This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
We're set for another solid Friday night slate in the Association as the season enters the stretch run. The race for playoff/play-in spots are starting to heat up, but we have several big-name absences either already confirmed or looming. However, we're still in good shape for DFS purposes thanks to an extensive player pool and some reasonable salaries for players who've been overachieving in recent games.
Slate Overview
Here's a closer look at the three games with the highest projected totals:
Washington Wizards at Golden State Warriors (Projected total: 238.5 points)
When two teams ranked in the bottom-10 in points allowed per game and top-2 in possessions per game get together, it's no surprise their matchup carries the highest total. Such is the case at the Chase Center and there is still plenty of offense expected on both sides even with Bradley Beal questionable due to his hip injury. This is the first meeting of the season between these clubs with the Russell Westbrook-Stephen Curry one-on-one battle particularly fascinating to watch, especially if Beal sits out again.
Philadelphia 76ers at New Orleans Pelicans (Projected total: 228.5 points)
The Pelicans have a serious injury question with Brandon Ingram, who's questionable after missing the last five games with right toe soreness. Lonzo Ball is also back on the injury report with a hip problem, so New Orleans' offensive upside could certainly be capped if both players miss. However, Philadelphia is in good health and a favorable spot against a Pelicans team allowing the fourth-most points per game (115.5). Meanwhile, New Orleans puts up 116.7 points per home game, so they should still be able to contribute their fair share to the total - especially if Ingram is available.
Minnesota Timberwolves at Boston Celtics (Projected total: 228.0 points)
The Timberwolves have D'Angelo Russell back in the fold after an extended injury absence, although they've now lost Malik Beasley to a hamstring strain for multiple weeks. Nevertheless, Minnesota has scored between 113 and 137 points over its last three contests – all without Beasley – and are actually averaging 5.3 points per game more on the road (112.3) than at home (107). Meanwhile, the T-Wolves also give up an NBA-high 120.2 points per road game, while the Celtics are scoring 111.8 per TD Garden tilt. Boston will also have a key absence with recently acquired Evan Fournier (COVID-19 protocols), although Kemba Walker should play since this game is not the second of a back-to-back set.
Injury Situations to Monitor
NOTE: Injury reporting is especially fluid in the NBA, where the status of multiple players can change during the course of a day. Therefore, although the following serves as a foundation for the latest injury report as of the time the article is written, check back throughout the course of the day with RotoWire for the latest news regarding the status of all players on that night's slate.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL (knee)/ Status: GTD
Giannis is considered a game-time decision as of Friday morning after missing the last three games. If he were to sit out again, Bobby Portis would presumably remain in the starting lineup, while the usage of the remaining members of Milwaukee's starting five would naturally see a boost.
Clint Capela, ATL (Achilles)/ Status: QUESTIONABLE
If Capela sits out a second straight game due to Achilles soreness, Onyeka Okongwu would be in line for another start.
Lonzo Ball, NOP (hip)/ Status: QUESTIONABLE
If Ball were to sit out, the newly signed Isaiah Thomas could see significant minutes at point guard.
Jamal Murray, DEN (knee)/ Status: QUESTIONABLE
If Murray were to miss out, Monte Morris and Facundo Campazzo would likely handle the bulk of point guard minutes.
Domantas Sabonis, IND (ankle)/ Status: QUESTIONABLE
If Sabonis were to sit out again, Doug McDermott would presumably get another start at power forward. If Sabonis does play, he'll project for even more usage than usual with Myles Turner already ruled out due to an ankle injury.
John Wall, HOU (rest)/ Status: OUT
In Wall's absence, Kevin Porter will likely handle the point guard role while D.J. Augustin could also enjoy an increased role.
Brandon Ingram, NOP (toe)/ Status: QUESTIONABLE
If Ingram misses a sixth straight game, James Johnson is likely to log another start at small forward.
John Collins, ATL (ankle)/ Status: OUT
Collins' ongoing absence should lead to a start at power forward for Solomon Hill while Danilo Gallinari (ankle) should also enjoy extended run off the bench if he's able to suit up.
Malcolm Brogdon, IND (hip)/ Status: QUESTIONABLE
If Brogdon misses a fifth straight matchup, Edmond Sumner and T.J. McConnell could be primary beneficiaries.
Myles Turner, IND (ankle)/ Status: OUT
With Turner already ruled out, Goga Bitadze should be in line for another start.
Other notable injuries:
Nickeil Alexander-Walker, NOP (ankle)/ Status: OUT
Gordon Hayward, CHA (foot)/ Status: OUT
Malik Beasley, MIN (hamstring)/ Status: OUT
Danilo Gallinari, ATL (ankle)/ Status: QUESTIONABLE
Otto Porter, ORL (foot)/ Status: OUT
Brandon Clarke, MEM (calf)/ Status: DOUBTFUL
Malik Monk, CHA (ankle)/ Status: OUT
Lonnie Walker, SAN (wrist)/ Status: QUESTIONABLE
Serge Ibaka, LAC (back)/ Status: OUT
De'Anthony Melton, MEM (leg)/ Status: OUT
De'Andre Hunter, ATL (knee)/ Status: OUT
Cam Reddish, ATL (Achilles)/ Status: OUT
Eric Gordon, HOU (groin)/ Status: OUT
Josh Hart, NOP (thumb)/ Status: OUT
Justise Winslow, MEM (quadriceps)/ Status OUT
Elite Players
We have seven players on Friday's slate carrying five-figure salaries: Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,200), Russell Westbrook ($11,200), Karl-Anthony Towns ($11,100), Clint Capela ($10,400), Joel Embiid ($10,200), Nikola Jokic ($10,100) and Kawhi Leonard ($10,000).
Giannis's status will naturally have to be watched very closely, and he could be a risky play at his salary even if he is announced as available. Westbrook could be an excellent top-shelf option to invest in considering he could once again be without Beal and will be in an excellent game environment against the Warriors. Towns faces a Celtics club that's proven ill-equipped to defend him in the past, and he'll once again enjoy particularly elevated usage without Beasley. Capela is also carrying a questionable tag and will therefore have to be monitored throughout the day, while Embiid, Jokic and Leonard are all as appealing as usual - although it's worth noting there is blowout risk with Kawhi facing the Rockets.
There are also several players with salaries in the high four figures who have the ability to deliver elite scores, including Nikola Vucevic ($9,900), Julius Randle ($9,600), Stephen Curry ($9,600) and Zion Williamson $9,500).
Vucevic underperformed a bit by his lofty standards Thursday, but could be in a good spot to bounce back if Capela sits out for the Hawks. Randle and Curry are in excellent matchups against the Grizzlies and Wizards, although Williamson does have a tough assignment against the Sixers, even with the possibility of elevated usage in the event of another Ingram absence.
Expected Chalk
Other likely chalk plays include: healthy members of the Pelicans' starting five including Eric Bledsoe, Lonzo Ball if available and Steven Adams if Ingram remains out; Trae Young and Bogdan Bogdanovic with Collins still out and the possibility Capela sits; Caris LeVert, Justin Holiday and Goga Bitadze with Turner already ruled out and both Sabonis and Brogdon listed as questionable; Kevin Porter and Christian Wood with Wall ruled out; and Monte Morris, Will Barton, Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter if Murray sits.
Key Values
Rui Hachimura, WAS at GS ($5,800)
Hachimura draws an excellent matchup in what should be an extremely fast-paced game environment, making him an appealing value at this salary. The second-year floor stretcher was a bit rusty from the field in his return from a two-game absence Wednesday against the Magic, but still compiled 27.4 FD points over 30 minutes. Hachimura had also eclipsed 30 FD points in three of the five games prior while averaging a solid 28.8 FD points in 14 second-half games while draining 50.3 percent of his 14.1 shot attempts per contest during that span. Both numbers are above his season averages, and he'll battle a Warriors team allowing the fourth-highest offensive efficiency to power forwards (26.9 percent) along with the most FD points per game to the position on the campaign (41.7).
Bobby Portis, MIL vs. CHA ($5,800)
Portis is likely to see an elevated role again regardless whether or not Giannis Antetokounmpo takes the floor and could certainly be one of the best fantasy-point-per-dollar plays of the night if he does draw another start. Portis has posted consecutive double-doubles in Antetokounmpo's absence with 31.6 and 42.8 FD points in those games. He also eclipsed 30 FD points in another pair of recent contests while coming off the bench, and has offered over a 5x return on his current salary in 14 games with only three coming as a starter. The Hornets make for very appealing targets, as Charlotte is allowing the fifth-highest offensive efficiency to power forwards (26.9 percent), the 10th-most FD points per game to the position over the last 10 games (47.6), and the fourth-highest three-point shooting percentage on the road (38.9).
Jalen McDaniels, CHA at MIL ($4,300)
McDaniels enters as an intriguing play on the other side of the Hornets-Bucks matchup as he could frequently be matched up against Portis, who's not known for his defense. McDaniels drew the start at power forward Wednesday against the Thunder producing 38.7 FD points over 32 minutes and should be running with the first unit again Friday as a result of Gordon Hayward's foot injury. McDaniels is an efficient shooter who can occasionally drain a three while his salary isn't close to catching up with what should be another expanded role for him again tonight.
