This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
We've been handed an eight game slate Friday. That's somewhat of a goldilocks zone in DFS -- enough games to provide us with a myriad of options at each position, but not so many that it becomes too overwhelming. I generally recommend players based on tournament upside, though many options have a relatively high floor, making them quality cash options as well.
GUARDS
Stephen Curry, GS at ORL ($9,700)
Two things tempt me to back off Curry: his pricetag and his injury. In cash games, he should make for a solid option considering his relatively high floor -- he's racked up fewer than 40 fantasy points just five times this season. That said, in a tournament setting, I'm looking for Curry to get closer to 50, which he's achieved only four times this year. He's also been nursing a hand injury that coach Steve Kerr indicated may linger throughout the season. But, even with all that in mind, the Magic are getting destroyed by point guards over the past 10 games, allowing the most fantasy points to the position, and I have feel pretty safe banking on Curry to contribute to that Friday. His consistency alone arguably makes him worth the investment, whether it be cash or tournament, any time he sees a favorable matchup.
Victor Oladipo, IND at TOR ($8,600)
Oladipo has arguably been playing at an All-Star-caliber level as of late. In the past nine outings, the combo guard has averaged 22.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 2.4 steals and 1.4 blocks per game. That stretch of games also included a 73.3-fantasy-point outburst against the Magic, not to mention an impressive 53.7 mark, also against the Magic. The Raptors allow the 10th most fantasy points to shooting guards, putting Oladipo in prime position to succeed Friday.
FORWARDS
Aaron Gordon, ORL vs GS ($7,900)
While there's little doubt that opposing power forward Draymond Green is one of the best defenders in the league, the Warriors are still allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to power forwards. Gordon is coming off a 78-fantasy-point performance against the Thunder, which came after a nice stretch of five games where he averaged 35.6 fantasy points. The pace of the game should play into Gordon's favor as well, as the Warriors rank fifth in pace while the Magic rank sixth. His floor of about 25 fantasy points makes him a risky cash play, but his upside is undeniable for tournaments.
Taj Gibson, MIN at OKC ($5,500)
Coach Tom Thibodeau seemingly hates every moment Gibson isn't on the floor, as the veteran big man has averaged 38.0 minutes per game over the past five contests. Gibson has also averaged 32.8 fantasy points per game over that stretch, far outperforming relative to his price point. He'll also be entering a favorable matchup against the Thunder, who sacrifice the sixth-most fantasy points to power forwards on the season. Overall, cash or tournament, Gibson looks to be one of the safest plays at this price point.
Kelly Olynyk, MIA vs CHA ($4,900)
When news broke that Hassan Whiteside (knee) would be sidelined, I initially anticipated suggesting Bam Adebayo. However, his $4,700 salary has scared me off, and his results have been relatively mixed in extended run. I certainly think Adebayo is an acceptable option, but Olynyk has a better feel to me, as much as that may be simply be about sample size. Olynyk has had ups and downs of his own, though he's currently averaging just a hair under one fantasy point per minute (19.0 fantasy points, 19.1 minutes) and garnered 25 minutes of run during Wednesday's game against New York.
He's also tallied over 30 fantasy points on two occasions this season, neither game featuring Whiteside. His matchup against Dwight Howard doesn't worry me much, either, as Olynyk is often perimeter-oriented in his approach and Howard does his best defensive work in the paint. I believe he's fairly priced for both cash and tournaments, with his budget price allowing us to spend up on top-tier players.
Anthony Davis, NO at UTA ($10,400)
Who is guarding Davis in this game? Keeping in mind that whoever isn't guarding Davis will have to guard DeMarcus Cousins instead. The options are Derrick Favors, Ekpe Udoh, Jonas Jerebko, Joe Ingles or Thabo Sefolosha -- not great. The Jazz give up the 18th-most fantasy points to power forwards over the past 10 games, which isn't promising on paper. But, it's tough for me to imagine any of the aforementioned players holding Davis in check. Even if Davis reaches just his average (49.3 fantasy points), it would be worth the investment. His upside is what makes him enticing, however. On five occasions this season, Davis has reached at least 60 fantasy points. His season high also stands at 68.5 fantasy points, which he achieved against Golden State, who also, like the Jazz, lacked the size to neutralize him. Cash or tournament, Davis seems like a play that is likely to pay off.
