This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
BOS (-9) vs. DET, O/U: 215.5
MEM vs. CHA (-4.5), O/U: 218.5
MIA vs. DAL (-1.5), O/U: OTB
ATL vs. BKN (-6.5), O/U: 245.5
CHI vs. MIL (14.5), O/U: 231.5
LAL (-7) vs. SA, O/U: 230.5
WAS (-1) vs. MIN, O/U: OTB
LAC (-3.5) vs. UTA, O/U: 224
PHX vs. DEN (-4.5), O/U: OTB
POR (-4) vs. GS, O/U: 231
Friday's slate tips off at 7:00 p.m. EST and includes 10 games. Yesterday, I wrote about taking into account the possibility of a blowout when choosing games to target. It's not something I did much of in the past, but more than a quarter of games have been decided by 20-plus points so far this season. I think there is merit in trying to target competitive games and the ATL-BKN game has a staggering 245.5 total. They played against each other on Wednesday that was close throughout and combined for 286 points in regulation. Considering there are 10 contests tonight, we will likely see some late injury news and potential lineup changes. The later games are already more appealing on their own, but it also makes sense to target them for flex purposes.
Lauri Markkanen, Ryan Arcidiacono, Chandler Hutchison and Tomas Satoransky are all out tonight for Chicago due to the NBA's health and safety protocols.
Injuries to Monitor
Russell Westbrook (rest): QUESTIONABLE
Westbrook is likely to sit out the second night of a back-to-back for maintenance purposes. Raul Neto ($3,400) should start again and see an increased run.
Trae Young (calf): PROBABLE
Young suffered a calf injury during Wednesday's game, but continued to play and should be good to go tonight.
LeBron James (ankle): QUESTIONABLE
James has carried the questionable tag for every game this season, but still hasn't missed one. If he were to sit, Kyle Kuzma ($5,400) or Talen Horton-Tucker ($3,100) would likely start.
Jimmy Butler (ankle): PROBABLE
Butler has missed the past two games due to ankle soreness, but is likely to return to the starting lineup tonight at Dallas.
Jamal Murray (elbow): QUESTIONABLE
Murray was a late scratch on Tuesday, but it sounds like he could return to the starting lineup tonight. If he sits again, Monte Morris ($4,700) would draw another start.
LaMarcus Aldridge (knee): QUESTIONABLE
Aldridge missed Wednesday's game due to knee soreness and could be out again tonight. In his absence, Jakob Poeltl ($4,500) started and Drew Eubanks ($3,300) received an extended run.
Josh Okogie (hamstring): OUT
Okogie will miss his second consecutive game tonight. Jarrett Culver ($4,100) and Anthony Edwards ($5,100) will likely benefit most from his absence.
Blake Griffin (concussion): OUT
Griffin is in concussion protocol after taking an elbow to the face on Wednesday. Josh Jackson ($5,200) will likely start in his place.
Elite Players
Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,000) is coming off his best game of the season after posting a triple-double and putting up 68.75 DK points while Luka Doncic ($10,300) is coming off his worst performance after a 24.5-point dud. It could be time to take a bit of a wait-and-see approach with Doncic. He spoke after Wednesday's game about his legs being tired and has shot just 2-21 from beyond the arc this season. I will likely avoid both tonight with the Bucks being 14.5 point favorites and the Mavericks playing in the earliest matchup.
Nikola Jokic ($10,600) continued his torrid pace on Wednesday as he recorded another triple-double, his third in four games. Trae Young ($10,100) has seen his salary rise to over 10K for the first time this season, but is in a great spot against Brooklyn. LeBron James ($10,000) is dealing with an ankle injury and has only eclipsed 50 DK points once in five games. From a purely raw points consideration, my pick of the bunch would be Jokic.
Rather than spend all the way up, I think it makes sense to save a bit and target the likes of Damian Lillard ($9,800), Stephen Curry ($9,600), Bradley Beal ($9,400), Kyrie Irving ($9,300) and Kevin Durant ($9,100). All of them are playing in games that are likely to be competitive and either could be the slate's highest scorer tonight.
Expected Chalk
Raul Neto ($3,400)
Russell Westbrook is likely to rest tonight and Neto should draw another start in his place. He played 32 minutes and scored 40.5 DK points when he started over Westbrook last week. Neto is a lock for cash if he starts and would also be very popular in tournaments.
Zach LaVine ($7,600)
The Bulls are missing four players tonight and that news isn't really accounted for in their salaries. LaVine should see most of the usage tonight and offers a great chance to post a ceiling score if the Bulls can keep the game close.
Value Picks
Chicago Bulls
The Bulls are missing four players who see significant minutes and none of the starter's salaries were adjusted. Coby White ($6,400), Wendell Carter Jr. ($5,900), Otto Porter Jr. ($5,600) and Patrick Williams ($4,400) are all in play tonight. Garrett Temple ($3,600), Thaddeus Young ($3,500) and Denzel Valentine ($3,100) are even viable from the bench as tournament darts.
Josh Jackson ($5,200) and Jerami Grant ($6,800)
The Pistons are already a team deficient in talent and output. And with the added absence of Blake Griffin, someone needs to score. Paying $6,800 for Grant may seem crazy if you're thinking of the player he was in Oklahoma City and Denver, but he's the Pistons' biggest offensive threat and fills up the stat sheet. Jackson will likely start for Griffin, has scored at least 30 DK points in three of four games and won't hesitate to jack up shots.
Bradley Beal ($9,400)
Beal took 29 shots when Russell Westbrook sat out last week and he should get most of the usage again tonight.
Jarrett Culver ($4,100)
Culver got the start in place of the injured Josh Okogie last time out. And even though he shot 0-10 from the field, he still grabbed 10 boards and put up 16 DK points. Culver's salary has also dropped by $400.
