There are five games on Friday’s NBA slate. Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Indiana, Memphis and Phoenix 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
Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks at Indiana Pacers ($9,100)
Brunson is the unquestioned King of New York, garnering a 30.6% usage rate on the season. While he doesn’t provide much in the defensive categories, points and dimes usually flow like the Nile River. He’s dished out at least seven dimes in each of the last seven game while scoring over 20 points in five of those contests. From a FPTS perspective, Brunson has put up at least 40 FPTS in six of the last seven games with a high of 51.5 FPTS. Another 50-burger is a good possibility since Karl-Anthony Towns is questionable, and the matchup is a fantasy-friendly one as Indiana is third in pace and 28th in defensive rating over the last 15 games.
Other Options: Cade Cunningham ($10,900), Devin Booker ($8,900), Amen Thompson ($7,800), Collin Gillespie ($6,400)
Value
Landry Shamet, New York Knicks at Indiana Pacers ($4,100)
I usually eschew one-dimensional players like Shamet. That said, minutes are minutes and he got the start and played 31 last game. Josh Hart was out and he’s also questionable for Friday, so Shamet could get another start. As mentioned in the Brunson section, Indiana plays fast and is porous on defense, so there should be plenty of opportunities to rack up some fantasy goodies.
Other Options: Kam Jones ($4,100) [if he starts]
Forward
Stud
Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets vs. New Orleans Pelicans ($8,800)
I’m not thrilled about the options up top at forward on this slate, especially Durant due to the price. That said, if I had to pay up, I will probably click his name. I know the usage rate is going to be high with Durant and his game is well-rounded, providing a relatively high floor. He put up over 50 FPTS in two of the last seven games, so access to a ceiling is always there. For some reason, the Pelicans are trying to win so there’s a chance this game stays competitive. If so, Durant should play well over 30 minutes and rack up fantasy goodies.
Other Options: Evan Mobley ($8,200), OG Anunoby ($6,800)
Value
Keon Ellis, Cleveland Cavaliers at Dallas Mavericks ($4,000)
Since Ellis joined the Cavaliers 14 games ago, he’s racked up 22 steals and 17 blocks. Despite being only 6-foot-4 and 175 pounds, he’s played 72% at small forward and 21% at power forward this season. The defensive prowess and the versatility means that he can play alongside both James Harden and Donovan Mitchell. And minutes are half the battle. Over the last six games, Ellis has averaged 28 minutes and received 31 on Wednesday, even closing out the game. He’s put up at least 20 FPTS in five of the last six games with two over 30 FPTS.
Other Options: Tobias Harris ($5,500), Olivier-Maxence Prosper ($5,500), Royce O’Neale ($5,200), Micah Potter ($4,700)
Center
Stud
Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons vs. Memphis Grizzlies ($7,900)
Duren has put up at least 30 FPTS in six of the last seven games, with four over 40 FPTS and a high of 67 FPTS. Duren is sixth in the NBA with 31 double-doubles and, while he’s not a savant on defense, Duren is still averaging 0.9 steals and 0.9 blocks on the season. Memphis is 10th in pace and 27th in defensive rating over the last 15 games, so the environment should be a fantasy-friendly one. Due to injuries and trades, Memphis is thin in the front court and has no one that can match up with the chiseled Duren in the paint.
Other Options: Evan Mobley ($8,200)
Value
Mitchell Robinson, New York Knicks at Indiana Pacers ($4,000)
Robinson often plays fewer than 20 minutes, but Karl-Anthony Towns is questionable, so Robinson could get above 20 minutes in this one. On the season, he played at least 20 minutes 17 times. He put up at least 20 FPTS 24 times with three over 30 and a high of 49.5 FPTS. There should be plenty of opportunities for fantasy goodies since Indiana plays fast. While the Pacers are one of the better defensive rebounding teams, the matchup at center is favorable for Robinson, one of the best offensive rebounders in the game.
Other Options: Jakob Poeltl ($5,700), Jay Huff ($5,600), Olivier-Maxence Prosper ($5,500), Daniel Gafford ($5,200), Micah Potter ($4,700)
