This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Friday's NBA slate begins at 7:00 PM Eastern time and features 10 games. None of the teams in action played Thursday, so they all come into this one fresh. With each of the league's six worst defensive clubs in action, there's no shortage of favorable matchups to capitalize on here.
Slate Overview
Games to Target
Wizards (-2) vs. Hawks O/U: 236
This game pits the two worst defenses in the NBA against each other, as Washington gives up a league-high 120.2 points per game while Atlanta allows the second-most at 117.4. The Wizards are better positioned to deliver offensively considering they rank fifth with 114.9 points per game, though it's easier to pinpoint where production will come from on the top-heavy Hawks.
Grizzlies (-1) vs. Spurs O/U: 231.5
While the defense in this one won't be quite as bad as the game above, this contest also features two of the league's six worst defensive teams. Memphis allows the fourth-most points per game at 116.3 while San Antonio surrenders the sixth-most with 114.8. Both teams like to push the pace and rank in the top-10 offensively with the Spurs at 114.0 points per game and the Grizzlies at 112.6.
Games to Fade
Pacers (-4) vs. Bulls O/U: 212.5
This game's over/under is tied for the lowest in this slate, as both sides score fewer points than average and allow fewer than average. With plenty of enticing alternatives available, there's little reason to dip into this Central Division clash.
Jazz (-12) vs. Hornets O/U: 212.5
This one is tied with the aforementioned matchup for the lowest over/under, though this contest is projected to be more lopsided. Still, those who try to build their lineup around a Jazz team that's scoring only 109.0 points per game are unlikely to see optimal results.
Positional Breakdown
Despite some prominent injuries, every position is set to have six players priced at $8,000 or more - except for shooting guard, which will likely have only four entries. With so many teams in action and plenty of favorable matchups to exploit, no position should be too tough to fill. As is often the case, point guard looks to be especially rich in enticing options across the price spectrum, so many lineups will put a point guard into the UTIL spot.
Injury Situations to Monitor
Anthony Davis bruised his back Tuesday against the Knicks, leaving him questionable to suit up in Dallas.
Paul George will sit out Friday against the Warriors with a strained hamstring.
Jrue Holiday (elbow) will miss a third consecutive game against the Knicks, while his Pelicans teammate Brandon Ingram is battling a sprained pinky but should play.
Domantas Sabonis is questionable against the Bulls with right knee soreness.
Bradley Beal (leg) continues to carry a questionable designation, but it's unclear if he's actually made progress after being listed as questionable the past four games and missing all of them.
Julius Randle (personal) will sit a second consecutive game. The Knicks will be thin in the front court, with Marcus Morris (neck) questionable after missing the last two games and Mitchell Robinson (toe) probable.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (back) and LeBron James (illness) are both probable for the Bucks and Lakers, respectively.
Elite Players
Luka Doncic ($12,600) continues to carry the Mavericks even more without sidekick Kristaps Porzingis (knee). He's averaged 65.6 fantasy points over the past five games with Porzingis out and would gain even more appeal if either of the Lakers' superstars sits.
Trae Young ($10,400) scored a whopping 80.3 fantasy points against the Rockets in his last outing and is set to follow that up with another strong performance against Washington's league-worst defense.
Kawhi Leonard ($9,900) also promises a favorable matchup at home against the Warriors, and he'll be the focal point of the Clippers' offense with George unavailable.
The Magic will likely be forced to play at a higher tempo on the road against a Suns' team that flies up and down the court, which should inflate Nikola Vucevic's ($8,800) scoring and rebounding totals. The big man averages 18.6 PPG and 11.3 PPG for Orlando.
Expected Chalk
DeMar DeRozan ($7,200) is a high-floor building block in 50/50s and double-ups. He's scored between 37.8 and 46.3 fantasy points in each of his past six games, with 24-31 points, 3-6 rebounds and 3-8 assists over that span. The Spurs' leading scorer will likely finish closer to the high end of those ranges and could even surpass them against the generous Memphis defense.
Devin Booker is a steal at $8,400 given his recent scoring spree. The Suns' star has poured in at least 32 points in each of his past seven contests, averaging 34.7 PPG and not dipping below 44.3 fantasy points in this dominant stretch while scoring 50-plus fantasy points five times. The Magic have been stingy defensively overall but generous to shooting guards specifically, so Booker's primed to keep rolling at home against Orlando.
Bobby Portis ($6,400) is set to take on an expanded role with New York beat up in the front court. And if Wednesday's game was any indication, that should lead to strong production. Portis started Wednesday against the Jazz with Randle unavailable and delivered 13 points, 13 rebounds and six assists. The Pelicans offer much less resistance than Utah, as New Orleans' 116.7 points allowed per game rank third-highest in the league.
Jordan McRae ($6,500) has thrown in a couple of clunkers recently, but he continues to carry massive GPP appeal thanks to a high ceiling with Beal unavailable. The Wizards' guard has produced a 29-point game and a 35-point game among his past five - topping 50 fantasy points in each - and the Hawks represent the worst defense McRae can face unless he's traded off the Wizards. Teammate Troy Brown Jr. ($6,600) offers a higher floor due to better rebounding, and Brown has also been carrying an increased scoring load with Beal out.
Montrezl Harrell ($6,700) has looked nearly unstoppable in his last two games, contributing 31.0 PPG, 7.5 RPG and 3.0 APG. The Clippers' big man will be relied upon for even more offense against the Warriors without George in the fold.
Key Values
Markelle Fultz ($5,800) is set to step into the starting point guard role for Orlando with D.J. Augustin doubtful to suit up with a knee contusion. Fultz has been playing well in a reserve role recently, delivering 15.5 PPG, 6.0 RPG and 5.5 APG in his last two games while adding six steals in that stretch. The first overall selection from 2017 should be even more productive as the starter against a Suns' squad that's allowing 115.2 points per game.
Dillon Brooks ($5,300) doesn't give you much besides points, but he's poured in 23.0 PPG in his last three games and 20.8 in his last five. He should continue to put the ball in the basket at a high rate in what's expected to be a high-scoring affair against San Antonio.
Goran Dragic ($5,800) showed he's still capable of an occasional outburst with 29 points and 13 assists en route to 55.3 fantasy points against Portland this past Sunday. Those who take a flyer on him against a Brooklyn team that's struggled to defend point guards could be handsomely rewarded.
