This article is part of our Daily Games Cheat Sheet series.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defenses to Avoid
Charlotte Bobcats at Boston Celtics: Friday's slate presents a wide variety of 13 matchups, and perhaps the least appealing of all will feature the Bobcats and the Celtics. Both teams are among the worst in the league in offensive efficiency, averaging just 99.4 points (Celtics, second-worst) and 101.1 points (Bobcats, eighth-worst) per 100 possessions. They've split the season series so far at one win apiece, with the Bobcats and Celtics averaging just 87.5 points and 89.5 points, respectively. Although Al Jefferson ($9,400) and Kemba Walker ($8,100) have been performing outstandingly over the past few games, their price tags don't come at a value price. With many more dynamic teams facing off on Friday, look elsewhere for fantasy play in daily contests.
Offenses to Use
Golden State Warriors at Los Angeles Lakers: It's been rather amusing how the Lakers have been mentioned here in the daily games cheat sheets oh-so-many-times over the past weeks, that I feel the urge to dabble a bit further on some advanced statistics on the matter. Over their last five games, the Lakers have allowed 19 opponents to score at least 30 FPS against them (that's 3.8 players per game!) Breaking this down even more, they have allowed three FPS performances in the 50's or higher: LaMarcus Aldridge (65.25), James Harden (59.25), and Damian Lillard (56), and six FPS performances in the 40's: Terrence Jones (49.25), Rudy Gay (46.25), Dirk Nowitzki (45.25), Blake Griffin (45.25), Chris Paul (43.5), and Chandler Parsons (41.25). During that span, the Lakers are giving up 120.6 points per game to opponents, all losses. There's always a surprise game every now and then (like the Sixers' 123-98 win against the Pistons to snap their 26-game losing streak), but consider the purple-and-gold Staples Center a new threshing floor for fantasy harvest. In short, deploy the Warriors for Friday's slate.
Teams on a Back-to-Back Set
First game of a back-to-back: Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Charlotte Bobcats, Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, New Orleans Pelicans, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards
Second game of a back-to-back: Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs
DraftKings.com DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
If you've never played on DraftKings.com before, we recommend reading our Daily Fantasy Basketball 101: How to Win on DraftKings strategy article.
Point Guard
Jordan Farmar, LAL (vs. GSW), PG ($3,000): With Steve Nash (hamstring) sidelined for Friday's contest, Farmar figures to see a major boost in minutes in the Lakers' injury-plagued backcourt. Farmar is just one game back from an injury of his own, but he managed to post a solid line of 15 points, five rebounds, eight assists, three steals, two blocks, and two three-pointers made (42.25 FPS) in Tuesday's loss to the Rockets. The Lakers have been frustratingly unpredictable in their availability lately, so be sure to check RotoWire's updated Daily Lineups page before tip-off to ensure Farmar isn't a late scratch. If he is able to play Friday, Farmar will almost definitely outplay his cheap price tag in daily contests.
Other suggestions: Reggie Jackson (vs. NOP), PG/SG ($4,900), Patty Mills (vs. PHX), PG ($4,400), Brian Roberts (at OKC), PG/SG ($4,300),
Shooting Guard
Rodney Stuckey, DET (at CHI), PG/SG ($4,800):Josh Smith (knee) has been sidelined for the past two games, and there's a chance he'll sit again Friday. This would leave room for Stuckey to start at the shooting guard spot, where he's averaging 23.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.0 steals per game (33.0 FPS) over the last three contests. Stuckey has always been a sporadic hot-or-cold player, so there's never a guarantee he'll produce on a given night. However, he'll be a gamble worth taking as long as he has the opportunity to hit 28-plus minutes.
Other suggestions: Dion Waiters (at MIL), SG ($6,300), Alec Burks (vs. POR), PG/SG ($4,600), Avery Bradley (vs. CHA), PG/SG ($3,500)
Small Forward
Jeff Adrien, MIL (vs. CLE), SF/PF ($4,800): Adrien continues to be one of the more underappreciated fantasy players out there despite his solid value performance of late. He's averaging 16.6 points, 10.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.6 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game (35.75 FPS) over the last five contests, and it doesn't appear he'll be losing minutes anytime soon. The Cavaliers aren't necessarily a poor defensive team, but Adrien's price tag is worth what he provides. If you're looking for a budget play at either forward position, consider Adrien a valid option.
Other suggestions: Tobias Harris (vs. WAS), SF/PF ($5,300), Anthony Morrow (at OKC), SG/SF ($4,400), Khris Middleton (vs. CLE), SF/PF ($4,300)
Power Forward
Jordan Hill, LAL (vs. GSW), PF/C ($5,800): Hill's price tag has finally risen to a justifiable level, but it's still worth taking a gamble on the dynamic rebounder, as the Lakers have a plethora of minutes to give to the front court with Pau Gasol (vertigo) and Chris Kaman (calf) doubtful to play Friday. While the Warrior guards have historically torched the Lakers for the past several seasons, the inverse can be said for the bigs, as the Lakers have dominated in the post on most occasions. Hill is averaging 16.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.0 steals, and 2.3 blocks per game (36.81 FPS) over the last four contests, and he'll be a solid play Friday, barring a late-scratch or a D'Antoni tantrum.
Other suggestions: Ryan Kelly (vs. GSW), PF/C ($4,800), DeMarre Carroll (at BKN), SF/PF ($4,700), Josh McRoberts (at BOS), PF/C ($4,100)
Center
Andrew Bogut, GSW (at LAL), C ($4,800): I'm well aware of the fact that the Warrior bigs struggle against the Lakers, but Bogut's price tag is too low to resist at this point, assuming he plays on Friday. He's been dealing with a pelvis injury, so he may not see big minutes if (or when) the Warriors take an early 20-point lead, but he's averaging 8.7 points, 13.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.7 blocks in 26.0 minutes per game against the Lakers this season, and perhaps he can join the purple-and-gold whipping party Friday night as the Warriors try to clinch a playoff berth.
Other suggestions: Gorgui Dieng (vs. HOU), C ($5,900), Henry Sims (at MEM), C ($4,800), Kyle O'Quinn (vs. WAS), PF/C ($4,700)
INJURY REPORT
Out
Anthony Davis (back) will be shut down for the remainder of the season.
Eric Gordon (knee) will be shut down for the remainder of the season.
Chris Kaman (calf) will not play Friday.
Steve Nash (hamstring) will not play Friday.
Kent Bazemore (foot) will be shut down for the remainder of the season.
Andrew Bynum (knee) is out indefinitely.
Andrea Bargnani (elbow) is still without a timetable to return.
Game-Time Decision
Kevin Love (elbow) is a game-time decision Friday.
Carmelo Anthony (shoulder) is expected to play Friday.
Nikola Vucevic (Achilles) is a game-time decision Friday.
Paul George (rest) is a game-time decision Friday.
Lance Stephenson (rest) is a game-time decision Friday.
David West (rest) is a game-time decision Friday.
Roy Hibbert (rest) is a game-time decision Friday.
George Hill (rest) is a game-time decision Friday.
Dwight Howard (ankle) is a game-time decision Friday.
Patrick Beverley (knee) is doubtful to play Friday.
Josh Smith (knee) is a game-time decision Friday.
Will Bynum (foot) is a game-time decision Friday.
Pau Gasol (vertigo) is highly doubtful to play Friday.
Nikola Pekovic (ankle) is questionable to play Friday.
Kevin Martin (foot) is a game-time decision Friday.
J.J. Barea (back) is a game-time decision Friday.
Goran Dragic (ankle) is a game-time decision Friday.
Tim Duncan (knee) is expected to play Friday.
Tony Parker (back) is highly doubtful to play Friday.
David Lee (hamstring) is a game-time decision Friday.
Dwyane Wade (hamstring) is a game-time decision Friday.
Chris Andersen (knee) is a game-time decision Friday.
Marvin Williams (knee) is a game-time decision Friday.
Amir Johnson (ankle) is a game-time decision Friday.
Pero Antic (ankle) is a game-time decision Friday.
Kris Humphries (knee) is questionable to play Friday.
Paul Pierce (hip) is a game-time decision Friday.
Andray Blatche (illness) is a game-time decision Friday.
Shaun Livingston (toe) is a game-time decision Friday.
