This article is part of our FantasyDraft NBA series.
It's another big Friday as the NBA heads into the home stretch, and as will be the case virtually every night going forward, there are plenty of playoff implications across the board. Injuries are a big story as well, as the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green are all confirmed out, while Devin Booker and T.J. Warren could well be headed for absences again, as well.
There's value to be had across the board as a result, so let's not hesitate to jump right in to breaking down another intriguing slate:
GUARDS
Khris Middleton, MIL at CHI ($14,900): Naturally, Stephen Curry ($18,800) will make for an excellent choice as well if he returns as expected Friday, especially with three other star teammates already ruled out. However, for those that want to exploit another injury situation at lesser cost, it's worth noting that Middleton sports a 31.1 percent usage rate and averages 1.14 fantasy points per minute with Giannis Antetokounmpo (ankle) off the floor this season, and the latter is already ruled out for Friday's contest. In the last two games that Antetokounmpo missed – Jan. 20 and 22 – Middleton generated a 23-point, 14-rebound, 10-assist triple-double in the first contest and detonated for 35 points in the second. The Bulls present as particularly appealing targets for a repeat performance, considering he's already averaging a solid 21.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.7 steals across 37.7 minutes in three games against them, and Chicago also comes in allowing the fourth-most fantasy points (36.6) on the season to small forwards, including 43.6 over the last 10 games. Moreover, the Bulls should bring a nice bump in pace for the more deliberate Bucks, as they're currently generating the eighth-most possessions per game (102.0) on the season.
Josh Jackson, PHO at CLE ($12,700): Jackson is likely primed for another start at small forward in place of T.J. Warren (knee), who's listed as doubtful for the contest. He subbed for Warren on Wednesday against the Pistons, posting 33.75 fantasy points over 37 minutes. He'd scored 29.25 to 54.50 fantasy points in the three prior contests as well while coming off the bench and has drained 47.1 percent of his robust 17.0 shot attempts per game during that stretch. Moreover, Cleveland has facilitated plenty of offense to nearly every team they've encountered lately, and they check allowing the third-highest offensive efficiency rating (22.5) to small forwards on the campaign.
Nick Young, GS vs. ATL ($9,000): Troy Daniels ($7,900) will also be a very viable option at this level if Devin Booker (hand) is unable to suit up Friday, while the Hawks' Damion Lee ($6,500) is worthy of consideration on the other side of this matchup if you need the extra savings he'd provide. Meanwhile, Young is slated for another start in place of Klay Thompson (thumb), who's already been ruled out of the contest. He'll face a Hawks squad that's allowed the third-most fantasy points (43.6) to shooting guards, including the third most (61.7) over the last five. Atlanta also comes in allowing the seventh-highest percentage of scoring from three-pointers (31.6) overall, which could work in the aggressive Young's favor. While Stephen Curry's likely return will eat some into his opportunity, the Warriors will also remain without Kevin Durant (ribs) and Draymond Green (pelvis) on Friday, which should still afford Young a solid level of usage.
FORWARDS/CENTERS
Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN at NY ($18,500): Towns lit up the Knicks for 23 points, 15 rebounds, nine assists and one block across 40 minutes in his one prior meeting with them, and he's scored 48.00 to 62.50 fantasy points in four of the last five games as the Timberwolves continue to fight to remain in the Western Conference playoff picture. He should be in for another heavy workload the likes of what he's logged lately (35-40 minutes in six straight) on Friday against a Knicks team that's allowed the fifth-most fantasy points (47.2) over the last 10 games to centers, and the second-highest shooting percentage (64.0) to the position during that stretch as well. Towns is now average 1.28 fantasy points per minute without Jimmy Butler (knee) on the floor this season, a pace that, if it persists, would leave him with a handsome return Friday despite his elevated price tag.
Kevin Love, CLE vs. PHO ($14,200): Love has jumped right back into the swing of things following his extended absence due to a hand injury, as he's scored 37.75 and 49.00 fantasy points, respectively, in his first two games versus the Bucks and Raptors. The competition is exponentially softer Friday, as the Suns come in allowing the third-most fantasy points (41.4) to power forwards on the season -- including the third most (63.5) over the last five – and are ranked dead-last in offensive efficiency rating (28.9) surrendered to fours as well. They're also notably allowing the third-most made threes (3.2) to the position over the aforementioned five-game span, a particularly relevant stat when considering an elite floor spacer like Love, who's drained 53.3 percent of his 7.5 three-point attempts over his first two games back.
Jabari Parker, MIL at CHI ($10,300): It's worth noting that Noah Vonleh ($9,000) is also an appealing option in this same game for those that need more savings. Meanwhile, Antetokounmpo's absence Friday likely opens up a starting opportunity – or extended minutes at a minimum – for Parker, who's scored 22.25 to 36.50 fantasy points in five of the last six contests. The high end of that range came over 30 minutes against the Clippers on Wednesday, the game in which Antetokounmpo suffered his injury. Parker could well see a similar workload Friday, afford him ample opportunity to exploit a Bulls team that's allowed 50.8 fantasy points to power forwards over the last five -- a sharp increase over their 39.3 season figure – and the second-highest offensive efficiency rating (27.7) to the position on the season as well.
UTILITY
Dennis Schroder, ATL at GS ($12,800): Schroder should be refreshed after receiving the night off for rest Thursday against the Kings, and his dynamic presence figures to be counted on in what should be a significantly fast-paced matchup against the Warriors. Golden State will still be short-handed -- which actually helps lessen the chances of a blowout -- but should have Stephen Curry (ankle) back in the lineup, which will help keep the tempo brisk. That complements Schroder's style and skill set well, and the fact that he's scored 29.75 to 58.25 fantasy points over his last four games certainly helps make his case as well. Furthermore, the Warriors have been vulnerable to point guards, especially lately, as they've allowed 53.5 fantasy points to the position over the last 10 games, a total partly comprised of the third-highest assists (11.2) surrendered to the position during that stretch.
Jonas Valanciunas, TOR vs. BKN ($12,300): Valanciunas just lit up the Nets for 48.00 fantasy points on the strength of a 26-point, 14-rebound double-double on March 13, and he's scored at least 30 fantasy points in seven of the last nine games overall. The big man is sporting a 25.7 percent usage rate and averaging a whopping 1.42 fantasy points per minute during that span, a level of offensive involvement he'd rarely shown at any prior point this season. The matchup couldn't line up better Friday, as the Nets allow the most fantasy points to centers on the season (41.4) -- including over the last 10 (58.3) and the last five (72.2) – and the highest offensive efficiency rating (33.9) to the position. They also yielding the seventh-most points in the paint (46.9) on the campaign (an area of the floor Valanciunas scores 66.6 percent of his points in) and have the second-worst team shooting percentage (43.8), with the latter figure likely to afford Valanciunas plenty of extra rebounding opportunities.
