Check out our consensus game odds as well as the odds from each sportsbook at BettingPros
Core Plays
Giannis Antetokounmpo (PF/SF – MIL): $12,300 DraftKings, $11,400 FanDuel
There’s a strong possibility that Giannis goes nuclear against the Thunder on Friday, as they have given up the sixth-most FD points and the second-most DK points to opposing forwards this season. He’s fresh off a 47-point performance in Wednesday’s win over the Lakers and the only thing stopping him from blowing up is if this game turns into a blowout. Giannis is the perfect building block on Friday.
Jalen Brunson (PG/SG – DAL): $6,700 DraftKings, $6,500 Fanduel
We all know the drill by now — Luka Doncic sits out and Brunson turns into an elite fantasy option. Believe it or not, Brunson has actually had some standalone value this season even with the former in the lineup. Doncic is doubtful to suit up Friday, which should once again mean a hefty workload is coming Brunson’s way. In his last start without Doncic, he flirted with a triple-double in 36 minutes. A matchup against the Suns should help as well, as they have given up the third-most DK points to guards this season. Even though his ownership will likely be saturated, I’m still finding a way to plug him into my lineup(s).
Check out our consensus game odds as well as the odds from each sportsbook at BettingPros
Core Plays
Giannis Antetokounmpo (PF/SF – MIL): $12,300 DraftKings, $11,400 FanDuel
There’s a strong possibility that Giannis goes nuclear against the Thunder on Friday, as they have given up the sixth-most FD points and the second-most DK points to opposing forwards this season. He’s fresh off a 47-point performance in Wednesday’s win over the Lakers and the only thing stopping him from blowing up is if this game turns into a blowout. Giannis is the perfect building block on Friday.
Jalen Brunson (PG/SG – DAL): $6,700 DraftKings, $6,500 Fanduel
We all know the drill by now — Luka Doncic sits out and Brunson turns into an elite fantasy option. Believe it or not, Brunson has actually had some standalone value this season even with the former in the lineup. Doncic is doubtful to suit up Friday, which should once again mean a hefty workload is coming Brunson’s way. In his last start without Doncic, he flirted with a triple-double in 36 minutes. A matchup against the Suns should help as well, as they have given up the third-most DK points to guards this season. Even though his ownership will likely be saturated, I’m still finding a way to plug him into my lineup(s).
Malcolm Brogdon (PG – IND): $8,300 DraftKings, $8,600 FanDuel
Brogdon is set to square off against the Hornets after he posted 28 points, 11 assists, and 50+ fantasy points in their first matchup of the season. Charlotte plays fast and gives up the sixth-most DK points and third-most FD points to point guards, so Brogdon finds himself in a great spot to produce against them again.
Cash Game Considerations
Kristaps Porzingis (PF – DAL): $7,800 DraftKings, $9,000 FanDuel
The Unicorn has looked like his old self as of late, posting at least 40 DK points in each of his last four games. Remarkably, he’s priced only $7,800 on the site, which may make him the safest play on the slate, especially with Luka Doncic doubtful to suit up. Stacking Porzingis and the aforementioned Brunson sounds like a great idea in a pace-up game against the Suns.
Bobby Portis (PF/C – MIL): $6,700 DrafKings, $6,100 FanDuel
Portis has been one of the safest DFS plays since returning to the court this season. He’s scored no less than 22 fantasy points in each of his last nine games and should once again be given a big workload with Brook Lopez remaining out of the lineup with a lingering back issue. The Thunder surrender the second-most DK points and the sixth-most FD points to opposing big men this season and Portis fits the bill. As long as the game can remain relatively close, Portis is a safe option.
Al Horford (PF/C – BOS): $7,600 DraftKings, $7,000 FanDuel
This one obviously lies on the status of Robert Williams, who is questionable with a knee issue after sitting out Wednesday’s loss to the Hawks. If he sits again, Horford is an extremely safe option with a high ceiling. He’s averaging right around 35 fantasy points with Williams out of the lineup and that would be considered his floor against the Lakers’ porous defense.
Will Barton (SG/SF – DEN): $6,800 DraftKings, $6,400 FanDuel
Barton has looked good since returning from a back issue and the Nuggets will likely lean on the vet on the second half of a back-to-back set. He’s seen 34+ minutes in each of his last six games and that trend should continue against a talented Bulls’ roster. He has the looks of a high-floor safe option on Friday.
GPP Targets
Stephen Curry (PG – GSW): $11,500 DraftKings, $10,800 FanDuel
This one carries some risk to it because it’s a very real possibility the Warriors opt to rest Curry on the second night of a back-to-back set against the lowly Pistons. I mean, Curry was questionable to play on Thursday, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see him get the night off. However, if he plays, we could be looking at a 50-piece chicken McNugget from the MVP front-runner in this one. Would it really be surprising if Steph goes for 60 in this one? The possibility of him resting and this game ending in a blowout are the only reasons why he’s not mentioned above as a core play on Friday.
Gary Trent (SG/SF – TOR): $6,000 DraftKings, $7,000 FanDuel
Trent has seen 30+ minutes all but once this season and has scored at least 32 DK points in six of his last eight games. He gets a terrific matchup against the fast-paced Kings on Friday and it’s possible this game ends up with the highest score on the slate. Trent is in a rhythm and it makes sense to ride his hot shooting in DFS, especially when it’s likely the masses will look elsewhere.
Richaun Holmes (C/PF – SAC): $6,500 DraftKings, $7,300 FanDuel
Holmes is coming off an underwhelming performance in Wednesday’s loss to the Timberwolves but finds himself in a great bounce-back spot against the Raptors, who will be playing on the second night of a back-to-back. With OG Anunoby out and Precious Achieuwa unlikely to play, Holmes shouldn’t have a tough time racking up the fantasy points against rookie Scottie Barnes and Khem Birch.
Value Plays
LaMarcus Aldridge (C/PF – BKN): $4,900 DraftKings, $5,600 FanDuel
LMA has played great from a fantasy perspective over the last week and a half, which is why his nine minutes in Tuesday’s loss to the Warriors made absolutely no sense. In hindsight, it’s likely Steve Nash was managing the veteran’s minutes on the first set of back-to-back because Aldridge played a season-high 30 minutes the following night. With one day off, LMA is in a great spot against the Magic, who he dropped 21 points, eight rebounds, and 33+ fantasy points against earlier this month. He’s only $4,900 on DraftKings and is a great salary saver with a relatively safe floor.
Patty Mills (SG – BKN): $3,800 DraftKings, $4,400 FanDuel
Sticking with a Nets player here, Mills has played well this season and that’s been highlighted with Joe Harris missing time with a sprained ankle. He’ll be out again on Friday and Mills figures to see a hefty amount of playing time. He’s averaging 19.3 points and 5.6 threes in 32 minutes over his last three games.
Franz Wagner (SF/PF – ORL): $4,300 DraftKings, $5,100 FanDuel
Wagner has seen at least 30 minutes of playing time in 11-of-14 games this season and is averaging 17.5 points and 7 rebounds over his last two games. Don’t forget he came away with six steals and greater than 30 fantasy points against the Nets earlier this month. His low price tag makes him a value but his floor is safe.
Advantageous Pricing
- Kristaps Porzingis (PF – DAL): $7,800 DraftKings, $9,000 FanDuel
- Richaun Holmes (PF/C – SAC): $6,500 DraftKings, $7,300 FanDuel
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (SF/PF – MIL): $12,300 DraftKigns, $11,400 FanDuel
- James Harden (PG – BKN): $11,200 DraftKings, $9,900 FanDuel
- Jayson Tatum (SF/PF): $10,100 DraftKings, $9,300 FanDuel
Alex Burns is a featured writer for FantasyPros. Check out his archive and follow him on Twitter.