This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
DeAndre Liggins, CLE vs. BRO ($3,500): With J.R. Smith sidelined for the next 4-6 weeks, it'll be Liggins who moves into the starting lineup. He saw 26 minutes in the first game without Smith and similar time should be expected Friday. Liggins gets the benefit of a Nets team that has given up the third-most fantasy points to shooting guards. This is a pick if you go stars and scrubs, paying up for the other positions, as Liggins should make value.
Shelvin Mack, UTA vs. TOR ($4,000): A myriad of injuries (Dante Exum has already been ruled out) have put Mack in not only a starting spot but also in line for heavy minutes. He played 34 last game against the Kings, finishing with 18.6 fantasy points which is right about where his floor has been over the last two weeks. Mack has scored at least 17.3 fantasy points in 10 of his last 11, showing a solid 4x floor. Additionally, he's hit 6x twice and 7.5x once to show there's plenty of upside. Meanwhile, the Raptors are in the bottom half of the league as far as surrendering fantasy points to point guards.
Gary Harris, DEN vs. ATL ($4,700): The hope is that owners are off Harris after a disappointing 7.9 fantasy points at the Clippers on Tuesday. Before that, Harris was going nuts with 33.4, 24.6 and 37.8 fantasy points in the previous three games, respectively. He should be back in that range Friday hosting the Hawks and getting plenty of playing time. The Nuggets are now a team to contend with given their lineup and depth, and Harris has had plenty of rest leading up to this game.
Luol Deng, LAL at ORL ($4,600): Deng is in the middle of a nice run for the Lakers and is finally getting consistent minutes. He's played at least 32 minutes in seven of his last eight games, and that doesn't seem to be impacted by any games that have been blowouts. Julius Randle (paternity leave) isn't expected back, so Deng could see time at power forward again. Thomas Robinson ($3,600) is interesting at his price but with Deng's minutes secure it's better to spend up a little and use him.
Kenneth Faried, Den vs. ATL ($4,900): Faried has had some interesting box scores lately and been pretty hit or miss. This has been evidenced by fantasy games of 2.0 and 1.6 sandwiched in between games of 31.7, 40.4, 25.8 and 30.2 over his last six. Looking past the numbers, it'll show that the two duds were both against Dallas, who not only plays at a slow pace but is a team where the matchup likely cost Faried playing time. His minutes shouldn't be an issue, and he'll get a good matchup against a Hawks team missing Dwight Howard.
Jon Leuer, DET vs, GS ($4,900): It seems like there's a good chance Leuer could join the starting lineup, a move that almost happened last game. Stan Van Gundy isn't happy with his team's play, hinting at a change, but Leuer was involved in a car accident and the coach held off. Leuer has been one of the bright spots for the Pistons this season off the bench averaging 22.1 fantasy points per game. This will be a higher-pace game for the Pistons and chances are Leuer will go against Kevon Looney, a much better matchup than Draymond Green.
Tristan Thompson, CLE vs. BRO ($5,000): Like Liggins, Thompson is another cheap way to get a piece of the Cavaliers in what should be a fruitful fantasy game. He's got the best matchup on the board, as the Nets give up the most fantasy points to centers on the season. Thompson gets the Nets on their second night of a back-to-back and usually sees minutes in the upper 20s. He's scored at least 22.2 fantasy points in four of his last six and should take advantage of Brook Lopez.
Bismack Biyombo, ORL vs. LAL ($5,000): Biyombo is coming off a nice game in New York and gets a premier matchup Friday against the Lakers. Timofey Mozgov and the rest of the team has struggled defending centers, giving up the fifth-most fantasy points this season. Biyombo has had at least 19.3 fantasy points in each of his last seven games and has the more attractive price compared to Nikola Vucevic ($7,200).
