This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Friday's NBA slate begins at 7:00 PM Eastern time and features eight games. With eight of the league's 11 worst defensive teams in action, there are plenty of exploitable matchups to be found in this slate.
Slate Overview
Games to Target
Timberwolves (-6.5) vs. Wizards O/U: 240.0
This matchup features two of the league's six worst defenses, with Washington surrendering 120.0 points per game and Minnesota giving up 116.2. Both teams have the scorers to capitalize on the lack of defense.
Celtics (-8) at Warriors O/U: 226.5
Boston should beat up on the lowly Warriors, who are allowing 121.1 points per game. On the other side, the Warriors' top-heavy lineup makes it easier to pinpoint that team's top fantasy options.
Games to Fade
Magic (-3.5) vs. Spurs O/U: 212.5
Magic games are rarely fantasy-friendly, as Orlando's one of two teams scoring under 100 points per game and also one of the two holding opponents under 100. The Magic's 99.4 points and 99.1 points allowed per game both rank lowest in the league.
76ers (-3) at Thunder O/U: 214.5
Both teams are among the 10 stingiest defensively, and they possess multiple weapons on offense. The below-average pace and spread out responsibilities don't make for a fantasy-friendly environment.
Positional Breakdown
This slate has more balanced value between positions than usual, with the two guard spots and center offering slightly more depth than the forward spots. Shooting guard is especially deep in above-average players here, but most lineups will likely still feature a center or point guard in the UTIL spot.
Injury Situations to Monitor
Anthony Davis (ribs) is expected to make his return for the Lakers after missing one game.
Russell Westbrook will sit out one leg of Houston's back-to-back, though it's more likely to be Saturday's second leg. Clint Capela's status is less ambiguous, as the Rockets' center will be out due to a concussion.
Staying in the Pacers-Rockets game, both Myles Turner (ankle) and Jeremy Lamb (ankle) will remain out for Indiana.
Elite Players
Karl-Anthony Towns ($10,000) is probably the elite player to own in this slate, though James Harden ($12,300) would take on a monstrous usage rate should Westbrook sit.
Though they're on the lower end of elite, Bradley Beal ($8,500), Andrew Wiggins ($8,300) and Kemba Walker ($8,200) are all set to excel as standout players from this set of games to target.
Andre Drummond ($8,600) is perhaps the most perplexing star in this schedule. Blake Griffin's return has drastically cut into Drummond's production, but the Hornets won't have any answers for Drummond inside.
Expected Chalk
Tyson Chandler ($4,000) should be widely owned as the Rockets' starting center with Capela out. He had five points, nine rebounds and two blocks in a season-high 16 minutes Wednesday, and could double that season high in playing time without Capela in the fold.
It's a tough choice between Jaylen Brown ($7,500) and Jayson Tatum ($7,400) against the lowly Warriors. Of the two Boston lottery picks, Brown gets the slight edge due to his outstanding play of late — 25.7 PPG, 7.7 RPG and 3.3 APG over the past three games.
Isaiah Thomas ($5,300) is settling in nicely as Washington's starting point guard. He's coming off his best game of the season in what was his fourth start, notching 18 points and seven assists in Boston. The diminutive guard should be a tough cover for Minnesota's Jeff Teague, who's recovering from an illness.
Key Values
Draymond Green ($5,300) can stuff the stat sheet with the best of them, and he should be rounding back into form in what will be his third game back from a finger injury. His rebounding prowess in particular should pay off against a Boston team that's allowing opponents to grab 58.0 boards per game — tied for most in the league.
Mike Conley ($6,400) will have some extra motivation in his return to Memphis. His teammates might defer to the veteran point guard more than usual against his former team, and Conley possesses the skills to carve up a Memphis defense that's allowing 118.8 points per game.
Luke Kennard ($6,500) should deliver nice value for the Pistons in Charlotte. The Hornets have been generous to shooting guards, and Kennard has the offensive ability to capitalize on this favorable matchup — he's scored at least 22 points in five of his past six games. The 23-year-old shooting guard has also rounded out his stat line nicely over this stretch with 5.0 RPG and 4.7 APG.
