NBA DFS Primer: Friday (11/26)

I don’t know about you, but Thursday’s lack of hoops was rough. After a one-day hiatus, the NBA is returning to our televisions on Friday with 12 total games for our viewing pleasures. With the DET/LAC matchup tipping off at 3:30 PM ET, only 11 games will count toward’s the main slate, but there will be more than enough opportunity to cash out and win some money. Let’s take a closer look at Friday’s main slate to see if anything jumps out.

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Schedule and Odds

• ORL vs. CHI (-8.5) O/U 213.5
• NYK vs. PHX (-3) O/U 216
• MIN @ CHA (-2.5) O/U 222.5
• ATL @ MEM (-1.5) O/U 226.5
• TOR @ IND (-3.5) O/U 213.5
• OKC vs. WAS (-7) O/U 209.5
• SAS vs. BOS (-3) O/U 215.5
• DEN vs. MIL (-3.5) O/U 214.5
• NOP @ UTA (11.5) O/U 214.5
• POR @ GSW (-6.5) O/U 224
• SAC @ LAL (-7.5) O/U 224.5

Check out our consensus game odds as well as the odds from each sportsbook at BettingPros

Injury Report

• Nikola Jokic (wrist) is questionable
• Anthony Davis (illness) is questionable
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (ankle) is OUT
• Cole Anthony (ankle) is questionable
• Derrick Rose (ankle) is questionable
• Mitchell Robinson (concussion) is questionable
• OG Anunoby (hip) is questionable
• Robert Williams (illness) is OUT
• Anfernee Simons (illness) is OUT

Core Plays

Giannis Antetokounmpo (PF/C – MIL): $12,000 DraftKings, $11,700 FanDuel
Giannis is the highest-priced player on both sites Friday, but for good measure. The Greek Freak has totaled at least 59 fantasy points in four of his last five games and the one game he scored less was due to him being limited to 23 minutes in a blowout. If Nikola Jokic plays, this game should be competitive and fast-paced, which is all good for his fantasy prospects. He’s the safest option by a mile and a great building block against the Nuggets on Friday.

Damian Lillard (PG – POR): $9,800 DraftKings, $8,800 FanDuel
Lillard has finally started looking like his usual self after a slow start to the season but is still priced shockingly low, especially on FanDuel. He’s scored no less than 43 fantasy points in four of his last five games and gets the Warriors, who have had a tough time slowing down opposing guards. It’s only a matter of time before Dame’s price tag regresses to the norm, so lock him in while he’s still a discount.

Trae Young (PG – ATL): $9,300 DraftKings, $8,700 FanDuel
Young is coming off of a 61-fantasy point outburst on DraftKings Tuesday but has seen his price decrease by $200. He’s an even better value on FanDuel, where’s he’s $600 cheaper. This game has the makings of a shootout and the Grizzlies have surrendered the eight-most FD points and second-most DK points to opposing point guard this season, making Young a must-play on Friday.

Cash Game Considerations

Bobby Portis (PF/C – MIL): $7,100 DraftKings, $6,500 FanDuel
Another day, another Bobby Portis cash game recommendation. The guy has been extremely impressive with Brook Lopez remaining out of the lineup and has been one of the safer fantasy options over the last couple of weeks. He’s totaled at least 40 fantasy points in three of his last four games and should have a large role against the Nuggets on Friday.

Josh Giddey (SG/SF – OKC): $6,500 DraftKings, $6,200 FanDuel
The 19-year old rookie has been impressive this season but has seen a fantasy boost with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander out of the lineup recently. Giddey is seeing a 26.6% usage rate in the two games without SGA, as opposed to 21.7% in 18 games with him. He’s totaled at least 32 fantasy points in six straight games and is locked in as the Thunder’s primary floor general until further notice.

Al Horford (PF/C – BOS): $7,600 DraftKings, $7,400 FanDuel
Horford has been a reliable fantasy asset this season but should see his opportunities increase with Robert Williams already ruled out Friday with an illness. Big Al has played five games without Timelord this season and is averaging 11.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, and over 30 fantasy points per contest. Combine that with a favorable matchup against the Spurs and Horford is looking like an extremely safe play on Friday.

GPP Targets

Devin Booker (PG/SG – PHX): $8,500 DraftKings, $7,700 FanDuel
Booker is coming off of his third 30-point game of the season and finds himself in a fantastic matchup against the Knicks, who have surrendered the second-most FD and sixth-most DK points to guards this season. This feels like a Booker blowup game, so make sure he’s locked into lineups.

Anthony Edwards (SG/SF – MIN): $7,500 DraftKings, $7,900 FanDuel
I’d be remiss not to shout out Edwards and the nasty dunk that should have counted over Gabe Vincent in Wednesday’s win. We’ll see if Edwards can carry that performance into Friday’s favorable matchup against the Hornets. Vegas has this game pegged as one of the highest-scoring games on Friday, so Edwards should have plenty of opportunities to replicate Wednesday’s 60+ fantasy point outing.

Jordan Poole (PG/SG – GSW): $7,100 DraftKings, $6,300 FanDuel
Poole has been in a groove over the last week and has a favorable matchup against the Blazers up next. Portland has been middle of the pack against opposing guards this season but this game should be a shootout, thus raising everyone’s floor. The third-year pro has put up at least 43 DK points in two of his last three games heading into Friday’s matchup.

Value Plays

Luguentz Dort (SG/SF – OKC): $5,200 DraftKings, $5,400 FanDuel
For much of the same reasons as the previously mentioned Josh Giddey, Dort has been a go-to guy on offense for the Thunder in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander‘s absence. He’s a lock to see at least 30 minutes and the Wizards have given up the MOST FanDuel points to opposing forwards this season.

Jarred Vanderbilt (PF/C – MIN): $4,700 DraftKings, $6,000 FanDuel
The price discrepancy between both sites is crazy, as Vanderbilt is $1,300 cheaper on DraftKings. Either way, he’s produced nicely since entering the starting lineup and has a favorable matchup against the Hornets. Vanderbilt has seen at least 25 minutes and at least 31 fantasy points on DraftKings over his last three games.

Kevin Huerter (SG/SF – ATL): $4,600 DraftKings, $5,300 FanDuel
Huerter has produced well and his playing time has settled in as a result. He’s seen at least 25 minutes in eight of his last nine games and gets a favorable matchup against the Grizzlies. He’s a guy many may forget about in a larger slate such as this, making him a great dart throw on Friday.

Advantageous Pricing

• Jarred Vanderbilt (PF – MIN): $4,700 DraftKings, $6,000 FanDuel
• Damian Lillard (PG – POR): $8,800 DraftKings, $9,800 FanDuel
• Zach LaVine (SG – CHI): $8,700 DraftKings, $8,000 FanDuel
• Karl-Anthony Towns (C – MIN): $9,500 DraftKings, $8,800 FanDuel
• Russell Westbrook (PG – LAL): $11,000 DraftKings, $9,900 FanDuel

Alex Burns is a featured writer for FantasyPros. Check out his archive and follow him on Twitter.