There are 11 NBA games on Friday’s main slate. Boston, Lakers, Philadelphia, Toronto and Utah are playing the second leg of a back-to-back.
This article was written on Thursday night. Any changes will be updated. Keep track of all the injury news at DK Network.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $300K Friday 8’s [$100K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Kevin Porter Jr., Milwaukee Bucks vs. Philadelphia 76ers ($6,600)
With Giannis Antetokounmpo out for a few weeks, the onus of the offense will lie on the shoulders of Porter Jr. and Ryan Rollins. On Wednesday with Giannis only playing three minutes, KPJ garnered a whopping 35.9% usage rate. He finished with 26 points, two rebounds, seven assists and two steals. He has dealt with multiple injuries this year and had back spasms two games ago, so there’s a risk. That said, the price is too good for the expected usage rate and playing time. He has 50-FPTS upside and could possibly match many of the players priced above $10,000.
Other Options: Tyrese Maxey ($10,700), Cade Cunningham ($10,400), Josh Giddey ($10,000), Austin Reaves ($9,500), Donovan Mitchell ($9,400), Deni Avdija ($9,300), James Harden ($9,200), Derrick White ($8,200), Kevin Durant ($8,100), Amen Thompson ($8,000), Josh Hart ($7,800) if OG Anunoby is out, Keyonte George ($7,600), Desmond Bane ($7,500), Immanuel Quickley ($7,500), Jalen Suggs ($7,100), Nickeil Alexander-Walker ($7,100), Collin Gillespie ($6,900), Bennedict Mathurin ($6,700), Vince Williams Jr. ($6,400), Andrew Nembhard ($6,100)
Value
Anthony Black, Orlando Magic vs. Miami Heat ($5,600)
Black isn’t starting, but he’s been a significant member of the rotation off the bench, playing around 28 minutes a night. Over the last nine games, Black has put up over 20 FPTS in all with six over 30 and a high of 42.2 FPTS. Miami is first in pace so there should be plenty of opportunities to rack up fantasy goodies.
Other Options: Jaylon Tyson ($5,800), Miles McBride ($5,300), Jordan Goodwin ($5,000), TJ McConnell ($4,700), Cam Spencer ($4,500), Jase Richardson ($3,100), Walter Clayton Jr. ($3,100)
Forward
Stud
Dillon Brooks, Phoenix Suns at Houston Rockets ($6,600)
On the season, Brooks is garnering a usage rate of 29.2% In two seasons with Houston, that number was 17%. Brooks was a prolific scorer in college and had high usage rates while in Memphis, so this isn’t out of the blue. With Devin Booker injured last game, Brooks had a massive 42.8% usage rate. I’d expect a high usage rate in this one, especially since he will want to put it to his former team. Risk of ejection is high, though! Now, Houston is second in defensive rating, so the matchup isn’t good, but Brooks is so strong, both mentally and physically, that he’s going to get amped for this one and be ready to huck and chuck, because Dillon Brooks said it’s Dillon Brooks time. Brooks has a season-high of 49 FPTS, so he can access a ceiling. The volume will be there.
Other Options: Karl-Anthony Towns ($9,700), Alperen Sengun ($9,500), Deni Avdija ($9,300), Scottie Barnes ($9,100), Evan Mobley ($8,600), Pascal Siakam ($8,500), Franz Wagner ($8,500) if Paolo Banchero is out, Kevin Durant ($8,100), Kawhi Leonard ($8,000), Josh Hart ($7,800) if OG Anunoby is out, Bennedict Mathurin ($6,700), Mikal Bridges ($6,500), Vince Williams Jr. ($6,400), Andrew Wiggins ($6,300)
Value
Jordan Walsh, Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers ($4,300)
Walsh entered the rotation in early November. He’s become a staple now due to his defensive prowess. The usage rate is low but Walsh can knock down the open J and is an excellent cutter, so he gets plenty of easy ones. He’s been grabbing rebounds and racking up some defensive stats. The FPTS production has been all over the place, so the range of outcomes is wide. That said, he’s gone over 20 FPTS seven times with a high of 35.2 FPTS, which he contributed three games ago.
Other Options: Jabari Smith Jr. ($5,800), Jaylon Tyson ($5,800), Peyton Watson ($5,600), Bobby Portis ($5,400), John Collins ($5,300), Jay Huff ($5,200), Dominick Barlow ($5,200), AJ Green ($5,200), Jordan Goodwin ($5,000)
Center
Stud
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets at Atlanta Hawks ($12,900)
Jokic has been figured out. The sky is falling! Bah humbug. Jokic has been “held” to 50 FPTS in three of the last four games as teams have tried to change up defensive looks and make him more of a distributer. Well, he put up 84.5 FPTS two games ago and missed four straight triple-doubles by four rebounds. Jokic has the highest floor/ceiling combo in the game and is always in play to go for 100 FPTS.
Other Options: Karl-Anthony Towns ($9,700), Alperen Sengun ($9,500), Evan Mobley ($8,600), Ivica Zubac ($7,700), Jalen Duren ($7,700), Nikola Vucevic ($7,700), Zach Edey ($7,400), Deandre Ayton ($6,800), Andre Drummond ($6,600) if Joel Embiid is out, Myles Turner ($6,300)
Value
John Collins, Los Angeles Clippers at Memphis Grizzlies ($5,300)
Early in the season, Collins was coming off the bench and playing in the low-to-mid 20s. Collins was inserted into the starting lineup in Game 10 and has received at least 30 minutes six times, with four of those in the last five games. Over that span, Collins has put up at least 20 FPTS in all with two over 30 FPTS. Memphis is 13th in pace and 16th in defensive rating.
Other Options: Kel’el Ware ($5,700), Neemias Queta ($5,400), Bobby Portis ($5,400), Jay Huff ($5,200), Dominick Barlow ($5,200), Moussa Diabate ($4,500), Jericho Sims ($3,800)
