This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Friday offers us the most extensive slate since the All-Star break. And for my money, there is no better spot to focus on than the double-revenge game between the Spurs and the Raptors, where Kawhi Leonard ($9,400) and DeMar DeRozan ($7,300) will tangle against their former teams. I'm banking on this game to be one of the higher totals on the slate, and a lot of my lineups will likely focus on Kawhi and DeRozan as my anchors. Due to the size of the slate, I'm also going to go contrarian and pivot off this choice entirely with a few other lineups.
Another news item worth noting involves the Pelicans and the future of guys like Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday. New Pelicans GM Danny Ferry has expressed a desire to kick the tires on the rest of their talent moving forward, and that's one reason why we see Davis at the rock-bottom price of $8,700. I am electing to take a wait-and-see approach with most of the Pelicans starters moving forward, as it's unclear how Julius Randle and the rest of the team will be affected.
Unlike Thursday where low-priced guys like Boban Marjanovic were chalk plays, Friday reverts to a more standard DFS script. The lack of notable injuries results in virtually no exploitable spots to take advantage of, so I think your best course of action is to not get too fancy with your lineups tonight. Focus on floor players with a lot of explosive potential.
Myles Turner (hip) QUESTIONABLE: We know very little about the severity of this injury but since their match versus New Orleans Is one of the early games, we should know more about his status before games lock. Domantas Sabonis ($5,500) will draw the start at center if Turner is unable to play.
Jaren Jackson (quad) QUESTIONABLE, JONAS VALANCIUNAS (personal) OUT: The LAC/MEM contest isn't a game I'm too crazy about, but the departure of Marc Gasol has put Jackson and Valanciunas in plum positions. If they don't play, there could be some minimal value from whoever draws the start at the four and five. My money would be on Ivan Rabb ($5,600) and Bruno Caboclo ($3,200) as the prime beneficiaries.
My goal in my predictions is to offer you multiple options at various price levels, so each position will feature an elite play, a mid-range target and a low-cost value player.
GUARDS
Kemba Walker, CHA vs. WAS ($9,300): You won't find a more reliable spot than Kemba at home versus the porous Washington defense. Kemba torched the Wizards for 64 DKFP in their last matchup. Despite this favorable matchup, I expect the Wizards to keep the game somewhat competitive, which means we won't lose Walker to the bench in the second half. He comes at a hefty price, which could result in minimal ownership.
Jamal Murray, DEN at DAL ($6,300): Murray entered the break with some see-saw totals in his wake, but I expect the Nuggets will have their way against the new-look Mavericks. Luka Doncic will prove to be a challenge, but I don't see Tim Hardaway and Dorian Finney-Smith generating solid defense. Murray distributed the ball masterfully in his last game against Dallas, dropping 15 dimes in the matchup.
Jeremy Lin, TOR vs. SA ($4,500): With Fred VanVleet (thumb) opting for surgery and Delon Wright traded out of town, I would favor Lin over any other available pivot for the Raptors, and this probably as low as his salary will get as we head into the second half. The Lin/Lowry pairing in the backcourt will be a common scenario for Toronto moving forward, as they move Kawhi over to the three.
Other guards to consider: Zach LaVine, CHI at ORL ($7,300), Jeremy Lamb, CHA vs. WAS ($6,000), Terrence Ross, ORL vs. CHI ($5,300)
FORWARDS
I think your obvious spend-up spot here is Paul George ($10,800), who is practically matchup-proof and should get a serious look in the MVP race. He's my favorite pivot in place of a Kawhi/DeRozan stack and deserves a singular – if not obvious – mention here.
Pascal Siakam, TOR vs. SA ($6,700): Siakam was on fire leading into the All-Star break, averaging 48.8 DKFP per game over his final two games – including a 67 DKFP showing against the Wizards. He might be the forgotten son in a matchup that will focus heavily on the revenge implications of the game, but he should still provide us with a reliable floor and fits the previously mentioned narrative as a stable player with the potential to erupt for an above-average total.
Domantas Sabonis, IND vs. NO ($5,500): Sabonis will come close to a double-double even if we end up seeing Myles Turner on the court. He's a reliable big man with eligibility at four positions as he slots in for both Turner and Thaddeus Young regularly, and a hip injury will limit Turner if he plays.
Luke Kennard, DET at ATL ($4,000): Kennard is enjoying a significant bump in minutes with the departure of Reggie Bullock and Stanley Johnson, and he's facing a Hawks team that ranks dead-last against his position. He'll still have to contend with Bruce Brown ($3,300) for minutes at the three, but Kennard should emerge as the best option.
Additional forwards to consider: Julius Randle, NO at IND ($7,400), Danilo Gallinari, LAC at MEM ($6,800), Kenrich Williams, NO at IND ($5,500)
CENTERS
Nikola Vucevic, ORL vs. CHI ($9,400): With Robin Lopez as the lone man standing under center for the Bulls, Vucevic should be in for a monster day at home. Chicago should struggle mightily in trying to find a solution for Orlando's big man. Vucevic has also posted five straight games with 40 DKFP or more (all five were double-doubles), and we shouldn't see a deviation from those performances on Friday.
Montrezl Harrell, LAC at MEM ($6,900): Harrell's price is attractive enough to get a mention here, and he's performed very well since Tobias Harris' departure to Philly. If Jaren Jackson doesn't suit up, the Grizzlies will be vulnerable as they are already without Valanciunas tonight. A 40 DKFP total is totally doable on a night where we have few decent mid-range options at center.
Robin Lopez, CHI at ORL ($4,000): Based on opportunity alone, you have to give Lopez a look at this low price as it's going to prove challenging to endorse many low-cost plays. Vucevic will dominate this game, but Lopez is pretty much all the Bulls have, and if we want a scoring roster we've got to make room for our spend-up options. I'll be forced to hold my nose as I click him in, but he may be a necessity for many of my lineups.
