This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
Friday's slate features 10 games, though only nine are in play for the main Fanduel contests. Below, I'll highlight nine fantasy options at various prices and positions taking into account recent performances, opponent, upside and so forth to help you construct a winning lineup, whether it be in cash games or tournaments.
Elfrid Payton, ORL vs. BOS ($6,200)
Payton, in nine appearances this season, is averaging almost exactly one fantasy point per minute (25.6 fantasy points, 25.7 minutes). He saw 34 minutes in his most recent game against the Timberwolves, dropping 42.3 fantasy points. His opponent Friday, the Celtics, are giving up the sixth-most fantasy points to point guards over the past 10 games. Despite his relatively low floor, Payton's 40-plus fantasy point upside is hard to pass up in what seems like an overall favorable situation.
Tim Hardaway Jr., NYK vs. ATL ($6,600)
The Hawks have given up the fifth-most fantasy points to shooting guards over the past 10 games. That puts Hardaway in a prime situation, especially considering his upside. He's accumulated 40 fantasy points on six occasions this season, which includes three 50-plus-fantasy-point outbursts. At the price, his ceiling is too high to ignore. Especially of note: The Hawks give up the most threes per game to shooting guards (4.7), and Hardaway jacks up 7.8 attempts from deep per game.
Kristaps Porzingis, NYK vs. ATL ($9,300)
Porzingis had come back down to Earth recently after averaging 40.1 fantasy points over the past six games, compared to his average of 50.2 over a seven game stretch earlier in the season. With that in mind, it's also important to note that he's eclipsed 43 fantasy points in each of his past two appearances and will be going up against a Hawks squad that gives up the third-most fantasy points (and ninth-most real points) to power forwards on the season.
John Collins, NYK vs. ATL ($5,700)
Collins is averaging over one fantasy point per minute (24.9 fantasy points, 23.1 minutes) and has garnered 36 and 37 minutes, respectively, over the past two games. The Knicks give up the 11th-fewest fantasy points to power forwards this season, putting them somewhat in the middle of the pack. That said, considering his recent workload and overall performance on the season, he remains a better shot than many other options at the position to reach value.
Russell Westbrook, DET vs. OKC ($10,600)
Westbrook has looked unstoppable over the past two contests (130.7 total fantasy points), finally seeming comfortable with the new-look Thunder. The Pistons are in the middle of the pack (16th) in fantasy points allowed to point guards, though that doesn't feel like enough to scare me off last season's MVP while he's hot. Even if he hovers around his season average of 47.8 fantasy points per game, there's a strong chance he'd still be worth the investment.
Paul George, DET vs. OKC ($8,700)
Despite the occasional dud this season, George is still posting an impressive 39.9 fantasy points per game and has reached 50-plus in four of the past six contests. The matchup is also favorable, as the Pistons hand out the fourth-most fantasy points to shooting guards. With as dominant as he's been lately, it's tough to lay off deploying George, especially at this price point.
Mario Chalmers, MEM vs. DEN ($6,100)
Chalmers continues to see increased run with Mike Conley (Achilles) sidelined and has produced well over the past three games, averaging 33.5 fantasy points. He also has the most favorable matchup possible, with the Nuggets allowing the most fantasy points to point guards on the season. Chalmers acquires many of his fantasy points from assists and steals, which the Nuggets also allow the most of for point guards.
Tyreke Evans, MEM vs. DEN ($7,300)
The Nuggets give up the fifth-fewest fantasy points to shooting guards, though Evans doesn't fit the mold of a typical shooting guard, as he's a primary ball handler for the Grizzlies. The Nuggets rank 11th in pace compared to the Grizzlies at 28th, so it seems safe to assume Evans will get more opportunities to handle the ball than usual. That should afford him plenty of ways to rack up stats, which he's proven very capable as of late, posting 20.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.1 steals over the past 11 games (36.0 fantasy points).
DeMarcus Cousins, NO vs. PHO ($11,400)
Cousins' incredible stat-stuffing has a good chance to continue Friday, as he'll be facing off against the fast-paced Suns, who give up the 10th most fantasy points to centers. That's relatively middle-of-the-pack, but with Cousins averaging 54.7 fantasy points per game, an "average" outing would still be highly valuable. With Phoenix giving up the second-most blocks per game to centers (2.2), Cousins has a chance to rack up big numbers on the defensive side of the ball. At three fantasy points a piece, blocks can be crucial to big performances.
