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<\/p>\nGiannis Antetokounmpo is the player to watch tonight in DFS play.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
This is one of the craziest basketball weeks I’ve ever seen. Large stat lines are one thing, but it feels like there are a lot of buzzer beaters every night. I’ve never seen so much talent in the NBA. It’s great to be able to write about these special players each day! We have another big Friday card here, so let’s move on.<\/p>\n
injury report<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n- Lonzo ball (knee) OUT<\/li>\n
- Joel Embiid (legs) OUT<\/li>\n
- Brandon Ingram (Toe) Doubtful<\/li>\n
- Zion Williamson (hamstring) OUT<\/li>\n
- Larry Nance (neck) Doubtful<\/li>\n
- RJ Barrett (finger) OUT<\/li>\n
- Gordon Hayward (hamstring) OUT<\/li>\n
- Kelly Oubre Jr. (hand) OUT<\/li>\n
- Chris Middleton (knee) OUT<\/li>\n
- Jrue Holiday (disease) Doubtful<\/li>\n
- Cade Cunningham (shin) OUT<\/li>\n
- Devin Bussell (knee) OUT<\/li>\n
- Bradley Beal (Hamstring) OUT<\/li>\n
- Darius Garland (thumb) Doubtful<\/li>\n
- Paul George (hamstring) Doubtful<\/li>\n
- Kawhi Leonard (B2B) Doubtful<\/li>\n
- Karl-Anthony Towns (calf) OUT<\/li>\n
- Nas Reed (back) OUT<\/li>\n
- Devin Booker (groin) OUT<\/li>\n
- Clint Capela (Calf) Doubtful<\/li>\n
- Anthony Davis (legs) OUT<\/li>\n
- LeBron James (Ill) Doubtful<\/li>\n
- Donovan Mitchell (rested) OUT<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
core play<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nLeBron James (SF\/PF \u2013 LAL): $10,700 DraftKings, $11,200 FanDuel<\/strong>
The Lakers gave LeBron a rest day on Wednesday, and he earned it. Earning points. He also has 68 DK points and his 76 DK points in the last two games, taking over this offense in the absence of Anthony Davis. In his last two games with the Hawks, LeBron averaged 72 draft Kings points per game!<\/p>\nDamien Lillard (PG \u2013 POR): $9,700 DraftKings, $9,100 FanDuel<\/strong>
Lillard has been one of the most consistent players in the NBA this season, scoring at least 30 DraftKings points in all but one game. His use makes him very valuable, guaranteed 35 minutes, 20 shots, 30% utilization every night. His greatest asset here is this incredible matchup against Indiana, where the Pacers ranked 21st in points allowed and 23rd in defensive efficiency.<\/p>\nCJ McCollum (PG\/SG \u2013 NOP): $8,500 DraftKings, $8,400 FanDuel<\/strong>
We have McCallum here on Wednesday and we’re going back to the well for the same reason. With both Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram out, CJ will have to go all out for this Pelicans offense. In his last seven games, excluding those two, McCollum has averaged nearly 50 fantasy points per game. Just like Lillard, he’s supposed to be used in crazy ways.<\/p>\nCash game considerations<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nNikola Jokic (C \u2013 DEN): $11,800 DraftKings, $11,300 FanDuel<\/strong>
Jokic has scored at least 39 points with DraftKings in all but seven games since 2020. This was his three-year dominance, bolstered by an average of 61 points over the period. Joker has scored at least 58 fantasy his points in his last three matches with the Cavaliers, so it doesn’t matter who he faces.<\/p>\nGiannis Antetokounmpo (PF\/C \u2013 MIL): $12,000 DraftKings, $12,000 FanDuel<\/strong>
Antetokounmpo has scored at least 72 DK points in four straight games, averaging 43.3 points, 18.3 rebounds and 7.3 assists over that span. He should do it with both Drew Holliday and Chris Middleton bruised, and should have no trouble against No. 27 Charlotte’s defense. Over the last seven matchups, Giannis has averaged nearly 70 DK points per game.<\/p>\nKristaps Porzingis (PF\/C \u2013 WAS): $9,600 DraftKings, $9,300 FanDuel<\/strong>
Porzingis is averaging a career-high 43 DK points per game and has scored at least 35 fantasy points in 14 of his last 16 games. He was also averaging 48 points over that span, with a significant increase in shot attempts and use in Bradley Beal’s absence. Oklahoma City’s play has also been outstanding, with the Thunder ranking him 25th in points allowed.<\/p>\nGPP target<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nKillian Hayes (PG \u2013 DET): $5,500 DraftKings, $6,000 FanDuel<\/strong>
Since Cade Cunningham’s downfall, Hayes has taken over, averaging 29 DK points per game over the past 26 games. This included several benchings and ejections, with Killian scoring at least 33 DK points in his 13 of them. That should be easily reachable against San Antonio sitting last in both points allowed and defensive efficiency.<\/p>\nTobias Harris (SF\/PF \u2013 PHI): $4,300 DraftKings, $6,600 FanDuel<\/strong>
Harris has been sidelined this season with James Harden and Joel Embiid dominating touches, but this is a great place for him as Embiid was unable to play in this game. That means there are about 30 points, 12 rebounds and 20 shots left on the table, and Harris will be happy to take some of that. We’ve already talked about someone averaging 32 DK points per game in limited roles, but we really believe that’s his floor where Embiid sits.<\/p>\nJonas Valanciunas (C \u2013 NOP): $6,500 DraftKings, $6,700 FanDuel<\/strong>
Valanciunas was rough on this deep spin, but thinned out last week. Ingram, Zion and Larry Nance Jr. are all currently absent, leaving Valanciunas with a monster role. He has played at least 25 minutes in 21 games this season, averaging nearly 40 fantasy his points per game. That’s why he’s been an $8,000 player in the past, and New Orleans needs him to carry the offense that many key his players lack.<\/p>\nvalue play<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\nYusuf Nurkic (C \u2013 POR): $6,000 DraftKings, $6,900 FanDuel<\/strong>
Nurkic played just 14 minutes in the match when he fell ill earlier in the week, so his price tag was far too low. The big man had scored at least his 25 DraftKings points in his 19-game streak up to that point, averaging 36 points over the span. He has done that damage overnight he took less than half an hour, so he has to counter the Pacers. Indiana can give opposing centers his third-most fantasy points this season. Yusuf has amassed a total of 37 DK points in his single matchup earlier this year.<\/p>\nTre Jones (PG\/SG \u2013 SAS): $5,700 DraftKings, $6,100 FanDuel<\/strong>
Jones took over the starting point guard job at San Antonio and delivers value night after night. He has scored at least his 26 DraftKings points in 17 of his last 20 games, averaging 31 points over that span. That’s all you can ask for from such an affordable player, and he should reach it again against Detroit’s defense, which is 29th in both points allowed and defensive efficiency.<\/p>\nJalen Duren (PF\/C \u2013 DET): $4,900 DraftKings, $5,900 FanDuel<\/strong>
Duren looks like one of the best rookies in the NBA. Detroit sent him into the starting lineup with Marvin Bagley relegated, and since taking over as the starter, Duren has averaged 28 DK points per game. He does that damage with elite rebounding, but you have to assume that this 19-year-old of his has just scratched the surface of what he could be. The Spurs surrender the second-most fantasy points to the opposing power his forward. This should make Friday night’s matchup even more favorable for Duren.<\/p>\nGreat pricing<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n- Jalen Duren (PF\/C \u2013 DET): $4,900 DraftKings, $5,900 FanDuel<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Jalen Smith (PF\/C \u2013 IND): $3,600 DraftKings, $5,400 FanDuel<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Ayo Dosunmu (PG\/SG \u2013 CHI): $4,200 DraftKings, $5,400 FanDuel<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Nic Claxton (C \u2013 BKN): $5,900 DraftKings, $7,000 FanDuel<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Ben Simmons (PG\/SF \u2013 BKN): $5,600 DraftKings, $6,600 FanDuel<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Fred VanVleet (PG \u2013 TOR): $7,400 DraftKings, $8,500 FanDuel<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Gary Trent Jr. (SG\/SF \u2013 TOR): $5,800 DraftKings, $7,100 FanDuel<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Jalen Williams (PG\/SG \u2013 OKC): $4,900 DraftKings, $5,900 FanDuel<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Jarrett Allen (C \u2013 CLE): $6,300 DraftKings, $7,400 FanDuel<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Rudy Gobert (C \u2013 MIN): $6,400 DraftKings, $7,400 FanDuel<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Ivica Zubac (C \u2013 LAC): $5,000 DraftKings, $6,400 FanDuel<\/strong><\/li>\n
- Landry Shamet (PG\/SG \u2013 PHX): $4,500 DraftKings, $5,500 FanDuel<\/strong><\/li>\n
- De’Andre Hunter (SF\/PF \u2013 ATL): $4,900 DraftKings, $5,900 FanDuel<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
***<\/p>\n
Joel Bartilotta is a feature writer for FantasyPros. Read more about Joel in his article record<\/strong> and follow him @Bartilottajoel<\/a><\/strong>.<\/em><\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
core play<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n LeBron James (SF\/PF \u2013 LAL): $10,700 DraftKings, $11,200 FanDuel<\/strong> Damien Lillard (PG \u2013 POR): $9,700 DraftKings, $9,100 FanDuel<\/strong> CJ McCollum (PG\/SG \u2013 NOP): $8,500 DraftKings, $8,400 FanDuel<\/strong> Cash game considerations<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Nikola Jokic (C \u2013 DEN): $11,800 DraftKings, $11,300 FanDuel<\/strong> Giannis Antetokounmpo (PF\/C \u2013 MIL): $12,000 DraftKings, $12,000 FanDuel<\/strong> Kristaps Porzingis (PF\/C \u2013 WAS): $9,600 DraftKings, $9,300 FanDuel<\/strong> GPP target<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Killian Hayes (PG \u2013 DET): $5,500 DraftKings, $6,000 FanDuel<\/strong> Tobias Harris (SF\/PF \u2013 PHI): $4,300 DraftKings, $6,600 FanDuel<\/strong> Jonas Valanciunas (C \u2013 NOP): $6,500 DraftKings, $6,700 FanDuel<\/strong> value play<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Yusuf Nurkic (C \u2013 POR): $6,000 DraftKings, $6,900 FanDuel<\/strong> Tre Jones (PG\/SG \u2013 SAS): $5,700 DraftKings, $6,100 FanDuel<\/strong> Jalen Duren (PF\/C \u2013 DET): $4,900 DraftKings, $5,900 FanDuel<\/strong> Great pricing<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n ***<\/p>\n Joel Bartilotta is a feature writer for FantasyPros. Read more about Joel in his article record<\/strong> and follow him @Bartilottajoel<\/a><\/strong>.<\/em><\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The Lakers gave LeBron a rest day on Wednesday, and he earned it. Earning points. He also has 68 DK points and his 76 DK points in the last two games, taking over this offense in the absence of Anthony Davis. In his last two games with the Hawks, LeBron averaged 72 draft Kings points per game!<\/p>\n
Lillard has been one of the most consistent players in the NBA this season, scoring at least 30 DraftKings points in all but one game. His use makes him very valuable, guaranteed 35 minutes, 20 shots, 30% utilization every night. His greatest asset here is this incredible matchup against Indiana, where the Pacers ranked 21st in points allowed and 23rd in defensive efficiency.<\/p>\n
We have McCallum here on Wednesday and we’re going back to the well for the same reason. With both Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram out, CJ will have to go all out for this Pelicans offense. In his last seven games, excluding those two, McCollum has averaged nearly 50 fantasy points per game. Just like Lillard, he’s supposed to be used in crazy ways.<\/p>\n
Jokic has scored at least 39 points with DraftKings in all but seven games since 2020. This was his three-year dominance, bolstered by an average of 61 points over the period. Joker has scored at least 58 fantasy his points in his last three matches with the Cavaliers, so it doesn’t matter who he faces.<\/p>\n
Antetokounmpo has scored at least 72 DK points in four straight games, averaging 43.3 points, 18.3 rebounds and 7.3 assists over that span. He should do it with both Drew Holliday and Chris Middleton bruised, and should have no trouble against No. 27 Charlotte’s defense. Over the last seven matchups, Giannis has averaged nearly 70 DK points per game.<\/p>\n
Porzingis is averaging a career-high 43 DK points per game and has scored at least 35 fantasy points in 14 of his last 16 games. He was also averaging 48 points over that span, with a significant increase in shot attempts and use in Bradley Beal’s absence. Oklahoma City’s play has also been outstanding, with the Thunder ranking him 25th in points allowed.<\/p>\n
Since Cade Cunningham’s downfall, Hayes has taken over, averaging 29 DK points per game over the past 26 games. This included several benchings and ejections, with Killian scoring at least 33 DK points in his 13 of them. That should be easily reachable against San Antonio sitting last in both points allowed and defensive efficiency.<\/p>\n
Harris has been sidelined this season with James Harden and Joel Embiid dominating touches, but this is a great place for him as Embiid was unable to play in this game. That means there are about 30 points, 12 rebounds and 20 shots left on the table, and Harris will be happy to take some of that. We’ve already talked about someone averaging 32 DK points per game in limited roles, but we really believe that’s his floor where Embiid sits.<\/p>\n
Valanciunas was rough on this deep spin, but thinned out last week. Ingram, Zion and Larry Nance Jr. are all currently absent, leaving Valanciunas with a monster role. He has played at least 25 minutes in 21 games this season, averaging nearly 40 fantasy his points per game. That’s why he’s been an $8,000 player in the past, and New Orleans needs him to carry the offense that many key his players lack.<\/p>\n
Nurkic played just 14 minutes in the match when he fell ill earlier in the week, so his price tag was far too low. The big man had scored at least his 25 DraftKings points in his 19-game streak up to that point, averaging 36 points over the span. He has done that damage overnight he took less than half an hour, so he has to counter the Pacers. Indiana can give opposing centers his third-most fantasy points this season. Yusuf has amassed a total of 37 DK points in his single matchup earlier this year.<\/p>\n
Jones took over the starting point guard job at San Antonio and delivers value night after night. He has scored at least his 26 DraftKings points in 17 of his last 20 games, averaging 31 points over that span. That’s all you can ask for from such an affordable player, and he should reach it again against Detroit’s defense, which is 29th in both points allowed and defensive efficiency.<\/p>\n
Duren looks like one of the best rookies in the NBA. Detroit sent him into the starting lineup with Marvin Bagley relegated, and since taking over as the starter, Duren has averaged 28 DK points per game. He does that damage with elite rebounding, but you have to assume that this 19-year-old of his has just scratched the surface of what he could be. The Spurs surrender the second-most fantasy points to the opposing power his forward. This should make Friday night’s matchup even more favorable for Duren.<\/p>\n\n