This article is part of our FantasyDraft NBA series.
Friday's eight-game ledger has almost all of its elite options at forward/center, leaving us with plenty of strong value at guard in the mid-tier and below. Injuries to notable players also place a couple of their superstar teammates in position for spectacular contributions, making for an intriguing night of lineup construction. Without further delay, let's dive into some of the best options on tonight's slate:
GUARDS
Victor Oladipo, IND vs. CLE ($16,300): After scoring between 43.75 and 65.75 fantasy points in four of his last five games, Oladipo is now averaging 41.14 fantasy points per game, a number befitting a higher-priced player. He's become the unquestioned primary source of offense on the Pacers, and his usage should be through the roof in what is expected to be a back-and-forth affair against a Cavs team that has often been hard-pressed to slow down two-guards. Cleveland allows the third-most fantasy points (55.2) to the position on the season, including 57.8 over the last five. They're also surrendering the second most made three-pointers (4.3) to shooting guards per contest, while Oladipo is shooting a career-best 43.7 percent from behind the arc on a career-high 5.6 three-point attempts per game. For those needing to save some cash, Kemba Walker ($15,200) is also in a very good spot against a Bulls team that's been porous versus point guards all season.
Eric Bledsoe, MIL vs. DAL ($13,500): Bledsoe has proven to be a seamless fit in the Bucks' system, eclipsing 30 fantasy points in five games and generating over 40 on another three occasions. He's sporting a 27.7 percent usage rate that's second only to Giannis Antetokounmpo among the starters and is averaging 1.08 fantasy points per minute thus far in his Milwaukee tenure. The Mavericks shape up as soft targets for him Friday, as they've allowed the fourth most fantasy points (52.5) to point guards, along with the most points (26.7) and most three-pointers (3.0) to the position.
Yogi Ferrell, DAL at MIL ($7,000): Speaking of the Mavericks' backcourt, rookie Dennis Smith, Jr. is questionable for Friday's contest with a hip injury, which could well leave Ferrell with a starting assignment. He's likely to see a solid allotment of playing time regardless, as Ferrell has seen no less than 20 minutes in any contest this season. He's also scored 22.00 and 23.75 fantasy points in his last two games, while the Bucks have allowed 48.8 fantasy points to ones over the last five, along with the third most three-pointers (2.6) to the position on the season.
FORWARDS/CENTERS
DeMarcus Cousins, NO vs. SAC ($21,000): Anthony Davis is questionable for Friday's contest with his adductor injury, but irrespective of his status, Cousins is in a premium spot against his former squad. Not only will he have the extra juice that comes with facing his old teammates, but the matchup also works heavily in his favor. Sacramento has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points (41.3) to centers, along with the most rebounds (13.1), fifth-most assists (3.0), second-most steals (1.5) and fifth-highest shooting percentage (56.0) to the position. Cousins is coming off an 81.00-fantasy-point explosion against the Nuggets on Wednesday, and he'd scored 50.00 and 58.75 fantasy points, respectively, in his prior two games.
Kevin Love, CLE at IND ($15,500): Love has scored between 38.75 and 56.75 fantasy points in his last five games, posting a 33.4 percent usage rate and averaging 1.35 points per possession and 1.56 fantasy points per minute over that span. The Pacers have struggled to contain centers all season, as they're surrendering the most fantasy points (44.3) to fives, including the most (51.8) over the last ten. They've also yielded the most points (19.2), fifth-most rebounds (12.1), fifth-most assists (3.0), most blocks (2.2) and fourth-highest shooting percentage (57.0) to the position, making Love a particularly appealing play in the mid-tier.
John Henson, MIL vs. DAL ($8,700): Henson has bumped up his contributions recently, as he's scored between 21.00 and 30.50 fantasy points in six of his last seven games. That stretch includes four games with double-digit scoring and a pair of double-doubles, boosting his fantasy points average to a solid 20.95 on the season. He'll find himself in a good spot against the Mavericks, which have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points (39.9) to centers, including a notably higher 47.0 over the last five contests. They're also yielding the sixth-most rebounds (12.0) and 1.6 blocks per game to fives, two particularly relevant numbers for a player like Henson, who often generates significant fantasy production in those categories.
UTILITY
Kevin Durant, GS at DET ($20,300): If Wednesday's 70.75 fantasy-point outburst against the Hornets is any indication, Durant's production is going to be through the roof while Stephen Curry (ankle) remains sidelined. The Pistons could be willing facilitators for more spectacular numbers Friday, as despite a solid overall defense, they've been consistently vulnerable to small forwards. Detroit is allowing the third most fantasy points (44.7) to threes, including the second-most (56.3) over the last ten.
Zach Randolph, SAC at NO ($11,400): Serge Ibaka ($11,300) also makes for a nice pivot at just $100 less, but Randolph's recent production and Friday's matchup makes him an excellent play as well. The Pelicans may be without Anthony Davis once again Friday, but even if he suits up, New Orleans has notably allowed 46.8 fantasy points per game on the season to power forwards, including the second most (63.0) over the last five. They're also yielding bottom-10 figures in points (20.7) and rebounds (11.9) to the position on the campaign, while Randolph has scored between 33.25 and 48.75 fantasy points in his last three games and averages a solid 27.3 fantasy points per contest on the season.
