This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
Friday's 10-game ledger gives us plenty to work with, though one storyline will dominate the day: Anthony Davis' absence. Davis will miss Friday's contest against the Wizards due to a sprained ankle, opening up 35-plus frontcourt minutes on the Pelicans, not to mention distributing usage around the team. As a result, it will be tough not to automatically slot three or four Pelicans players into your lineup and then looking for fillers around them.
Point Guard
Lonzo Ball, LAL at DEN ($7,500)
Ball has played four games at a 30-plus minute workload since returning from a knee injury that cost him over a month of the season. In those four contests, Ball has fallen below 35 fantasy points just once, which occurred against Portland where the rookie provided only 10 points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals in 33 minutes. But he also dropped an impressive 49.9 fantasy points on the Spurs by way of 18 points, 11 dimes, seven rebounds, two blocks and a steal. Arguably the most important reason he's played so well over the past four games is his improved shooting, especially his 45.5 percent clip from beyond the arc considering he's taken 8.3 threes per game.
He's played well against Friday's opponent, the Nuggets, this season. In two prior matchups, Ball has averaged 39.5 fantasy points on the back of 10.0 points, 12.5 boards, 8.0 assists, 1.0 steal and 1.0 block in 36.6 minutes. The Nuggets haven't been great against point guards lately, either, allowing the 10th most fantasy points to the position over the past 10 games, including the third-highest field goal percentage.
Shooting Guard
Jrue Holiday, NOP vs. WAS ($8,500)
Holiday has been on a tear lately, averaging 24.9 points, 8.5 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 1.5 steals (47.3 fantasy points) over the past 10 games. He could be set up to exceed all those numbers Friday, as Anthony Davis (ankle) will be sidelined for the contest. As a result, the ball will likely run through Holiday much more often, as he's now the team's best player available. In fact, when both Davis and DeMarcus Cousins haven't been on the court this season, Holiday sports a 35.4 percent usage. Under those same conditions, of which there have been 160.2 minutes played by Holiday, he's averaged 30.6 points, 8.8 assists, 3.6 boards and a combined 2.3 steals/blocks per 36 minutes (50.9 fantasy points). Overall, he seems like a must-play in both cash and GPP given the situation, which should lead to a high floor and high ceiling.
Small Forward
Mario Hezonja, ORL at SAC ($4,300)
With Aaron Gordon going through concussion protocol and set to miss Friday's contest, Hezonja will presumably step into his starting spot at power forward, as has been the case when Gordon has missed time previously this season. Evan Fournier (knee) will also be on the shelf, which could help Hezonja see a greater uptick in usage. With both Gordon and Fournier off the floor this season, Hezonja has averaged 34.1 fantasy points per 36 minutes by way of 17.8 points, 5.9 boards, 2.0 assists and a combined 2.6 steals/blocks -- more than enough to justify deploying him at his price tag.
Power Forward
Nikola Mirotic ($6,700) and/or Cheick Diallo ($3,500), NOP vs. WAS
I've included both Mirotic and Diallo because they are both extremely viable options from the Pelicans with Anthony Davis (ankle) out, but come at vastly different price tags. Mirotic is likely the safer option, especially since coach Alvin Gentry could opt to play him heavy minutes at the power forward to get some three-point shooting. In that scenario, Diallo and Emeka Okafor would probably split most of the time at center, limiting Diallo's upside to some extent.
With both Davis and DeMarcus Cousins off the floor this season, Mirotic has been excellent. In those 118.9 minutes, Mirotic is averaging 27.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists and a combined 2.1 steals/blocks per 36 minutes (46.1 fantasy points). Diallo has been highly productive as well, averaging 42.0 fantasy points (18.3 points, 12.3 boards, 2.7 combined steals/blocks) per 36 in the aforementioned scenario. For the price, Diallo could end up being the better value, but it's hard to gauge if the minutes will be there.
Center
Emeka Okafor, NOP vs. WAS ($3,800)
It's hard to avoid deploying some combination of three or four of these Pelicans players given the situation. The story with Okafor is the same as it is with Mirotic and Diallo -- the frontcourt minutes simply have to be filled and he has proven to be highly productive relative to his price tag without Davis and Cousins in the fold. Per 36 minutes with Davis and Cousins off the floor, Okafor has averaged 48.0 fantasy points via 14.5 points, 12.3 boards and 5.8 blocks. Even if he sees just 24 minutes, his projection comes out to 32.0 fantasy points -- nearly 10x value.
