This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
GS vs. TOR (-2.5), O/U: 226.5
DAL (-5.5) vs. NY, O/U: 213.5
HOU vs. BOS (-9.5), O/U: 223.5
CHA vs. IND (-3.5), O/U: 222.5
MIN vs. MEM (-7), O/U: 231.5
ATL (-1.5) vs. NO, O/U: 223.5
CHI vs. UTA (-13.5), O/U: 228.5
LAL vs. SAC (-4.5), O/U: 223
MIL (-3.5) vs. POR, O/U: 236.5
OKC vs. PHX (-12.5), O/U: 219.5
Friday's DraftKings NBA slate tips off at 7:00 p.m. EDT and includes 10 games. There is quite a bit of injury news to consider as Domantas Sabonis, Donovan Mitchell, Zach LaVine and John Wall are listed as questionable while Kyle Lowry and John Collins remain out. The most significant news to monitor will be the status of Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball. All three missed yesterday's game and the remaining Pelicans' starters would be the chalk of the slate again if they were to sit out tonight.
If we don't get the Pelicans' news before lock, it makes sense to target the later contests as the potential value is just too good to pass up. But don't overlook the Raptors game at 7:00 p.m., as Toronto will be significantly shorthanded at guard tonight with Kyle Lowry, Rodney Hood, Paul Watson and Patrick McCaw all ruled out. Fred VanVleet ($8,200) and Gary Trent ($5,600) should see the bulk of the minutes and usage in a favorable matchup against the Warriors. The MIL-POR matchup tips off last at 10:00 p.m. and features the highest total on the slate along with two of the more appealing spend-up options in Giannis Antetokounmpo ($10,900) and Damian Lillard ($9,900).
Injuries to Monitor
Domantas Sabonis (quad): QUESTIONABLE
Sabonis is listed as questionable after suffering a bruised quad on Wednesday. Coach Nate Bjorkgren said he expects Sabonis to play. But if he were to sit, Doug McDermott ($3,800) would likely start at power forward.
Zion Williamson (thumb): QUESTIONABLE
Williamson sat out yesterday with a sprained thumb and is listed as questionable for tonight. James Johnson ($3,000) got the start at power forward in his place.
Donovan Mitchell (personal): QUESTIONABLE
Mitchell missed Wednesday's game for personal reasons and his status for tonight is uncertain. Joe Ingles ($5,800) would be in line for another start if Mitchell were to sit.
Zach LaVine (ankle): QUESTIONABLE
LaVine missed his first game of the season on Wednesday due to a sprained ankle and is listed as questionable for tonight. Coby White (neck) also sat out, so Lauri Markkanen came into the starting lineup while Denzel Valentine ($3,500 saw extended run off the bench.
Brandon Ingram (toe): QUESTIONABLE
Ingram missed his first game of the season yesterday with toe soreness and is listed as questionable for tonight. Josh Hart ($5,800) got the start at small forward in his absence.
John Wall (knee): QUESTIONABLE
Wall missed Wednesday's game due to left knee effusion and is listed as questionable for tonight. Kevin Porter ($6,500) and Sterling Brown ($4,400) started in the backcourt last time out.
Kyle Lowry (foot): OUT
Lowry will miss 7-10 days due to a foot infection. Fred VanVleet ($8,200) and Gary Trent ($5,600) will start in the backcourt while Malachi Flynn ($3,000) will see extra run off the bench as Rodney Hood (hip) is out as well.
RJ Barrett (ankle): QUESTIONABLE
Barrett is listed as questionable tonight due to a sprained ankle. If he were to miss, Alec Burks ($5,800) would likely see an expanded role.
Andre Drummond (toe): OUT
Drummond will miss at least tonight's game due to a toe injury suffered on Wednesday. Marc Gasol ($4,700) will likely start at center.
John Collins (ankle): OUT
Collins will miss extended time due to a sprained ankle. Solomon Hill ($3,100) started at power forward last night while Danilo Gallinari ($5,500) saw extra run off the bench.
Lonzo Ball (hip): QUESTIONABLE
Ball has missed six consecutive games due to a hip injury and is listed as questionable for tonight. Nickeil Alexander-Walker ($6,200) has been starting at point guard in his absence.
Elite Players
Forward:
Giannis Antetokounmpo ($10,900) has failed to reach 50 DK points in four consecutive outings. The Bucks are in a great spot tonight against the Trailblazers and the fact there aren't as many elite spend-up options makes Giannis more appealing even though he's recently struggled.
Guard:
Luka Doncic ($10,700) has also been underwhelming of late with under 54 DK points in four consecutive games, while tonight's matchup against the Knicks is not ideal. He would be a pure leverage play as I don't expect him to be very popular on such a big slate.
I'd prefer going with Damian Lillard ($9,900) or Stephen Curry ($9,700). Lillard is coming off 58 DK points last time out and his salary is still under 10K for a favorable matchup against the Bucks. Curry has put up at least 50 DK points in back-to-back games and should take advantage of the shorthanded Raptors.
Center:
Karl-Anthony Towns ($10,000) has scored at least 53 DK points in four consecutive contests while topping 60 twice during that span. He's played at least 39 minutes in back-to-back games and the Timberwolves go into a favorable matchup against the Grizzlies.
If Zach LaVine (ankle) ends up being ruled out, Nikola Vucevic ($9,000) would be in line for another usage bump as he produced 49.5 DK points in 34 minutes when LaVine sat out on Wednesday.
Expected Chalk
New Orleans Pelicans
Zion Williamson (thumb), Brandon Ingram (toe) and Lonzo Ball (hip) missed yesterday's game and all three are listed as questionable for tonight. Nickeil Alexander-Walker ($6,200), Josh Hart ($5,800), Eric Bledsoe ($5,300) and James Johnson ($3,000) were chalky last night and all smashed value. Keep an eye out for news because these Pelicans could go from chalky to barely in play depending on who starts. However, if all three of Williamson, Ingram and Ball were to miss again, the remaining starters would be the best plays on the slate especially considering their salaries barely moved.
Value Picks
Fred VanVleet ($8,200)
The Raptors are still without Kyle Lowry. VanVleet posted 52 DK points in his absence last time out and should get all the usage he wants in a favorable matchup against the Warriors.
Clint Capela ($8,100)
The Hawks will be without John Collins for an extended period. Capela is coming off a massive 60.75 DK points yesterday and should dominate the Pelicans.
Ja Morant ($7,600)
Morant has topped 50 DK points in two of his last four games and his salary is still quite affordable for a matchup against a Timberwolves' team that doesn't play much defense.
Dennis Schroder ($7,100)
Schroder has seen a significant usage bump in the absence of LeBron James. He's scored at least 40 DK points in three of his last four and the Lakers' matchup agains the Kings should be a bit of a pace-up spot.
Gary Trent ($5,600)
Trent managed 40.5 DK points and took 22 shots on Wednesday as the Raptors were without Kyle Lowry. Now Rodney Hood is out and I'd expect Trent to see upwards of 40 minutes in a favorable matchup against the Warriors.
