This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
We're set for a second consecutive nine-game slate Friday as the NBA gets back into full swing following the All-Star break. We have plenty of big names on the injury report, although some are saddled with long-term absences that persist despite the extended layoff afforded by the pause in play.
Slate Overview
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Listed spreads/totals are from FanDuel Sportsbook and current as of Friday, 2/21 @ 1:00 a.m. EST:
Memphis Grizzlies (-2.5) at Orlando Magic (O/U: 223.5)
New York Knicks at Cleveland Cavaliers (-8.5) (O/U: 240.5)
Milwaukee Bucks (-7) at Washington Wizards (O/U: 229.0)
Miami Heat (-3.5) at Toronto Raptors (O/U: 221.5)
Detroit Pistons (-3.5) at San Antonio Spurs (O/U: 232.5)
New Orleans Pelicans at Dallas Mavericks (-5.5) (O/U: 235.5)
Minnesota Timberwolves at Houston Rockets (-4) (O/U: 216.0)
Oklahoma City Thunder (-15) at Utah Jazz (O/U: 236.5)
Golden State Warriors (-2) at Sacramento Kings (O/U: 233.5)
Following a Thursday slate that featured three double-digit favorites coming in, we're in store for what shapes up to be a more competitive slate on paper. Injuries are playing a role in some of the lines that we're seeing, and the Rockets could certainly end up as much bigger favorites over the Timberwolves if both Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert are ruled out.
Projected totals point to what should be a DFS-friendly night overall. considering five of the nine games carry figures north of 233 points as of early Friday.
Injury Situations to Monitor
For all the latest updates, visit RotoWire's NBA Injury News page and our comprehensive NBA Injury Report.
Anthony Edwards, MIN (hip): QUESTIONABLE
If Edwards can't suit up, Nickeil Alexander-Walker will likely draw a spot start at shooting guard while the remaining members of the starting five will be due for a big increase in usage.
Fred VanVleet, HOU (ankle): OUT
In VanVleet's ongoing absence, Aaron Holiday could be set for another spot start at point guard.
Rudy Gobert, MIN (back): QUESTIONABLE
If Gobert sits out, Jaylen Clark could remain on the first unit as he did in the Timberwolves' final game before the All-Star break.
Other notable injuries:
Josh Hart, NYK (knee): GTD
Walker Kessler, UTA (thumb): GTD
Victor Wembanyama, SAN (shoulder): OUT
Anthony Davis, DAL (abdomen): OUT
Jakob Poeltl, TOR (hip): OUT
Brandon Ingram, TOR (ankle): OUT
Julius Randle, MIN (groin): OUT
Jalen Suggs, ORL (quadriceps): OUT
Bobby Portis, MIL (suspension): OUT
Jonathan Kuminga, GSW (ankle): OUT
Collin Sexton, UTA (ankle): OUT
OG Anunoby, NYK (foot): GTD
P.J. Washington, DAL (ankle): QUESTIONABLE
Jordan Clarkson, UTA (foot): GTD
Tyler Herro, MIA (knee): PROBABLE
Elite Players
We have four players with a five-figure salary on Friday's slate – Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,900), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($11,500), Cade Cunningham ($10,400) and Karl-Anthony Towns ($10,000).
Antetokounmpo returned from his calf injury Thursday against the Clippers and provided 38.6 FD points in just 23 minutes, and he should be due for a bump in playing time Friday.
Gilgeous-Alexander will have the benefit of some extra rest despite having played in the All-Star Game and exceeded 46 FD points in each of the last four games before the All-Star break.
Cunningham averaged 51.9 FD points over the final eight games before the All-Star break, scoring over 40 FD points in each of those contests.
Towns opened the post-ASB portion of the season with 59.6 FD points in the OT win over the Bulls on Thursday, his third game in the last four with at least 55 FD points.
Expected Chalk
Other likely chalk plays include:
Anthony Edwards, MIN ($9,900)
If Edwards can play through his hip injury, he should be very popular after averaging 51.9 FD points over the final 10 games before the All-Star break.
Domantas Sabonis, SAC ($9,800)
Sabonis put up 58.1 FD points in the final game before the All-Star break and scored at least 43 in the last four overall, which should keep him very popular at his salary Friday.
De'Aaron Fox, SAN ($9,300)
Fox went off for 57.3 FD points against the Suns over 31 minutes in Thursday's return to play, and that's likely an indication of what his usage will be moving forward with Victor Wembanyama's (shoulder) ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Scottie Barnes, TOR ($9,200)
Barnes scored 40.9 to 55.5 FD points in the final five games before the All-Star break and will continue to play without Brandon Ingram on Friday.
Kyrie Irving, DAL ($9,200)
Irving scored over 50 FD points in the final two games he played before the ASB and should continue to significant usage in the absence of the traded Luka Doncic and the injured Anthony Davis.
Key Values
Kel'el Ware, MIA at TOR ($6,500)
Ware exceeded 30 FD points in three of the final six games before the All-Star break, and he's averaged 30.6 FD points in last 13 contests overall (12 starts). The rookie's production still experiences some ebbs and flows, particularly on the offensive end, but he's already scored at least 17 points on eight occasions. The Raptors could coax one of Ware's better performances out of him, as Toronto checks into Friday ranked No. 28 in offensive efficiency rating allowed to centers (35.9), is still without Jakob Poeltl, and has surrendered 58 FD points per contest to fives in the last seven games. Toronto has also conceded an Eastern Conference-high 6.3 blocks per home game, while Ware logged multiple rejections in six instances during the aforementioned 13-game sample.
Max Christie, DAL vs. NOP ($5,800)
Christie was already trending in the right direction late in his Lakers tenure, and he's been even better in his new Dallas digs. The third-year pro is averaging 32.3 FD points on the strength of 17.3 points (on 48.6 percent shooting, including 45.5 percent from distance), 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.2 steals per contest in his first six games. The Mavs will remain without Anthony Davis and possibly P.J. Washington on Friday, and Christie is facing a Pelicans squad ranked No. 26 in offensive efficiency surrendered to two-guards (25.3). New Orleans has also been especially vulnerable of late, allowing the second-most FD points to SGs in the last 15 games (46.7) and conceding 40.8 percent three-point shooting overall in the last three contests.
Brook Lopez, MIL at WAS ($5,700)
Lopez came out of the All-Star break in fine form Thursday against the Clippers, compiling 46.4 FD points on the strength of a particularly well-rounded performance that included four blocks3 despite the return of Giannis Antetokounmpo from his calf injury. Lopez had also averaged 25.3 FD points in the final six games before the ASB, and Friday, he faces a Wizards squad he already has a tally of 30.5 FD points against in one of two prior meetings this season. Washington is ranked No. 30 in offensive efficiency rating surrendered to centers (26.8), while also allowing 38.6 percent three-point shooting to the position. Additionally, the Wizards have given up the third-most FD points per contest to fives in the last 30 games (61.4) and 5.5 blocks per game, with the latter figure ranking them in the bottom 10 of the league.
ALSO CONSIDER: Keegan Murray, SAC vs. GSW ($5,900)
