The NBA returns with a full slate of games for Friday night as the push to the playoffs continues. Finding the best starting lineup for daily leagues involves keeping an eye on the motivations of all teams. There is plenty of value available with 10 games on the slate, so here’s our best five bets if you’re playing DraftKings or any other daily league.
PG – George Hill, Indiana Pacers
Overall, the Pacers have been an absolute mess over the past couple of weeks but they are still right there in the thick of the playoff race. That means you have to ride with Hill, who has put up some monster numbers of late. He’s fresh off a 21-point performance where he picked up six rebounds, six assists and three threes. He’s averaged 21.1 points per game over his last 10 contests with 4.7 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 0.7 steals. That should continue with Indiana set to host the Charlotte Hornets in a game they simply have to win.
SG – Joe Johnson, Brooklyn Nets
Johnson failed to record a double-digit point total for the first time in four games in Wednesday’s win over the New York Knicks but he had averaged over 19 points and 7.0 rebounds over his previous three games. Hopefully the law of averages is on our side and he bounces right back. He’s got a favorable matchup on tap against the Toronto Raptors. Johnson has carved Toronto apart in recent years, averaging 15.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.0 threes and 0.7 steals. With the Nets heating up in time for a playoff push, he should come through with a big performance against the Raptors in a rematch of last year’s opening round series.
SF – Andrew Wiggins, Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota has banked on its young talent all season and while the results haven’t been there in terms of overall wins, they have to be happy with the progress made by their young players. Wiggins in particular has shown a dramatic improvement and should be a lock to win the Rookie of the Year award at this point. Wiggins has an easy matchup against the Orlando Magic on Friday night and with the game coming at home, he should be able to dominate. The Magic rank 25th in defense this season, giving up 102.1 points per game.
Wiggins has been on fire since the All-Star break, scoring 19.1 points per game while contributing 4.5 rebounds. 1.9 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.6 blocks. He’s coming off a 25-point effort against the Toronto on Wednesday and should continue his strong play on Friday.
PF –Nikola Vucevic, Orlando Magic
Sticking with the date between the Magic and Timberwolves, Vucevic offers excellent value at the power forward position as a player that has averaged a ridiculous 18 points, 12.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0 blocks over the last seven days. He’s coming off his first three-block game since December and he’s posted three straight double-doubles, so hopefully he can keep it up. Those are absolutely dominant stats for a player that most casual fans would be surprised to see produce at that level and that makes him a perfect fit for Friday’s game against Minnesota.
C – Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans
As if anybody needs more reason to have an All-Star center that has averaged 20.8 points, 10 rebounds and 2.8 blocks locked in the fact that the Pelicans are pushing hard for a playoff spot and have a favorable matchup against the Sacramento Kings on Friday night means he is a must-have for your lineup. Only one team in the NBA gives up more points per game than the Kings at 105 per game, so the Eyebrow should be able to feast in this spot.
The money saved in other positions will help with flexibility to stay under the cap. With Davis healthy and playing at an elite level, he should be in your starting five on Friday.
