This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
We've made it through another week and have a heavy schedule on tap for Friday night. There are 11 games on the slate, with the action set to tip at 7:00 PM Eastern time as the Grizzlies visit the Pistons and the Celtics square off against the Magic. Friday's schedule is capped by Indiana at Golden State, with game time set for 10:30 PM Eastern.
Here's your friendly reminder that FanDuel has gone back to their old format, counting all nine of your player's scores within your lineup. With each selection counting towards your score, it'll be important to make each choice count.
Slate Overview
I've listed a few games to target on Friday's slate based on FanDuel Sportsbook's projected scoring total. It can be beneficial to add players to your lineup who are expected to play in favorable scoring environments, especially if you're having a difficult time choosing between two value plays.
Houston Rockets at Minnesota Timberwolves (Projected Total: 234.0)
The Rockets are always in the mix for a high-scoring affair, and their matchup with the T-Wolves is expected to bring in the most points on the slate. Houston ranks second in the league in scoring, putting up 118.4 points per contest on the year. To make this even more of a friendly scoring environment, the Timberwolves sit at 25th in the league in points allowed by surrendering 114.6 points on a nightly basis. James Harden and Russell Westbrook could be in for big nights in Minnesota.
Denver Nuggets at New Orleans Pelicans (Projected Total: 231.0)
Much like Houston vs. Minnesota, this matchup is also expected to rack up the points despite Denver's solid defense. The Pelicans have totalled 117 points or more in each of their last five matchups, and they're currently sixth in the league in points scored per game this season. The Nuggets are coming off a game in which they allowed 121 points to Houston. And considering how banged up their roster is - they're in danger of missing three of their starters Friday night - it's unsurprising to see this contest assigned a high projected total.
Positional Breakdown
There will be 20 teams in action Friday night, which should make it relatively easy to differentiate your lineups. I'll take you through each position, highlighting the depth at each position along with a few value plays to target.
PG: The main attraction at point guard is Russell Westbrook, who is priced at $10,400 for Friday's slate. Trae Young, who was named a starter in the All-Star Game on Thursday night, checks in slightly below him at $9,600 - although he's questionable with a thigh injury. De'Aaron Fox and Chris Paul are in the mid-tier $7K-to-$8K range. Lonzo Ball and Ricky Rubio are two value plays to look for.
SG: James Harden highlights this position, checking in at $10,800. We see a $2,000 dropoff after him, as Zach LaVine and Jimmy Butler (knee) are the next best choices at $8,800 and $8,700, respectively. Be sure to check out Lou Williams and Buddy Hield as value plays.
SF: We don't have a big-ticket star at small forward, though Brandon Ingram is a solid play at $8,600. Pascal Siakam appears underpriced for this slate at $7,300, especially considering he's going up against the Knicks. Will Barton and T.J. Warren could slot in as value plays if you're targeting a small price tag here.
PF: Kawhi Leonard is top dog here, priced just under $10K. Domantas Sabonis is putting up over 40 FanDuel points per game this season and can be scooped up for $8,400, and makes for a strong option if you want to avoid Leonard. Bam Adebayo and LaMarcus Aldridge are the next two on the list, checking in at $8,100 and $7,900.
C: Andre Drummond is the No. 1 option at center. And while he carries an injury designation into Friday, he's on track to take the court. Nikola Jokic is the next best option, coming off a 48.4 FD point-performance Wednesday in Houston. Deandre Ayton ($8,000) and Clint Capela ($7,900) are two guys a little more reasonably priced if you elect to go that route.
Injury Situations to Monitor
Bruce Brown, DET
Brown missed Wednesday's game against the Kings due to illness, but he's expected back for Friday's tilt. Look for confirmation closer to tipoff.
Jaylen Brown, BOS
Brown is questionable for Friday's tilt with an ankle injury. Boston should provide an update following morning shootaround.
Jayson Tatum, BOS
Tatum was added to the injury report with a right groin issue, and he's questionable for Friday's showdown with Orlando.
Gary Harris, DEN
Harris has been shut down for the last five games with a strained right adductor. His status is in question for Friday's clash.
Michael Porter, DEN
Porter failed to play Wednesday because of a sore back and has been deemed a game-time decision for Friday's game against New Orleans.
JJ Redick, NOR
Redick is probable due to a strained left hamstring. His availability will be worth monitoring as tip nears.
Josh Hart, NOR
Hart is expected to take the court Friday despite a sore ankle. Keep a close eye on RotoWire.com to ensure he's good to go.
Tomas Satoransky, CHI
Satoransky is still nursing left ankle soreness, though he hasn't missed any time as a result of the issue. The expectation is that he'll be playing Friday night.
Lauri Markkanen, CHI
Markkanen is considered probable with a left ankle sprain.
Patrick Beverley, LAC
Beverley is doubtful for Friday's clash due to a sore right groin. Lou Williams and Landry Shamet should see extended playing time as a result.
Kendrick Nunn, MIA
Nunn is being considered a game-time decision for Friday's matchup due to a sore left Achilles.
Jimmy Butler, MIA
Butler is questionable for Friday with right knee soreness. Miami should provide an update on the forward's status after morning shootaround.
Goran Dragic, MIA
Dragic dropped 22 points over 30 minutes off the bench Wednesday against the Wizards, but he emerged with left calf soreness. He's being considered questionable for Friday.
Trae Young, ATL
Young is one of the bigger names on the injury report for Friday. He's questionable with a thigh injury, but appears to be trending in the right direction after going through parts of Thursday's practice.
Alex Len, ATL
Len is battling some back soreness but is expected to go Friday night. He'll come off the bench, assuming he's cleared.
Elite Players
There are three players on Friday's slate in the $10K range: James Harden, Russell Westbrook and Andre Drummond. All three are averaging 47-plus FanDuel points per contest this season. Westbrook and Harden are even more enticing than usual given their matchup with the Timberwolves.
Outside of those three, there are a handful of elite players on the board who are more than capable of producing at a high level. Nikola Jokic, Karl-Anthony Towns, Kawhi Leonard and Trae Young are all available from $9,900 to $9,600. Zach LaVine, Brandon Ingram and Devin Booker are also regularly in the 40-plus FPPG range, all for just over $8K.
Expected Chalk
As mentioned above, James Harden and Russell Westbrook are bound to be amongst the chalky plays given their favorable matchup. Nikola Jokic and Brandon Ingram should also have high ownership, as the Pelicans and Nuggets are projected to light up the scoreboard Friday night, giving these two studs plenty of opportunities to inflict damage.
The Nuggets should also gain some attention with regard to the injury picture, as two of their starters have already been ruled out and Gary Harris is questionable. This means we'll have several players in starting roles, including Monte Morris - who put together a decent stat line Wednesday night at point guard. Jerami Grant is also set for another start at power forward, coming off a 17-point performance against Houston on Wednesday.
The Clippers are also dealing with several injuries, as Patrick Beverley and Paul George are set to miss Friday's game. Lou Williams and Landry Shamet should start in the backcourt as a result, making both appealing options to the DFS community.
Key Values
Landry Shamet, LAC at MIA ($3,700):
Shamet is expected to draw another start in the backcourt for the Clippers, and he's finished with 20-plus FanDuel points in three of his last five contests. He's scored in double figures in all five of those contests and will be a candidate to do so again Friday evening. For the low price of $3,700, I think Shamet is certainly worth a look if you're looking to pair a Russell Westbrook or Trae Young with a value play.
Zion Williamson, NOR vs. DEN ($5,500):
Williamson had an unforgettable NBA debut, dropping 17 points in the fourth quarter while giving his team the lead before checking out. Though the Pelicans will continue to keep a close eye on the young star's minutes moving forward, his explosive playmaking ability makes him worth a look before he starts to climb the price ladder in the coming weeks. This contest is expected to ooze scoring, so I'm willing to take a chance on Zion here.
