There are seven NBA games on Friday’s slate.
BOS, LAL and OKC are playing the second leg of a back-to-back.
As for injuries, Jose Alvarado and Trevelin Queen are probable. Trae Young, Jalen Brunson, LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, Jalen Johnson, RJ Barrett, Miles McBride, Anthony Black, Jock Landale, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, Maxi Kleber, P.J. Washington, Brandon Clarke, Zach Edey, Jake LaRavia, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Cody Martin are questionable. Tari Eason, Keegan Murray and Sam Merrill are doubtful. Ja Morant, Jaden Ivey, Bilal Coulibaly, Jeremy Sochan, Larry Nance Jr., Naji Marshall, Jamison Battle and Gary Harris are out. Keep track of all the pertinent injury updates at DK Live.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, the biggest favorite is DEN -7.5 over SA. There is one game within three points: ORL -1.5 over TOR. There are three games with a total of at least 230: WAS/NO (231), MEM/SAC (237.5) and SA/DEN (234). There are two games with a total below 220: CHA/DET (215.5) and ORL/TOR (214). Log into DK Sportsbook for the updates.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $300K Friday 8’s [$100K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Dejounte Murray, New Orleans Pelicans vs. Washington Wizards ($8,700): Murray hasn’t shot well recently, converting only 17-of-45 attempts over the last three games. He has been dishing out plenty of dimes, though, and racking up steals and rebounds. There’s a good chance that he gets back to the scoring ways as the Wizards are 28th in defensive efficiency and will be without Bilal Coulibaly, their best perimeter defender. The Wizards also play at the fourth-fastest pace, so Murray should have plenty of opportunities to rack up fantasy goodies. He has 60-FPTS upside if it all comes together.
Other Options: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($10,600), Cade Cunningham ($9,900), Jalen Suggs ($8,300), Jordan Poole ($8,200), Jamal Murray ($7,900), CJ McCollum ($7,500), Darius Garland ($7,300), Trey Murphy III ($7,300), Russell Westbrook ($6,600), Chris Paul ($6,300)
Value
Carlton Carrington, Washington Wizards at New Orleans Pelicans ($4,800): Carrington suffered a head injury two games ago but was able to play 31 minutes on Wednesday. He’s produced over 30 FPTS in two of the last three games. The minutes have been there and the Pelicans are tied with the Wizards at 28th for defensive efficiency, so the environment should be a fantasy-friendly one.
Other Options: Malik Beasley ($5,500), Dillon Brooks ($5,400), Christian Braun ($5,000), Vasilije Micic ($4,900) if Ball is out, Cameron Payne ($4,000) if Brunson is out, Seth Curry ($3,500) if Miller is out
Forward
Stud
Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics at Houston Rockets ($10,200): The matchup is a difficult one, as the Rockets are second in defensive efficiency. Matchup Schmatchup. Tatum is one of the best players in the league, while playing in an ideal system surrounded by excellent shooters and players. He’s going to get his. The only question is how much. Tatum has failed to hit 40 FPTS only twice this season. He’s gone over 60 FPTS eight times with a high of 83.75 FPTS.
Other Options: Jalen Williams ($8,300), Evan Mobley ($7,800), Miles Bridges ($7,700) if Ball and Miller are out, Trey Murphy III ($7,300), Michael Porter Jr. ($6,500)
Value
Kyshawn George, Washington Wizards at New Orleans Pelicans ($3,900): With Coulibaly ruled out, I’m expecting George to get the start. If he doesn’t, then an easy pivot is to Ausar Thompson, who should see an increase in playing time with Jaden Ivey likely done for the season. George has started six games this season, posting over 20 FPTS in all but one, with two over 35 FPTS.
Other Options: Alexandre Sarr ($5,900), Malik Beasley ($5,500), Herbert Jones ($5,300), Tristan da Silva ($5,200), Wendell Carter Jr. ($5,100), Christian Braun ($5,000), Tobias Harris ($4,900), Ausar Thompson ($4,000)
Center
Stud
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets vs. San Antonio Spurs ($12,200): If Jokic is on the slate, I will more than likely figure out a way to fit him in because he has the highest floor/ceiling combo in the league. He literally does it all and is a threat to triple-double on any given night. He has failed to score 40 FPTS only once while producing at least 60 FPTS 23 times; 13 of those over 70 FPTS, six of those over 80 FPTS and three over 90 FPTS.
Other Options: Victor Wembanyama ($11,500), Alperen Sengun ($9,400), Evan Mobley ($7,800), Isaiah Hartenstein ($7,300), Jarrett Allen ($6,600), Jalen Duren ($6,100)
Value
Mark Williams, Charlotte Hornets at Detroit Pistons ($5,500): Since returning to action, Williams has played 10 games. He spent the first seven games ramping up, playing fewer than 20 minutes in all. Then he played 26 and 22 minutes in the next two contests. On Monday, he received 31 minuets and produced 49 FPTS. I’m assuming 30 minutes is the new normal, so he’s too cheap for the expected playing time. Since last season, Williams has averaged 1.21 FPTS per minute.
Other Options: Alexandre Sarr ($5,900), Yves Missi ($5,800), Wendell Carter Jr. ($5,100)
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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.
