There are six NBA games on Friday’s slate. DEN, HOU and POR 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 $200K Excellent 8’s [$50K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Sacramento Kings ($9,700)
Mitchell hasn’t been great recently, finishing below 40 FPTS in three of the five games. Charlotte has been playing good defense lately while Oklahoma City is the best defense in the league. No excuse against Utah, though. Mitchell just didn’t have it, shooting 7-of-18 from the field. During the five-game span, he did put up 61.2 FPTS in one of those games. Mitchell is one of the best players in the league and can access a ceiling on any given night. I’m thinking a 50-burger in this one as Darius Garland is out with a toe injury and the Kings are 28th in defensive rating.
Other Options: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($10,700), Devin Booker ($8,800), Russell Westbrook ($7,900), Trey Murphy III ($7,800), Payton Pritchard ($7,000), Jaylon Tyson ($6,600)
Value
Cam Spencer, Memphis Grizzlies vs. New Orleans Pelicans ($5,700)
With Ja Morant back, Spencer has been relegated to a reserve role. Well, Morant is out for this one, so hop aboard the Spencer train, stick your head out the window, then scream chugga chugga choo chooooo! In nine starts this season, Spencer put up over 30 FPTS in six with two of those over 40 FPTS. In the other three games, he finished with at least 20 FPTS.
Other Options: Cedric Coward ($5,400), Anfernee Simons ($5,000), Malik Monk ($4,700), Daniss Jenkins ($4,400) if he starts, Cason Wallace ($4,200), Isaiah Joe ($4,000), Luke Kennard ($3,700)
Forward
Stud
Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics at Brooklyn Nets ($10,000)
There was a stretch not too long ago when Brooklyn was playing lights out defense. Those days are long gone because the Nets have been 29th in defensive rating over the last 10 games. And that’s a big ruh roh against a Boston team that is second in offensive rating. Brown leads the way with a 37.1% usage rate on the season. He’s gone over 50 FPTS in each of the last three games and could see a slight uptick in usage with Derrick White out.
Other Options: Jalen Johnson ($10,500), Alperen Sengun ($9,500), Michael Porter Jr. ($8,200), Jaylon Tyson ($6,600)
Value
Kenrich Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Indiana Pacers ($5,700)
The Thunder are thin in the front court with Isaiah Hartenstein out and Jaylin Williams questionable. If neither play, then Kenrich should see over 25 minutes in this one, especially with Jalen Williams also out. Over the last two games, he received 20 and 28 minutes, finishing with 16.5 and 31.5 FPTS.
Other Options: Saddiq Bey ($5,400), Sam Hauser ($5,200)
Center
Stud
Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets at Detroit Pistons ($9,500)
Sengun is one of the most skilled big men in the game. He only has one triple-double on the season, but he’s barely just missed a few more. He scores, rebounds, playmakes and has even contributed well in the defensive categories. That’s provided a relatively high floor for fantasy. On the season, he’s put up at least 50 FPTS 14 times with six of those over 60 and a high of 76.5 FPTS.
Other Options: Jalen Duren ($7,700), Onyeka Okongwu ($7,200)
Value
Dylan Cardwell, Sacramento Kings at Cleveland Cavaliers ($4,500)
Cardwell won’t score many points, but he’s been a beast on the boards and has provided a flurry of stocks. Since entering the rotation in mid-December, Cardwell has contributed at least 20 FPTS 10 times with two of those over 30 FPTS, which came in the last three contests. One worry is that he likely won’t play more than 25 minutes but the price is palatable for that.
Other Options: Neemias Queta ($5,700), Jock Landale ($5,500), Kenrich Williams ($3,900)
