Filling in Your Friday NBA Lineups
Here are theScore's sample daily fantasy basketball lineups for Friday:
Cash Game Without UTIL
| POS | NAME | OPPONENT |
|---|---|---|
| PG | Russell Westbrook (OKC) | vs. HOU |
| PG | Archie Goodwin (PHX) | at NY |
| SG | James Harden (HOU) | at OKC |
| SG | C.J. McCollum (POR) | vs. CHA |
| SF | Kevin Durant (OKC) | vs. HOU |
| SF | Stanley Johnson (DET) | vs. CLE |
| PF | Aaron Gordon (ORL) | at BOS |
| PF | Noah Vonleh (POR) | vs. CHA |
| C | Salah Mejri (DAL) | vs. BKN |
Only fantasy sports lets you imagine Westbrook, Durant and Harden on the same roster; throw in the ascendant McCollum and this cash game roster has four tent-pole players that should reach their expected output. With Harden back where his career started, expect the All-Star triumvirate to bring its best.
GPP Without UTIL
| POS | NAME | OPPONENT |
|---|---|---|
| PG | Damian Lillard (POR) | vs. CHA |
| PG | Archie Goodwin (PHX) | at NY |
| SG | James Harden (HOU) | at OKC |
| SG | Joe Johnson (BKN) | at DAL |
| SF | Jae Crowder (BOS) | vs. ORL |
| SF | Trevor Ariza (HOU) | at OKC |
| PF | Serge Ibaka (OKC) | vs. HOU |
| PF | Josh Smith (HOU) | at OKC |
| C | Andre Drummond (DET) | vs. CLE |
Harden should do the bulk of the heavy lifting on offense, but his supporting cast of Ariza and recently reacquired Smith will be the glue that binds the offense. Goodwin is entrenched in a starting role and big minutes given the Suns' decimated roster.
Cash Game With UTIL
| POS | NAME | OPPONENT |
|---|---|---|
| PG | Russell Westbrook (OKC) | vs. HOU |
| SG | C.J. McCollum (POR) | vs. CHA |
| SF | Kevin Durant (OKC) | vs. HOU |
| PF | Noah Vonleh (POR) | vs. CHA |
| C | Salah Mejri (DAL) | vs. BKN |
| G | Archie Goodwin (PHX) | at NY |
| F | Aaron Gordon (ORL) | at BOS |
| UTIL | Lance Thomas (NY) | vs. PHX |
The counterbalance to having two All-NBA superstars on the same DFS lineup is that you have to find low-cost guys with high expectations. Mejri, Goodwin and Thomas are all getting heavy usage while their teammates are on the shelf and can be had for low salary commitments.
GPP With UTIL
| POS | NAME | OPPONENT |
|---|---|---|
| PG | Damian Lillard (POR) | vs. CHA |
| SG | Archie Goodwin (PHX) | at NY |
| SF | Trevor Ariza (HOU) | at OKC |
| PF | Serge Ibaka (OKC) | vs. HOU |
| C | Andre Drummond (DET) | vs. CLE |
| G | Kyrie Irving (CLE) | at DET |
| F | Josh Smith (HOU) | at OKC |
| UTIL | Salah Mejri (DAL) | vs. BKN |
In Drummond's first meeting with the Cavaliers this season, the Pistons big had 25 points, 18 rebounds, three steals and a block in 39 minutes. Irving still has 40-plus fantasy point potential and comes at a discount given his recent inconsistencies.