There are six games on Friday’s NBA slate.
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 $300K Friday 8’s [$100K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Immanuel Quickley, Toronto Raptors at Washington Wizards ($6,200)
Quickley only played 28.2 minutes on Wednesday, but that’s because the Raptors blew out the Bulls by 43 points. He still contributed 23 points, four rebounds, seven assists and two steals, good for 44.5 FPTS, while garnering a 21.7 usage rate. This Raptors offense is deadly with Scottie Barnes and Kawhi Leonard, so Quickley is going to get plenty of good looks. In addition, Trae Young will likely be matched up on him, and Quickley should cook in those situations.
Other Options: Cade Cunningham ($9,700), Anthony Edwards ($9,500), Cooper Flagg ($8,900), Jalen Brunson ($8,200), LaMelo Ball ($8,100), Tyrese Haliburton ($8,000), Paul George ($6,700), Kyrie Irving ($6,700), Nickeil Alexander-Walker ($6,200)
Value
Grayson Allen, Charlotte Hornets vs. Atlanta Hawks ($4,800)
On Wednesday, Allen played 28.8 minutes and contributed 21 points, three rebounds and four assists while garnering a 20.4 usage rate. Both Kon Knueppel and Coby White were out. Well, both Knueppel and White are out for this one, so Allen will be a pivotal member of the rotation once again.
Other Options: Andrew Nembhard ($5,700), Dennis Schroder ($4,900), Duncan Robinson ($4,600), Ja’Kobe Walter ($4,300)
Forward
Stud
Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks at Charlotte Hornets ($9,100)
On Wednesday, Johnson put up 20 points, 14 rebounds and six assists, good for 47 FPTS. That’s a good line, but made even more impressive when factoring in that he only played 28 minutes due to foul trouble. The usage rate was a massive 33.8 percent and Johnson is always in play to mess around and put up a triple-double, something he did 13 times last season, tied for the second-most in the NBA.
Other Options: Giannis Antetokounmpo ($10,200), Cooper Flagg ($8,900), Karl-Anthony Towns ($8,300), Scottie Barnes ($7,800), Kawhi Leonard ($7,700), Paul George ($6,700), Naz Reid ($6,600)
Value
Aaron Wiggins, Atlanta Hawks at Charlotte Hornets ($4,300)
The Hawks wanted more shooting in the offseason and went out and traded for Wiggins, a career 38% shooter from downtown. In the opener, Wiggins converted three of five hoists from downtown and finished with 16 points, three rebounds and two steals. The important number, though, is the 32 minutes played. One cannot score fantasy goodies if one is not on the court, and Wiggins looks like he will be out there plenty as the microwave off the bench.
Other Options: OG Anunoby ($5,800), Collin Murray-Boyles ($5,500), Grayson Allen ($4,800), Duncan Robinson ($4,600), Naji Marshall ($4,500), Allen Graves ($3,500)
Center
Stud
Ivica Zubac, Indiana Pacers vs. Dallas Mavericks ($6,900)
Zubac was awesome in the opener, finishing with 16 points, 15 rebounds and two blocks in 34 minutes, good for 39.8 FPTS. Playing alongside that Tyrese Haliburton fella is hella…I’m sorry. As a Southern Californian, it is blasphemous to utter the words hella. Zubac is going to get plenty of easy looks with Haliburton setting him up and he always does a good job on the glass.
Other Options: Karl-Anthony Towns ($8,300), Bam Adebayo ($8,200), Naz Reid ($6,600)
Value
Moussa Diabate, Charlotte Hornets vs. Atlanta Hawks ($5,200)
Diabate is undersized at 210 pounds, but he plays like a berserker, flying all over the court. After receiving 17.5 minutes a night two seasons ago, Diabate was rewarded for his energy last season, averaging 26 minutes per night. In the opener, he played 34 minutes and finished with 17 points, eight rebounds, three assists and five steals! The usage rate was 19.3 percent. Not sure if that’s sustainable or a blip on the radar, especially since that number was in the low teens the last two seasons, but it could be something. Regardless, he’s getting the time and contributes the fantasy goodies due to his energy.
Other Options: Rudy Gobert ($6,000), Wendell Carter Jr. ($5,500), Collin Murray-Boyles ($5,500)
