This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
As we begin our build in Friday's seven-game slate, there are basically three ways to approach lineup construction. The duo of LeBron James ($11,400) and Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,600) are head-and-shoulders above the rest of the slate. The next-highest play on DraftKings is Kyrie Irving at $8,900, creating one of the most significant gaps we've seen ($2,500) at the top this season. Your first choice is to go high with James/Giannis and fill things out with scrubs. The second option is to fade them entirely and go for balance. Finally, the third approach – and the one I favor most – is going with one of the elites and then pick a slightly lower priced elite to give us a better floor to work with. It's a toss-up as to who that top elite should be. And when you consider the two All-Stars have yet to face each other this season, it figures to be an intriguing game to watch. I suspect that I'll field virtually identical rosters, alternating James and Giannis at the top.
The lowest O/U on the slate is the CHA/BKN game at 228, which means that virtually every game is in play tonight. There are high totals across the board, with the Clippers-Kings game leading the pack at 239.5.
Devin Booker (toe) QUESTIONABLE: Booker's status is currently up in the air. If he's unable to go, both Kelly Oubre ($6,200) and Mikal Bridges ($4,000) should see an extended run against the Pelicans.
Marvin Bagley (knee) OUT: The Kings could revert to the game script before Bagley's hot streak and opt for Nemjana Bjleica ($3,800) while Bagley is out. I'd also give the rest of the Kings rotation a look (see below) as they will also pick up the slack.
GUARDS
Bradley Beal, WAS at BOS ($8,700): We begin with a perfect example of the lower-priced elite I discussed in Approach #3. Beal was limited to only 35 DKFP in his last game against the Celtics. But the last time he logged a DKFP score in the 30s was almost a month ago against the Bucks, and since the break he's been insane by averaging 55.1 DKFP per game. No one is ever a guarantee, but it's hard to find a better candidate for a reliable total on this slate.
Buddy Hield, SAC vs. LAC ($6,800): Hield is coming off a huge 51 DKFP game against the Bucks. And while I expect De'Aaron Fox to play well, Marvin Bagley's exit in Wednesday's game certainly helped Hield's totals out. If he can improve his long-range stroke a bit, we should see a big game.
Reggie Bullock, LAL vs. MIL ($4,700): Bullock is averaging 33.5 minutes of floor time with the Lakers since the break, and it appears he's the go-to-guy for LA in Lonzo Ball's absence. Rajon Rondo ($5,000) exploded on Wednesday with 49 DKFP, but he rarely rattles off two consecutive performances of that caliber. The two guards will platoon, but they may also find themselves on the floor at the same time. I favor Bullock tonight, as his 3-point shots and steals should help bolster his totals.
Additional guards to consider: Trae Young, ATL vs. CHI ($8,100), Brandon Ingram, LAL vs. MIL ($6,500), Spencer Dinwiddie, BKN vs. CHA ($5,900), Jeremy Lamb, CHA at BKN ($5,300)
FORWARDS
Pascal Siakam, TOR vs. POR ($7,000): Siakam didn't have much of a game against Portland back in December, but it's hard to ignore how he's dominating the opposition lately. When he's not crushing you inside, he's killing you with his long-range balls if you give him too much space. If he can balance his rebound and 3-point totals, we should see his numbers bleed into the 40 DKFP range tonight.
Harrison Barnes, SAC vs. LAC ($5,100): I didn't intentionally mean to lead you astray by giving a nod to Bjelica above, but I think Barnes and Bogdan Bogdanovic ($5,400) should be the big beneficiaries of Marvin Bagley's absence. In what should be a lightning-fast game, I expect both Barnes and Bogdan to light it up, and both guys should have a reliable floor in the mid-30 DKFP range.
Maurice Harkless, POR at TOR ($3,800): Finding totals in the 30 DKFP range are rare at this level, but that's precisely what Harkless has been up to since the break. His price hasn't jumped much and although he faces a tough defensive game against the Raptors, Harkless is definitely worth a flyer based on usage alone.
Additional forwards to consider: John Collins, ATL vs. CHI ($7,000), Otto Porter, CHI at ATL ($6,300), Nikola Mirotic, MIL at LAL ($4,800)
CENTERS
Cody Zeller, CHA at BKN ($5,800): Starting the big men versus the Nets usually provides a good result, and I think this matchup is no exception. While unspectacular, Zeller is undoubtedly serviceable and enjoys a 31 DKFP three-game average versus Brooklyn this season, which is a decent total on a night mostly devoid of viable center options.
Dewayne Dedmon, ATL vs. CHI ($5,500): I expect a similar total to Zeller's against Chicago's compromised frontcourt. The big man has averaged a double-double over two games against the Bulls, and there's no reason to expect a different outcome on Friday.
Harry Giles, SAC vs. LAC ($3,100): We are digging deep into the bargain barrel here. Willie-Cauley-Stein isn't too far away at $4,500, but Giles racked up 30 DKFP in just 17 minutes against the Bucks on Wednesday, and I think he's a lock as a second-unit option tonight along with Bjelica. Only dip this low if you have to, but slotting him in could ultimately yield a lot of output with a higher-priced pick elsewhere.
