Stan Son provides his thoughts and insights on DFS options for Friday’s NBA slate on DraftKings.

There are seven NBA games on Friday’s slate. Atlanta, Brooklyn, Charlotte, Cleveland, Indiana and Washington are playing the second leg of a back-to-back.

This article was written on Thursday night. Any changes will be updated. Keep track of all the injury news at DK Network.

Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $300K Fadeaway [$100K to 1st]

Guard

Stud

Kevin Porter Jr., Milwaukee Bucks at New Orleans Pelicans ($7,800)

I’m not particularly enamored with the top options at the position on this slate, so KPJ it is. A ringing endorsement! Since returning to action from injury, KPJ has garnered a usage rate around 27%, as Giannis Antetokounmpo is still out. He has two triple-doubles on the season and is averaging 2.2 steals per contest, so he can stuff the stat sheet on a nightly basis. He’s put up at least 50 FPTS six times, so considering the price and expected usage, the price is very palatable for the upside.

Other Options: Anthony Edwards ($9,400), James Harden ($9,000), Kon Knueppel ($7,300), Nickeil Alexander-Walker ($7,100), CJ McCollum ($6,500)

Value

Jared McCain, Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Brooklyn Nets ($4,000)

In his first two games with the Thunder, McCain received 14 minutes of run. In the last two contests, he’s seen 22 and 24 minutes. The usage rate has been 25% is two of those contests. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Ajay Mitchell are out while Jalen Williams injured his hamstring prior to the All-Star break and could miss time as well. McCain may not start but he’s got the most on-ball juice out of all the guards on the roster. It wouldn’t be a surprise if he sees closer to 30 minutes in this if all three of those players are out. Over the last 15 games, Brooklyn is 29th in defensive rating, so the matchup is a good one and could provide some blowout run.

Other Options: Brice Sensabaugh ($5,700), Ty Jerome ($5,700), Cam Spencer ($5,500), Justin Champagnie ($5,400), Max Christie ($5,200), Brandon Williams ($5,100), Jeremiah Fears ($4,800), Isaiah Joe ($4,700), Myron Gardner ($4,000) if he starts, Ethan Thompson ($3,600)

Forward

Stud

Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks vs. Miami Heat ($10,500)

Johnson has leveled up to becoming one of the most consistent fantasy beasts in the game. He’s second in triple-doubles to only Nikola Jokic on the season and has put up at least 60 FPTS 14 times with seven of those over 70 FPTS and a high of 92 FPTS! He thrives in up-tempo environments and Miami is first in pace. The Heat are fifth in defensive rating, but Johnson put up 64.2 and 52.2 FPTS in the two prior meetings with Miami.

Other Options: Michael Porter Jr. ($8,600), Julius Randle ($8,400), Kyle Filipowski ($6,900) if he starts, Jaime Jaquez Jr. ($6,900), Saddiq Bey ($6,800), Jarace Walker ($6,400), Andrew Wiggins ($6,400), Jaden McDaniels ($6,100)

Value

Will Riley, Washington Wizards vs. Indiana Pacers ($4,700)

Over the last two games, Riley has been bad, shooting 1-of-12 and 4-of-10. What’s more disappointing is the lack of production in the other categories, resulting in FPTS in the low-teens. In the prior five games, though, Riley put up over 30 FPTS in four of those contests with two over 40 FPTS. He not only shot well, especially from downtown, but contributed plenty of rebounds, assists and steals. I think the break was a much-needed one for Riley. He could fail again, but I like the potential upside for the price.

Other Options: Brice Sensabaugh ($5,700), Jay Huff ($5,400), Justin Champagnie ($5,400), GG Jackson ($5,400), Jaylen Wells ($4,500), Taylor Hendricks ($4,000), Ousmane Dieng ($4,000), Myron Gardner ($4,000) if he starts

Center

Stud

Day’Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets at Oklahoma City Thunder ($6,200)

Nic Claxton did not play on Thursday due to an ankle injury, so it’s unlikely he plays on Friday. In four prior starts (not including Thursday), Sharpe averaged 30.7 minutes, 13.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.2 blocks and 2.2 steals. On the season, Sharpe averages a more-than-respectable 1.15 FPTS per minute. I do have some concerns about the matchup and potential elevated ownership, but as of now, the floor/ceiling combo in conjunction with the price is appealing. In the last two games Sharpe received at least 26 minutes, he put up over 50 FPTS in both. Granted, those were against Indiana and the Lakers, but still.

Other Options: Bam Adebayo ($9,200), Jarrett Allen ($7,100), Onyeka Okongwu ($7,000), Kyle Filipowski ($6,900) if he starts

Value

Ryan Kalkbrenner, Charlotte Hornets vs. Cleveland Cavaliers ($5,000)

Kalkbrenner only averages 0.8 FPTS per minute, but he should play a ton in this one. Moussa Diabate is out serving a suspension while his size will be needed to combat Jarrett Allen.

Other Options: Jay Huff ($5,400), Kel’el Ware ($5,400), Tristan Vukcevic ($4,800), Jericho Sims ($4,300)