This article is part of our FantasyDraft NBA series.
The NBA makes its usual Friday night splash with a robust, eight-game slate that nevertheless has a relative shortage of ultra-expensive options. That offers us an opportunity to build slightly more balanced lineups, and gives us plenty of options to consider in the sub-elite tier and down. Without further delay, let's scope out where the best values might be found:
GUARDS
Damian Lillard, POR vs. BKN ($17,300): Lillard will be in a prime spot to bounce back from a rare clunker Friday, as he draws a matchup versus a Nets defense allowing the fourth most fantasy points (54.6) to point guards over the last five, along with the second most steals (2.6) and third highest shooting percentage (44.0) to the position on the season. Before uncharacteristically posting a 26.75 fantasy-point dud against the Grizzlies on Tuesday, Lillard had scored between 46.00 and 64.75 fantasy points in the previous five games, eclipsing the 60-mark twice overall during that stretch.
Devin Booker, PHO vs. ORL ($14,400): Booker recently endured a tough two-game stretch against the Nets and Spurs, but he's scored between 32.00 and 50.50 fantasy points in seven other contests over his last nine. The young sharpshooter always carries substantial upside for tournaments, and he'll be in a good spot to deliver one of his better efforts Friday. The Magic are allowing the eighth-most fantasy points to shooting guards (53.3) over the last five, along with the fourth most rebounds (8.8) and fourth most steals (2.7) on the season. Booker continues to serve as the Suns' most consistent source of offense, boasting a team-high 29.0 percent usage rate and averaging 1.10 fantasy points per minute.
Elfrid Payton, ORL at PHO ($12,900): Payton thrived in his return from a hamstring injury against the Knicks on Wednesday, posting 43.50 fantasy points on the strength of an 11-point, 11-assist double-double. He encouragingly played 29 minutes in what was his first game since Oct. 20, so he shouldn't be on any type of notable playing time restriction Friday. He'll match up versus a Suns defense that's allowed the most fantasy points to point guards (56.3) on the season and second most over the last five (55.1), along with the most points (28.5), second most rebounds (8.0), fifth most made three-pointers (2.6) and third highest shooting percentage (44.0) to the position on the campaign.
FORWARDS/CENTERS
Andre Drummond, DET vs. ATL ($16,200): Drummond has been dominating the glass even more than usual in the early going of the season, as evidenced most recently by his 18.3 rebounds per game over the last three contests. His excellent work down low has already helped lead to eight double-doubles and fantasy-point tallies of between 40.50 and 53.75 in eight of 11 contests. He'll be in a favorable spot to generate more of the same Friday, considering the Hawks are tied with the Bulls for sixth most fantasy points allowed to centers on the season (42.8) and are also allowing the most assists (4.6) to fives.
Rudy Gobert, UTA vs. MIA ($13,900): Gobert has had a couple of down games in the season's first month, but he's generated enough big outings to still average an impressive 35.31 fantasy points per contest. One of those explosions came against the Sixers in his most recent game, as he posted 46.75 fantasy points against them on Tuesday on the strength of a 16-point, 15-rebound double-double. He's also been over the 40-mark on one another occasion and over 50 in another contest, so he carries more than enough upside for tournaments. The Heat are also ranked in the bottom half of the league in fantasy points allowed per game to centers (39.7) and Gobert averaged 11.0 rebounds versus Miami in two games last season, furthering the Stifle Tower's case.
Pau Gasol, SA vs. MIL ($11,400): Gasol has enjoyed a resurgence to kick off his second Spurs campaign, helping San Antonio endure the quadriceps injuries sidelining both Kawhi Leonard and Tony Parker so far. He's averaging 28.93 fantasy points per contest and has eclipsed the 30-mark in two of his last three games. The veteran big man has seen both his rebounds (8.1) and assists (3.6) bump up over last season's figures, and he's posted double-digit scoring in six of his last eight as well. Meanwhile, the Bucks have been vulnerable to fives all season, allowing the fourth most fantasy points (43.9), fifth most points (19.3), fourth most rebounds (13.8) and second highest shooting percentage (63.0) to the position.
UTILITY
Blake Griffin, LAC at OKC ($16,300): Griffin continues to be the driving force of the Clippers' offense (team-leading 27.3 percent usage rate), and he takes on an even greater degree of responsibility in the absence of Danilo Gallinari (hip). Griffin has scored no less than 35.75 fantasy points in nine of 10 games, and he's eclipsed the 40-mark in eight of those. The Thunder have had their share of struggles against versatile fours with Carmelo Anthony manning the power forward spot, allowing 41.3 fantasy points and 20.3 points per game to the position, along with a 49.0 percent success rate from the field.
C.J. McCollum, POR vs. BKN ($13,200): Like his backcourt mate Lillard, McCollum finds himself in an appealing matchup Friday, considering the Nets have allowed the fifth most fantasy points (55.4) per game to two-guards, along with bottom-10 figures in several other major categories, including points (29.8). McCollum is averaging 36.10 fantasy points per game, scoring between 31.00 and 47.50 in eight of 10 contests. Those numbers represent solid-to-excellent returns on his current price, putting him squarely in play in what should be an up-tempo affair.
