There are eight games on Friday’s NBA slate. The Hornets, Timberwolves and Pelicans 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 $100K Fadeaway [$20K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics at Milwaukee Bucks ($9,600)
There’s a reason why Brown has been mentioned in the MVP conversation – he’s been straight ballin all season long. Points, Rebounds. Assists. You want it, he’s provided it. What can Brown do for you? Deliver fantasy goodies. Over the last seven games, he’s put up at least 43 FPTS in all with four over 50 and a high of 61.8 FPTS. Milwaukee has been 27th in defensive rating over the last 15 games. There is risk of a blowout, but Brown will have likely been a big reason why. In two recent games, the Celtics won by 18 and 21 points, yet Brown still played 37 and 35 minutes.
Other Options: Tyrese Maxey ($10,400), Jalen Brunson ($9,200), Amen Thompson ($7,800), Desmond Bane ($7,100), Ayo Dosunmu ($7,000), Nickeil Alexander-Walker ($6,900), Ousmane Dieng ($6,800), Reed Sheppard ($6,300)
Value
Jamal Shead, Toronto Raptors at Memphis Grizzlies ($4,700)
With Immanuel Quickley out of action, Shead started four of the last six games and averaged 29 minutes a contest. He put up at least 20 FPTS in five of those games with two over 30 FPTS. Quickley has already been ruled out for this one so Shead is going to play a ton of minutes. And the matchup is a good one as Memphis is 11th in pace and dead-last in defensive rating over the last 15 games.
Other Options: Kennedy Chandler ($5,800), Collin Sexton ($5,600), Coby White ($5,300), Bones Hyland ($5,000), Javon Small ($5,000), Cormac Ryan ($4,600)
Forward
Stud
Paul George, Philadelphia 76ers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves ($7,900)
Since George returned to action four games ago, he’s been vintage PG13, stuffing the stat sheet and making fantasy goodies rain down from the pinata. He’s put up over 50 FPTS in three of those games with a high of 63.2 FPTS. That 63.2 FPTS game occurred on Wednesday and Joel Embiid was out. George also garnered a usage rate of 32% in that one. Embiid is doubtful for Friday, so George should once again see an elevated usage rate. To make matters even better, the Timberwolves best wing defender, Jaden McDaniels, is out for this one.
Other Options: Jalen Johnson ($10,600), Jaylen Brown ($9,600), Karl-Anthony Towns ($9,300), Jayson Tatum ($9,300), Scottie Barnes ($9,000), Kevin Durant ($8,700), Brandon Miller ($7,400), RJ Barrett ($7,400), Kyle Filipowski ($7,200), Ayo Dosunmu ($7,000), Ousmane Dieng ($6,800), OG Anunoby ($6,600), Jabari Smith Jr. ($6,200)
Value
Kobe Brown, Indiana Pacers at Charlotte Hornets ($3,900)
The matchup isn’t a good one, as Charlotte is 29th in pace and third in defensive rating over the last 15 games and Brown is a low-usage player. That said, Brown is a smidge cheap. Brown has seen an increase in playing time with Jarace Walker nursing an injury. In the game that Walker got injured, Brown subbed in and played 30 minutes, finishing with 18.2 FPTS. In the next two contests, Brown went for 24 and 23.8 FPTS while starting one of those games. Walker has been ruled out for this one.
Other Options: Collin Sexton ($5,600), GG Jackson ($5,100), Leonard Miller ($4,600), Ja’Kobe Walter ($4,500), Collin Murray-Boyles ($4,400)
Center
Stud
Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets vs. Utah Jazz ($9,000)
The range of outcomes is uncomfortably wide for Sengun. It wouldn’t surprise if he ended in the 30-FPTS range or over 50 FPTS. He has the skill set to put up a ceiling game due to his ability to triple-double and contribute defensive stats. The matchup is a good one as well, as Utah is second in pace and 26th in defensive rating over the last 15 games. Back to talking about the range, over the last seven games, Sengun has gone over 75 FPTS twice. That is quite the ceiling. I’m not expecting that kind of game, but it would not surprise if he hit it. How’s that for covering my bases?
Other Options: Karl-Anthony Towns ($9,300), Rudy Gobert ($7,400), Kyle Filipowski ($7,200), Jabari Smith Jr. ($6,200)
Value
Neemias Queta, Boston Celtics at Milwaukee Bucks ($5,300)
Queta has been the metronome of fantasy, consistenly producing fantasy goodies on a nightly basis. Over the last 10 games, he’s put up at least 20 FPTS in all with two over 40 FPTS. On the season, Milwaukee has boosted the FPPM to opposing centers by 7.4%, the eighth-most generous mark in the NBA.
Other Options: Moussa Diabate ($5,500), Jakob Poeltl ($5,500), Wendell Carter Jr. ($5,200), Olivier-Maxence Prosper ($4,500), Collin Murray-Boyles ($4,400)
