This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
MIN vs. CHA (-4), O/U: 227.5
NY (-3.5) vs. WAS, O/U: 220.5
NO vs. DAL (-2.5), O/U: 233.5
SA vs. ATL (-1.5), 228.5
DET vs. BOS (-8.5), O/U: 219.5
LAC (-6.5) vs. CHI, O/U: 228
MIL vs. UTA (-1.5), O/U: 232.5
OKC vs. DEN (-12), O/U: 223.5
CLE vs. POR (-4.5), O/U: 222
MEM vs. LAL (-7.5), O/U: 220.5
ORL vs. SAC (-7.5), O/U: 223.5
Friday's DraftKings NBA slate tips off at 7:00 p.m. EST and includes 11 games. Multiple bits of unexpected late news turned yesterday's slate on its head in what was a microcosm of NBA DFS this season. Mason Plumlee was declared inactive just before tipoff and it led to Isaiah Stewart being massive chalk. It's virtually impossible to be successful without paying attention and reacting to news as most of the best value can't be known until lineups and inactives are announced.
The Thunder and Magic will be significantly shorthanded again tonight and their respective matchups will be popular games to target. Orlando specifically faces a favorable matchup against the Kings and it's possible Terrence Ross and Dwayne Bacon will be the only guards active as Evan Fournier, Cole Anthony and Frank Mason are listed as questionable after missing last night. It's not often I highlight a Knicks' game to target, but tonight's matchup against Washington should be a pace-up spot and the Wizards will be without Bradley Beal, meaning Russell Westbrook will be a popular spend-up option. With so much value likely to be available, I'd expect managers to favor a stars-and-scrubs style build tonight.
Injuries to Monitor
Anthony Davis (achilles): QUESTIONABLE
Davis has missed the last two games is considered questionable for tonight. If he sits again, Kyle Kuzma ($5,900) and Montrezl Harrell ($6,000) will continue to see increased run.
Bradley Beal (rest): OUT
Beal will sit out for rest purposes tonight. Raul Neto ($4,200) will likely start at shooting guard.
Paul George (toe): OUT
George will miss his fourth consecutive game tonight and it's unclear when he might return. Luke Kennard ($4,400) has been starting while Lou Williams ($5,800) has seen increased run.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (knee): OUT
Gilgeous-Alexander will miss a second consecutive game with a knee sprain. Hamidou Diallo ($7,000) and Luguentz Dort ($4,900) will start in the backcourt.
Jrue Holiday (COVID-19): OUT
Holiday will miss a third consecutive game tonight. Donte DiVincenzo ($5,400) and Bryn Forbes ($4,100) have been starting at the guard positions.
Mike Conley (hamstring): OUT
Conley will be out for third straight game tonight. Joe Ingles ($5,900) will get another start at shooting guard.
D'Angelo Russell (leg): OUT
Russell will miss his second consecutive game tonight. Ricky Rubio ($6,000) will start again at point guard.
Mason Plumlee (elbow): QUESTIONABLE
Plumlee was a late-scratch yesterday due to elbow bursitis and should be considered day-to-day. If he misses again tonight, expect Isaiah Stewart ($3,100) to earn another start at center.
Devonte' Graham (groin): QUESTIONABLE
Graham has been sidelined for the last five games is listed as questionable for tonight. LaMelo Ball ($8,600) has been starting in his absence.
Evan Fournier (back) and Cole Anthony (shoulder): QUESTIONABLE
Both Orlando starting guards are listed as questionable after missing yesterday's game. Frank Mason ($4,600) is also questionable after lasting only four minutes in his spot start. Terrence Ross ($5,600) and Dwayne Bacon ($4,400) could be the only healthy guards tonight.
Theo Maledon (COVID-19): OUT
Maledon will sit his third consecutive game. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and George Hill are also still out. Hamidou Diallo ($7,000), Luguentz Dort ($4,900) and Kenrich Williams ($5,100) will likely start again.
Elite Players
Guard:
Russell Westbrook ($9,000)
The Wizards will be without Bradley Beal and that means Westbrook should get all the usage he can handle. The Knicks haven't normally been a favorable opponent to target due to their slow style, but this should be a pace-up spot. Westbrook's minutes and performances have been inconsistent this season, but that just means he can be rostered at a bit of a discount for what his role is likely to be tonight.
Luka Doncic ($10,900) comes in as the slate's most expensive player and is coming off a triple-double while posting at least 64 DK points in three of his last five games. With so much value available on this massive slate, a stars-and-scrubs style build will be popular and Doncic represents a great spend-up option.
Forward:
Kawhi Leonard ($9,500)
The Clippers will be without Paul George for a fourth consecutive contest and have a favorable matchup against the Bulls. An uptick in usage has seen Kawhi top 50 DK points in two of three games without George in the lineup.
LeBron James ($10,100) is another option if you want to spend all the way up at small forward. My interest will depend on the status of Anthony Davis, who's listed as questionable after missing the past two games.
Center:
Nikola Vucevic ($9,400)
The Magic are likely to be significantly shorthanded again and the matchup against the Kings is one of the most favorable in DFS. Vucevic has scored at least 50 DK points in four of the last five and has posted performances of 77.75 and 61.75 over that span. He will get as much usage as he can handle tonight and can be rostered for significantly less than Giannis Antetokounmpo ($10,800) and Nikola Jokic ($10,700).
Julius Randle ($9,100) is another appealing option. He hasn't been a popular play lately as the Knicks' slow style sees them routinely playing in the slate's lowest-totaled game. Tonight's matchup against an awful Wizards' defense should be a significant improvement and it makes sense to pair Randle opposite Russell Westbrook.
Expected Chalk
Isaiah Stewart ($3,100)
Mason Plumlee was declared inactive just before last night's matchup started and it seems unlikely he would play the second half of a back-to-back tonight. Stewart started at center and played 31 minutes while scoring 33.25 DK points. At near minimum salary, he will be the chalk of the slate assuming Plumlee sits out again.
Terrence Ross ($5,600)
Evan Fournier, Cole Anthony, Frank Mason and Michael Carter-Williams are all listed as questionable after missing yesterday's game. Ross played 41 minutes and took 27 shots in their absence. Keep an eye on news as it's possible that he and Dwayne Bacon will be the only active guards for tonight's favorable matchup against the Kings.
Value Picks
Donovan Mitchell ($8,200)
Mitchell has produced consecutive games of 62.5 and 56.5 DK points as the Jazz have been without Mike Conley and will be again tonight for a marquee matchup against the Bucks. Mitchell offers similar upside to the elite guards on tonight's slate and can be rostered for significantly less.
Hamidou Diallo ($7,000)
The Thunder will be without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Theo Maledon and George Hill again. Diallo has played over 38 minutes in consecutive contests while scoring 42.75 and 43.75 DK points. He will see big minutes and usage again tonight.
Kenrich Williams ($5,100) and Luguentz Dort ($4,900)
Williams and Dort will start again and see extended run for the shorthanded Thunder. Williams is coming off 39 DK points in 40 minutes and should be decent value again tonight.
Dwayne Bacon ($4,400)
As I mentioned above with Terrence Ross, the Magic have listed Evan Fournier, Cole Anthony, Frank Mason and Michael Carter-Williams as questionable after all four missed yesterday's game. Bacon took 18 shots in 37 minutes last night and could be in line for extended run again for tonight's favorable matchup against the Kings.
Grayson Allen ($3,800)
Desmond Bane has already been ruled out and the Grizzlies are still missing De'Anthony Melton and Brandon Clarke. Allen put up 29.75 DK points in 30 minutes on Wednesday and could enter the starting lineup tonight.
