Even in a full slate of NBA games, there is a decent amount of scarcity. Center is pretty weak, especially when you get into the cheaper options, and the same is true, to a lesser extent, at power forward. I would fill those positions first because there are so many cheaper guards and wing players available. Be sure to keep an eye on the questionable players, especially with the Lakers and Heat.
Point Guard
Emmanuel Mudiay has been terrible the last two games, but in the three before that, he averaged 20.7 points, 6.3 rebounds and 7.7 assists. If Mudiay bounces back to anything close to how he played last week, he will be a nice value, though I like him slightly better in GPP lineups.
I didn’t really set out to do it, but it looks like I will have a lot of bounce back candidates in my DFS lineups Friday. Jrue Holiday was never going to score 15+ points per game forever, but he will probably do it again Friday. Holiday had 21 points and seven assists against Portland in his first game of the season last week, which is unsurprising considering the Trail Blazers have allowed the most points per game in the NBA this season. Look for more of the same from Holiday Friday.
Tyler Johnson’s price has gone back down just in time for him to possibly re-enter the starting lineup.
Deron Williams is a game-time decision, and it might actually be better for Kyrie Irving if Williams is back, not that Seth Curry or Jonathan Gibson can do much to slow Irving Down. The Mavs have been terrible defending the three-point line this season, and Irving is averaging 2.5 made threes per game.
The conventional wisdom is Russell Westbrook cannot play this way all season, but we have seen no signs of that yet. Westbrook is averaging 32.8 points, 10.6 rebounds and 11.0 assists over the last two weeks.
| PLAYER | TM | H/A | OPP | GP | MPG | FT% | 3PTM | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | FG% | USAGE | FDPTS/G | DKPTS/G | ACEPTS/G | YPTS/G | $FD | $DK | $FA |
| Emmanuel Mudiay | DEN | H | OKC | 15 | 31.4 | 82% | 1 | 14.3 | 4.7 | 3.9 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 3.6 | 35% | 13.67% | 25 | 27.6 | 25.3 | 25.5 | $6,100 | $5,600 | $5,000 |
| Jrue Holiday | NOP | A | POR | 4 | 25.5 | 64% | 1 | 16.3 | 2.3 | 7 | 1.3 | 0.8 | 2.3 | 48% | 17.67% | 31.2 | 33 | 31.3 | 31.7 | $7,900 | $6,700 | $5,600 |
| Tyler Johnson | MIA | A | MEM | 14 | 29.5 | 75% | 1.1 | 11.7 | 4.8 | 3.1 | 1 | 0.5 | 1.2 | 42% | 10.07% | 24 | 25.3 | 24.2 | 24.5 | $4,500 | $4,600 | $4,350 |
| Kyrie Irving | CLE | H | DAL | 13 | 33.8 | 81% | 2.5 | 23.7 | 3.2 | 5.1 | 0.8 | 0.2 | 2.3 | 47% | 16.76% | 34.9 | 37.5 | 35 | 36.1 | $7,600 | $7,600 | $5,900 |
| Jeff Teague | IND | H | BKN | 16 | 32.4 | 86% | 0.9 | 15.4 | 3.7 | 6.5 | 2.1 | 0.7 | 2.8 | 41% | 13.09% | 32.3 | 34.3 | 32.5 | 32.8 | $6,900 | $6,900 | $5,400 |
| Russell Westbrook | OKC | A | DEN | 16 | 34.9 | 81% | 1.9 | 31.8 | 9.6 | 10.5 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 5.3 | 44% | 24.05% | 57.1 | 61.2 | 57.6 | 58.1 | $11,800 | $12,000 | $8,450 |
Shooting Guard
I will probably play Dwyane Wade every time he gets two or more days of rest, especially in cash lineups. Wade is averaging 20.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.0 blocks and 1.5 steals on two days rest this season.
Nick Young is questionable Friday, and if he cannot play, his minutes would likely be split by Jordan Clarkson and Lou Williams. Both guys are worth playing anyway with D’Angelo Russell out, but they would be virtually guaranteed to heavy minutes and usage if Young is out as well.
Another injury situation to monitor Friday is in Miami. With Justise Winslow ruled out and Goran Dragic and Dion Waiters questionable, Tyler Johnson, Josh Richardson and Rodney McGruder could be the only healthy backcourt players left standing. Johnson is the safest of the three, while Richardson has the highest upside and McGruder is the cheapest. In a GPP I would try to pay for Johnson over McGruder if I can afford it.
What is there to say about James Harden? There are a lot of cheap guards and wings available Friday, which should make it easier to chase another potential triple-double.
Will Barton is shooting 21 percent from the field in three games since returning from an ankle injury, and that almost certainly will not continue. Barton could see heavier minutes with Juancho Hernangomez out and Danilo Gallinari questionable.
| PLAYER | TM | H/A | OPP | GP | MPG | FT% | 3PTM | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | FG% | USAGE | FDPTS/G | DKPTS/G | ACEPTS/G | YPTS/G | $FD | $DK | $FA |
| Dwyane Wade | CHI | A | PHI | 14 | 30.6 | 88% | 1.4 | 18.4 | 4.2 | 2.9 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 1.9 | 43% | 14.53% | 30.2 | 32.1 | 30.4 | 30.9 | $6,700 | $6,600 | $5,350 |
| J.R. Smith | CLE | H | DAL | 10 | 30.8 | 100% | 2.9 | 10.1 | 2.3 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 37% | 5.75% | 18.5 | 20.3 | 18.6 | 20 | $4,300 | $4,000 | $4,200 |
| James Harden | HOU | A | SAC | 15 | 37 | 83% | 3 | 28.7 | 7.7 | 12.5 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 5.8 | 46% | 22.28% | 53.9 | 58.7 | 54.3 | 55.4 | $11,700 | $11,700 | $8,300 |
| Will Barton | DEN | H | OKC | 6 | 28 | 81% | 1.2 | 12 | 4.3 | 1.8 | 0 | 0.3 | 1 | 37% | 9.73% | 19.6 | 20.9 | 19.8 | 20.2 | $5,100 | $4,700 | $4,600 |
| Lou Williams | LAL | H | GSW | 16 | 23.3 | 82% | 2 | 16.6 | 1.9 | 3.4 | 1.4 | 0.1 | 1.9 | 47% | 16.59% | 25.1 | 27.2 | 25.2 | 26.1 | $5,100 | $5,600 | $4,500 |
| Jordan Clarkson | LAL | H | GSW | 16 | 26.8 | 82% | 1.1 | 14.9 | 2.7 | 2.3 | 1.7 | 0.2 | 2.1 | 47% | 14.10% | 23.2 | 24.9 | 23.3 | 23.7 | $4,900 | $5,400 | $4,500 |
Small Forward
I am a bit concerned Jimmy Butler is due to come back down to earth after scoring at least 20 points in nine consecutive games. That being said, the 76ers are not scary, and not playing since Tuesday should help. Andrew Wiggins, on the other hand, already had his rough patch, failing to reach 15 points in three consecutive games after scoring at least 22 in each of the six before that. Wiggins is sure to bounce back eventually, and it will likely happen Friday against a Phoenix team that is allowing 112.6 points per game this season.
If Danilo Gallinari is out, the greatest beneficiary will likely be Wilson Chandler. Chandler will likely be back over the 30-minute mark anyway, but he could play close to 40 minutes if Gallo joins with Juancho Hernangomez on the bench.
Brandon Ingram played a career-high 34 points Wednesday, thanks to Julius Randle’s injury and a lopsided score. Ingram is a bit risky even if Randle sits again, but his price is so low it makes the risk more palatable. Luol Deng may be the slightly safer play, especially if the Lakers can keep this game close, but of course, he costs more than Ingram.
James Johnson will probably never be safe for fantasy, but he could see a ton of minutes if Willie Reed and Dion Waiters are out. He probably has a higher ceiling than Ingram and Deng, but he doesn’t cost much more than them.
| PLAYER | TM | H/A | OPP | GP | MPG | FT% | 3PTM | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | FG% | USAGE | FDPTS/G | DKPTS/G | ACEPTS/G | YPTS/G | $FD | $DK | $FA |
| Jimmy Butler | CHI | A | PHI | 15 | 35.5 | 89% | 1.5 | 25.8 | 6.8 | 4.1 | 1.6 | 0.1 | 2.1 | 48% | 16.99% | 41.6 | 43.7 | 41.9 | 42.3 | $8,800 | $9,300 | $6,500 |
| Andrew Wiggins | MIN | A | PHX | 14 | 35.9 | 75% | 1.6 | 23.9 | 4.1 | 2.1 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 2.8 | 44% | 17.92% | 31.1 | 33.6 | 31.3 | 32 | $6,500 | $7,100 | $5,700 |
| Wilson Chandler | DEN | H | OKC | 13 | 29.7 | 74% | 1.2 | 16.7 | 7.5 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 1.5 | 46% | 13.31% | 28 | 29.7 | 28.3 | 28.5 | $5,900 | $5,700 | $4,700 |
| Brandon Ingram | LAL | H | GSW | 16 | 23.2 | 76% | 0.6 | 7.6 | 3.1 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 1.3 | 41% | 8.76% | 14.2 | 15.3 | 14.3 | 14.5 | $3,500 | $3,500 | $3,500 |
| Luol Deng | LAL | H | GSW | 16 | 24.4 | 78% | 0.8 | 6.8 | 5.5 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.7 | 34% | 6.36% | 16.3 | 17.3 | 16.6 | 16.7 | $3,900 | $3,800 | $3,800 |
| James Johnson | MIA | A | MEM | 14 | 23.5 | 79% | 1.1 | 9.6 | 4.5 | 1.7 | 0.7 | 1 | 1.6 | 49% | 11.21% | 19.3 | 20.9 | 19.6 | 19.9 | $3,900 | $4,500 | $3,700 |
Power Forward
The Mavericks have allowed the highest opponents’ three-point percentage in the league, and Kevin Love should be able to take advantage. Dallas doesn’t really have anybody to match up with Love, and Love could see increased minutes with Channing Frye out.
Anthony Davis has at least 38 points in three of the Pelicans’ four games since Jrue Holiday returned. Davis is a terrible matchup for Portland’s big men, and he may be the safest superstar of the night outside of James Harden. If you cannot afford Davis, Terrence Jones is worth a look. He is averaging 14.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.8 blocks since Jrue Holiday returned.
Thaddeus Young had 19 points and seven rebounds against his former team back in October, and there is little reason to believe it will be different this time around.
| PLAYER | TM | H/A | OPP | GP | MPG | FT% | 3PTM | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | FG% | USAGE | FDPTS/G | DKPTS/G | ACEPTS/G | YPTS/G | $FD | $DK | $FA |
| Anthony Davis | NOP | A | POR | 15 | 36.7 | 82% | 0.6 | 31.3 | 10.7 | 2.1 | 1.7 | 2.8 | 2.5 | 51% | 21.75% | 53.8 | 55.9 | 54.3 | 54.1 | $11,600 | $10,700 | $8,000 |
| Kevin Love | CLE | H | DAL | 13 | 32.2 | 85% | 2 | 21.8 | 10.8 | 1.5 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 2.1 | 45% | 16.32% | 37.9 | 40.5 | 38.4 | 38.9 | $7,800 | $7,800 | $6,300 |
| Terrence Jones | NOP | A | POR | 15 | 24.5 | 67% | 0.4 | 11.1 | 5.7 | 1.4 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 1.1 | 48% | 12.04% | 23.7 | 24.7 | 24 | 23.9 | $5,100 | $5,800 | $4,650 |
| Thaddeus Young | IND | H | BKN | 16 | 30.9 | 46% | 0.9 | 12.2 | 6.3 | 1.6 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 1.1 | 54% | 9.65% | 24.6 | 26 | 24.9 | 25.1 | $5,600 | $5,800 | $4,600 |
| Trevor Booker | BKN | A | IND | 14 | 26.7 | 80% | 0.4 | 10.4 | 8.1 | 2 | 2 | 0.6 | 1.3 | 54% | 10.04% | 27 | 28.3 | 27.5 | 27.2 | $5,200 | $5,300 | $4,600 |
Center
Clint Capela has scored at least 12 points in five consecutive games and nine of his last 10. Only two teams have surrendered more fantasy points to opposing centers than the Kings this season, and Capela could be in for a big night if he can put up a double-double with a couple of blocks.
The Nets have allowed the second-most points and rebounds in the NBA this season, and Myles Turner is in an excellent position to rack up both. If Turner can get a double-double he will be well worth his price.
I mentioned before Phoenix surrenders a ton of points, and Karl-Anthony Towns is a safe bet to take advantage. The Pelicans held Towns to just nine points Wednesday, but it is hard to imagine Alex Len and Tyson Chandler offering much resistance.
If you are trying to go cheap at center, you are probably wasting your time, but I would be willing to take a shot on Joakim Noah. Noah was finally beginning to look like his old self before he had to miss two games due to illness. Noah has averaged 10.5 rebounds over the last two weeks, and he has an outside chance at a double-double.
| PLAYER | TM | H/A | OPP | GP | MPG | FT% | 3PTM | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | FG% | USAGE | FDPTS/G | DKPTS/G | ACEPTS/G | YPTS/G | $FD | $DK | $FA |
| Joakim Noah | NYK | H | CHA | 12 | 23.4 | 32% | 0 | 4.3 | 8.9 | 3.5 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 1.4 | 45% | 7.65% | 22.2 | 23.4 | 22.7 | 22.2 | $4,600 | $4,400 | $4,700 |
| Myles Turner | IND | H | BKN | 15 | 29 | 78% | 0.3 | 14.5 | 7.3 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 2.3 | 1.6 | 54% | 12.95% | 29.8 | 31.1 | 30.1 | 29.9 | $6,200 | $6,500 | $4,900 |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | MIN | A | PHX | 14 | 34.6 | 71% | 1.6 | 21.3 | 9.4 | 2.4 | 0.6 | 1.4 | 2.1 | 51% | 15.71% | 38.1 | 40.4 | 38.6 | 38.9 | $9,000 | $8,400 | $6,600 |
| Clint Capela | HOU | A | SAC | 15 | 25.6 | 41% | 0 | 11.5 | 8.6 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 2 | 1.3 | 63% | 12.95% | 26.7 | 27.8 | 27.2 | 26.7 | $5,800 | $6,000 | $4,750 |