There are nine games on Friday’s NBA slate. The Celtics, Nets, Bulls, Warriors, Rockets, Pacers, Lakers, Heat, Knicks, 76ers, Raptors and Wizards 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 $80K Fadeaway [$20K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
CJ McCollum, Atlanta Hawks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers ($6,200)
McCollum won’t put up a “had-to-have-it” score, but I feel comfortable knowing that he will likely finish in the 30 to 40 FPTS range. And at his price point, that’s a nice proposition, especially since I’m not enamored with the higher-priced options. The usage rate has been around 25% for McCollum and he’s playing around 30 minutes a night. Over the last 12 games, he’s put up at least 30 FPTS in all but two contests with a high of 42 FPTS. Cleveland used to be known as a fairly stout defensive team, but the Cavaliers are only 19th in defensive rating over the last 15 games.
Other Options: Jaylen Brown ($9,900), Tyrese Maxey ($9,500), Jalen Brunson ($9,400), Donovan Mitchell ($9,100), Tyler Herro ($7,800), Desmond Bane ($7,400), Nickeil Alexander-Walker ($7,200), Jeremiah Fears ($7,100), Tre Jones ($7,000), Jalen Suggs ($6,800)
Value
Jaime Jaquez Jr., Miami Heat at Washington Wizards ($5,300)
Jaquez only put up 18.5 FPTS last game, as he shot 4-of-12 from the field. The Heat got obliterated by the Raptors, 121-95. Prior to that game, though, Jaquez put up at least 30 FPTS in four straight with a high of 43.2 FPTS, which happened to be against the Wizards. Washington is fifth in pace and 28th in defensive rating over the last 15 games, so the environment should once again be a fantasy-friendly one.
Other Options: AJ Green ($5,200), Pelle Larsson ($5,100), Davion Mitchell ($5,100), Jamir Watkins ($5,000), Jordan Poole ($5,000), Ja’Kobe Walter ($4,900), Ben Saraf ($4,900)
Forward
Stud
Paul George, Philadelphia 76ers at Indiana Pacers ($8,300)
When George returned from suspension seven games ago, he went for over 50 FPTS in the first two contests back. Since then, he has three games in the 30 FPTS range and a high of 63.2 FPTS. More than likely, he will finish in the 30 to 40 FPTS range, but he’s shown he can hit a ceiling and the probabilities are increased because Joel Embiid is out while the Pacers are 26th in defensive rating over the last 15 games.
Other Options: Jalen Johnson ($10,500), Jayson Tatum ($10,000), Jaylen Brown ($9,900), Paolo Banchero ($8,900), Will Riley ($6,800), Dyson Daniels ($6,600), Derik Queen ($6,100)
Value
Collin Murray-Boyles, Toronto Raptors at New York Knicks ($3,900)
Murray-Boyles is part of a three-headed center monster with Jakob Poeltl and Sandro Mamukelashvili. Over the last five games, he’s only received 22.2 minutes a night but averaged 14.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.8 blocks. That was good for at least 23 FPTS in all with a high of 33 FPTS. That ain’t bad for the price, but a ceiling outcome is muted unless one of the other center options is out.
Other Options: Devin Vassell ($5,800), Andrew Wiggins ($5,800), Justin Champagnie ($5,700), Jaime Jaquez Jr. ($5,300), Leonard Miller ($5,300), Pelle Larsson ($5,100), Jamir Watkins ($5,000), Ja’Kobe Walter ($4,900), Jalen Slawson ($4,400)
Center
Stud
Derik Queen, New Orleans Pelicans at Boston Celtics ($6,100)
It’s been quite the season for Queen. And the action started before the first tip off as the Pelicans gave up a ton of assets to acquire his draft rights. Queen was in the rotation to begin the season but came off the bench. Then he became a starter and was balling out until he was relegated to a reserve role. Shrug. Finally, it looks like the Pelicans are allowing their rookies time to develop. On Tuesday, Queen finally re-entered the starting ineup and put up 50.5 FPTS in 37 minutes. The final stat line was 17 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists, three steals and two blocks. Yup, he can stuff the stat sheet and is a threat to mess around on any given night. The matchup is a difficult one, as Boston is eighth in defensive rating over the last 15 games, but Queen has a versatile skill set that should allow him to produce fantasy goodies regardless.
Other Options: Bam Adebayo ($9,300), Jarrett Allen ($6,200)
Value
E.J. Liddell, Brooklyn Nets vs. Indiana Pacers ($4,000)
Nic Claxton, Day’Ron Sharpe and Danny Wolf are all out for Brooklyn. Liddell received the start on Sunday and put up 27.8 FPTS in 30 minutes of action. He got the nod Tuesday and put up 30.5 FPTS in 21 minutes. His price increased $1,000 for Thursday, making him more fair-priced than cheap, but it’s come back down $500 for his one.
Other Options: Julian Reese ($6,000), Jakob Poeltl ($5,400), Mitchell Robinson ($5,200), Wendell Carter Jr. ($5,100), Marvin Bagley III ($4,700), Luke Kornet ($4,400), Andre Drummond ($4,200), Collin Murray-Boyles ($3,900), Trendon Watford ($3,300)
