We are in for a treat on Friday night on the NBA hardwood! The slate includes 10 games. It is jam-packed with superstars. There are a bunch of cheap value options that should crush their current salaries. Plus, we get a potential NBA Finals preview with the Warriors facing the Bucks in Milwaukee with a Vegas total hovering around 240 points. So, set your lineups and get your popcorn ready!
Note that some of the stats referenced in this article are my custom DvP calculations that combine both season and last five games data along with blending similar positions production allowed together.
One Stud
Giannis Antetokounmpo (SF/PF – MIL): $11,100 vs. GS
Despite a gaggle of high-priced studs to choose from on the Friday night slate it should be no surprise that my one stud comes from the Warriors/Bucks matchup which has a Vegas total about 20 points higher than any other game on the slate. Giannis has been in beast mode recently with finishing with at least 67 DraftKings points in four of his last seven games. He put up 48.3 DK points in a mere 26 minutes when the Bucks trounced the Warriors at Golden St. earlier this season. Look for a closer outcome this time around which should give him a full complement of minutes and fantasy production.
Core Plays
Blake Griffin (PF/C – DET): $9,400 vs. PHI
Griffin and the Pistons have faced the Sixers twice already this season and he has destroyed them in both games. In those two matchups, Griffin is averaging 44.0 points, 13.5 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game. While it might be difficult to reach those lofty number again, he obviously as the ability to exploit the matchup with the Sixers lacking a PF to stick with him.
We are in for a treat on Friday night on the NBA hardwood! The slate includes 10 games. It is jam-packed with superstars. There are a bunch of cheap value options that should crush their current salaries. Plus, we get a potential NBA Finals preview with the Warriors facing the Bucks in Milwaukee with a Vegas total hovering around 240 points. So, set your lineups and get your popcorn ready!
Note that some of the stats referenced in this article are my custom DvP calculations that combine both season and last five games data along with blending similar positions production allowed together.
One Stud
Giannis Antetokounmpo (SF/PF – MIL): $11,100 vs. GS
Despite a gaggle of high-priced studs to choose from on the Friday night slate it should be no surprise that my one stud comes from the Warriors/Bucks matchup which has a Vegas total about 20 points higher than any other game on the slate. Giannis has been in beast mode recently with finishing with at least 67 DraftKings points in four of his last seven games. He put up 48.3 DK points in a mere 26 minutes when the Bucks trounced the Warriors at Golden St. earlier this season. Look for a closer outcome this time around which should give him a full complement of minutes and fantasy production.
Core Plays
Blake Griffin (PF/C – DET): $9,400 vs. PHI
Griffin and the Pistons have faced the Sixers twice already this season and he has destroyed them in both games. In those two matchups, Griffin is averaging 44.0 points, 13.5 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game. While it might be difficult to reach those lofty number again, he obviously as the ability to exploit the matchup with the Sixers lacking a PF to stick with him.
Jimmy Butler (SG/SF – PHI): $7,400 @ DET
Butler was a last-second add to my core plays list following the news the Joel Embiid will sit out to rest when the Sixers face the Pistons on Friday night. Butler is coming off a huge game against the Raptors where he put up 38 points and 10 rebounds. He should see a significant usage bump with Embiid out and gets a favorable matchup against the Pistons to pile up some extra rebounds (+7.7%), assists (+7.2%) and steals (+14.4%).
Klay Thompson (SG – GSW): $6,500 @ MIL
I had to mention at least one Warriors player on this slate. While I’m perfectly fine with rostering Stephen Curry or Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson is also a viable option that comes with a much more manageable salary. Thompson put up 24 points (38.8 DK points) in their first meeting against the Bucks, yet his salary is at its lowest point over the last 10 games. Meanwhile, the Bucks give up a slight increase in points, rebounds and assist to opposing SGs.
Malcolm Brogdon (PG/SG – MIL): $5,800 vs. GS
Keep an eye on the status of Khris Middleton leading up to tipoff in Milwaukee on Friday night. Middleton was benched late in the game during Saturday’s loss to the Knicks and didn’t play on Wednesday due to personal reasons. If Middleton misses Friday’s game than Malcolm Brogdon could see huge minutes and some extra shots. Brogdon has put up at least 32 DK points in five of his last six games. If Middleton does play, then I would consider using him at just $6,700 in a potential bounce-back spot.
Value Plays
JaMychal Green (SF/PF – MEM): $4,500 @ NO
After missing about a month, JaMychal Green is starting to ramp back up into form for the Grizzlies. He has played at least 25 minutes in each of the last four games and during his last two outings, he is averaging 16.5 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.0 steals per game. The Grizzlies are in a pace up spot against the Pelicans who have allowed a small increase in points and assists to opposing PFs this season.
Bam Adebayo (PF/C – MIA): $4,200 @ PHO
With Hassan Whiteside ruled out for Friday matchup against the Suns, both Bam Adebayo and Kelly Olynyk ($4,000) are strong value options to consider. Both players should see their minutes rise to the upper 20s in a very favorable matchup against the Suns. The Suns have allowed an increase in points (+8.6%) and rebounds (+11.4%) to opposing big men. Adebayo played 29 minutes in the one game Whiteside missed earlier this season and put up 30.5 DK points with 11 points, eight rebounds and three steals.
De’Anthony Melton (PG/SG – PHO): $4,200 vs. MIA
Speaking of the Suns, they are an absolute mess right now with both Devin Booker and T.J. Warren out. One of the bright spots the last two games has been the play of De’Anthony Melton. Melton has played 26 and 23 minutes respectively in the last two games and has averaged 14.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists. He should continue to see around 25 minutes on Friday night against the Heat with Booker and Warren likely to miss another game.
Josh Hart (PG/SG – LAL): $3,600 @ SA
Brandon Ingram won’t’ play on Friday when the Lakers visit San Antonio which should open up a starting slot and increased minutes for Josh Hart. In four games that Ingram missed early in the season, Hart started three of them and averaged over 33 minutes per game while putting up 14.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game. He is very cheap at just $,3,600 and faces a Spurs team that has allowed increase scoring (+9.6%) and assists (+14.5%) to opposing SGs this year.
Brad Richter is a correspondent at FantasyPros and a contributor at DailyOverlay and GoingFor2. For more from Brad, you can view his archive or follow him @RotoPilot.
