DraftKings NBA Lineup Advice: Friday (1/18)

Friday night brings a modest seven-game slate of NBA action. However, there should be plenty of intrigue on the slate including the expected return to the court for DeMarcus Cousins making his Warriors debut. His salary is low, but his minutes will be restricted and how will he fit in with the star-studded starting lineup? Get my take on what to do with Boogie on Friday’s slate along with my one-stud, core plays, and value options for what should be an entertaining night of hoops.

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

Anthony Davis (PF/C – NO): $11,700 @ POR
Davis is the clear top option on Friday’s slate as only Kevin Durant ($10,100) and Stephen Curry ($10,000) join him with a salary in five figures. Davis has scored at least 30 points in five straight games and has put up at least 67 DraftKings points in four of those outings. He consistently puts up a double-double every night he takes the floor and has a good game environment on Friday against the Trail Blazers with a tight Vegas line and the second-highest Vegas total on the slate. Now the only question is if there are enough cheap value options available on the slate to fit him in a lineup. At the moment, I think the answer is no, but this is the NBA and things can change in a hurry as we approach tipoff.

Core Plays

Damian Lillard (PG – POR): $8,600 vs. NO
Lillard has been playing well recently. He has put up at least 41 DraftKings points in four straight games while averaging 28.5 points and 5.8 assists during that stretch. He’ll lead the Blazers into a great game environment against the Pelicans who have allowed increased production in points (+8.0%) and assists (+11.8%) to PGs this season. For his price, matchup and recent play, there is not a PG on the slate that I’d rather have.

Andre Drummond (C – DET): $8,400 vs. MIA
This spot is reserved for the Pistons big man of your choice between Andre Drummond and Blake Griffin ($8,700). Both are solid options in their home matchup against the Heat. However, the key word in that last sentence to me is “home.” Drummond has posted significantly better numbers at home this season, for some reason. At home, Drummond is averaging 18.1 points and 16.6 rebounds per game for 48.4 DraftKings points per game. Meanwhile, on the road, he has only put up 15.2 points and 13.6 rebounds for 39.4 DK points. Drummond also dominated the Heat in an earlier meeting this year with 25 points and 24 rebounds which just so happened to be at home.

DeMar DeRozan (SG/SF – SAS): $7,800 @ MIN
The game log watchers will likely not be rostering DeMar DeRozan on Friday night. He has been held under 20 points in five straight games and has been under 34 DraftKings points in four of those outings. However, the minutes are still there, and the shots could start to fly and find the bottom of the net more often in Friday’s matchup against the Timberwolves. The Wolves have allowed increased points (+5.0%) to SGs this season and the 7th highest field goal percentage to the position. He can also chip in with a few more rebounds and assists in a plus matchup for those categories as well.

Aaron Gordon (SF/PF – ORL): $6,400 vs. BKN
Gordon is a frustrating player to roster due to his inconsistency. However, he has posted at least 37 DraftKings points in three of his last four games while averaging 20.0 points and 9.5 rebounds per game during that stretch. He has a very attractive salary on Friday against the Nets who have allowed neutral production to PFs this season. While Nikola Vucevic ($9,400) has the better matchup for the Magic as the Nets struggle against centers, you can get Gordon for $3,000 less and benefit some from the Nets lack of rebounding prowess.

Value Plays

DeMarcus Cousins (PF/C – GSW): $5,500 @ LAC
My suspicion is that many fantasy analysts will recommend only using DeMarcus Cousins in GPPs for his first game back since there will be uncertainty on his role and involvement upon making his Warriors debut on Friday. I take the opposite stance and recommend to only use him in cash games due to his likely minutes limit. Either way, you can get Boogie on Friday at the lowest salary you will see the rest of the season for him. He’s capable of putting up a double-double even in limited minutes and I suspect that the Warriors will make a point to get him involved early and often. Oh, and it doesn’t hurt that he is facing a Clippers team that allowed huge production to centers including increased points (+17.2%), rebounds (+14.3%) and assists (+11.6%).

Joe Harris (SG/SF – BKN): $4,900 @ ORL
Finding value is a challenge on Friday’s slate with very few injuries to open up opportunities for cheaper options. So instead, we will need to just focus on getting reasonably priced options that provide a solid floor, like Joe Harris. Harris has put up at least 28 DraftKings points in three of his last four games while averaging 13.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 3.3 assists during that stretch. He gives you guard and forward position flexibility and gets a slight bump in points and rebounds based on his matchup against the Magic.

Kyle Korver (SG/SF – UTH): $4,300 vs. CLE
Pick your poison with the Jazz wing options on Friday’s slate. The trio of Kyle Korver, Jae Crowder ($4,300), and Royce O’Neale ($4,300) have all been getting additional playing time with the injuries to the Jazz backcourt. Crowder and O’Neale might offer a higher upside than Korver brings, but Korver has been the most consistent of the trio over the last three games. During that stretch, Korver has scored at least 16 points in each game while putting up at least 24 DraftKings points. Korver for cash games, and pivot to one of the other guys in GPPs.

Ante Zizic (C – CLE): $3,700 @ UTH
Ever since Larry Nance Jr. got injured, Ante Zizic has been seeing increased minutes for the Cavaliers, especially when facing a team with numerous quality big men. Over his last four games, Zizic has reached double-digit points three times and has exceeded 31 DraftKings points twice. He should see around 25 minutes on Friday night to help contend with Rudy Gobert and Derrick Favors down low which should help him flirt with a double-double while coming in with a cheap price tag.

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Brad Richter is a featured writer and correspondent at FantasyPros and a contributor at DailyOverlay. For more from Brad, you can view his archive or follow him @RotoPilot.