This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
HOU vs. TOR (-7), O/U: 220.5
IND vs. BOS (-3), O/U: 220.5
ATL (-4.5) vs. OKC, O/U: 222.5
LAC (-6.5) vs. MEM, O/U: 226.5
PHX (-5.5) vs. CHI, O/U: 228.5
SAC (-1) vs. DET, O/U: 224
UTA (-6.5) vs. MIA, O/U: 217.5
CHA vs. GS (-6), O/U: 232
POR vs. LAL (-5.5), O/U: 222
Friday's DraftKings NBA slate tips off at 7:30 p.m. EST and includes nine games. Al Horford and Delon Wright are out. Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, Saddiq Bey and Cody Zeller are listed as questionable. The Clippers are playing the second night of a back-to-back, so keep an eye out for news about players resting.
The SAC-DET matchup represents an appealing game to target. Both Dennis Smith and Saben Lee are in play again with Delon Wright out. Both sides offer favorable salaries and both could be shorthanded in the frontcourt. The late games also make for good targets. GS-CHA features the highest total on the slate and Stephen Curry at a reduced salary. The LAL-POR matchup features LeBron James and Damian Lillard, both trying to carry their respective teams in the absence of key players. It's always advantageous to target the late matchups when possible to keep lineups flexible for news that comes after lock.
Injuries to Monitor
Bam Adebayo (knee): QUESTIONABLE
Adebayo is listed as questionable due to knee soreness after playing 35 minutes on Wednesday. If he were to miss, Precious Achiuwa ($3,000) would likely see an expanded role.
Al Horford (rest): OUT
Horford will sit out for rest purposes tonight. Isaiah Roby ($4,900) will start at center.
Delon Wright (groin): OUT
Wright will be re-evaluated next week after straining his groin. Dennis Smith ($4,600) and Saben Lee ($4,300) have been splitting time at point guard.
Tyler Herro (hip): QUESTIONABLE
Herro has missed consecutive games with a bruised hip and is listed as questionable for tonight. If he misses again, Kendrick Nunn ($5,800), Goran Dragic ($5,200) and Gabe Vincent ($3,000) could see extended run.
Saddiq Bey (ankle): QUESTIONABLE
Bey has started the past six games at small forward, but is listed as questionable for tonight due to an ankle sprain. If he sits, Josh Jackson ($6,400) would likely earn an expanded role.
Cody Zeller (hip): QUESTIONABLE
Zeller is listed as questionable for tonight after bruising his hip on Wednesday. If he can't go, Bismack Biyombo ($3,000) would be in line for extra run.
Elite Players
Guard:
Stephen Curry ($9,700) is coming off a bit of a dud on Wednesday after shooting 1-for-11 from the three-point line. He hasn't shot above 41 percent over any of the past four contests but is averaging seven rebounds and nine assists during that same span. So even though Curry has scored at least 56 DK points in three of his last four, those games could have been even better had he shot the ball at normal percentages. The Warriors face a favorable matchup against the Hornets tonight and Curry has seen a drop in salary.
Damian Lillard ($10,100) and Trae Young ($9,900) come in as the other elite PG options. Lillard's drop in salary makes him appealing for a matchup against the struggling Lakers and has topped 60 DK points in three of his last five games. Young continues to be incredibly consistent as counting at least 50 DK points in five straight. If you play multiple lineups, it'd be wise to have exposure to all three as any of them could be the slate's highest scorer especially with the lack of elite options at center.
Forward:
LeBron James ($10,700) and the Lakers have lost four consecutive games and are coming off a woeful performance against the Jazz on Wednesday. Tonight's matchup against Portland is much more favorable and LeBron will likely shoulder much of the workload with the continued absence of Anthony Davis. I'd expect him to be a popular spend-up option with the lack of top players at other positions.
Jimmy Butler ($9,400), Jayson Tatum ($9,300) and Kawhi Leonard ($9,100) represent the forward options in the 9K range. Butler is coming off another big performance that saw him score 62 points on Wednesday, but the Heat have a tough matchup against the Jazz. Tatum flopped last time out in what was probably his worst outing of the season and I won't have much interest with Kemba Walker back tonight. Keep an eye on Kawhi's status for the second game of a back-to-back tonight. If he plays, $9,100 is a bit too undervalued for a player with his upside and the potential leverage he could bring as a less-popular spend-up option.
Center:
Domantas Sabonis ($10,400) is the only elite option at center. Neither the matchup with Boston or his salary are particularly favorable. There are also appealing mid-range options at the position tonight as well, but I'd rather pay up at guard or forward.
Expected Chalk
The way things stand, I don't expect anyone to be near as chalky as what we saw earlier in the week with the likes of Lonnie Walker, Saben Lee, Derrick Rose and even Boban Marjanovic last night. It's a nine-game slate, so we will likely receive some news that will change that - possibly with Bam Adebayo or the Clippers on the second night of a back-to-back.
Isaiah Roby ($4,900)
Al Horford will be out for rest purposes tonight and Roby is expected to start at center. It's not a smash play by any means as he isn't overly cheap and averages just under a fantasy point per minute. He played 28 minutes starting in place of Horford on Monday and I expect him to be a popular value option if we don't hear any significant news.
Value Picks
Jerami Grant ($7,300)
Grant rested on Wednesday, but will be ready to go tonight and has seen a slight drop in salary for a prime matchup against the Kings. Saddiq Bey is also listed as questionable, so there could be some extra minutes at forward if he's out.
Draymond Green ($6,900)
Green has fallen one rebound shy of a triple-double in consecutive games. He's topped 45 DK points in three of his last five and the Warriors offer a favorable matchup against the Hornets.
Enes Kanter ($6,800)
Kanter gets a matchup against the struggling Lakers, who are still without their best defender in Anthony Davis. Portland is banged up at center and more minutes have seen Kanter post double-doubles in two of his last three games.
Mason Plumlee ($6,500)
The Pistons are shorthanded in the frontcourt and have a favorable matchup against the Kings. Plumlee continues to show triple-double upside and his salary has come down a bit in the last week.
Kemba Walker ($6,200)
Walker sat out for rest purposes on Wednesday, but will be ready to go tonight for what should be a competitive matchup against the Pacers. His salary has dropped to a season-low and that doesn't really seem warranted either.
Kelly Olynyk ($4,600) and Precious Achiuwa ($3,000)
Only use if Bam Adebayo is ruled out.
