FanDuel DFS NBA Strategy Advice: Friday (8/7)

The NBA has a jam-packed six-game slate for Friday’s action in Orlando. FanDuel has plenty of contests to enter for the league’s double slate tonight, so let’s take a look at some lineup possibilities with value plays, studs, fades, and more!

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Value Plays

Point Guard

 
Kyle Lowry has the advantage of playing a hampered Kemba Walker as well as Brad Wanamaker. Of course, Marcus Smart deserves his praise as well, but overall, Lowry has fared well versus Boston, and with their current state, he’s a great option at his price. He’s averaged 24.3 points, 7.3 assists, and 4.0 rebounds in three meetings with the Celtics this season.

Ish Smith, as a starter, is averaging 15 points, 5.5 assists, and 3.7 rebounds through four games. He’s yet to play New Orleans this season, but they’re playing a second of a back-to-back after their loss to the Kings on Thursday. Smith can play New Orleans pace and ha attempted 12 shots on at least 22 minutes in all four games.

Markelle Fultz will play his former 76ers squad, and this meeting is interesting considering the injuries. Ben Simmons is out for the 76ers, and the Magic lost Jonathan Isaac, so Fultz not only gets two positive outcomes for his usage rate but also heads into a matchup with the young Shake Milton. Fultz is an excellent low-budget play, especially for the revenge factor and his edge over Milton.

Shooting Guard

 
Terrence Ross is the type of player that can give the 76ers a fit, and he’s put up 15 points or more in three consecutive games, including a 25-point effort. He’s been one of the driving factors in the Magic’s 117 points per game. He’s attempted at least eight triples in all three games, and with the 76ers down their best defender in Ben Simmons, he’s a solid stream.

Dillon Brooks has played four-straight games of 30-plus minutes, and he scored a team-high 23 in their first game without Jaren Jackson. Brooks has averaged 16.5 shot attempts per game through the bubble don’t be surprised if he scores 30 in a game or two. The Thunder are without Dennis Schroder, so another plus for Brooks.

Josh Hart is a deep option if you’re star-stacking your lineup, but versus the Wizards, he’s worth a shot. The Pelicans could blow the Wizards out, and a guy like Hart can get extended minutes. He’s scored double-digits in three of four games.

Small Forward

 
Jaylen Brown is a pretty good price versus the Raptors, and with four-straight 30-point fantasy efforts, he should be in a few of your lineups. He scored 21 points in 23 minutes last game and played 33 or more minutes in three before that.

Joe Harris has benefited the most in usage and fantasy points per minute without Spencer Dinwiddie, Kyrie Irving, and DeAndre Jordan. He’s averaging a 22.4% usage rate and 1.19 fantasy points per minute; both are higher than Caris LeVert and Jarrett Allen.

Evan Fournier alike Ross is a reliable stream versus the 76ers defense. They are capable of running and gunning, and with matchups versus Josh Richardson and Furkan Korkmaz, Fournier could score 20 or more points. Fournier’s averaged 16.5 points and 4.5 rebounds versus Philly in two meetings this season.

Power Forward

 
Brandon Clarke is stepping into the starting role replacing Jackson for the Grizzlies, and despite his six points and five rebound debut as the starter, he’s done well versus the Thunder. In two meetings, he’s averaged 20 points and 5.5 rebounds in only 22.5 minutes per game; it sounds like a high ceiling opponent and position for Clarke.

Richaun Holmes has a decent matchup with Allen and the Nets, and on a back-to-back, he’ll have more responsibility protecting the paint. He’s played three-straight games of 24 or 25 minutes and recorded 18, 23, and 25 fantasy points in those games. The Nets allow the third-most fantasy points per game to centers (57.54).

Serge Ibaka’s averaged 15 points and 8.7 rebounds per game in three meetings with the Celtics this season. Ibaka recorded a double-double versus Boston in one meeting and fell two rebounds shy in the other two. He’s averaged 13 points and 7.5 boards the past two games in the bubble.

Center

 
Jarrett Allen recorded 11 points and nine rebounds in the only meeting with the Kings this season, and with Sacramento off a back-to-back, he could record his second double-double of the seeding games. He’s played under 30 minutes twice, but when he posted 30-plus minutes in the bubble, Allen had 22 points and 15 rebounds.

Derrick Favors and Jaxson Hayes are a pick or choose value options versus the Wizards. Neither are lineup winning picks, but what centers are this low in price? Hayes has more upside, but Favors has put up better numbers altogether. Hayes has only played 16 minutes combined in the last two games but could see a spot increase here versus Washington.

5 Studs Worth Their Salary

• Joel Embiid (PHI) $9,800: Embiid is going to be a one-man wrecking crew without Ben Simmons and should play streamed every night.
• Jayson Tatum (BOS) $7,500: Tatum has been stellar for the C’s through the last three games. He’s shot 50% or better in his previous three, and the scoring will only go up closer to playoffs.
• Brandon Ingram (NOP) $7,500: Ingram had a solid effort in their loss Thursday, and with Zion likely to play fewer minutes, back Ingram to be the leading scorer and rebounder for the Pels.
• Tobias Harris (PHI) $6,800: Harris will be Embiid’s new running-mate. He’s had the shot attempts to be the No. 2 lately, and versus the Magic, he’s a double-double threat.
• Caris LeVert (BKN) $7,900: LeVert remains the Nets’ top DFS pick outside of Allen. His scoring has come and gone, but he’s liable to go off any given night.

5 Notable Players to Fade

• Zion Williamson (NOP) $6,800: Williamson played 22 and 25 minutes in his past two games and put together 29 and 36 fantasy points. On a back-to-back, it’s unknown if he’ll even see 20 minutes.
• Steven Adams (OKC) $5,900: Adams was injured in the Thunder’s game Wednesday, and he returned but didn’t look the same. I’d avoid Adams as his tough-guy persona will be put to the side versus Memphis’ young athletic bigs.
• Aaron Gordon (ORL) $6,400: Gordon is dealing with a hamstring issue, and versus the 76ers, he’s a pass since he’ll be matched up with either Harris, Al Horford, or Embiid.
• Kemba Walker (BOS) $4,800: Walker sat out Wednesday and is likely going to continue seeing his minutes be restricted. He’s been a pass every night in DFS for me, so let’s keep it going.
• Marc Gasol (TOR) $4,300: Gasol doesn’t fit the Celtics-Raptors game style or tempo, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Ibaka outplay him more in this game.

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Vaughn Dalzell is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Vaughn, check out his archive or follow him @VaughnDalzell.