Counterattack: Stephenson Should Benefit From Memphis' Grizzly Injury Situation

Here are the top against-the-grain selections for Friday's 10-game slate:

SF Lance Stephenson, Grizzlies (vs. Pelicans)

After three straight efforts of at least 13 points and five rebounds, Stephenson's last game was a bit of a dud, with only two points on 1-of-8 shooting, two rebounds and three assists.

He's not quite cheap enough to be a bargain, and doesn't typically start, so he may fly under the fantasy radar again Friday. He's one of the team's few healthy regulars, and more importantly, can serve as a point forward thanks to his passing prowess. With Mike Conley (foot) out again Friday, Memphis is down to 10-day contract signee Briante Adams as its lone pure point guard.

Even if Adams starts, Stephenson should feature in a playmaking role. In 2013-14, the best season of Stephenson's career, he averaged 4.6 assists per game, and in 10 games in Memphis, he's had five efforts of at least three assists. His all-around ability should flourish against New Orleans, which allows the sixth-most points per game (105.8).

PG Elfrid Payton, Magic (at Kings)

Questionable for Friday's game with a sprained elbow, Payton has a fantastic matchup with the defensively indifferent Kings if he can suit up.

His scoring is inconsistent at the best of times, but of late he's offered strong assist and steal contributions, allowing him to return four to six times the value on his mid-level price. Sacramento allows the most points per game (109.6) and plays at the league's fastest pace, maximizing the number of possessions available to both teams.

Including a 20-minute effort Tuesday where he was perhaps limited by the elbow injury, Payton is averaging 10.6 points, 7.2 assists and two steals over his last five games.

SF Rudy Gay, Kings (vs. Magic)

Gay's last five games have included an injury absence and two efforts of single-digit scoring, so he may not be among the most popular DFS small forwards, especially with Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony available on Friday's slate.

With DeMarcus Cousins serving a team-issued suspension Friday, Gay should relish being the Kings' top offensive option, if only for a night. The last game Cousins missed was a Feb. 2 home win over the Bucks in which Gay responded with 32 points, nine rebounds and six assists.

Gay is the logical choice to compensate for Cousins' NBA-leading 35.5 per cent usage rate, especially with the pass-first Rajon Rondo running the show. At a mid-range price on most DFS sites, the ex-Raptor should return excellent value as the Kings' biggest offensive threat.