There are six games on Friday’s NBA slate. Dallas, Denver, Houston, Lakers, Miami, New Orleans, Phoenix and San Antonio 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
Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers at San Antonio Spurs ($9,500)
Over the last three games, the Kawhibot 2000 has put up “only” 45.5, 44 and 35.8 FPTS. All of those games were blowouts in favor of Los Angeles, so Leonard played 23, 29 and 29 minutes. San Antonio is one of the best teams in the league and will be at home, so this should be a competitive affair. If so, Leonard should play well over 30 minutes. In the most recent game that was close, Leonard played 33 minutes and put up 62.5 FPTS against Orlando. There is risk since the Spurs have been the best defensive team over the last 15 games and they could certainly blow out the Clippers, but … beep, boop, bop … I don’t see the Kawhibot 2000 letting things play out like that.
Other Options: Jaylen Brown ($10,000), Jamal Murray ($9,100), Jalen Brunson ($9,000), Grayson Allen ($7,300), Kon Knueppel ($7,200), Reed Sheppard ($6,200) if he starts
Value
Baylor Scheierman, Boston Celtics vs. Dallas Mavericks ($4,500)
Ten games ago, Payton Pritchard was put back into the microwave-scorer-off-the-bench role while Scheierman entered the starting lineup. He’s averaged 27.4 minutes, 9.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.7 treys per game. He’s put up at least 20 FPTS seven times with two over 30 FPTS. Jayson Tatum could return for this one, which could change things, but I think Scheierman will remain in his role.
Other Options: Christian Braun ($5,300)
Forward
Stud
Brandon Miller, Charlotte Hornets vs. Miami Heat ($7,700)
The Hornets are cooking right now, having won six straight. Over the last 15 games, Charlotte has been seventh in defensive rating and second in offense! Miller has been a huge part of that, as the usage rate has been over 30%. Over that span, he’s put up at least 30 FPTS 13 times with four over 40 and two over 50 FPTS. Now he faces a Miami team that is first in pace, so there should be plenty of opportunities for fantasy goodies.
Other Options: Jaylen Brown ($10,000), Kawhi Leonard ($9,500), Kevin Durant ($9,200), Grayson Allen ($7,300)
Value
Devin Vassell, San Antonio Spurs vs. Los Angeles Clippers ($5,500)
Vassell has certainly been on a heater recently. Over the last five games, he’s shooting 60% from the field and 62% from downtown. On the season, those marks are 44% and 39% respectively, so regression is coming at some point. That doesn’t mean it’s happening on Friday. Playing alongside Victor Wembanyama, De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle means plenty of open looks. He’s also been pulling down his fair share of rebounds. Over that span, he’s put up over 30 FPTS in all with a high of 41.5 FPTS.
Other Options: NA
Center
Stud
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets vs. New York Knicks ($12,500)
Jokic finished with 48.5 FPTS last game in 36 minutes against the Utah Jazz. The sky is falling! The sky is falling! At his price, it’s a disappointment for sure. It happens, though. That said, Jokic has failed to hit 50 FPTS only four times this season. The floor is incredibly high. As for ceiling, he’s gone over 70 FPTS 15 times with two of those over 90 and a high of 106.5 FPTS. And it is that ceiling that no one can match. So when Jokic is on the slate, it usually comes down to available value and roster construction.
Other Options: Victor Wembanyama ($10,500), Bam Adebayo ($8,400), Donovan Clingan ($7,600), Moussa Diabate ($6,200)
Value
Robert Williams, Portland Trail Blazers at Houston Rockets ($4,900)
Do you like to live dangerously? Have you hit on 17 before? If so, then continue reading because the range of outcomes is extremely wide for Williams. He could play 12 minutes and finish with single-digit FPTS. Or he could receive 23 minutes and put up over 40 FPTS, something he’s done in two of the last three games.
Other Options: Kel’el Ware ($5,400), Neemias Queta ($5,300), Oso Ighodaro ($5,200), Dwight Powell ($4,300)
