There are seven games on Friday’s slate.
No teams are playing the second leg of a back-to-back. ATL, CHA and DET play on Saturday.
As for injuries, Cade Cunningham, Tobias Harris, Nic Claxton, Dorian Finney-Smith, Jalen Wilson, Kevin Love and Caris LeVert are questionable. Dennis Schroder, Cam Thomas and Gradey Dick are out. Keep track of all the pertinent injury updates at DK Live.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, there is one game within 3 points: OKC -1 over LAL. The largest spread is BOS -10 over CHI. There are two games with a total of at least 230: BOS/CHI (141) and OKC/LAL (230). There are two games with a total below 220: ORL/BKN (211.5) and LAC/MIN (216.5). Log into DK Sportsbook for the updates.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $250K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chicago Bulls at Los Angeles Lakers ($10,700) – Shai is so silky, so smooth that he lulls defenders into a false sense of security, then changes directions like a King Cobra striking prey to get separation and do what he does best, which is get buckets. This game has the highest spread on the slate with the second-highest total at 230. Shai has put up 59.75 and 59 FPTS over the last two games and there’s a chance Jalen Williams is unable to go, which is huge because in 100 minutes this season with Williams off the court, Shai has seen a 7% usage bump to a whopping 40%. UPDATE: Jalen Williams is off the injury report but I still like Shai in this one.
Other Options – De’Aaron Fox ($9,200), James Harden ($9,200), Scottie Barnes ($8,500), Tyrese Haliburton ($8,500), Jaylen Brown ($8,000), Tyler Herro ($7,800), Jaden Ivey ($7,000), Derrick White ($6,800), Jalen Suggs ($6,500), Bennedict Mathurin ($6,300), Shaedon Sharpe ($6,100), Anfernee Simons ($6,100)
Value
Ben Simmons, Brooklyn Nets vs. Orlando Magic ($5,300) – Simmons is only playing around 25 minutes per contest and the usage rate is sub-20%, but the Nets could be severely depleted for this one. Dennis Schroder and Cam Thomas have already been ruled out while Jalen Wilson, Nic Claxton and Dorian Finney-Smith are questionable. Simmons is averaging 1.05 FPTS per minute and I think he plays over 30 minutes in this one.
Other Options – Malik Monk ($5,400), Jrue Holiday ($5,000), Ziaire Williams ($4,900), Scoot Henderson ($4,900), Payton Pritchard ($4,800), TJ McConnell ($4,800), Dalton Knecht ($4,500), Quenton Jackson ($4,000), Shake Milton ($3,500)
Forward
Stud
Jaylen Brown, Milwaukee Bucks at Chicago Bulls ($8,000) – Brown is averaging 1.14 FPTS per minute. For perspective, Jayson Tatum is at 1.33. While Tatum will likely put up more raw points, there’s a chance both score in the high-40 to low-50 FPTS range, which gives the advantage to Brown because he is $2,000 cheaper. The game environment should be a fantasy-friendly one, as the Bulls play at the fastest pace and are 26th in defensive efficiency. No wonder the total is a whopping 241.5.
Other Options – Jayson Tatum ($10,000), LeBron James ($9,900), Franz Wagner ($9,600), Scottie Barnes ($8,500), Pascal Siakam ($7,200), Cameron Johnson ($6,800), Bennedict Mathurin ($6,300)
Value
Tyrese Martin, Washington Wizards vs. Orlando Magic ($3,000) – Martin played 28 minutes on Wednesday and produced 30 points, four rebounds and two assists, shooting 8-of-10 from downtown and 10-of-13 overall. Orlando is third in defensive efficiency and plays very slow, 24th in pace, so the matchup and environment aren’t the best. In addition, Martin will likely not shoot 8-of-10 from downtown again. That said, he’s priced at the minimum and will likely play in the high 20s because the Nets could be missing many players.
Other Options – Deni Avdija ($5,300), Ziaire Williams ($4,900), Dorian Finney-Smith ($4,600), Dalton Knecht ($4,500), Quenton Jackson ($4,000)
Center
Stud
Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder ($10,400) – Davis is the alpha on offense for the Lakers, garnering a 31% usage rate. He literally stuffs the stat sheet and dominates at both ends of the court. Davis has failed to hit 50 FPTS only three times this season while going over 60 five times with a high of 71.5 FPTS.
Other Options – LeBron James ($9,900), Domantas Sabonis ($9,700), Isaiah Hartenstein ($6,800), Ivica Zubac ($6,800), Myles Turner ($6,500), Rudy Gobert ($6,500)
Value
Mo Bamba, Los Angeles Clippers at Minnesota Timberwolves ($3,000) – I’m not enamored with the lower-priced option at center, so if paying down, I’m paying all the way down to the minimum. The chances of a ceiling game are minimal for Bamba because he likely won’t play more than 16 minutes, but he has provided some semblance of floor, finishing with double-digit FPTS in the last four with a high of 22.
Other Options – Goga Bitadze ($5,400), Neemias Queta ($3,900) if Horford is out
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $250K Fadeaway [$50K 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.
