After a quiet night around the association on Thursday, the NBA returns with a full slate for Friday with 11 games on the schedule. That means there will be plenty of options to choose from in Daily Fantasy Leagues and it will be that much more important to consider every angle. Here is a look at some important information you need to know heading in to Friday night’s NBA action.
Weak Defense To Target: New Orleans
A couple of days ago we pointed out the Pelicans’ defense as the weak unit to target in Daily Fantasy Leagues and the Oklahoma City Thunder ended up going off for 110 points against them. Two nights later, New Orleans is set to host the San Antonio Spurs and once again they are the weak defense you should target. The Pelicans have allowed an average of 112.5 points per game over their last two contests and are simply a mess so far in the Alvin Gentry era. There are injuries, chemistry issues and everyone is failing in the new system. This is a great place to start some Spurs players in daily fantasy as the Pelicans are in a world of hurt right now.
Player Who’s Hot Right Now: Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks
A lot has been made about Anthony and his future in New York but right now, he has played well in fantasy terms. He has heated up of late, averaging 24.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.0 threes per game over the last week and those are pretty good totals for a player that has gotten a lot of flak of late. It has helped that the Knicks have been a more cohesive, well-rounded team, which has distracted defensive attention away from Anthony. Kristaps Porzingis had 29 last week, so defenses are starting to respect him more.
The Knicks will be in tough against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night and that should lead to a greater sense of urgency for Anthony to deliver at the offensive end of the floor.
Injuries & Rest Create Opportunities For…: Jamal Crawford
Chris Paul and J.J. Redick have missed time with injuries and Jamal Crawford continues to take advantage. It looks like Paul will be a game-time decision for Friday while Redick is likely to be kept out. That means there’s an opening for Crawford to continue his hot streak on Friday night against the Portland Trail Blazers. Crawford has been on fire with Redick sidelined including an average of 27.5 points, 5.5 assists and 3.5 rebounds in LA’s two games heading in to Thursday night’s clash with the Golden State Warriors. With the Clippers playing on short rest, he should have another strong fantasy performance even if Paul is back in the lineup.
[related_post_one]
Highest Scoring Game Of The Night: CHI @ GS
The Golden State Warriors have been on an absolute tear early on this season and there is no reason to expect them to slow down at home against the Chicago Bulls on Friday night. Golden State leads the NBA with an average of 114.2 points per game and while the Bulls have some decent two-way talent that could be capable of slowing down lesser opponents, that isn’t likely to happen against the Warriors. The Warriors have been prolific this season and no team has held them under 100 points so far. As for Chicago, remember that this is a team that’s changing its identity. They used to be defensive oriented but that’s changed under Fred Hoiberg. They’re 10th in the NBA in points per game, which is a drop-off from where they averaged under Tom Thibodeau. However, their offense has slightly picked up, averaging a point per game better than last season.
Chicago will have to put up a decent point total in order to even keep this game close, so target this matchup as the highest scoring game of the night and one that is loaded with fantasy potential led by the MVP Stephen Curry.
