There are five games on Friday’s NBA slate. Brooklyn and Dallas are playing the second night 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 Friday 8’s [$50K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Kevin Porter Jr., Milwaukee Bucks vs. New York Knicks ($8,600)
I was infatuated with KPJ when he was in the $6k range. I still loved him at $7k. At $8,600, he’s fairly priced but I think he can match or even exceed some of the higher-priced options. Despite only garnering a usage rate in the 24% range, KPJ’s game is extremely fantasy-friendly because of his ability to stuff every statistical category. He has two triple-doubles on the season and missed out on a few more by a hair. The steals are robust while the blocks are good for a guard. He’s put up at least 50 FPTS seven times this season with a high of 60 FPTS. Giannis Antetokounmpo is still not back so much of the offense will continue running through KPJ.
Other Options: Cade Cunningham ($11,000), Jaylen Brown ($9,800), Derrick White ($8,200), Payton Pritchard ($7,200), Cason Wallace ($6,700), Ty Jerome ($6,500)
Value
Javon Small, Memphis Grizzlies at Dallas Mavericks ($4,700)
Small is literally small at 6-foot-1, but he is a stout 190 pounds, can get his own shot and is a good playmaker. Over the last nine games, Small has played in eight, averaging 25 minutes, 13.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.1 treys and 1.0 steals. He’s converting a whopping 43% of his 2.8 attempts from downtown. That translates to at least 20 FPTS in six of those contests with three over 30 FPTS and a high of 43.5 FPTS.
Other Options: Brandon Williams ($5,500), Nolan Traore ($5,200), Dennis Schroder ($5,100) if James Harden is out, Max Christie ($4,800), Sam Merrill ($4,800) if he starts, Craig Porter Jr. ($3,500) if James Harden is out
Forward
Stud
Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics vs. Brooklyn Nets ($9,800)
Brown was handed the cape to the Celtics offense and it fit perfectly right away. He’s put up at least 50 FPTS 24 times with seven of those over 60 FPTS and a high of 71 FPTS. Brooklyn is 25th in defensive rating over the last 15 games and there is a good chance of a blowout in this one. That said, if that comes to fruition, Brown will have likely been a big reason why. There have been two blowouts by Boston in the last three games. Brown still played 36 and 37 minutes while finishing with 64.8 and 57.5 FPTS.
Other Options: Cason Wallace ($6,700), Naji Marshall ($6,300)
Value
Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Memphis Grizzlies at Dallas Mavericks ($4,800)
The front court is extremely thin in Memphis while the Grizzlies have instituted an egalitarian offense. On most nights, all 10 players will play at least 20 minutes with no one getting 30 minutes. That decreases the potential for ceiling games but also uplifts some fringe players. Over the last six games, Prosper has played around 26 minutes a night and put up at least 20 FPTS in all with two over 30 FPTS. At 6-foot-7 and 230 pounds, his size is needed so the playing time should be secure.
Other Options: Jaylon Tyson ($5,600) if he starts, Noah Clowney ($4,900), Sam Merrill ($4,800) if he starts
Center
Stud
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets at Oklahoma City Thunder ($12,300)
Nikola Jokic is on the slate. He’s how much? I don’t care. Well, I do but not really. Jokic is the greatest fantasy player with the highest floor/ceiling combo. He’s a threat to triple-double on any given night and leads the league by a wide margin. He literally has 100 FPTS upside, which cannot be replicated by anyone else on the slate. Jokic has failed to put up at least 50 FPTS only three times. He’s gone over 80 FPTS a ridiculous eight times with a high of 106.5 FPTS.
Other Options: Jalen Duren ($7,900), Jarrett Allen ($7,800), Nic Claxton ($6,600)
Value
Marvin Bagley III, Dallas Mavericks vs. Memphis Grizzlies ($5,000)
Since arriving in Dallas, Bagley has put up at least 20 FPTS in five of six games with three of those over 30 FPTS and a high of 46 FPTS. Daniel Gafford is dealing with an ankle injury and is doubtful for Thursday’s contest. It’s unlikely he plays Friday as well, which could mean Bagley’s first start as a Maverick and a possible 30 minutes of run. If Gafford does play, Bagley should still see playing time in the low-20s.
Other Options: Neemias Queta ($5,300), Olivier-Maxence Prosper ($4,800), Paul Reed ($4,500), Jericho Sims ($4,400)
