This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
The NBA schedule allowed us to take a breather Thursday night with only four games, but things ramp right back up Friday. There are 10 games on the docket to kick off the weekend, beginning with Minnesota at Orlando at 7:00 PM Eastern time. We'll be treated to what figures to be a tightly-contested clash to close out the night, as the Nuggets will travel to LA to face a healthy Clippers' squad - something we haven't seen much so far this season.
Here's your weekly reminder that FanDuel has gone back to the old format, counting all nine of your player's scores within your lineup. With each selection counting towards your score, it's always important to make each choice count!
Slate Overview
With a heavy slate on tap, there's expected to be plenty of scoring Friday evening. It's often beneficial to add players to your lineup who are expected to play in favorable scoring environments, especially if you're having a difficult time choosing between two value plays. Here are a few games that are expected to rack up the points:
Minnesota Timberwolves at Orlando Magic (Projected Scoring Total: 235.0):
The Timberwolves will be expected to carry the scoring load in this one, as Minnesota checks in at 10th with 113 points per game while the Magic rank 29th in the league with 104.6 points per contest. The new-look T-Wolves have put up 120-plus points in four of their last seven contests, even without Karl-Anthony Towns for the majority of that stretch. Expect D'Angelo Russell to continue to step up in the big man's absence.
The Bucks and the Thunder represent another game to take a closer look at, sitting with a projected total of 229.5 according to FanDuel's Sportsbook. Milwaukee is coming off two big wins earlier in the week, and they've scored 115 or more points in three of their last four tilts. Chris Paul and the Thunder have also done damage in the scoring column of late, coming off games of 131 and 124 points, respectively.
Positional Breakdown
There are 20 teams set to take the court on this slate, which should make it easy to create unique lineup combinations. I'll take you through the top choices at the five positions, and I'll also throw in a few mid-tier and value plays below, as well as a bit of strategy.
PG: With the top two officially questionable (Luka Doncic and Trae Young), Spencer Dinwiddie is the next best option at $7,300. Further down the list, I like Chris Paul and Lonzo Ball as mid-tier plays ($7,100 and $6,600), while Ja Morant ($5,800), Derrick Rose ($5,700) and Kendrick Nunn ($4,900) fall into the category of value plays.
SG: Personally, I'd ride the hot hand with Bradley Beal ($9,300) at shooting guard, paired with a value play like Evan Fournier ($5,900) or Dennis Schroder ($5,300). Jrue Holiday ($8,600) and D'Angelo Russell ($8,500) are a couple of other big names here.
SF: Giannis ($11,400) is probable with a back injury, but he's the clear-cut star at this position. Pascal Siakam, Brandon Ingram and Paul George are all in the $7K-to-$8.5K range if you want to stay away from Giannis's health issue. Jae Crowder ($4,800) and Bojan Bogdanovic ($4,800) stand out as two guys that could make some noise if paired with an elite or mid-tier play.
PF: Kawhi Leonard ($9,800) and Bam Adebayo ($9,100, ankle) come in as the big-ticket players at power forward, so you can't go wrong by adding either of these studs to your lineup. But if you've read my previous articles, you should know by now I'm not going to be able to stay away from Zion Williamson for $8,000. Aaron Gordon ($7,800) represents another solid addition, as he's recently been on fire. Look to Rui Hachimura and Jarrett Allen ($5,200) as potential value plays here.
C: The Joker, Nikola Jokic ($9,800), is the top center on the slate and has produced 50 FanDuel points in two of his last three contests. We also see a pair of solid centers in Nikola Vucevic and Deandre Ayton for $9,000. Tristan Thompson ($5,000) could be a steal Friday night, as he's expected to start with Andre Drummond (calf) set to miss another game.
Injury Situations to Monitor
Considering the size of this slate, I'm going to only include the key names in this section. Turn your attention to RotoWire.com throughout the day for all the latest injury news!
Trae Young, ATL
Young is questionable due to illness.
Kevin Huerter, ATL
Huerter is questionable for Friday's game against Brooklyn due to a groin injury.
Cody Zeller, CHR
Zeller was held out of Wednesday's game due to a coach's decision, and his status remains in question for Friday.
Luka Doncic, DAL
Doncic is questionable for Friday's game against the Heat with a sprained left thumb.
Bam Adebayo, MIA
Adebayo is probable due to a right ankle sprain.
The reigning MVP is probable due to back soreness.
De'Aaron Fox, SAC
Fox was held out Thursday with lower abdominal tightness, but he's hopeful to return Friday.
Elite Players
Despite 20 games on the slate Friday night, there are just two players in the $10K range - and both Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic carry injury designations. The majority of the star power sits in the $9K range, as there are seven players lying just below the $10K mark: Kawhi Leonard, Nikola Jokic, Trae Young, Bradley Beal, Bam Adebayo, Nikola Vucevic and Deandre Ayton. You can't go wrong with anyone from this group, and the talent is pretty evenly distributed across the five positions.
Expected Chalk
As the top fantasy scorer on the slate, Giannis will undoubtedly be among the chalky plays for Friday evening, along with Luka Doncic and the other seven players I named above. I wouldn't be surprised if Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson and Jrue Holiday are added to a large majority of lineups against a young Cleveland team. I'd also add Khris Middleton into the category of chalky plays, given his recent scoring surge.
Key Values
Tristan Thompson, CLE at NOR ($5,000):
I really like Thompson as a value play here, especially because he offers you the chance to save cash at center with other star players at the other four positions. He's been red hot of late by putting up 30-plus FanDuel points in four of his last five contests, and he should continue to see plenty of opportunities - and minutes - with Drummond still out of commission. Thompson is averaging 13.6 points, 9.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists through seven contests in February.
Dennis Schroder, OKC at MIL ($5,300):
Schroder has emerged as one of the most consistent value plays in my arsenal this season. He's as solid as they come off the bench, and you'd have to go back to Nov. 15 against Philadelphia to find the last time he's been held under 10 points in a game. The veteran guard also finds ways to contribute elsewhere, averaging 3.6 assists and 3.4 rebounds in 31 minutes over eight February matchups. Schroder will take the floor against one of the best teams in the league Friday night, but I just can't ignore him for $5,300. He'll also pair nicely with Bradley Beal.
