This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
Friday's NBA slate begins at 7:00 PM Eastern time and features nine games. The players below come from all across the price spectrum, but all of them are positioned to provide strong value relative to their respective prices. FanDuel's format only counts the eight highest scores in your nine-player lineup, so keep that in mind when making your selections.
POINT GUARD
Ben Simmons, PHI vs. IND ($9,500): Simmons started rolling before Jimmy Butler injured his groin and has continued to do so since Butler's injury, racking up 19.3 PPG, 10.3 RPG, 6.7 APG, 2.3 steals and 2.0 blocks per game over the past three. Off shooting nights are much less of a problem for a guy who couldn't shoot a lick to begin with, while Simmons' well-rounded stat lines and ability to pile up hustle stats are perfect for FanDuel's scoring format. Don't hesitate to pay up for the reigning Rookie of the Year regardless of Butler's status.
Fred VanVleet, TOR at POR ($4,700): Moved into the starting lineup with Kawhi Leonard battling a hip injury over the past two games, VanVleet responded by dishing 14 assists in Tuesday's win over the Clippers before helping to beat the Warriors on Wednesday with 10 points and three steals. Regardless of whether he's a starter or sixth man, VanVleet's usually good for just south of 30 minutes per night and is capable of point totals in the teens, a handful of assists or a few steals on any given night. His greater role on offense in Leonard's absence just raises the ceiling for a player who's already been delivering strong results relative to his $4,700 valuation.
SHOOTING GUARD
Victor Oladipo, IND at PHI ($8,600): Oladipo showed no ill effects from his knee injury in his return Wednesday, posting 12 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in 29 minutes. His playing time should climb in his second game back, thus setting the Pacers' star up for greater success against a 76ers team that could still be without its best perimeter defender in Butler.
Malcolm Brogdon, MIL at CLE ($5,400): Brogdon's coming off a clunker, but he was excellent in the previous nine games, scoring between 25.2 and 40.0 fantasy points in each. Expect a bounce-back effort against the 7-21 Cavaliers, who are allowing 111.2 points per game.
SMALL FORWARD
Kelly Oubre, WAS at BKN ($5,500): Oubre's been terrific over the past five games, averaging 19.2 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 1.6 steals and 1.0 block. While Oubre makes for an appealing play regardless of teammate Otto Porter's status, the Kansas product should benefit from extended minutes if the knee injury that kept Porter out of Wednesday's game also forces him to miss this one. The 38 minutes Oubre logged in Porter's absence Wednesday represented his highest total since Oct. 22.
Nemanja Bjelica, SAC vs. GS ($4,900): Bjelica exploded for 25 points and 40.5 fantasy points Wednesday, likely earning more minutes for this contest after fluctuating between the 27-to-29 minute range (three games) and 20-to-21 range (two games) over the past five contests. The proficient long-range shooter has racked up double-digit points in seven of the past 11 games while averaging 6.4 RPG over that span despite seeing less playing time in the early stages of this productive stretch.
POWER FORWARD
Kevin Knox, NY at CHA ($5,600): I've been on the Knox train for a while, and it's not too late to get on board with his price still at just $5,600. A Knicks team with little incentive to win this season is starting to heap playing time on the rookie first-rounder, and Knox seems to be growing more comfortable at the NBA level with every passing game. In his past two contests, he dropped 26 points and 15 rebounds on Charlotte in 41 minutes before adding 19 points and seven rebounds in 33 minutes against Cleveland. Another hefty helping of points and rebounds is likely to come in this rematch with the Hornets.
John Collins, ATL at BOS ($8,100): Collins is another youngster who seems to have unlocked a new gear recently. In his past five games, the second-year big man is piling up 23.8 PPG and 13.0 RPG, with 19 points and 11 rebounds representing his lowest totals in those respective categories over that span. The Celtics will be without defensive anchor Al Horford (knee) in this one, setting Collins up to continue dominating inside.
CENTER
Jarrett Allen, BKN vs. WAS ($5,900): Allen couldn't get going against Joel Embiid in Wednesday's win over the 76ers, but he's far from the first big man to struggle against Philadelphia's star center. In the three games prior to that dud, Allen had averaged 13.7 PPG, 10.0 RPG and 1.7 blocks per game. He has a great chance to exceed those averages against a Wizards team that's allowing the second-most points per game at 116.9 and second-most rebounds at 57.9.
