This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
Friday's NBA slate features six games and begins at 7:00 PM Eastern time. With some rosters getting ravaged by injuries, other players are getting the opportunity to step up and provide strong value. 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
Damian Lillard, POR at ATL ($10,900): Even with an 11-point clunker in there, Lillard's still averaging 26.6 PPG, 5.0 RPG and 11.0 APG in five games since C.J. McCollum went down. The focal point of Portland's offense sans both McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic, Lillard has a great opportunity to exceed those recent averages against a Hawks team that plays fast and struggles to defend. Atlanta features the league's sixth-worst defensive rating at 112.4) and plays at the highest pace at 104.5.
Trae Young, ATL vs. POR ($8,700): Young's unlikely to guard Lillard effectively, but he'll do everything in his power to keep the opposing point guard from one-upping him in his own building. With 52.7 and 54.2 fantasy points in his last two games, the rookie fifth overall selection has displayed a tremendous ceiling recently and will be motivated to showcase his skills in this head-to-head matchup with one of the established stars at his position.
SHOOTING GUARD
Donovan Mitchell, UTA vs. WAS ($8,500): Mitchell has gone quiet in the last three games after back-to-back performances over 30 points, but a home matchup against the lowly Wizards defense could be just what he needs to get back on track. Washington has the fourth-worst defensive rating at 112.8 and ninth-fastest pace at 102.4, and the Wizards' first two opponents on their Western road trip have both eclipsed 120 points. Look for the Jazz to make that three, led by Mitchell.
Josh Okogie, MIN vs. GS ($5,400): Okogie's making the most of his opportunities with Minnesota beat up in the backcourt, having topped 30 fantasy points in four of his past five games. Even in a daunting matchup with the Warriors, the rookie 20th overall pick is worth picking up at just $5,400.
SMALL FORWARD
Joe Ingles, UTA vs. WAS ($7,000): Whether you're looking for a cheaper alternative to Mitchell or want to stack Jazz players against the defensively challenged Wizards, Ingles makes a nice addition to any lineup. He's a perfect fit in an egalitarian Jazz offense that encourages all of its players to combine scoring and playmaking. Jingling Joe's ability to do both has been on full display over the past five games, where he's averaged 15.8 PPG, 4.6 RPG and 8.4 APG.
Jabari Parker, WAS at UTA ($6,700): Parker exploded for 28 points and 15 rebounds Wednesday with fellow Wizards forward Trevor Ariza sidelined by a groin injury, and he stands to benefit with Ariza already ruled out for this one. The matchup is far from ideal, but the second pick from the 2014 Draft has the skills to succeed regardless. Owners looking for an against-the-grain option should turn to Parker.
POWER FORWARD
Domantas Sabonis, IND at BOS ($6,800): Sabonis continues to be available at a discount after a recent ankle injury, despite looking stronger with each passing game. The 31 minutes he played Wednesday were the most he's seen in nine contests since returning, and Sabonis is unlikely to see his court time reduced after posting 18 points and 10 rebounds. He's averaging 12.8 PPG, 12.8 RPG and 3.8 APG in the past four games, which qualify as great numbers for a $6,800 player.
Jerami Grant, OKC vs. DEN ($6,000): Grant has displayed tremendous upside, having posted performances of 49.5 and 44.4 fantasy points over his past five games. He's worth taking a flyer on at home against a Nuggets team that's playing its second road game in as many nights.
CENTER
DeMarcus Cousins, GS at MIN ($8,600): Cousins appears to finally be back to full health - if his recent results are any indication - as he's scored at least 41.2 fantasy points four times in his past five games. While he's likely to have a hard time defending Karl-Anthony Towns, KAT should also have trouble stopping Cousins at the other end. Towns is still a work in progress defensively, which is why the Timberwolves rank among the 11 most generous teams in both points at 113.5 and rebounds allowed per game at 54.0.
