NBA Friday Night Fantasy

Here's a breakdown of Friday night in the NBA from a fantasy perspective:

Los Angeles Clippers at Orlando Magic

The Magic are in a tailspin having won only twice over their last 16 games. This bodes well for a Clippers team battling inconsistency and injuries. ... PG Chris Paul does it all and is part of a diabolical one-two fantasy punch with C DeAndre Jordan. Paul will nab close to, if not more than, 10 dimes every game and he's scored 20 or more points in six of his last 10. His two steals per game are a nice extra touch. ... Jordan is averaging more boards (13.8) than points (12.0), but that's still a double-double every game. He has 35 rebounds and 35 points over his last two. ... The Magic feature a bevy of solid fantasy producers from PG/SG Victor Oladipo, who will sprinkle stats into every counting category on a given night. He's prone to busts. ... Neither team defends the frontcourt very well, so in addition to Jordan, look for Magic C Nikola Vucevic to have a productive game. ... Magic G Evan Fournier has seen his minutes dwindle as he's been moved to the bench. Only reach for him in GPP play.

Prediction: Clippers 110, Magic 98
DFS MVP: DeAndre Jordan
DFS Dud: Evan Fournier

Philadelphia 76ers at Washington Wizards

The Wizards have allowed 100-plus points in six straight games, so it might be a treat to host the 76ers who have been contained to fewer than 100 in four of six. ... Look for Wizards PG John Wall to carry the load as he's done all season. He's the closest you'll find to a sure thing in Washington. ... SG Bradley Beal has been playing close to 30 minutes per game since coming off the bench, so there's value to be had. It'd be best to wait until his salary drops. ... His starting replacement, Garrett Temple, is playing 33-38 minutes per night. He's a decent GPP bargain because he's capable of big nights. ... C Marcin Gortat could be in for a good game against the Sixers youthful frontcourt. ... That frontcourt includes C Jahlil Okafor, who found his offensive stroke, but has struggled to return value over the last week. ... PF Nerlens Noel seems to be able to thrive even against defenses who normally handle his position. Fade him in cash games to be safe, but fire him up in GPP play. ... SF Robert Covington has played well enough for his salary to rise. Now, he likely won't return value based on his hefty cost. Fade him.

Prediction: Wizards 104, 76ers 96
DFS MVP: John Wall
DFS Dud: Robert Covington

Miami Heat at Charlotte Hornets

Hornets PG Jeremy Lin had one of his best games - 24 points, five rebounds, eight assists - against the Cavaliers on Wednesday. Problem is Kemba Walker is likely to play Friday. Considering Walker is battling a knee problem, it might be wise to avoid either of them. ... On the opposite end, Miami PG Goran Dragic may not have a very high ceiling, but his floor is steady. He won't score a ton, but he'll make up for it with assists. ... The real prize in Miami is PF Chris Bosh, whose ceiling is through the roof and he'll very rarely put up a complete bust. He's also shooting close to 40% from 3-point range. ... SG Dwyane Wade is similar, in that he is often productive. His salary is high, but he's a good anchor. ... Hornets SF Michael Kidd-Gilchrist has provided a nice boom of production since his surprise return from injury. He's averaging 14.3 points and 10.7 rebounds in his first three games. His salary is rising quickly, so this might be the last time he's worth his price tag. ... SG/SF Nicolas Batum, whether it's from a nagging injury or otherwise, hasn't been returning consistent enough value at his salary. Fade him until it drops or he proves he can do it. ... Neither team's center are worthy of plays in cash games, but Amar'e Stoudemire is on a bit of a roll. With C Hassan Whiteside coming off the bench, he should cut into Stoudemire's effectiveness..

Prediction: Heat 97, Hornets 90
DFS MVP: Chris Bosh
DFS Dud: Nicolas Batum

Indiana Pacers at Atlanta Hawks

The biggest problem with the Hawks is figuring out which member of the backcourt or the wing will have the most productive game. All three of Jeff Teague, Kent Bazemore and Kyle Korver are capable of good DFS runs. As tempting as Korver is, though, he's been more bad than good and should continue to be avoided. ... Teague is the steadiest of the bunch and has better cash game value while Bazemore is the better boom play, though he might be in tough against Pacers SF Paul George. ... George is a better season-long fantasy player than a DFS one. He does a lot, but it doesn't always translate to a big DFS payday especially relative to his lofty DFS salary. He was a dud his last time out against Atlanta, too. ... SG Monta Ellis, despite his price tag, might be the best bet in Indiana. Last time against the Hawks, he scored 25 points while making five rebounds, six assists, five steals and a block. He'll need to come close to that in order to be worth rostering. ... Atlanta's frontcourt is one of the best with PF Paul Millsap and C Al Horford. Millsap played limited minutes against the Hawks last time. Under a full workload, he should be a solid DFS play. ... Horford is a better real-life play, but since the Pacers are without C Ian Mahinmi, he might be in for a bigger game.

Prediction: Hawks 111, Pacers 107
DFS MVP: Paul Millsap
DFS Dud: Kyle Korver

Boston Celtics at Cleveland Cavaliers

After allowing Linsanity to run wild, the Cavaliers will likely play mad and win, though it could bode well for a couple Celtics. ... Most notable is PG Isaiah Thomas. Thomas is averaging 20 points per game on the season and 6.6 assists. Normally, the Cavaliers play the PG position tightly, so it might not be his best game. He's a good flier in GPP due to potential low ownership. ... Similarly, Cavs PG Kyrie Irving will have a difficult matchup as Thomas has been an elite defender. Irving has found his stroke, returning cash game value in three of his last four. ... SF LeBron James is among the priciest at his position, but he has earned that right. That said, James can't just score 20 points and call it a day for DFSers. He either needs a double-double or a bunch of other counting stats. He shouldn't have much trouble Friday, even against the second most efficient defense in the NBA. ... It's hard to trust any of Boston's starters outside of Thomas. Jae Crowder, Amir Johnson and Jared Sullinger play the team game, alternating minutes, and occasionally each having a big game. Problem is, productivity is often spread out to include the bench, making the Celtics one of the most frustrating teams in DFS. ... Cavs PF Kevin Love is on a great five-game stretch, but his salary has been rising while his output has been slightly decreasing. ... PF/C Tristan Thompson is a low-cost risk who gets the minutes but not always the production. Leave him to GPPs.

Prediction: Cavaliers 115, Celtics 96
DFS MVP: LeBron James
DFS Dud: The Celtics frontcourt

Sacramento Kings at Brooklyn Nets

Fantasy players will need to monitor this game for injury updates because it will largely determine who is worth rostering. ... Both Kings PG Rajon Rondo and PF/C DeMarcus Cousins - and with less relevance SG Ben McLemore - are listed as probable with lingering injuries. Though all of them may play, their playing time is not guaranteed. The surest thing among them is Cousins, who can demolish pretty much anyone. He won't have any trouble against the Nets. ... With the possibility of reduced workloads to his teammates, SF Rudy Gay might be an excellent play. He's averaging 21.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists over his last four games - all above his season averages. This is the game to pick him. ... The Nets don't have much worth considering in DFS. PG Donald Sloan and SG Wayne Ellington are purely GPP bargain plays despite their starting jobs. ... PF Thaddeus Young is too inconsistent to trust in cash games. ... SF Joe Johnson is coming off a great game, but he rarely reaches his ceiling and his floor is complete ineffectiveness. ... C Brook Lopez is probably the safest choice. He's a good play, especially if you don't want to risk Cousins' injury on his lofty salary.

Prediction: Kings 97, Nets 88
DFS MVP: Rudy Gay
DFS Dud: Joe Johnson

Memphis Grizzlies at New York Knicks

The ancient Grizzlies have slowly inched into fifth in the Western Conference, but their players are not getting much attention in fantasy. At least, not in comparison to some of the Knicks' big names like PF Kristaps Porzingis, who is probably being rostered by too many people. He hasn't scored more than 15 points in his last seven and he's registered double-digit rebounds only once in his past 10. ... By comparison, Grizzlies C Marc Gasol has been cruising. No double-doubles of late, but he's doing it all. He's even averaging 2.5 steals over his last four games. ... C Robin Lopez, on the opposite end, will cost DFS owners considerably less and if he comes anywhere close to his 26 point, 16 rebound performance from Thursday he will prove to be a tremendous bargain. ... The nicest surprise for Memphis has been SF Jeff Green, who has topped 20 points in four straight. With his salary rising, he is not bound to return value making him a GPP reach if anything. ... PG Mike Conley is a nice bargain play compared to his more expensive peers. He can't be your lineup's centerpiece. ... Knicks SF Carmelo Anthony is pricey and doesn't always warrant his price. He's still the best option on New York's roster. His sub-.300 shooting percentage over his last two games is a concern.

Prediction: Grizzlies 99, Knicks 85
DFS MVP: Marc Gasol
DFS Dud: Kristaps Porzingis

Chicago Bulls at Denver Nuggets

Friday's potential upset special. The Bulls might be without SG Jimmy Butler (knee). If he doesn't play, the Nuggets could roll them over. If Butler plays, it could be a different story. Either way, he's probably not a great idea in DFS on Friday. ... PG Derrick Rose is almost a lock for 30 minutes. No, that is not a typo. At his salary, he's not a bad reach, especially if Butler misses the game. ... In addition to Butler, PF/C Pau Gasol (hand) is questionable. He's a GPP flier based on the injury. ... Neither PF Taj Gibson nor SG E'Twaun Moore provide enough consistency on normal nights, but they should up their production if injuries keep Gasol and Butler out. If this is the case, plug them into a GPP lineup. Otherwise, look elsewhere. ... Nuggets PG Emmanuel Mudiay remains underestimated based on his early-season struggles. He is coming off three consecutive middling performances, but the assists are there. Look for a big game from him. ... While DFS owners may be looking to the Bulls bench to replace Gasol, why not pick Nuggets PF Kenneth Faried, instead? He's inexpensive and averages close to a double-double. ... Similarly, Nikola Jokic has been far more productive than his season averages over his last six. He's dropping 14 points and 9.7 rebounds over that time. He's an excellent big man bargain.

Prediction: Nuggets 104, Bulls 100
DFS MVP: Nikola Jokic
DFS Dud: Pau Gasol (if he plays)

Milwaukee Bucks at Utah Jazz

Both teams feature healthy starting fives so it all comes down to matchups. Fade Bucks PG Michael Carter-Williams against the stingy Jazz defense. This is a team that doesn't offer much fantasy production to non-elite guards. ... Same goes for SG Khris Middleton, though he has better upside than MCW. ... The Bucks only starter worth a look, unless you're taking some contrarian risks, is SF/SG Giannis Antetokounmpo. He is best used in tournament play. When he hits, he hits big. ... The frontcourt of PF Jabari Parker and C Greg Monroe is intriguing, but should be faded on sight. Parker isn't consistent enough, especially against a healthy Jazz frontcourt. Monroe might be worth it, but it's too risky. ... Defending them, PF Derrick Favors and C Rudy Gobert are better defensively and aren't great in DFS. Favors is the better play because Parker may not be able to handle defending him. He's also played 35 minutes in three straight. ... SF Gordon Hayward is poised to have a great game against a Bucks squad that hasn't been able to defend small forwards very effectively. ... Avoid the Jazz guards except as deep bargain fliers in GPPs. Neither PG Raul Neto nor SG Rodney Hood offer enough consistency. Hood is the better of the two.

Prediction: Jazz 95, Bucks 84
DFS MVP: Gordon Hayward
DFS Dud: Michael Carter-Williams

San Antonio Spurs at Dallas Mavericks

Injuries to Spurs PF/C Tim Duncan and SG Manu Ginobili hurt the team's depth, but not enough that you can't find value. In fact, it may increase several players' respective DFS values. ... PG Tony Parker could be the beneficiary, even though his recent output has been subpar. He's not a sure thing, but doesn't have to do much to return value on his low salary. ... SF Kawhi Leonard is too expensive to justify rostering. He is an outstanding player, but it doesn't always translate to DFS. He's a better season-long fantasy player. ... SG Danny Green is the GPP play of the day for San Antonio. He's shooting better from beyond the arc - 50% over the last five games. ... PF/C David West seems to be the bench hand gaining the most value in Duncan's absence. He's more consistent than either C Boban Marjanovic or PF Boris Diaw. If Marjanovic plays 15 minutes, he returns GPP value. He just doesn't do it enough. ... Rostering any Mavericks player is risky against the best defensive team. Fade them all in cash games because of this. ... SF Chandler Parsons, especially should have trouble matched up against Leonard, who may win defensive player of the year again. ... PF Dirk Nowitzki often provides good value, but he's a reach on Friday. Taking his opponent, Spurs PF LaMarcus Aldridge is more likely to pay dividends. ... PG Deron Williams (hip) is expected to play, but he shouldn't find his way into your lineup. Roster G Raymond Felton as a cheap alternative as he should still find minutes off the bench.

Prediction: Spurs 101, Mavericks 89
DFS MVP: LaMarcus Aldridge
DFS Dud: Chandler Parsons