes while Luka Garza suffered a concussion and is out for Friday. Queta should get plenty of run once again.
Other Options: Jarrett Allen ($6,000), Wendell Carter Jr. ($5,400), Isaiah Stewart ($4,900), Dereck Lively II ($4,800), Steven Adams ($4,300)
