This article is part of our FantasyDraft NBA series.
The gang's all here for a typically robust 12-game Friday night NBA slate, as superstars the likes of James Harden, DeMarcus Cousins, Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook and LeBron James are all in action. There are some enticing individual matchups up and down the docket, giving us plenty to consider. Let's sort out some of the best options at each price level on a big night of DFS action:
GUARDS
James Harden, HOU at ATL ($20,600): Harden is in a premium spot against a Hawks defense that's allowed 49.0 fantasy points per game to point guards, along with 24.9 points, 9.8 assists and 5.9 rebounds. Harden has scored over 50 fantasy points in four of his last five games and is boasting a team-high 34.9 percent usage rate while running the point. Harden dominated this matchup last season as well, averaging 35.5 points (on 47.6 percent shooting, including 45.0 percent from three-point range), 9.5 assists, 8.5 rebounds and 3.5 steals across two games versus Atlanta.
Victor Oladipo, IND at PHI ($14,700): Bradley Beal ($13,700) is in a very good matchup as well at $1K cheaper if you need to save, but Oladipo takes on a Sixers defense that's allowed the second most fantasy points (61.1) to two-guards over the last five, along with 33.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 2.5 steals and 3.5 made three-pointers to the position on the season. Oladipo's usage is through the roof in his new Indiana digs, as his team-leading 30.3 percent figure attests. He's scored under 30 fantasy points just twice in eight games, leading to an impressive average of 1.25 fantasy points per minute.
Dennis Schroder, ATL vs. HOU ($12,600): Schroder has scored between 35.75 and 44.50 fantasy points in his six games this season, compiling a 28.4 percent usage rate that's easily the highest among Hawks starters. Meanwhile, the Rockets have been unsurprisingly vulnerable to point guards with James Harden manning the position, as they've surrendered the third most fantasy points (52.4) per game to ones, along with the fourth most points (26.1), third most steals (2.6) and second most made three-pointers (3.3).
FORWARDS/CENTERS
DeMarcus Cousins, NO at DAL ($20,200): Cousins should have no trouble dominating a matchup against a Mavericks team that's been among the most vulnerable to centers all season. Dallas has allowed the second most fantasy points (47.5) on the season and over the last five (52.0) to centers, along with the most points (19.9) on the campaign. Cousins' body of work in the early going includes three games over 60 fantasy points, one over 70 and one over 80. He came just one rebound short in his last contest of extending his season-opening streak of double-doubles to eight games, and with a 32.8 percent usage rate and 1.59 fantasy-points-per-minute average, he projects as safe a play as there is among the top tier at any position Friday.
Clint Capela, HOU at ATL ($13,000): There are a number of intriguing options with mid-tier prices at forward/center, and Capela checks in as one of the most appealing. The Hawks have allowed the most fantasy points (52.9) over the last five to centers, along with the most assists (4.4) and second most steals (1.6). Capela is averaging 34.86 fantasy points per contest and has seen his totals rise in each of the last three games, topping out at 40.25 against the Knicks on Wednesday night on the strength of a third consecutive double-double.
Julius Randle, LAL vs. BKN ($8,900): With Larry Nance, Jr. breaking his hand Thursday against the Trail Blazers, Randle becomes a significant value play versus a Nets team that's given up 43.6 fantasy points per game to power forwards. Randle should see a nice bump in minutes as the presumed starter Friday, giving him an opportunity to build on the impressive body of work he's already built this season off the bench. Despite averaging just 19.1 minutes in a reserve role over his first eight contests, he's already eclipsed 30.00 fantasy points twice and came with .75 of accomplishing the feat in a third game, while not logging more than 23 minutes in any of those outings. For those wishing to diversify, Randle's teammate Kyle Kuzma ($9,000) also stands to see extended opportunity due to Nance's injury.
UTILITY
D'Angelo Russell, BKN at LAL ($14,800): Russell makes his return to Los Angeles on Friday night and will undoubtedly be gunning for a stellar effort against the team that traded him away in the offseason. He'll often go head-to-head versus his replacement, Lonzo Ball, who's played a large part in the Lakers allowing the seventh most fantasy points (50.2) to point guards over the last five. Russell saw his minutes go back up to 28 in his last contest on Tuesday night, which helped lead to a season-high 47.00 fantasy points against the Suns. He's also been over 40 in three other contests this season and boasts a team-high 35.3 percent usage rate while averaging 1.28 fantasy points per minute.
Lauri Markkanen, CHI at ORL ($12,600): Markkanen continues to be underpriced, considering he's scored over 30 fantasy points in five straight contests. He's coming off a career-high 25 points on Wednesday versus the Heat, while the Magic have given up the fifth most fantasy points (56.1) to power forwards, along with the sixth most points (23.9). Markkanen has been heavily involved when on the floor, putting up 12.7 shot attempts per game (including 7.2 from three-point range), leading the Bulls in both scoring (17.2) and rebounds (9.3) and averaging just under a fantasy point per minute.
