There are only four games on FanDuel's Friday main slate. That's still enough action to allow us to differentiate in tournaments, though there will be less players to work with and some big-name injuries.
Slate Overview
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Listed spreads/totals are from FanDuel Sportsbook and current as of Friday, Jan. 16 @12:00 a.m. EST:
New Orleans Pelicans at Indiana Pacers (-3) (O/U: 238.5)
Cleveland Cavaliers at Philadelphia 76ers (-1.5) (O/U: 235.5)
Los Angeles Clippers (-2) at Toronto Raptors (O/U: 215.5)
Chicago Bulls at Brooklyn Nets (-1) (O/U: 225.5)
It's a fairly encouraging betting landscape, especially when it comes to point spreads. With four matchups projected to be highly competitive, star players should log plenty of minutes. The totals aren't as appealing with two on lower figures offset by a pair set to exceed 235 points.
Injury Situations to Monitor
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Kawhi Leonard, LAC (ankle): QUESTIONABLE
Leonard has been reliably playing through his ankle issue. But if he were to sit Friday, Nicolas Batum would potentially benefit from a spot start while James Harden would see his usage elevate even further.
Darius Garland, CLE (toe): OUT
In Garland's absence, Craig Porter and Lonzo Ball could handle the majority of point guard minutes while Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley should be among the biggest beneficiaries in terms of increased usage.
RJ Barrett, TOR (ankle): OUT
With Barrett out, Jamal Shead and Gradey Dick could once again receive more opportunities.
Ivica Zubac, LAC (ankle): QUESTIONABLE
If Zubac can't go on Friday, Brook Lopez will start again at center.
Other notable injuries:
Josh Giddey, CHI (hamstring): OUT
Bennedict Mathurin, IND (thumb): OUT
Jakob Poeltl, TOR (back): OUT
Sam Merrill, CLE (hand): OUT
Immanuel Quickley, TOR (back): QUESTIONABLE
John Collins, LAC (groin): QUESTIONABLE
Sandro Mamukelashvili, TOR (illness): QUESTIONABLE
Kevin Huerter, CHI (hip): PROBABLE
Paul George, PHI (knee): PROBABLE
Joel Embiid, PHI (knee): PROBABLE
Elite Players
We only have one player with a five-figure salary on Friday's slate – Tyrese Maxey ($10,000).
Maxey only managed 28.4 FD points across 31 minutes against the Cavs on Wednesday, yet posted at least 42.8 from nine of the previous 10 games. The star guard also recorded 46.9 against Cleveland back in November.
Visit RotoWire's NBA Daily Starting Lineups and NBA News for up-to-the-minute information!
Expected Chalk
Other likely chalk plays include:
Kawhi Leonard, LAC ($9,900)
If Leonard is cleared to play, he'll be one of the most popular plays on the slate after posting at least 40.6 FD since Dec. 18.
Donovan Mitchell, CLE ($9,600)
Mitchell put up 58.9 FD against the 76ers on Wednesday while exceeding 45 during five of the last six.
James Harden, LAC ($9,500)
Harden dipped below 40 FD against the Wizards on Wednesday, but went over that number in each of the previous five outings.
Scottie Barnes, TOR ($9,100)
Barnes will once again take the floor without RJ Barrett and has produced 47.4 and 59.9 FD during two of his last three matchups to keep him very popular.
Michael Porter, BKN ($8,900)
Porter is averaging 40.9 FD on the season and will be part of a fast-paced battle against the Bulls on Friday.
Key Values
Egor Demin, BKN vs. CHI ($5,700)
Demin has begun to hit his stride the last month by averaging 26.5 FD on the strength of 15.1 points, 3.5 assists, 3.2 rebounds and 1.1 steals across 28.8 minutes over his last 12 games. The rookie has also shot an improved 45.1 percent during that span (37.1 before that), including a blistering 45.8 from behind the arc. Demin's well-rounded production has helped establish a solid floor that's enabled him to post at least 24 FD through 14 outings and will draw a solid matchup on Friday against a Bulls team ranked just outside the bottom-10 in three-point shooting percentage (36.5) and made three-pointers (14.2) per road matchup.
Jay Huff, IND vs. NOP ($4,600)
The outlook for Huff is encouraging on Friday considering both recent form and the matchup. The big man is averaging 21.2 FD across the last 17 appearances where he's eclipsed 20 FD 10 times while getting 26 in five of those. The fifth-year center is putting up a well-rounded 9.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.6 blocks during that stretch and gets a crack at a Pelicans team that's been hurt by bigs in the last 30 games by surrendering 57.6 FD a night alongside the fourth-highest offensive efficiency rating to the position on the season (36.2). They're also giving up the fourth-most points in the paint (53.8) that should give Huff an additional path to significant production.
De'Andre Hunter, CLE at PHI ($4,200)
Hunter hasn't been the most consistent player, so he isn't ideally suited for tournaments. The veteran wing bounced back from a couple of clunkers to record 26.8 FD over 22 minutes against the Sixers on Wednesday and could start Friday with Darius Garland out. Hunter's 22.8 percent usage rate with Garland off the floor is the second highest of anyone on the Cavs while averaging 32.7 FD per 36 minutes during that split. That makes him a viable option while coming in at a very reasonable salary.
ALSO CONSIDER: Jalen Smith, CHI at BKN ($5,000)
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