This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
Friday's NBA slate will have seven games on tap after 7:00 PM Eastern time. There are value plays to be found in this mid-sized slate if you know where to look, and below you'll find recommended options from across the price spectrum. 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
Derrick Rose, MIN vs. SA ($6,200): Rose will likely be leaned on for heavy minutes in his third game back from an ankle injury, as fellow Timberwolves point guard Jeff Teague is playing through an ankle injury of his own and Tyus Jones is sidelined by an ankle injury. Minnesota's dynamic sixth man is averaging a robust 18.8 PPG and 4.8 RPG, and he's primed to eclipse those averages against a Spurs team that surrenders 113.2 points per game on the road (compared to 105.6 at home).
Kyrie Irving, BOS vs. MEM ($9,600): Irving didn't skip a beat after missing one game with a quadriceps injury, scoring 27 points to go with 18 assists over 38 minutes to beat the Raptors in his return Wednesday. He draws yet another top-10 defense with Memphis coming to town, but the offensively gifted point guard is capable of carving up any opposition when he's on and brings terrific momentum into this one. The Grizzlies have also slipped on defense of late, allowing each of their past three opponents to eclipse 110 points.
SHOOTING GUARD
Klay Thompson, GS at LAC ($7,200): Thompson's in a groove offensively, having scored over 30 points in three of his past five games. The sharpshooter's also providing value at the the other end with 1.6 steals per game during this strong stretch, but his value comes primarily from putting the ball in the basket. Look for Thompson to do a lot of that against a Clippers team that's allowing 114.7 points per game.
Donovan Mitchell, UTA vs. CLE ($9,000): Mitchell continues to thrive with the ball in his hands while all three of Utah's point guards are sidelined by injuries. In addition to pouring in 26 or more points in each of his past seven games, the second-year stud is averaging 31.2 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 6.0 APG, 1.4 steals and 0.8 blocks over the last five. He should keep rolling against a Cavaliers team that's a league-worst 9-36 this season.
SMALL FORWARD
DeMarre Carroll, BKN at ORL ($5,000): Carroll has scored at least 17 points in six of his past eight games, pulling down 14 rebounds in one of the other two. The hard working forward's minutes are likely to drop once Rondae Hollis-Jefferson gets back up to speed, but RHJ played just seven minutes in his return from a groin injury Wednesday and will likely be eased back in with Carroll thriving. In the meantime, Carroll should keep providing great bang for the buck.
Nikola Mirotic, NO at POR ($6,200): Mirotic took three games to ramp his workload up after returning from an ankle injury, but he looked to be back at 100 percent against the Warriors on Wednesday with 29 points in 29 minutes. His price still hasn't caught up to its pre-injury levels while it appears that his production has, making Mirotic a steal here at $6,200.
POWER FORWARD
LaMarcus Aldridge, SA at MIN ($8,200): Aldridge is coming off an eight-point dud, but a repeat performance is unlikely considering his second-lowest output over the past 13 games was a 13-point outing which he bounced back from with a career-high 56 in the next game. While he was held in check by a great defender in DeAndre Jordan on Wednesday, Aldridge should thrive against a Timberwolves team that instead employs an offensive-minded player at the center position in Karl-Anthony Towns. Minnesota's also allowing opponents to grab more rebounds than any other team in this slate at 54.8 per game.
JaMychal Green, MEM at BOS ($5,600): Green's in a groove right now, averaging 14.8 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.3 steals and 0.8 blocks over the past four games. Another strong performance is likely forthcoming against a Celtics team that struggles on the glass, allowing 54.1 rebounds per game. With Marc Gasol battling an elbow injury, Green also has a high floor for front court minutes here.
CENTER
Jarrett Allen, BKN at ORL ($7,200): Allen's taken his game to another level, racking up 19 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks Monday against Boston before exploding for 20 points, 24 rebounds and three blocks against the Rockets on Wednesday. Magic center Nikola Vucevic isn't known as a defensive stopper, so Allen has a nice opportunity to build on his recent momentum here.
