Friday night in the Association brings us a modest seven-game slate. It is a slate with very few high-priced studs to consider which could make it a night to construct a more balanced DFS lineup. There is only one Vegas total over 230 points with the Timberwolves/Kings matchup but there are plenty of tight lines which should give us some close games where the key starters play throughout the game with the ball in their hands.
Note that some of the stats referenced in this article are my custom DvP calculations that combine both season and last five games data along with blending similar positions production allowed together.
Create Optimal DraftKings lineups using our DFS Lineup Optimizer tool 
One Stud
Victor Oladipo (PG/SG – IND): $9,000 @ MIA
I was close to recommending Nikola Jokic in this spot but his recent poor play limits his use to just GPPs in my opinion. So, instead, I’ll give you a much more consistent player with a high floor and plenty of upside with Oladipo. Oladipo has exceeded 50 DraftKings points in three of his last four games and he has plenty of upside in Friday’s matchup with the Heat who have surrendered increased production to opposing SGs in rebounds (+6.8%), assists (+14.5%), steals (+27.2%) and blocks (+24.0%). It could be a stat-stuffin’ night for Oladipo.
Friday night in the Association brings us a modest seven-game slate. It is a slate with very few high-priced studs to consider which could make it a night to construct a more balanced DFS lineup. There is only one Vegas total over 230 points with the Timberwolves/Kings matchup but there are plenty of tight lines which should give us some close games where the key starters play throughout the game with the ball in their hands.
Note that some of the stats referenced in this article are my custom DvP calculations that combine both season and last five games data along with blending similar positions production allowed together.
Create Optimal DraftKings lineups using our DFS Lineup Optimizer tool
One Stud
Victor Oladipo (PG/SG – IND): $9,000 @ MIA
I was close to recommending Nikola Jokic in this spot but his recent poor play limits his use to just GPPs in my opinion. So, instead, I’ll give you a much more consistent player with a high floor and plenty of upside with Oladipo. Oladipo has exceeded 50 DraftKings points in three of his last four games and he has plenty of upside in Friday’s matchup with the Heat who have surrendered increased production to opposing SGs in rebounds (+6.8%), assists (+14.5%), steals (+27.2%) and blocks (+24.0%). It could be a stat-stuffin’ night for Oladipo.
Core Plays
Bradley Beal (SG – WAS): $7,800 @ ORL
Consistency is also the name of the game for Beal. Beal has put up at least 37 DraftKings points in four straight games and has scored at least 17 points in all 10 games for the Wizards this season. He could see a bump in his scoring output on Friday against the Magic who have allowed increased points (+12.6%) and rebounds (+15.8%) to opposing SGs this season.
Kyrie Irving (PG – BOS): $7,600 @ UTH
Irving has picked up his game over his last five outings averaging 50.1 DraftKings points per game. He dropped 39 points, seven rebounds and six assists on the Suns on Thursday and has a plus matchup on Friday against Jazz. The Jazz have given up increased production to opposing PGs this season in points (+27.8%) and rebounds (+4.1%), so it could be another big scoring night for Irving.
Aaron Gordon (SF/PF – ORL): $7,500 vs. WAS
Consistency is not a word I would use to describe Gordon, but he has played well in each of his last three games averaging 21.3 points and 9.0 rebounds per night. His salary is reasonable for that level of production and he always has the potential for a big night. Gordon will face a Wizards defense that has allowed opposing PFs increased production in points (+10.9%), rebounds (+20.2%) and assists (+8.9%) so that big night could be coming.
Dwight Howard (C – WAS): $6,000 @ ORL
After starting the season with an injury, Dwight has returned for the last three games for the Wizards. In those three games, he is averaging 12.7 points and 8.0 rebounds per game and has played at least 30 minutes in each of his last two outings. He should play 30-plus minutes again on Friday against one of his former teams, the Magic, who have allowed increased rebounds by 19.3% to opposing big men. I’d be shocked if Howard didn’t put up a double-double on Friday night.
Value Plays
Dario Saric (SF/PF – PHI): $5,000 vs. CHA
Saric has his best game of the season on Wednesday night with a season-high 18 points to go along with seven rebounds while playing 36 minutes against the Pacers. The reason for the increase in minutes and production can be partially attributed to the loss of Mike Muscala in the rotation. Muscala will remain out on Friday when the Sixers host the Hornets. With increased minutes comes increased opportunity of the value-priced Saric.
Taj Gibson (PF – MIN): $4,900 @ SAC
Taj has upped his rebounding game on the Timberwolves current road trip. Over his last three games, Gibson is pulling down 9.3 boards per game and has also scored 15 and 16 points respectively in his last two outings while playing 30-plus minutes. Gibson draws a great matchup to continue his recent production against the Kings who have been dominated by opposing PFs this season allowing increased production across the board in points, rebounds, assists, blocks and steals. Gibson isn’t the most exciting name to roster, but the production should be there.
DJ Augustin (PG – ORL): $4,500 vs. WAS
Augustin continues to start and play significant minutes at PG for the Magic. He has averaged over 27 minutes per game this season and has scored in double-digits in three of his last four games. He’ll face a Wizards defense that has been generous to opposing PGs this season allowing increased production in points (+16.8%) and assists (+25.7%). Augustin doesn’t have big upside, but he should be able to reach at least five times value on his current salary.
Wayne Ellington (SG/SF – MIA): $3,700 vs. IND
Ellington played 37 minutes in the last game for the Heat on his way to 20 points including six three-pointers. The minutes and scoring spike was a result of Dwayne Wade and Goran Dragic‘s absence. Wade has already been ruled out for Friday and Dragic is questionable which should open the door for Ellington to see a lot of time on the court in their matchup with the Pacers. The Pacers have allowed the fourth most three-point attempts to opposing SGs over the last five games. Bombs away!
Brad Richter is a correspondent at FantasyPros and a contributor at DailyOverlay and GoingFor2. For more from Brad, you can view his archive or follow him @RotoPilot.
