There are seven NBA games on Friday’s slate.
OKC is playing the second leg of a back-to-back.
As for injuries, Nikola Jokic, Karl-Anthony Towns, Kyrie Irving, Ja Morant, Brandon Miller, Josh Giddey, Aaron Gordon, Cameron Johnson, Talen Horton-Tucker, Ochai Agbaji, Andre Jackson Jr. and Moussa Diabate are questionable. Dorian Finney-Smith is doubtful. Walker Kessler, Lauri Markkanen, Donte DiVincenzo, Immanuel Quickley, Dereck Lively II and Goga Bitadze are out. Keep track of all the pertinent injury updates at DK Live.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, there are two double-digit favorites: BOS -11.5 over ORL and MIL -11.5 over TOR. There are two games with a total of at least 230: CHA/CHI (235) and TOR/MIL (232.5). There is one game with a total below 220: ORL/BOS (210.5). Log into DK Sportsbook for the updates.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $300K Friday 8’s [$100K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets at Chicago Bulls ($10,400): Ball has a ridiculous 38.1% usage rate on the season. He had a usage rate of over 40% in 10 of the first 18 games with a high of 50.3%! Since then, it’s come back down, exceeding 35% only twice in eight games. Over the last two games, it’s down to 29% but he still put up 52 and 59.5 FPTS. Three games ago, he went for 66.5 FPTS. Now he gets to face a Bulls team that is 2nd in pace and 22nd in defensive efficiency while possibly being without Brandon Miller.
Other Options: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($10,200), Anthony Edwards ($9,100), Tyler Herro ($8,800), Zach LaVine ($8,600), Damian Lillard ($8,400), Dejounte Murray ($8,200), Trey Murphy III ($7,800)
Value
Mike Conley, Minnesota Timberwolves at New York Knicks ($3,500): Donte DiVincenzo entered the starting lineup six games ago, which pushed Conley to the bench. The minutes have gone down from 25 to the 15-20 range. DiVincenzo has been ruled out so Conley should get back into the mid-20s. The likelihood of a ceiling game is low, but he’s too cheap for the expected playing time.
Other Options: Lonzo Ball ($4,600), Cason Wallace ($4,200)
Forward
Stud
Trey Murphy III, New Orleans Pelicans vs. Utah Jazz ($7,800): Murphy can’t stop, won’t stop providing those fantasy goodies. He’s gone for at least 43 FPTS in each of the last four games with the two most recent contests ending over 50 FPTS. He’s stuffing the stat sheet and letting it fly from the perimeter. Now he faces a Jazz team that is 29th in defensive efficiency.
Other Options: Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,400), Zach LaVine ($8,600), RJ Barrett ($7,900), Miles Bridges ($7,300), Julius Randle ($7,100)
Value
Nikola Jovic, Miami Heat vs. Denver Nuggets ($5,300): Jimmy Butler has missed 12 of the last 14 games due to unhappiness and wanting to get traded out of Miami. Over the last seven games, Jovic has become a consistent contributor, putting up at least 20 FPTS in six of those contests with four over 30 and a high of 44 FPTS. Butler is unlikely to play.
Other Options: Brice Sensabaugh ($4,800), Jaden McDaniels ($4,300), Kyle Filipowski ($4,200)
Center
Stud
Mark Williams, Charlotte Hornets at Chicago Bulls ($6,800): It took a while for Williams to get ramped up from injury, but he’s good to go now. Over the last two games, Williams has received 29 and 36 minutes, the first time over 30 minutes, and put up 52 and 57.75 FPTS. There is a red Q next to his name, but he’s probable for Friday. The Hornets must feel very confident with Williams going forward as they traded Nick Richards to the Suns.
Other Options: Nikola Jokic ($11,900) if he plays, Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,400), Nikola Vucevic ($8,200), Julius Randle ($7,100)
Value
Wendell Carter Jr., Orlando Magic at Boston Celtics ($4,300): Goga Bitadze missed last game due to a concussion and is out for Friday. Carter Jr. played 33 minutes and finished with 32.5 FPTS. It’s highly likely he sees over 30 minutes again.
Other Options: Daniel Gafford ($5,500), Rudy Gobert ($5,400), Nikola Jovic ($5,300), Brook Lopez ($4,800), Kyle Filipowski ($4,200), Drew Eubanks ($4,100)
