We'll head into the weekend with a massive 12-game NBA slate and some injury situations that have me taking some pretty heavy leans on a couple of teams. I'll combine the latest news, RotoWire's world-class projections, and our customizable DFS optimizer to deliver the best possible results for Friday's FanDuel contests.
SLATE OVERVIEW
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My exposure to the Knicks is high and I also gave extra looks to the Spurs. Though it went against my better judgment, I mentioned several Bucks in the injury report. Sometimes you just have to knock off some games with a slate this size, and CHA/TOR became one casualty. I also didn't send much love to Memphis, Portland or Indiana.
INJURIES
For all the latest updates, visit RotoWire's NBA Injury News page and our comprehensive NBA Injury Report. Below are some of the most recent and relevant injuries for Friday. Keep in mind that this is not a complete list. Use your best judgment when evaluating ongoing injury scenarios elsewhere on the slate.
LAL Luka Doncic (personal) - QUESTIONABLE
If Doncic doesn't make it back, his missing output will be absorbed by the remaining starters - but we need to give a nod to Austin Reaves ($9,000) as he continues to hit for big totals. His salary feels high, yet the numbers justify the cost.
BOS Jaylen Brown (illness) - QUESTIONABLE
We aced our assessment of Derrick White ($8,100) on Thursday, though his salary jumped after a massive performance. I'm more inclined to spend less with Jordan Walsh ($4,800) this time around if Brown is out.
MIA Tyler Herro (toe) - QUESTIONABLE
MIA Norman Powell (ankle) - QUESTIONABLE
I would wait until the starting five is announced before exploring a replacement.
ORL Paolo Banchero (groin) - QUESTIONABLE
Banchero was upgraded, but there's no confirmation that he'll play Friday. Tristan da Silva's numbers have sunk while spelling Banchero, so I have no budget pivot to name.
ATL Jalen Johnson (calf) - QUESTIONABLE
ATL Kristaps Porzingis (illness) - QUESTIONABLE
Porzingis's injury status has been lowered, but we can work with Onyeka Okongwu ($7,500) in the event of another absence. Johnson's production would be tough to replace, though Okongwu is still the only pivot I feel safe recommending.
CLE Darius Garland (toe) - OUT
CLE Jarrett Allen (finger) - OUT
CLE Sam Merrill (hand) - OUT
Dean Wade ($3,800) should get more playing time and Jaylon Tyson ($6,600) will receive another start.
UTA Jusuf Nurkic (ribs) - OUT
I expected a bit more out of Kyle Filipowski ($4,800) as a filler for Nurkic, but he's still the most reasonable add during this injury scenario.
CHA Brandon Miller (shoulder) - QUESTIONABLE
CHA Ryan Kalkbrenner (ankle) - QUESTIONABLE
Miller is nearing a return, so rolling with Moussa Diabate ($5,300) makes the most sense with Kalkbrenner the more likely absentee.
TOR RJ Barrett (knee) - OUT
I'll follow the same guidelines used previously for Barrett, so give all the remaining starters extra consideration.
PHO Devin Booker (groin) - OUT
The Suns will turn to Collin Gillespie ($6,500) in the backcourt to replace Booker.
MIL Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf) - OUT
Rumors continue to swirl about the severity of this injury due to pending talks with management about his future with the club, so we'll need to start thinking about the best long-term replacement. Myles Turner ($5,700) needs to step up to prove his worth and AJ Green ($5,000) has answered the call with great perimeter shooting last time out. I'm also bullish on Kevin Porter ($6,800).
OKC Luguentz Dort (thigh) - OUT
OKC Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) - OUT
It's hard to nail down the best guard option, yet I believe Isaiah Joe's ($4,000) salary is better than Ajay Mitchell as he's a bit overvalued while projected to generate similar production. Chet Holmgren ($7,600) and Cason Wallace ($4,400) are slightly easier calls.
ELITE PLAYERS
We have six players above $10k in this massive player pool, with Jalen Johnson (calf) currently the only one with an injury tag. While he could be a late swap closer to game lock, I'm most inclined to go with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($10,600) or Cade Cunningham ($10,500) to power up my backcourt. I'm certainly fine with other elites, though these salaries offer the best value.
We have 10 options in the $9k tier, and I'm good to go with Karl-Anthony Towns ($9,400) against Utah especially if the Nurkic tag holds. With Cleveland still banged up, Evan Mobley ($9,100) will also continue to warrant consideration.
The $8k level has 14 options from which to choose with Jalen Brunson ($8,700) holding the most interest as a potential stack with Towns. I also think Pascal Siakam ($8,600) and Jamal Murray ($8,500) are decently valued.
Also consider: De'Aaron Fox, SAS ($8,400) @ CLE
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EXPECTED CHALK AND MID-RANGE OPTIONS
Bam Adebayo, MIA ($7,900) @ ORL
We've seen Adebayo below $8k frequently this season, but I'm still encouraged by his low salary. He hasn't scored less than 32 FDFPs in well over a month, and there are a few totals that go well beyond that baseline number. Though Banchero might be back for the Magic, he'll likely be limited. That sets up as a potentially exploitable spot for Adebayo as a dual-eligibility standout.
Ivica Zubac, LAC ($7,700) @ MEM
Zubac remains one of the league's most consistent big men and I think he'll be motivated for another go against the Grizzlies after only nine points against them during their last matchup. His rebound totals should be fine and his inclusion would be satisfied if more shots can be converted.
Ryan Rollins, MIL ($6,900) vs. PHI
We could see a seismic change in Milwaukee's makeup before the trade deadline. But in the meantime, they still have to play games. Rollins has distinguished himself with solid production the past week and seems like one of the players to benefit most from Antetokounmpo's absence. I'd like him more if he were a bit cheaper, yet the upside potential still makes him a solid play at this salary point.
Mark Williams, PHX ($6,300) @ HOU
It's a tough matchup against Alperen Sengun and the heavily-favored Rockets, but Devin Booker's absence will likely force Williams further out where he can boost the team with extra midrange shooting. Rebounds may be slightly harder to come by, though the Rockets didn't have to contend with Williams in their last meeting with the Suns to present an unfamiliar challenge.
VALUE PLAYS
Miles McBride, NYK ($5,100) vs. UTA
I'll continue my appreciation of the Knicks by bringing McBride into the conversation. The guard definitely offers a cheaper way to get involved in this offense and he'll have an excellent shot at 5x value if his three-point stroke is dialed in. He drilled five treys earlier this week with 20 overall conversions from the last five games.
Julian Champagnie, SAS ($4,900) @ CLE
I'm waiting for Champagnie to get back to his value-beating ways, and the chance against a banged-up Cleveland backcourt could be the right opportunity. He's played well with Stephon Castle out, but his past few games have been a bit disappointing. Champagnie isn't without risk while also not a bad value gamble.
Harrison Barnes, SAS ($4,700) @ CLE
I'm not promoting a stack with Champagnie, though Barnes' floor is slightly safer. There's definitely an upside opportunity with Evan Mobley potentially overworked in the frontcourt and I feel pretty good about the Spurs' chances on Friday.
Bobby Portis, MIL ($4,400) vs. PHI
Portis is one of the first players you think of when Giannis is out, though an eye injury has lingered. He stepped up in the last matchup with 31.3 FDFPs against Detroit, and I'd expect somewhere in the neighborhood of 30 minutes per game during the All-Star's absence.
Also consider: Ausar Thompson, DET ($5,900) vs. POR, Rui Hachimura, LAL ($4,000) @ BOS
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