DraftKings NBA: Friday Cheat Sheet

DraftKings NBA: Friday Cheat Sheet

This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.

Slate Overview

IND (-3.5) at DET, O/U: 

CLE at PHI (-7.5), O/U: 219.5 

ATL (-3) at WAS, O/U: 

MIL (-3.5) at CHI, O/U: 

ORL at TOR (-7), O/U:  

UTA (-3.5) at NOP, O/U: 

MIN (-8) at OKC, O/U: 

HOU at DEN (-13.5), O/U: 234

NYK at PHX (-6.5), O/U: 

Pacers-Pistons and Hawks-Wizards should be two competitive matchups, where lots of high-quality picks can be snagged for very reasonable salaries.

Both the Bucks-Bulls and Jazz-Pelicans are expected to be a back-and-forth battles and will rely heavily on their star players.

Cavs-Sixers and Rockets-Nuggets offer the potential to turn into blowouts, but the underdogs in both have also shown they can rise to the occasion and that could result in more value than expected. 

Injuries to Monitor 

IND - Chris Duarte (toe), Goga Bitadze (foot): Questionable
Myles Turner (foot): OUT

Isaiah Jackson continues to start in place of Turner. Lance Stephenson will get extra minutes if Duarte is out. Jalen Smith is up for more action if Bitadze can't go. 

DET - Marvin Bagley (ankle), Frank Jackson (back): Questionable 

Kelly Olynyk will receiving added opportunities if Bagley is sidelined. Killian Hayes and Hamidou Diallo have to step up if Jackson is out. 

CLE - Rajon Rondo (toe): Questionable
Caris LeVert (foot): OUT

Brandon Goodwin and Cedi Osman are in line for a boost. 

PHI - DeAndre Jordan (not injury related): Questionable

Jordan could make his debut for the Sixers. 

ATL - John Collins (foot): Questionable 

Danilo Gallinari will continue to start if Collins misses out. 

MIL - Pat Connaughton (finger), George Hill (neck): OUT

Grayson Allen and Wesley Matthews have to step up. 

CHI - Lonzo Ball (knee), Alex Caruso (wrist): OUT

Ayo Dosunmu and Coby White continue to run the backcourt.  

TOR - Fred VanVleet (knee), Thaddeus Young (illness): Questionable
OG Anunoby (finger): OUT

Malachi Flynn will keep starting if VanVleet can't go. Precious Achiuwa and Chris Boucher are up for more opportunity in the frontcourt. 

MIN - Jarred Vanderbilt (quadriceps): Questionable
Anthony Edwards (knee): OUT

Jaden McDaniels and Taurean Prince are in line for added playing time. 

OKC - Luguentz Dort (shoulder), Derrick Favors (back), Josh Giddey (hip), Ty Jerome (hip), Kenrich Williams (knee), Aaron Wiggins (ankle): Questionable 
Mike Muscala (ankle), Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (foot): OUT

Tre Mann, Aleksej Pokusevski, and Isaiah Roby continue to see more opportunity. 

HOU - Eric Gordon (groin), Dennis Schroder (ankle): Questionable

Garrison Mathews will get a boost if Gordon is out. Josh Christopher should pick up additional minutes if Schroder doesn't suit up. 

DEN - Zeke Nnaji (knee) - Questionable 

JaMychal Green will pick up extra minutes if Nnaji is out. 

NYK - Nerlens Noel (foot): Questionable
Quentin Grimes (knee), Derrick Rose (ankle): OUT

Immanuel Quickley continues to get more playing time. Obi Toppin will see more responsibility if Noel can't play. 

PHX - Chris Paul (thumb), Devin Booker (COVID-19): OUT

Cameron Payne and Landry Shamet are expected to start.

Elite Players

Guards

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($10,300)

Gilgeous-Alexander has been great since his return from a three-week absence averaging 33.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.0 blocks over the last four games while topping 60 DK twice over that span. He faces a favorable matchup against the Timberwolves' defense. 

James Harden ($11,500)

Harden Is averaging 27.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, 12.3 assists and 1.7 steals in three games with the 76ers, including one where he produced 80 DK. He boasts an advantage against the Cavs' backcourt. 

Forwards/Centers

Khris Middleton ($7,700)

Middleton continues to post consistent numbers for the Bucks averaging 19.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.0 steals over the last 10 games. He should see plenty of opportunities against the Bulls, who are giving up an average of 110.5 points per game while allowing opponents to shoot 46.6 percent from the field. 

Kyle Kuzma ($9,400)

Kuzma is averaging 20.9 points, 8.9 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.2 blocks over the last 15 games and has exceeded 42 DK points 10 times over that stretch. He should have the upper hand against the Hawks' D, especially since they're on the second night of back-to-back. 

Joel Embiid ($11,800)

Embiid is averaging 32.5 points, 12.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.3 steals over the last 10 games. He's gone over 60 DK  six times during that span, including one impressive performance of 83. 

Expected Chalk 

Giannis Antetokounmpo ($12,300)

Giannis has averaged 31.5 points, 12.4 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.0 steals over the last 10 games, with three efforts of at least 74 DK. He faces a favorable matchup against the Bulls, who are undersized in the frontcourt. 

Value Picks 

Raul Neto ($4,600)

Neto continues to start for the Wizards and has produced 12.9 points, 2.5 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.5 steals per game over the last eight with five over 25 DK. 

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope ($4,800)

Caldwell-Pope is averaging 14.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.2 steals across the last 10 games. 

Herbert Jones ($4,500)

Jones is averaging 9.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.6 steals from the last 10 games. He topped 19 DK points seven times over that stretch, including two over 30 DK. 

Jaden McDaniels ($4,200)

McDaniels is expected to start in place of Anthony Edwards. He's averaging 11.9 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists over the last 10 games, with one effort of 40.3 DK. 

Mitchell Robinson ($4,800)

Robinson has posted 7.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.3 blocks and 1.2 steals per game from the last 10 and two of those produced over 50 DK. 

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Dan Bruno plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: duelingdan.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dan Bruno
Dan has been writing all things NBA for RotoWire since 2014. He is an active fantasy sports player, with a love for DFS. Dan is a certified Coach with the Ontario Basketball Association and is a recreation professional in his home city.
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