This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
Following a compact Thursday slate, there are 13 games on Friday night. This is the type of night where DFS players who aren't necessarily comfortable with such wide lineup construction to also consider taking advantage of some of FanDuel's many sub-slates that still include plenty of appealing tournaments and cash games while offering a more streamlined group of players to work with.
Slate Overview
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Listed spreads/totals are from FanDuel Sportsbook and current as of Friday, 11/8@11:00 a.m. ET:
Atlanta Hawks at Detroit Pistons (-1) (O/U: 227.5)
New Orleans Pelicans at Orlando Magic (-6) (O/U: 213.0)
Indiana Pacers (-7) at Charlotte Hornets (O/U: 235.5)
Golden State Warriors at Cleveland Cavaliers (-4.5) (O/U: 231.0)
Milwaukee Bucks at New York Knicks (-7.5) (O/U: 223.0)
Brooklyn Nets at Boston Celtics (-13) (O/U: 222.0)
Phoenix Suns at Dallas Mavericks (-2.5) (O/U: 232.5)
Houston Rockets at Oklahoma City Thunder (-8.5) (O/U: 222.0)
Washington Wizards at Memphis Grizzlies (-7) (O/U: 231.5)
Miami Heat at Denver Nuggets (-3.5) (O/U: 221.5)
Portland Trail Blazers at Minnesota Timberwolves (-12.5) (O/U: 220.5)
Los Angeles Clippers at Sacramento Kings (-6.5) (O/U: 223.0)
Philadelphia 76ers at Los Angeles Lakers (-7) (O/U: 223.5)
As one might expect on a slate of this size, we have a bit of everything when it comes to betting outlook. We do have many more games projected to be competitive than not with only two double-digit spreads as of Friday morning and a trio of lines no greater than 3.5 points.
The projected totals are a bit on the lower side, though nearly one-third of the matchups predict over 230 points to help focus us on where some of the best individual performances may originate.
Injury Situations to Monitor
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Ja Morant, MEM (hip): OUT
With Morant sidelined, Scotty Pippen is likely to start at point guard.
Zion Williamson, NOP (hamstring): QUESTIONABLE
If Williamson can't suit up, Javonte Green will probably fill in at power forward while Brandon Ingram will see his usage elevate even further.
Joel Embiid, PHI (suspension): OUT
Embiid has yet to play this season due to his knee, but the second game of his three-game suspension Friday will allow Andre Drummond to continue in a starting role.
Tyrese Maxey, PHI (hamstring): OUT
Maxey's absence will thrust Kyle Lowry into the first five and significantly increase the usage of Kelly Oubre and Paul George.
Jamal Murray, DEN (concussion): QUESTIONABLE
If Murray can't return Friday, Russell Westbrook figures to start at PG.
Other notable injuries:
Jaylen Brown, BOS (hip): OUT
Kawhi Leonard, LAC (knee): OUT
Desmond Bane, MEM (oblique): OUT
CJ McCollum, NOP (thigh): OUT
Dejounte Murray, NOP (hand): OUT
Miles Bridges, CHA (knee): OUT
P.J. Washington, DAL (knee): OUT
Nick Richards, CHA (ribs): OUT
Khris Middleton, MIL (ankle): OUT
Jalen Duren, DET (ankle): DOUBTFUL
Draymond Green, GSW (knee): QUESTIONABLE
Shaedon Sharpe, POR (shoulder): QUESTIONABLE
Brandon Miller, CHA (shoulder): PROBABLE
Bradley Beal, PHO (elbow): PROBABLE
Anthony Davis, LAL (heel): PROBABLE
Elite Players
We have six players with five-figure salaries eligible to play on Friday's slate – Nikola Jokic ($12,200), Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,600), Luka Doncic ($11,500), Anthony Davis ($11,200), Jayson Tatum ($10,500) and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($10,400).
Jokic could once again take the floor without Jamal Murray and comes in having scored 78 FD points against OKC on Wednesday. And he's only posted under 61.8 twice this season.
Antetokounmpo played through his knee/thigh issues Thursday to record 55.2 FD over 30 minutes, and doesn't carry an injury designation as of Friday morning.
Doncic has produced over 60 FD in consecutive outings and is averaging 52.9 on the season, making him a potential bargain relative to salary.
Davis is expected to play through his probable tag after missing Wednesday and has managed over 50 FD from six of his first seven games.
Tatum has scored at least 53.7 FD in three of five matchups, and will continue to take the floor without Jaylen Brown on Friday.
SGA's production has recently dipped compared to his salary as he's gone for no more than 42.1 FD during four of the last five games after a season-best 78.7 against the Hawks on Oct. 27.
Expected Chalk
Other likely chalk plays include:
Trae Young, ATL ($9,900)
Except for an outlier against the Celtics when Young only logged 23 minutes, he's been his usual self averaging 45.7 FD.
James Harden, LAC ($9,800)
Harden continues to spearhead the Clippers' attack and should remain popular despite the large slate due to his high floor.
Domantas Sabonis, SAC ($9,800)
Sabonis has eclipsed 50 FD in two of his last three games and is averaging 46.9 overall, numbers that should make him a popular play.
LaMelo Ball, CHA ($9,700)
Ball just posted 48.2 FD across only 31 minutes versus the Pistons and offers 50-point upside at his salary.
LeBron James, LAL ($9,700)
LeBron will have Anthony Davis back alongside him on Friday, yet should remain popular considering he's dropped at least 51.1 FD points in three straight.
Key Values
Santi Aldama, MEM vs. WAS ($6,100)
One could take their pick among several value Grizzlies on Friday considering the first unit being decimated. Aldama makes for one of those choices as he checks in having produced between 32.8 to 36.6 FD from three of his past four games while starting at small forward. He should be operating in the same capacity on Friday against the Wizards, who are allowing 44.9 FD per game to the position. Aldama has been offering across-the-stat-sheet production and already has a trio of double-doubles while displaying plenty of aggressiveness from behind the arc despite the fact his efficiency there is still lacking. The Wizards could help facilitate some improvement as they rank bottom-10 allowing 37.6 percent three-point shooting.
Carlton Carrington, WAS at MEM ($5,500)
Despite the large slate, I'll stick with the same game for my next value suggestion in Carrington as he's notched over 30 FD in three straight while drawing starts at shooting guard. The 19-year-old rookie has flashed a quick acclimation to the pro game shooting an impressive 52.9 percent over his last four appearances. Carrington also won't have to worry about facing either Ja Morant or Desmond Bane in the backcourt on Friday, and Memphis goes in conceding 40.3 FD per game to two-guards and 36.6 percent three-point shooting.
Jusuf Nurkic, PHO at DAL ($5,400)
It's rare to see Nurkic carry this low of a salary, though the veteran big man opened the season with some inconsistency that's helped keep him at a reasonable value. However, he could be on the ascent in both play and salary as he's posted 40.0 and 50.1 FD during his last two outings. Those are spectacular returns on investment, and he now faces a Mavs squad he already delivered 34.3 FD at the start of the campaign on the strength of an 18-point, 14-rebound double-double. Dallas is also giving up 51.5 FD points and ninth-most rebounds (15.8) per game to centers.
ALSO CONSIDER: Russell Westbrook, DEN vs. MIA ($6,500); Scotty Pippen, MEM vs. WAS ($6,000); Kyle Lowry, PHI at LAL ($5,200); Zaccharie Risacher, ATL at DET ($5,200)
