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This article aims to highlight some of the best NBA DFS Plays at every position for your cash game lineups. Keep in mind that the following player write-ups were constructed earlier in the day, and sometimes injury/rest situations can alter the fantasy landscape. Monitoring our NBA News & Headlines Feed throughout the day will keep you in the loop while giving you the subsequent DFS consequences of each information piece.
We’ll take a look at Friday’s 9-game slate starting at 7:00 ET. Note that Yahoo is running a 7-game main slate starting at 7:30 ET.
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POINT GUARD
James Harden – Brooklyn (at Atlanta) - DK: $11,200 / FD: $10,400 / Yahoo: $48
There are a few attractive games on the schedule tonight, with this Eastern Conference showdown being one of them. Given that both teams play at a high level offensively, with Atlanta ranking only 24th in defensive rating, I’m preferring the Nets tonight. In fact, Atlanta gives up the third-most fantasy points to opposing PGs, and Harden is poised to take advantage. He’s riding a three-game double-double streak, two with assists and one with rebounds and lately he’s been just a stat or two away from a triple-double.
Also Consider: Jrue Holiday, Chris Paul, De’Aaron Fox, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Cody Martin, Fred VanVleet
SHOOTING GUARD
Cade Cunningham – Detroit (at New Orleans) - DK: $7,500 / FD: $7,000 / Yahoo: $27
Cunningham seems to have found some consistency as every game since Thanksgiving has yielded at least 30 fantasy points. He’s scored in the double-digits (average 20 PPG) and posted two double-doubles in that span. New Orleans ranks 27th in defensive rating, one of the few worse than the Pistons, but sixth in turnover rate. Cunningham has at least one steal in his last four games, and should keep that streak alive while boosting his fantasy line tonight. Cunningham wasn’t a player I set out to build my lineups around tonight, but I keep being happy to be able to fit him in. With a floor around 30 and ceiling over 50, he works in all lineups tonight.
Also Consider: Kelly Oubre, Eric Gordon, Gary Trent, Hamidou Diallo, Cedi Osman
SMALL FORWARD
Kevin Huerter – Atlanta (vs. Brooklyn) - DK: $5,200 / FD: $4,600 / Yahoo: $14
This is definitely a position I want to save at, while taking advantage of the high scoring game environment again. Cameron Johnson is another great option here ($4600 DK, $4100 FD, $11 Yahoo) as is Chris Duarte (FD and DK). Huerter is playing heavy minutes in the Hawks wing rotation, and has scored at least 10 and as many as 28 points per game in December. He adds enough counting stats to feel good about rostering him at these salaries.
Also Consider: Cameron Johnson, Chris Duarte, Kevin Durant, Scottie Barnes, Josh Hart, Khris Middleton
POWER FORWARD
Jayson Tatum – Boston (at Phoenix) - DK: $9,900 / FD: $9,700 / Yahoo: $46 (SF)
Tatum is on some kind of tear lately, averaging well over 30 points per game with three double-doubles so far this month. Phoenix is a great defensive team, but they also play at a faster pace than Boston, which should benefit Tatum. He’s played against a bunch of good defensive teams on this road trip and is thriving. It’s telling that the Suns are only 4.5-point favorites at home tonight…a close game is exactly what we want.
Also Consider: Domantas Sabonis, Harrison Barnes, Miles Bridges, Pascal Siakam, Marvin Bagley III
CENTER
Bobby Portis – Milwaukee (at Houston) - DK: $7,100 / FD: $7,000 / Yahoo: $23
Whereas I’ve taken to the extremes with some of the other positions tonight, I like my center right in the middle tier. Portis is certainly more expensive than usual, but he is playing amazing ball right now. He broke a three-game double-double streak vs. Miami Wednesday night, but I bet he gets back to it against the Rockets tonight. Houston gives up the second-most overall fantasy points and ranks fifth in fantasy points to opposing centers. The Rockets also turn the ball over at the highest rate in the league and play at the fastest pace. Portis is a solid play with upside suitable for any lineup.
Also Consider: Alex Len, Anthony Davis, Jarrett Allen, Myles Turner
ADDITIONAL NOTES
Alex Len (C – SAC) With Richaun Holmes out, Len will take on a bigger role in the Kings’ frontcourt. The matchup with Charlotte is one I’m eager to target (but note that it is not on the Yahoo main slate), given the 231.5-point over/under and narrow to non-existent spread. Both teams rank in the Top 5 in overall fantasy points allowed with favorable DvP up and down the court, including the Hornets being the league-best center matchup. For $3100 (DK) or $3900 (FD), Len is a major salary-saver at PF or C who should return at least 20 fantasy points in tonight’s game.
Kelly Oubre (F – CHA) If you can afford it, taking more players from this game is a good way to go. Again, if this game were on the Yahoo slate, I would have said more about it above. Oubre is on fire, and while he is expensive, and can always put up a dud, this is a really strong spot for him and Miles Bridges.
Eric Gordon (G/F – HOU) is a guy to fill the last spot in your lineup when the salary is right. In other words, I’m not going to build around him, but I’m ending up with him. The Bucks are huge favorites tonight, but Gordon’s hot shooting has led the Rockets to six straight wins. While he’s hot, and playing around 30 MPG, he’s worthy of a roster spot.
