This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Friday's NBA slate is a busy one, with 10 games on tap after 7:00 PM Eastern time. In addition to some faster-paced matchups, there's a number of vulnerable defenses to exploit with eight of the league's 12 worst defensive teams in action. Some of the best value lies in the range just below the elite guys, so expect many lineups to feature multiple players priced around $8,000 rather than one more expensive option.
Slate Overview
Games to Target
Bucks (-4) vs. Clippers O/U: 232
This marquee matchup has the slate's highest over/under, as both sides are teeming with star power. The Bucks leads the league with 121.1 points per game while the Clippers rank fifth with 115.5, so it's not a bad idea to lean towards players in this one when in doubt as it promises to be a track meet.
Nets (-2.5) at Hornets O/U: 219
This game features plenty of under-the-radar offensive talent, as well as a battle of high-class point guards who represent good candidates to outperform their relatively lofty valuations. It's also the only game in this slate in which two of the aforementioned bottom-12 defensive teams are facing off.
Games to Fade
Celtics (-3.5) vs. Nuggets O/U: 203
Points will be hard to come by on both sides, as Denver boasts the league's stingiest defense at 101.4 points allowed per game while Boston ranks fourth at 103.9.
Magic (-3.5) at Cavaliers O/U: 212
Orlando's third-ranked defense at 103.4 points allowed per game will likely keep Cleveland at bay, but it's hard to trust a Magic team that's only scoring 103.5 points per game — second-fewest in the league — to deliver much on the offensive end, especially on the road.
Positional Breakdown
Scarcity's not much of an issue with 20 teams taking the floor, as every position has at least 10 players priced at $6,800 or more. The default strategy in such situations usually features a point guard or center in the UTIL spot, and this one will likely be no different. Shooting guard has the least top-end talent, with nobody over $8,600 while every other position contains at least two healthy players priced at $8,500 or more.
Injury Situations to Monitor
Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) is probable in Oklahoma City. And while he'll likely take the court, a new injury to a star is always a bit worrisome. Anthony Davis (shoulder) is less concerning in Portland given that he's been playing through his problem without issue.
Andrew Wiggins is now dealing with a sprained thumb, leaving him questionable for Minnesota.
D'Angelo Russell returned from a thumb injury Wednesday and should play through his probable tag in Chicago.
LaMarcus Aldridge (thigh) is questionable to suit up for the Spurs against the Kings after missing his last two games due to the injury.
Thomas Bryant is set to miss a third straight game due to a stress reaction in his right foot, and he won't be reevaluated for over two more weeks.
Elite Players
Anthony Davis ($9,600) boasts the best matchup out of the elite handful of options, as Portland's giving up the second-most fantasy points to power forwards.
While Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,300) is capable of exploding for a breakout effort at any time, he's underperformed his gargantuan valuation of late with 60.0 or fewer fantasy points in each of his past five games.
If Towns ($10,400) plays and Wiggins doesn't, the center has the potential to carry GPP lineups with volume even higher than his already lofty norm.
Expected Chalk
Jimmy Butler ($8,100) has a triple-double and a 37-point outburst in his last two games, averaging 58.9 fantasy points over that stretch. Miami's star swingman should continue his strong run of form against Washington's league-worst defense of 122.4 points allowed per game.
Devonte' Graham ($8,300) exploded for 33 points, seven rebounds and nine assists in his last game — the latest stellar effort from the 24-year-old guard, who's improving in front of our eyes. While Graham's recent success hasn't gone unnoticed in terms of price, his average of 45.0 fantasy points over the past five suggests he should still be worth paying up for against a leaky Nets' defense that's surrendering 113.9 points per game.
Richaun Holmes ($6,800) is one rebound short of three consecutive double-doubles over the past three games, averaging 20.3 PPG and 9.7 RPG. With Marvin Bagley (thumb) nearing a return, this could be one of your last opportunities to grab Holmes before his role drastically shrinks. Doing so against a Spurs' team allowing 116.0 points per game is likely to pay dividends.
Montrezl Harrell ($6,500) comes in as a nice alternative or complement to Holmes, with both California-based big men being eligible at both power forward and center. Harrell has scored over 40.0 fantasy points four times in his past six games, going as high as 59.5 in that span. He should thrive in this fast-paced affair against Milwaukee.
Key Values
Tomas Satoransky ($6,000) has been on a roll for the Bulls over the past six games, averaging 13.2 PPG, 4.5 RPG and 6.8 APG. The guard has scored double-digit points in each of those contests, and Satoransky has dished at least five assists in each of his past eight games. A Warriors' team giving up 114.7 points per game is unlikely to slow him down.
Spencer Dinwiddie ($8,200) has been sensational in the 10 games since Kyrie Irving was sidelined by a shoulder injury, averaging 24.9 PPG and 7.1 APG while never dipping below 35 fantasy points. Brooklyn's offense will run through him against the Hornets, so keep riding Dinwiddie while Irving's on the mend.
Davis Bertans ($5,700) has stepped up since Bryant got hurt for Washington. The sharpshooting big man has poured in 23.0 PPG in 39 minutes per game in the two Bryant has missed, and Bertans will continue to get plenty of looks from deep in Miami after sinking 11-of-25 three-point tries over these last two contests.
