This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
While Friday's slate is a bit smaller than what we're used to seeing for this night of the week, the injury report unfortunately is that typically seen on a much busier night. There are a multitude of elite players that are already ruled out or in danger of missing tonight's action, so keeping an eye on the news will be especially pertinent throughout the day leading up to lineup lock.
Slate Overview
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Listed spreads/totals are from FanDuel Sportsbook and current as of Friday, 3/28 @10:45 a.m. EDT:
*Cleveland Cavaliers (-5) at Detroit Pistons (O/U: 227.0)
Los Angeles Clippers (-12) at Brooklyn Nets (O/U: 213.5)
Charlotte Hornets at Toronto Raptors (-5.5) (O/U: 215.5)
New York Knicks (-1) at Milwaukee Bucks (O/U: 217.5)
Phoenix Suns at Minnesota Timberwolves (-7) (O/U: 225.0)
Golden State Warriors (-14.5) at New Orleans Pelicans (O/U: 225.5)
*Utah Jazz at Denver Nuggets (-17.5) (O/U: 240.5)
* - denotes team on second night of back-to-back set
With so many injuries at play Friday, we have several lopsided lines to deal with and some uncertainty in other spots. One spread to particularly keep an eye on is that of the Knicks-Bucks clash, considering it will flip if Giannis Antetokounmpo is announced as available after a one-game absence.
Projected totals are about middle of the road in terms of what they suggest for the night's DFS outlook, with the four games with figures of 225 points or more offering some reason for optimism.
Injury Situations to Monitor
For all the latest updates, visit RotoWire's NBA Injury News page and our comprehensive NBA Injury Report.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL (foot): QUESTIONABLE
If Antetokounmpo can't suit up, Taurean Prince or Kyle Kuzma could shift over to power forward and Gary Trent will likely remain in the starting five at two-guard.
Cade Cunningham, DET (calf): OUT
In Cunningham's absence, Dennis Schroder should draw another start while Tobias Harris and Jalen Duren should especially benefit from extra usage.
LaMelo Ball, CHA (ankle): OUT
With Ball sidelined, KJ Simpson could draw another start at point guard, while Miles Bridges should be the biggest beneficiary in terms of additional usage.
Zion Williamson, NOP (back): OUT
With Williamson out, two-way player Keion Brooks and Bruce Brown will likely handle the majority of minutes at small forward.
Jamal Murray, DEN (hamstring): QUESTIONABLE
If Murray can't suit up, Russell Westbrook will be in line for a spot start at point guard.
Stephen Curry, GSW (pelvis): QUESTIONABLE
If Curry can't play, Brandin Podziemski is likely to remain at point guard while Moses Moody handles two-guard responsibilities.
Other notable injuries:
Damian Lillard, MIL (calf): OUT
Jalen Brunson, NYK (ankle): OUT
CJ McCollum, NOP (foot): OUT
RJ Barrett, TOR (rest): OUT
Brandon Ingram, TOR (ankle): OUT
Bobby Portis, MIL (suspension): OUT
Bradley Beal, PHO (hamstring): OUT
Lauri Markkanen, UTA (rest): OUT
John Collins, UTA (ankle): OUT
Jordan Clarkson, UTA (foot): OUT
Michael Porter, DEN (back): PROBABLE
Aaron Gordon, DEN (calf): PROBABLE
Nikola Jokic, DEN (ankle): PROBABLE
Elite Players
We have three players with five-figure salaries that have a chance to play on Friday's slate – Nikola Jokic ($12,600), Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,800) and Karl-Anthony Towns ($10,100).
Jokic is fully expected to play throug his lingering ankle issue and could be taking the floor without Jamal Murray, which would boost the big man's already massive usage. Jokic also draws a highly favorable matchup against the Jazz after scoring 63 FD points in his return against the Bucks on Wednesday, but there is blowout risk in Friday night's game.
Antetokounmpo's status will have to be monitored closely considering his questionable tag and the fact he missed Wednesday's game, but if he suits up, he'll look to eclipse 50 FD points for the seventh time in the last eight games and will once again be playing without Damian Lillard.
Towns has eclipsed 50 FD points in three straight games and will continue to operate without Jalen Brunson, which should once again lead to increased usage.
Expected Chalk
Other likely chalk plays include:
James Harden, LAC ($9,600)
Harden has been a lock for over 40 FD points for essentially the entire month of March, which should keep him very popular Friday.
Kevin Durant, PHO ($9,500)
Durant dipped to 33.2 FD points against the Celtics on Wednesday but still scored 30 actual points, and he'd posted 41.8 to 61.2 FD points in the three games prior.
Anthony Edwards, MIN ($9,300)
Edwards has back-to-back lackluster outings but had scored over 40 FD points in five straight prior to that sample, and his name value and salary should keep him rostered at a high rate.
Kawhi Leonard, LAC ($9,000)
Leonard has been outstanding recently with three straight double-doubles and an average of 48.1 FD points in his last seven games, which should make him very popular at his salary Friday.
Donovan Mitchell, CLE ($8,800)
Mitchell just went off for 60.6 FD points against the Spurs on Thursday and will be facing a Pistons team missing Cade Cunningham in the backcourt.
Key Values
Russell Westbrook, DEN vs. UTA ($6,900)
Westbrook could be set for a spot start Friday in place of Jamal Murray, who's questionable due to a hamstring injury. The veteran guard makes for an intriguing option even if he's coming off the bench, however, considering the opponent and Westbrook's upside. Westbrook dipped to 19.4 FD points against the Bucks in Wednesday's win, but prior to that, he'd averaged 34 FD points over his previous 13 games, a stretch where he had a pair of double-doubles and one triple-double. He also came off the bench in five of those contests, and he already has tallies of 30.1 and 55 FD points versus Utah this season. Then, consider the Jazz checks in allowing a Western Conference-high 29.7 offensive efficiency rating to point guards, along with an NBA-high 54.5 FD points per contest to the position.
Tobias Harris, DET vs. CLE ($6,700)
Harris will be taking the floor Friday without Cade Cunningham, a scenario where the former is averaging 38.7 FD points per 36 minutes. Harris is already enjoying a great March as well, averaging 32.1 FD points on the strength of 14.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.5 steals per contest. Cleveland has been vulnerable to power forwards this season as well, surrendering the sixth-highest offensive efficiency rating to the position (26.2) and giving up an NBA-high 56.2 FD points to fours in the last 15 games.
Orlando Robinson, TOR vs. CHA ($5,400)
Robinson drew a start Wednesday against the Nets and thrived with the opportunity, generating 42.9 FD points via a 23-point, 12-rebound double-double that also included three assists and a block. The emerging big man is set to come off the bench Friday with Jakob Poeltl returning from his one-game absence due to rest, but Robinson has already proven capable of delivering very strong returns off the second unit on multiple occasions. The third-year pro has scored 22.1 to a season-high 47.1 FD points in six games off the bench since Feb. 26, and the Hornets come in ranked No. 19 in offensive efficiency allowed to centers (33.4) while also giving up the third-most FD points per game to centers in the last 30 games (59.0). Charlotte has also conceded an elevated 55.3 points in the paint per contest in the last three games and is tied for the fifth-most blocks per road game surrendered (5.7), furthering Robinson's case.
ALSO CONSIDER: Kelly Olynyk, NOP vs. GSW ($5,700); Kevin Porter, MIL vs. NYK ($5,500); Jordan Hawkins, NOP vs. GSW ($4,300)
