This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
The NBA wasted no time getting back into the swing of things, with 11 games on the second day following the All-Star break. There are some favorable matchups to take advantage of Friday, and I'll be taking a look at one player from each position. Let's dive in.
Elfrid Payton, PHO vs. LAC ($7,500)
Payton is adjusting smoothly to his new role in Phoenix, where he's seen his minutes per game rise from 28.6 to 35.0 and his usage go from 21.7 to 24.0 percent. The fast-paced Suns offense (fourth in the league) helps amplify that, as well. He's only been paired up with backcourt mate Devin Booker once thus far, as Booker was out with injury for Payton's first two games in a Suns uniform.
Despite adding a high-usage player in Booker to the lineup in the final game before the break, Payton actually had his best performance in a Suns uniform, collecting a triple-double against the 25th-slowest-paced team in the league (Utah). Overall, since moving out west, Payton has averaged 41.3 fantasy points by way of 20.3 points, 8.7 assists and 8.3 boards. He'll be thrust into a favorable matchup Friday, as the Clippers are coming off the first half of a back-to-back set -- a loss to the Warriors in Oakland on Thursday. In addition, the Clippers have given up the fifth-most fantasy points to point guards over the past 10 outings, including the second-most points and third-highest field-goal percentage.
Lou Williams, LAC at PHO ($7,000)
Williams has continued his usual production in the wake of the team sending Blake Griffin to the Pistons. In the eight games since that trade, Williams has averaged 34.0 fantasy points via 20.6 points and 6.6 assists in 33.1 minutes with some other stats chipped in -- a stretch that includes two 40-plus fantasy point outings against Detroit and Golden State, respectively. Williams has faced off against Phoenix twice this season already, recording 24.9 fantasy points across 26.0 minutes per game. The total isn't anything to write home about, but it's worth noting he was racking up fantasy points at a rate of 0.96 per minute, which would translate to 31.7 fantasy points if he were to see 33 minutes Friday. His success against the Suns doesn't seem to be flukey, with Phoenix allowing the most fantasy points in the league to shooting guards over the past 10 games.
Joe Ingles, UTA vs. POR ($6,500)
Utah's management opting to send Rodney Hood to the Cavaliers has resulted in a greater offensive role for Ingles. Prior to the Hood trade, Ingles was averaging 22.9 fantasy points on 7.9 shots per game. Those numbers have risen to 37.3 and 14.0, respectively, in the four games since Hood departed. Ingles is putting up those stats on relatively unsustainable shooting splits of 50.0 percent from the field and 50.0 percent from three, but the raw increase in shot attempts means a better fantasy season probably lies ahead. The 20.0 points per game isn't all there is with Ingles, as he's averaging a well-rounded 5.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists and a combined 1.8 steals/blocks over the past four games, as well. Friday's matchup against Portland is a favorable one, as the Trail Blazers allow the 12th-most fantasy points to small forwards and fourth-most to power forwards over the past 10 games, with Ingles occupying both forwards spots for almost equal time.
Dwight Powell, DAL at LAL ($6,700)
Coach Rick Carlisle noted just prior to the All-Star break that he would be giving his veterans most rest down the stretch, which has subsequently resulted in Powell receiving significant run. He's been productive in his expanded role, posting 16.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.2 steals and a combined 1.1 steals/blocks (31.9 fantasy points) across 28.2 minutes over the past six games. One of those games was against the Lakers, in which he posted 33.9 fantasy points by way of 19 points, seven boards, two steals and a dime. It could easily be more of the same Friday, as L.A. allows the fifth-most fantasy points to power forwards over the past 10 games. Powell doesn't have a high fantasy ceiling, as he's never cracked 36 fantasy points this year, but also hasn't fallen below 27.0 fantasy points over the past six outings. Overall, he projects to be a relatively safe play in cash contests or GPPs.
Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN at HOU ($9,700)
Towns has had his fair share of ups and downs this season, with eight games below 30 fantasy points and seven games above 60. Notably, two of his 60-plus fantasy outings have come against Friday's opponent. Opposing center Clint Capela hasn't been able to check Towns this season, allowing him to average 28.5 points, 14.0 rebounds, a combined 5.5 steals/blocks and 3.0 assists. In some cases, that could be chalked up to a small sample size, except Towns annihilated the Rockets last season, as well, averaging 63.4 fantasy points in the teams' four matchups. If history is any indication, Towns is a near must-play Friday.
