There are seven NBA games on Friday’s main slate. No teams 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 Fadeaway [$100K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets vs. Atlanta Hawks ($10,000)
With Nikola Jokic out with an injury, Murray has stepped up and shouldered much of the offensive load. The usage rate has spiked from 28.1% to over 32%. Murray has put up over 42 FPTS in five straight with three over 55 FPTS and a high of 61.5 FPTS! He’s not only scoring over 20 points a night, but Murray is grabbing around six rebounds and has dished out 17 and 16 dimes in the last two contests. Atlanta is second in pace so the environment should be a fantasy-friendly one. Another 50-burger seems likely with the chance for more.
Other Options: Tyrese Maxey ($9,700), Devin Booker ($8,400), Derrick White ($7,800), Nickeil Alexander-Walker ($7,200), Dyson Daniels ($7,000), VJ Edgecombe ($6,800), Payton Pritchard ($6,700), Cam Spencer ($6,500), Collin Gillespie ($6,400), Immanuel Quickley ($6,300), Kyshawn George ($6,100)
Value
Ajay Mitchell, Oklahoma City Thunder at Memphis Grizzlies ($5,000)
Mitchell has put up at least 20 FPTS in each of the last eight games with three of those over 30 FPTS, all off the bench. The Thunder are now resting their big guns for this one, as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren have been ruled out, so Mitchell should make his eighth start. Back in early November, Mitchell made five straight starts and put up over 40 FPTS in two of those contests. In seven starts this season, Mitchell is averaging 30.4 minutes, 15.4 points, 3.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists.
Other Options: Egor Demin ($5,600), Jeremiah Fears ($5,200), Tre Johnson ($5,100), Bub Carrington ($4,900), Jordan Goodwin ($4,800), Luke Kennard ($3,800), Isaiah Joe ($3,500)
Forward
Stud
Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks at Denver Nuggets ($10,800)
Johnson finished with 35.5 and 43.5 FPTS over the last two games. Disappointing for the price, but both of those games were blowouts. This should be a competitive affair, at least it’s unlikely that the Nuggets get blown out at home. Prior to those two games, Johnson was a beast, putting up over 50 FPTS in 15 of 16 games with five of those over 70 FPTS. Johnson racked up six triple-doubles over that span and just missed out on a few more. With Trae Young officially out of Atlanta, this is now Johnson’s team.
Other Options: Jaylen Brown ($9,500), Paolo Banchero ($9,300), Michael Porter Jr. ($8,700), Zion Williamson ($8,000), Jalen Williams ($7,500), Nickeil Alexander-Walker ($7,200), Peyton Watson ($7,000), Paul George ($6,700), RJ Barrett ($6,500), Derik Queen ($6,200)
Value
Noah Penda, Orlando Magic vs. Philadelphia 76ers ($3,600)
Over the last two games, Penda has received 27 and 31 minutes, stuffing the stat sheet with 27.5 and 37.2 FPTS. Back in late December, Penda put up 43.5 FPTS in 24 minutes, so these performances aren’t anomalies and he has shown he can access a ceiling.
Other Options: Dillon Brooks ($5,900), Bilal Coulibaly ($5,300), Collin Murray-Boyles ($4,800), Aaron Wiggins ($4,200), Luke Kennard ($3,800), Kenrich Williams ($3,400), Brooks Barnhizer ($3,000), Ousmane Dieng ($3,000)
Center
Stud
Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks at Phoenix Suns ($8,100)
The range of outcomes has been extremely wide for Towns this season, which is somewhat strange because Towns used to be one of the most consistent players for fantasy. The most likely outcome is that Towns finishes in the 40 FPTS range, but he has two games with fewer than 20 FPTS while going over 60 FPTS five times. That said, I like him to finish in the upper range for what should be a competitive affair.
Other Options: Alex Sarr ($7,300), Onyeka Okongwu ($7,100), Ivica Zubac ($6,800), Derik Queen ($6,200)
Value
Kenrich Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder at Memphis Grizzlies ($3,400)
The Thunder will be without Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren so Williams should see close to 30 minutes in this one. Williams is averaging 0.85 FPTS per minute and, in three games he’s received over 20 minutes this season, he’s put up 31.5, 28.8 and 15.8 FPTS.
Other Options: Wendell Carter Jr. ($5,800), Neemias Queta ($5,100), Day’Ron Sharpe ($5,000), Sandro Mamukelashvili ($5,000), Collin Murray-Boyles ($4,800), Zeke Nnaji ($4,700), Andre Drummond ($4,000) if Joel Embiid is out, Branden Carlson ($3,500)
