Here are some plays that jump out on DraftKings at each position for Friday’s main NBA slate, along with some strategy unique to this slate.
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Point Guard
Worth Paying Up For: De’Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings at Detroit Pistons ($7,700)
The Kings have been a dumpster fire recently, riding an eight-game losing streak into Detroit. But Fox has still found his numbers, going for 50-plus DKFP three times in his last nine. Fox’s salary has been as high as $9K during this losing streak, so we’re no doubt getting some good value on him, in what projects as a close game.
Best Bang For Your Buck: Kemba Walker, Boston Celtics vs. Indiana Pacers ($6,200)
Kemba’s found his shot a little more over the last two weeks, scoring 25-plus points twice, resulting in 40.0 DKFP and 52.0 DKFP efforts. The Celtics return from a road trip at their lowest point of the season, and Walker’s been off since Tuesday. The Pacers rank 21st in DKFP allowed to PGs. If this isn’t a bounce-back spot, there likely isn’t one coming.
Shooting Guard
Worth Paying Up For: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Atlanta Hawks ($8,800)
Would rather continue to get more PG exposure on this slate, with SGA riding a hot streak into a favorable matchup. Coming off a career-high 42 points in Wednesday’s win over the Spurs, SGA’s now averaging over 50.0 DKFP across his last three contests. The Hawks have allowed the second-most DKFP to opposing PGs.
Best Bang For Your Buck: Wayne Ellington, Detroit Pistons vs. Sacramento Kings ($3,300)
Some backcourt minutes have opened up in Delon Wright’s (groin) absence, and there could be an even larger void on the wing if Saddiq Bey ($5,700) winds up sitting — he’s questionable with an ankle injury. Ellington’s been in an awful shooting slump all month, but extra minutes and extra shots are a good way to break that. The Kings rank dead-last in DKFP allowed to SGs.
Small Forward
Worth Paying Up For: Jerami Grant, Detroit Pistons vs. Sacramento Kings ($7,300)
Grant got the night off on Wednesday, leaving him well rested for a great matchup against the Kings on Friday. Like Ellington, Bey’s potential absence could leave some extra minutes for Grant with how shorthanded the Pistons already are. With his salary taking a dip for no reason, it only enhances his upside against a failing Sacramento defense.
Best Bang For Your Buck: Kenrich Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Atlanta Hawks ($3,500)
Hamidou Diallo has been ruled out for this one with a groin injury, while Al Horford will get the night off for rest. That leaves some extra minutes for a handful of what should be popular OKC value plays on this slate. Williams recently showed 35-40 DKFP upside, playing 76 total minutes over a two-game span. While he likely doesn’t see that much time again, we know he can handle a workload like this.
Power Forward
Worth Paying Up For: Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors vs. Houston Rockets ($7,900)
Editor’s Note: Raptors PF/C Pascal Siakam (health protocols) has been ruled out for tonight’s game vs. the Rockets.
Siakam is coming off a complete dud Wednesday against Miami, but was in a nice groove prior to that, exceeding value in seven of his previous nine. Houston is shorthanded, and has been getting dominated by teams with size recently. No Christian Wood or DeMarcus Cousins leaves a lot to be had in the paint, which is where Siakam should focus his game in this one.
Best Bang For Your Buck: Darius Bazley Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Atlanta Hawks ($5,200)
More OKC value, getting a big discount on Bazley in a prime spot. He hasn’t been playing well over the last 10 days, but that has his salary down $1,000 in that timeframe. Take Diallo and Horford off the floor against a struggling Atlanta defense, and the production has to come from somewhere.
Center
Worth Paying Up For: Clint Capela, Atlanta Hawks at Oklahoma City Thunder ($7,800)
Capela’s salary doesn’t go up on us here since he didn’t produce much on Wednesday against the Celtics, but that’s because he played only 21 minutes in the blowout victory. Prior to that, Capela had been getting his numbers — generally around 40.0 DKFP — with 50-plus DKFP upside in the right matchups. This is one of those matchups, as OKC already ranks as the second-worst defense against centers, and should be even worse without Horford in the rotation.
Best Bang For Your Buck: Marvin Bagley, Sacramento Kings at Detroit Pistons ($5,900)
Bagley’s been on a solid stretch his last six games, but didn’t produce much against the Knicks on Thursday. The 26.75 DKFP were right around value for Bagley, but he played just 23 minutes in the 19-point loss. Look for Bagley to see more minutes on the second night of the back-to-back, playing in a much more favorable matchup against a weak Detroit frontcourt.
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