This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
Friday's seven-game NBA slate begins at 7:30 PM Eastern time. Read on to see which players stand out as the top value plays in this slate at 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
Kyrie Irving, BOS vs. WAS ($9,900): The reeling Celtics have lost four straight overall and six straight games in which Irving has played, and it appears Kyrie's solution to his team's slump is to take on an even larger offensive role. He's eclipsed 30 points twice in the past three games, also delighting fantasy owners with 4.7 RPG and 6.0 RPG over this stretch. Look for another offensive outburst from Irving against a Wizards team that has allowed opposing scorers to thrive by virtue of posting the league's fifth-worst defensive rating at 112.4 and playing at the eighth-fastest pace at 102.65.
Elfrid Payton, NO at PHO ($6,400): With Anthony Davis sitting out fourth quarters to preserve his health for an offseason trade, the rest of New Orleans' roster is being asked to step up. That includes Payton, who has put his all-around skill set on display over the past six games with 11.0 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 8.8 APG, 0.7 steals and 1.2 blocks per game. He should stuff the stat sheet against a Suns team that has the league's second-worst defensive rating at 113.9, perhaps gleaning some extra motivation from the fact he spent part of last season with the Phoenix organization before the Suns opted not to bring him back in free agency.
SHOOTING GUARD
Zach LaVine, CHI at ATL ($8,300): Like Irving, LaVine has scored 30-plus points twice in his past three games. He's also dropped at least 26 in eight of the last 13. With the ability to get to the rim at will while also punishing defenses from deep, LaVine should thrive against a Hawks team that plays fast and struggles to defend. Atlanta owns the league's third-worst defensive rating at 112.7 and second-highest pace at 104.45.
Reggie Bullock, LAL vs. MIL ($4,800): Bullock has provided the Lakers with some much-needed proficiency from deep, playing 34 minutes per game over the past five and scoring at least 14 points in four of those contests. He's a 40.0 percent career 3-point shooter who's canning 45.5 percent of his triples since joining Los Angeles, and Bullock's marksmanship should be on full display against a Bucks team that allows the most made 3-pointers per game at 12.6.
SMALL FORWARD
Harrison Barnes, SAC vs. LAC ($5,600): It's likely the Kings will be without Marvin Bagley for this pivotal matchup in the Western Conference playoff race, as he exited Wednesday's game with an injury to the same left knee that forced him to miss almost a month earlier this season. Barnes should absorb most of the power forward minutes left behind by the rookie's absence. And if Barnes' 15-point, 14-rebound effort in 41 minutes Wednesday is any indication, he's likely to thrive with that extended workload. Either way, Barnes should be presented with plenty of opportunities in this matchup between two of the fastest-playing teams, with Sacramento leading the league in pace and the Clippers ranking ninth.
Maurice Harkless, POR at TOR ($5,300): Harkless has filled the void left by Evan Turner's knee injury over the past four games, averaging 32.9 fantasy points in 28 minutes per contest. The ability to rack up hustle stats makes Harkless a strong option when he gets the requisite minutes, which should come with his fellow small forward already ruled out for this one.
POWER FORWARD
Montrezl Harrell, LAC at SAC ($6,900): As long as Harrell avoids foul trouble, he should deliver a strong performance both offensively and on the glass in this fast-paced matchup. The big man has topped 30 points twice in the last four games, finishing with five fouls in one of the others and fouling out once. With Sacramento surrendering the fourth-most points at 115.2 and the most rebounds at 57.2 per game, Harrell's ceiling here is very high.
Pascal Siakam, TOR vs. POR ($7,500): Siakam just keeps getting better, and he's stepped his game up another notch with an average of 45.7 fantasy points per game over the past four. Capable of an explosive performance in any given category each time out, Siakam could well see his price climb given his recent form. Lock him in at $7,500 while you still can and reap the benefits.
CENTER
Jarrett Allen, BKN vs. CHA ($6,700): Allen has anchored the interior for Brooklyn this season, submitting averages of 11.2 PPG, 8.7 RPG and 1.6 blocks per game. The center has a nice opportunity to register his fifth double-double in the last nine games against a Hornets team that's just 8-21 on the road. Charlotte also gets blocked a league-high 6.3 times per game, setting Allen up for a strong performance in that category.
