There are eight games on Friday’s slate.
None of the teams are playing the second leg of a back-to-back. CHI, DEN, GSW, HOU, MIL and POR play on Saturday.
As for injuries, Nikola Jokic, Brandon Ingram, Anfernee Simons, Scoot Henderson, Yves Missi, Nic Claxton, Dorian Finney-Smith, Jordan Hawkins, Ben Sheppard, Jarace Walker and Marvin Bagley III are questionable. Deandre Ayton and CJ McCollum are doubtful. Luka Doncic, Paul George, Cam Whitmore, Patrick Williams and Kyle Lowry are out. Keep track of all the pertinent injury updates at DK Live.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, there are three double-digit favorites: BOS -15 over WAS, GSW -10 over NOP and HOU -13.5 over POR. There is one game within 3 points: CHI -1.5 over ATL. There are three games with a total of at least 230: BOS/WAS (236), IND/MIL (236) and ATL/CHI (241). There are two games with a total below 220: BKN/PHI (217.5) and POR/HOU (217). Log into DK Sportsbook for the updates.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $300K Friday 8’s [100K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks at Chicago Bulls ($9,200) – Young hasn’t been great over the last five games, finishing with fewer than 50 FPTS in all, with two under 40. He hasn’t been shooting well and teams have been blitzing him. He hasn’t attempted 20 shots in any of those contests. He has been dishing out a ton of dimes, though, 63 in fact. I think he returns to the 50+ FPTS ways again, as the Bulls are playing at the second-fastest pace while being 26th in defensive efficiency. This game has the highest total on the slate at 241.
Other Options – Kyrie Irving ($9,800), James Harden ($9,300), Damian Lillard ($8,900), Jaylen Brown ($8,200), Fred VanVleet ($7,200), Derrick White ($6,900), Dyson Daniels ($6,800), Jared McCain ($6,500)
Value
Payton Pritchard, Boston Celtics at Washington Wizards ($5,000) – Pritchard has been an integral part of the Celtics rotation, playing in the mid-20s and providing firepower off the bench. He’s currently the favorite for Sixth Man of the Year at +170 on DK Sportsbook. He’s averaging 0.89 FPTS per minute and will likely end up in the 20 FPTS range, but there is potential upside because the Celtics are favored by 15 points, so Pritchard could see more playing time. In addition, Washington is fourth in pace and dead-last in defensive efficiency. Pritchard has two games over 40 FPTS this season with a high of 50.5.
Other Options – Christian Braun ($5,800), Russell Westbrook ($5,500), Carlton Carrington ($5,400), Jrue Holiday ($5,300), Dalano Banton ($5,100), Ayo Dosunmu ($5,000), TJ McConnell ($4,800)
Forward
Stud
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks vs. Indiana Pacers ($12,100) – Over the last six games, Antetokounmpo has exceeded 60 FPTS four times with two over 70 and a high of 97.5! No one at the position can match that ceiling, while Jokic is the only with a higher floor/ceiling combo on the slate. Antetokounmpo is averaging a robust 1.64 FPTS per minute and has performed well against the Pacers recently. Over the last two seasons, Antetokounmpo has averaged 39.4 points, 12.9 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.9 blocks in eight games.
Other Options – Jayson Tatum ($10,400), Jalen Johnson ($8,300), Jaylen Brown ($8,200), Michael Porter Jr. ($7,200), Cameron Johnson ($6,600), Bennedict Mathurin ($6,400), Draymond Green ($6,100)
Value
Guerschon Yabusele, Philadelphia 76ers vs. Brooklyn Nets ($3,600) – There is uncertainty to this situation because we don’t know exactly how Nick Nurse will manage the rotations. All we know is that Paul George is out. The last time he was out, Yabusele got the start, played 31 minutes and put up 30.75 FPTS. But, but, but….Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey did not play in that. Both are back. That said, I do think Yabusele sees significant action. I’m just not sure if he starts and gets 30, though. Regardless, the price is cheap enough that the risk/reward seems favorable.
Other Options – PJ Washington ($6,000), Christian Braun ($5,800), Tari Eason ($5,700), Andrew Wiggins ($5,400), Peyton Watson ($5,300), De’Andre Hunter ($5,100), Torrey Craig ($4,500), Amir Coffey ($4,000)
Center
Stud
Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets vs. Portland Trail Blazers ($8,400) – If Jokic is playing, then he’s always in serious contention because he has the highest floor/ceiling combo. Sengun has leveled up in his fourth season in the Association. While the scoring is down, the rebounds are way up while the contributions in the defensive stats have spiked. He has two triple-doubles on the season and has exceeded 50 FPTS in three of the last four games. It only makes sense that the one they call Turkish Jokic is mentioned in the same space as the OG Jokic.
Other Options – Nikola Jokic ($12,200) if he plays, Giannis Antetokounmpo ($12,100), Joel Embiid ($10,100), Domantas Sabonis ($9,800), Nikola Vucevic ($7,800), Ivica Zubac ($7,200), Myles Turner ($6,500), Draymond Green ($6,100)
Value
Yves Missi, New Orleans Pelicans vs. Golden State Warriors ($4,700) – Missi has been a part of the rotation from Day One, although he didn’t start until the sixth game. The team has raved about his athleticism, work ethic and ability to learn quickly. As a result, he has rendered Daniel Theis worthless. Although he hasn’t played 30 minutes in a game yet, he’s playing in the mid-to-high 20s. Over the last six games, Missi has scored over 20 FPTS in all with a high of 39.25.
Other Options – Clint Capela ($5,300), Onyeka Okongwu ($4,900), Al Horford ($4,800), Donovan Clingan ($4,400), Guershon Yabusele ($3,600)
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $300K Friday 8’s [100K to 1st]
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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is sontzu) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
