There is a solid nine-game NBA slate lined up for Friday night. The slate only has four healthy players priced in five figures and you can probably guess who leads the way with the Rockets on the slate. The biggest news on the slate is the depleted Jazz backcourt who will be without all three of their point guards. That should mean a big increase in minutes and usage for the healthy options which begs the question how many Jazz players are too many Jazz players when building your lineups. I have three listed on my recommendations list but there are others that could also be in play. Enjoy another fun NBA DFS slate to start off the weekend!

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.

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One Stud

James Harden (PG/SG – HOU): $12,500 vs. CLE
This has to be getting boring to read because it sure is becoming boring to write. Practically every time Harden is on the slate since Chris Paul went down with an injury, he is the headliner for virtually every recommendation list out there. That isn’t going to change on Friday’s slate with the Rockets drawing a very favorable matchup against the Cavaliers who have allowed increased production to SGs in points (+6.2%), rebounds (+5.7%) and assists (+7.7%). Sure, he might get his minutes cut a little bit if they get out to a big lead as Vegas suggests but how do you think they got that big lead to begin with?