This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Team Analysis:
Defense to Avoid:
Toronto Raptors vs. Boston Celtics
Toronto ranks fifth in total defense and play even better at home. What scares me away from Boston is their rotation and the way they are playing. The only reliable fantasy option is Isaiah Thomas, and he has the unfortunate task of facing Kyle Lowry. Additionally, the Celtics have lost three straight games, while failing to crack 100 points twice in that span, playing the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets and Indiana Pacers. Those are some of the worst defenses in the league, so Boston surely has their hands full Friday.
Offense to Use:
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Portland Trail Blazers
Portland's defense has struggled all season, but it's been even worse recently, allowing at least 109 points in seven of their last eight games, including six allowing at least 116. New Orleans is finding some offensive rhythm as well, as they are averaging 111 points per game over their last six. Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday are especially good plays, as they have been asked to carry the offense in the absence of Tyreke Evans, Norris Cole and Eric Gordon. The total in this game is at 220, which projects both teams scoring 110 points thanks to a near even spread.
Teams on Back-to-Back Sets:
First Game: Cavaliers, Pistons, Rockets, Thunder and Warriors
Second Game: 76ers, Raptors, Suns and Trail Blazers
Daily Player Recommendations:
Point Guard:
Brandon Knight, PHX at LAL ($7,000): Knight has played three games since returning from injury and he's shown fantasy owners some promising things. Most notably, the 79 combined minutes he played over the last two games, which means he must be close to full health. What's also encouraging is that he is averaging over 33 fantasy points per game since his return, despite shooting under 35 percent from the field. The $7,000 price is relatively cheap too, as Knight is usually an $8,000 player when he's healthy. The best part about this play is the matchup, as the Lakers are allowing the second-most fantasy points per game to point guards this season and Knight has 55 points, 13 rebounds, 24 assists and four steals in his two previous meetings against the Lakers.
Other Options: Damian Lillard, POR at NOP ($9,200); Brandon Jennings, DET vs. SAC ($4,300)
Shooting Guard:
Andrew Wiggins, MIN at HOU ($6,300): Prior to his most recent game, Wiggins had surpassed 35 fantasy points in five straight. That trend looks to continue Friday, as not only does Houston play at an incredibly fast pace, they are allowing the most fantasy points per game to small forwards this season.
Other Options: James Harden, HOU vs. MIN ($10,400); Wesley Matthews, DAL vs. GSW ($4,000)
Small Forward:
Tobias Harris, DET vs. SAC ($6,300): Harris has scored at least 25 fantasy points in 14 of his last 15 games, with the only non 25-point performance coming in a blowout loss when he played only 23 minutes. The matchup Friday is very solid, as the Kings rank 26th in fantasy points allowed to small forwards and 30th in total defense.
Other Options: Mirza Teletovic, PHX at LAL ($4,600); P.J. Tucker, PHX at LAL ($4,400)
Power Forward:
Nerlens Noel, PHI vs. OKC ($6,700): Noel has been a different player since Jahlil Okafor went down with his injury. Noel's usage is way up with Okafor out of the lineup and he's simply an elite power forward option at this point of the season. The matchup is tough against the Thunder, but the value is still too good, as Noel should be well above $7,000 with his current form.
Other Options: Anthony Davis, NOP vs. POR ($10,000); Kevin Love, CLE at ORL ($7,100)
Center:
Bismack Biyombo, TOR vs. BOS ($4,600): Starting center Jonas Valanciunas got injured three games ago and it's made Biyombo a DFS stud. Over his last three outings, Biyombo is averaging 11.3 points, 14.7 rebounds and 3.3 blocks in 31 minutes per game. That's elite production and absurd value for a player below $5,000. Not to mention, the Celtics allow the eighth-most fantasy points to centers this season. With Valanciunas expected to sit out again, Biyombo is a must-use at the center position with his current production and cheap price.
Andre Drummond, DET vs. SAC ($8,100); Tyson Chandler, PHX at LAL ($4,800)
Injury Report:
Out:
Tiago Splitter – ATL (calf)
Jae Crowder – BOS (ankle)
Mo Williams – CLE (knee)
Andre Iguodala – GS (ankle)
Tyreke Evans – NOP (knee)
Quincy Pondexter – NOP (knee)
Eric Gordon – NOP (finger)
Nikola Vucevic – ORL (groin)
Joel Embiid – PHI (foor)
DeMarre Carroll – TOR (knee)
Alec Burks – UTA (leg)
Game-Time Decision:
Jodie Meeks – DET (foot)
Reggie Jackson – DET (breathing)
Festus Ezeli GS (knee)
Terrence Jones – HOU (unknown)
Kobe Bryant – LAL (20 years)
Nemanja Bjelica – MIN (foot)
Kevin Garnett - MIN (leg)
Nikola Pekovic – MIN (foot)
Norris Cole – NOP (back)
Jose Calderon – NYK (calf)
Dion Waiters – OKC (personal)
Elfrid Payton – ORL (elbow)
Ersan Ilyasova – ORL (groin)
Robert Covington – PHI (neck)
Jerami Grant – PHI (concussion)
Meyers Leonard – POR (shoulder)
Marco Belinelli – SAC (ankle)
Omri Casspi – SAC (ankle)
Rajon Rondo – SAC (toe)
Ben McLemore – SAC (finger)
Jonas Valanciunas – TOR (hand)
