This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Friday's NBA slate begins at 6:30 p.m. EDT with two games: Game 5 of the Nuggets-Clippers series and Game 7 of Celtics-Raptors. Los Angeles has won the past two games after Denver evened that series at a game apiece, while Toronto pulled out a double-overtime Game 6 thriller Wednesday to force this deciding matchup.
Slate Overview
Game to Target
Clippers (-8) vs. Nuggets O/U: 217
Despite the low-scoring nature of Game 4 (96-85 Clippers), this game has a significantly higher line. The favored Clippers ranked fourth offensively this season with 116.7 points per game, while the Nuggets' top players should take on even larger roles with their season on the line.
Game to Fade
Celtics (-2.5) vs. Raptors O/U: 203.5
The Celtics and Raptors finished neck and neck for the league's best scoring defense this season, as Toronto allowed 106.5 points per game and Boston gave up 106.6. With both teams undoubtedly tired from what has been a grueling series, don't expect the offense to come easy for either side.
Positional Breakdown
PG: The point guard position offers the most depth, with a slate-high six options over $6,000. Thanks to the position's superior depth, you can go expensive or cheap at point guard.
SG: Shooting guard easily ranks as the second-deepest position, with five players over $6,000 - including four at $7,900 or higher. Despite strong overall depth, shooting guard has fewer enticing options than point guard.
SF: Small forward is top-heavy, with two of the slate's three most expensive players eligible at the position. If you don't opt to spend big at the position, there are some solid value options available.
PF: The struggling Pascal Siakam ($7,800) is the only prominent power forward who isn't eligible at another position. While there are some appealing power forward options, they can also be deployed at small forward or center.
C: Nikola Jokic ($10,000) comes in as the only center over $5,600, as this position features the least depth on this slate.
Injury Situations to Monitor
Gordon Hayward (ankle) is in the bubble with his Celtics teammates, but he's not expected to suit up anytime soon.
The Nuggets will continue to be without Will Barton (knee), who has left the bubble. Besides Hayward and Barton, all other key players in this slate appear to be healthy.
Elite Players
Kawhi Leonard ($10,400) had his best game of the series in Game 4, topping 70 fantasy points for the second time in the past five games thanks to 30 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists, four steals and two blocks. The superstar small forward's immense offensive output and well-rounded game make him a strong choice to lead your lineup more often than not.
Nikola Jokic ($10,000) took his game up a notch with his back against the wall in the first round, averaging 27.7 PPG, 8.0 RPG and 5.7 APG in the final three games of that series to help come back from a 3-1 series deficit. Denver's star big man should step up with his team down 3-1 again, and he's already a much bigger presence on the glass against the Clippers with 13.7 PPG over the past three games after a dud in the series opener.
Jayson Tatum ($9,500) piled up a gaudy 68.5 fantasy points in double overtime Wednesday, but that was just his second time topping 41.5 in the series' first six games. He's the least enticing of this slate's three most expensive options.
After being limited by an ankle injury early in this series, Kyle Lowry ($8,600) has scored 54 or more fantasy points in three of the last four games. The Raptors' heart and soul point guard represents a solid option at $8,600.
Jamal Murray ($8,500) carved up the Jazz in the first round, but the Clippers have done a much better job containing the offensively gifted Denver guard. He has only averaged 35.9 fantasy points in four games against LA, significantly underperforming his current valuation.
Expected Chalk
Michael Porter Jr. ($5,200) has emerged as Denver's clear-cut third option behind Jokic and Murray. He finished with 15 points and six rebounds in the low-scoring Game 4 loss, playing 34 minutes after seeing no more than 23 in any of this series' first three games. With the Nuggets in search of offense, the 22-year-old forward should continue to see an increased run in Game 5.
While Jaylen Brown ($8,000) has experienced an up-and-down series, the Boston wing seems to be peaking at the right time with 41.5 or more fantasy points in three of his past four games. He offers better value than teammate Tatum at $1,500 cheaper given similar recent output.
Marcus Morris ($4,800) has earned consistent minutes in this series and provides reliable offense by averaging 13.0 PPG in 31 minutes per game. The Clippers' forward remains a high-floor option at his salary given his role.
Key Values
Daniel Theis ($5,600) is averaging a near double-double in this series at 11.0 PPG and 8.8 APG, but the Boston big man has only recorded a single double-double in the six games against Toronto. If Theis can put together strong performances in both the scoring and rebounding categories, he would be a nice value at $5,600.
Norman Powell ($4,400) started off as a non-factor against Boston, but has come on lately by averaging 19.5 PPG and 28.4 fantasy points over the last two games. While the Raptors wing won't provide you much besides scoring, his improved play earned him 31 minutes in Game 5 and 38 in Game 6 and should pile up enough points to outperform his $4,400 value with similar usage in Game 7.
Patrick Beverley ($3,800) has been on a minutes restriction since returning from a calf injury, but his minutes have increased from 12 in his Game 1 return to 15, then 21, and finally 23 in Game 4. The feisty point guard is capable of contributing on both ends when he's right, and he still has nowhere to go but up.
