This article is part of our FantasyAces NBA series.
Friday presents one of the best slates in weeks, with 10 games and only two with projected spreads of more than 10 points. Friday's slate contains good matchups, teams fighting for a playoff spot, and potential playoff previews. It will be a fun night in the NBA, so be sure to set your lineups on FantasyAces.
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RotoWire aims to help you win on FantasyAces, as we will break down a few value plays, some players who are currently trending up and others who are trending down for the given slate.
There is value to be had on FantasyAces, which will allow you to spend on top-tier players to round out your lineup.
Keep an eye on the inactives throughout the day to stay up to date with the latest changes in the NBA.
Without further ado, here is Friday's NBA breakdown for games on FantasyAces.
Value Plays
Ray McCallum, G, SAC, $3,900 – At $3,900, McCallum needs 23.4 fantasy points to reach value. Since becoming the starting point guard for the Kings, McCallum has played in three games without Rudy Gay (concussion). In those games, McCallum is averaging over 25 fantasy points per game. With Gay out again Friday, look for McCallum to be one of the top values at point guard.
Otto Porter, F, WAS, $3,700 – Paul Pierce (rest) is questionable for Friday's game against the Knicks. If Pierce sits, Porter is likely to start again for the Wizards. On Wednesday, Porter got the start and scored 26.25 fantasy points. In six games as a starter this season, Porter has averaged 19.6 fantasy points per game. His usage rate is 18.6 percent, which allows him to take close to 11 shots per game in 30 minutes as a starter this season.
Porter needs 22.2 fantasy points or more to reach value at his current price. With the Wizards facing the Knicks on Friday, Porter has an excellent matchup, as New York has given up over 36 fantasy points per game to opposing small forwards in the last five games.
Marvin Williams, C, CHA, $3,850 – Williams plays power forward for the Hornets, but he's eligible at center on FantasyAces. Starter Cody Zeller (shoulder) is questionable to play on Friday night. If Zeller sits, Williams would earn another spot start. In a dozen starts without Zeller active this season, Williams is averaging 23 fantasy points per game, which is matches the point total needed to reach value at his current salary.
In those 12 games, Williams averages 33.7 minutes per game which gives him a high floor and a high likelihood to reach value against the Pacers, who have given up over 39 fantasy points per game to opposing power forwards in the last 10 games.
Trending Up
Kemba Walker, G, CHA, $5,350 – Since returning as the feature guard for the Hornets, Walker has played 31 minutes or more in eight consecutive games. In those games, he is averaging 18.6 points, 6.3 assists, and 2.4 steals, which is good for 37 fantasy points per game.
At his price, Walker's expected value would be 32.1 fantasy points, which he has reached in seven of the past eight games. Walker's next four games are against the Pacers, Sixers, Heat and Raptors. Three of those four teams are in the bottom half of the league defending the point guard this season, and the lone team in the top half (Miami Heat) has allowed just under 40 fantasy points per game to opposing point guards in the last 10 days.
Be sure to take advantage of Walker's price before it rises on FantasyAces.
Brook Lopez, C, BKN, $5,350 – Since the All-Star break, Lopez has been a completely different player. Before the break, Lopez averaged 15 points and six rebounds. Since the break, he is averaging 19 points, nine rebounds and 35 fantasy points per game.
At his current price Lopez is expected to return 32.1 fantasy points, which he has exceeded in 14 of the last 22 games, including seven of his last eight games. That alone is a trend up, but check out what he has done in the more recent contests. In his last 15 games, he has averaged 21.3 points and 39 fantasy points per contest. Only 10 players have averaged more fantasy points per game over that stretch, but there are still 23 players priced higher than Lopez on FantasyAces. Be sure to take advantage of his low price, as it is sure to rise soon.
Trending Down
Jusuf Nurkic, C, DEN, $4,100 – With Kenneth Faried starting at center and Danilo Gallinari at power forward, Nurkic's minutes and production have taken a hit. In the last 10 games, Nurkic has played more than 19 minutes just three times. Eight other players on the Nuggets' roster have played more minutes than Nurkic in the last 10 games, meaning he's at the bottom of their current rotation. Stay away from him on FantasyAces, as his price seeks a return of 24.6 fantasy points, which he has reached just three times since the All Star break.
