This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Friday has a nine-game slate with a lot of spots that will require extra attention. It'll be necessary to stay up-to-date on a lot of injury situations, and there's certainly no better place than Rotowire.com to check on these spots as tip-off looms. In the meantime, I'll lead you into the slate as best I can.
The Bucks, Thunder and Raptors are all playing back-to-back games, and the Lakers continue a road stand that kept them on the East Coast after playing in Orlando on Wednesday. They'll face the Nets at the Barclay Center, and with Vegas currently giving this game the third-highest Over/Under on the night, I look for a few Lakers and Nets to show up in my predictions below.
The other favorable Over/Unders on Friday are fairly predictable. The NO/OKC matchup is set at 219, and the GS/SAC game leads all comers with 222. Oklahoma City is probably the most intriguing team on the slate, as it'll be interesting to see how the Thunder perform after insane games for both Westbrook (21 assists) and George (43 points).
Let's run down the 10k-plus players for Friday's slate and look at that NO/OKC game for starters. The newly-traded Nikola Mirotic is likely a scratch, so Anthony Davis ($11,400) is going to have a big game against this Thunder defense. Nikola Jokic dominated OKC with a huge triple-double on Thursday. On the flip side, Russell Westbrook ($11,600) was an insane assist machine on Thursday, with 21 dimes. I think he may be in the mood to carry the scoring load a bit more on Friday, as he seems to thrive in back-to-backs.
The Warriors duo of Stephen Curry ($10,600) and Kevin Durant ($10,400) could send your roster in a different direction altogether, and while I like a Durant/Curry stack, a more expensive Davis/Westbrook combo is also very attractive. In cash, you're likely to be behind the 8-ball if you don't employ one of these guys, and I will likely employ a stars/scrubs approach with at least a couple of tournaments.
The only other 10k-plus player is Giannis Antetokounmpo ($10,800), who limped off the court at the end of Thursday night's game. He's officially listed as questionable but it would make perfect sense for the Bucks to rest him in this back-to-back game. If he does play, the Bucks have injuries everywhere and Giannis would surely post a big line as a result, but I'm already constructing lineups with an eye towards a DNP from the Greek Freak. Aside from Giannis, all the aforementioned players are great plays.
I'll now run down three targets at each position, with at least one budget pick in each slot. I'll also include a short list of non-highlighted players at guard, forward and center that holds equal weight in my predictions.
GUARDS
Again, a nod to Westbrook and Curry here – but other options await.
C.J. McCollum, POR at TOR ($7,500): I think McCollum and Bradley Beal are two plyers with a very similar skill set, and one look at how Beal torched the Raptors for 52 DKFP give me confidence to roll with McCollum. Damian Lillard ($8,500) put up 46 DKFP against Toronto in their last meeting, but I think McCollum can produce something similar for 1K less.
D'Angelo Russell, BKN vs. LAL ($6,500): This is a revenge game of epic proportions, and I think we'll see a bit of a restriction lift just so Russell can stick it to his former team. His time in LA was definitely a mixed bag and he wasn't a happy camper when he got shipped off, but it's turned into a great opportunity for Russell. Now that he's returning from injury he certainly has a statement to make. While I'm not thrilled about his current price, as well as his limited minutes since returning, I don't want to miss the obvious upside.
GUARD INJURY WATCH
Terry Rozier ($6,600) for Kyrie Irving ($8,700), BOS vs. ATL: With Irving ruled out, I would immediately pivot to Rozier. He had a huge, 58-DKFP game in the first start of his career, Even if Irving suits up, he may have earned more time overall and with Marcus Smart ($4,900) still sidelined, Rozier could have some sneaky value with the second unit.
Malcolm Delaney ($3,600) for Dennis Schroder ($6,700), ATL at BOS: Delaney could be a huge value if Schroder (shoulder) sits, but we won't know more until after the Friday morning shootaround. Obviously both of these situations need to be monitored closely if you opt to hit either of these spots.
Other guards to consider:Jrue Holiday, NO at OKC ($7,700); Khris Middleton (if Giannis is out); MIL vs. NY ($7,300); Jordan Clarkson, LAL at BKN ($6,500); De'Aaron Fox, SAC vs. GS ($5,900)
FORWARDS
As previously stated, Durant remains a good bet here. Giannis also has value if he goes. Here are some other great picks.
Paul George, OKC vs. NO ($7,400): George will likely pop up as highly owned, as many will look at this price and see insane value, as I have. However, I'm not placing him here because of his monstrous game last night – in fact, that can often be a deterrent. He had a 50-DKFP game earlier against New Orleans, and with Boogie gone that total seems within reach. Couple that with a very reliable floor, and I have two solid alternate reasons why going with George makes sense.
Enes Kanter, NY at MIL ($6,900): Let's face it, Porzingis doesn't have the stamina to go an entire season, and it looks like he's already running out of gas. Kanter is consistently outplaying him and I have no problem placing Kanter at the PF or center slot. He'll need to go north of 35 DKFP to make this a good value play, but the Bucks could be without Giannis, which accentuates the opportunity here.
DeMarre Carroll, BKN vs. LAL ($5,800): Carroll is a steady and reliable buy at $450 below the DK median price. You can count on somewhere in the neighborhood of 30 DKFP here, and even more if he really gets going.
Other forwards to consider:Al Horford, BOS vs. ATL ($7,600); Derrick Favors, UTA at PHO ($5,600); J.J. Redick, PHI vs. MIA ($5,200); Ersan Ilyasova, ATL at BOS ($4,400)
CENTERS
Dwight Howard, CHA vs. IND ($9,200): If you aren't going for Davis, Howard sets up well against the Pacers, who seem intent on pushing Myles Turner when he's obviously still not himself. I like Joel Embiid ($9,600) as well but on this slate, I think you're going to see very similar production for $400 less.
Rudy Gobert, UTA at PHO ($8,000): He'll be a sneaky, under-owned pick on Friday due to the belief that his minutes are still restricted (they're not), plus the fact that Derrick Favors is outperforming him (he's not). He's been averaging in the steady mid-30's in DKFP and while you won't see the host of rebounds that you might see with other centers, he sets up well against the Suns.
John Henson, MIL vs. NY ($4,800): The Bucks are all banged up and Henson has to be the guy to plug the hole in the paint, as the Knicks are going to try to pummel Milwaukee inside with their height advantage. Henson looks to be the only guy that can effectively get the ball back to the offense in transition, especially if Giannis sits. He gets a big boost from me if that's the case.
Obviously, a LOT hinges on being vigilant with injury updates on Friday. If you don't have the time, I'd limit your night to the evening slate where there is a little more certainty. If you're going for the full nine, you know what to do!
