ESPN's fantasy basketball daily cheat sheet is your pregame destination before you set your lineups for that night's games. Here you'll read our best advice for the night, including a selection of players you can stream as well as game-by-game injury reports.
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Top streamers | Best bets | DFS picks | Odds & Injury report
What you need to know for Friday's games
There are seven games on Friday's NBA slate, though it's worth noting that DraftKings is not including the Timberwolves-Warriors matchup in the main DFS slate. The game I'm looking forward to the most features the Atlanta Hawks against the Detroit Pistons. This matchup is loaded with young star power.
Detroit enters as the top seed in the Eastern Conference behind Cade Cunningham's rise and an elite defense, while Atlanta looks to stop a three-game skid as Jalen Johnson continues his breakout stretch. The Pistons have won both meetings this season, but with key injuries on both sides and the two teams built on pace and athleticism, this game has all the ingredients to be the most compelling matchup of the night.
Let's break down the action and find some fantasy streamers and betting angles to make the most of tonight's slate.
Friday's fantasy stream team
Jock Landale, C, Memphis Grizzlies (4.4%)
Zach Edey will be sidelined for at least four weeks due to a stress reaction in his left ankle, and Landale will step in against a Utah Jazz team that ranks top 10 in fantasy points allowed to centers. At $3,700, he's also a strong value play in DFS.
Tristan Vukcevic, C/PF, Washington Wizards (0.7%)
Alex Sarr's absence due to a thigh injury has created a streaming opportunity for Vukcevic, who has averaged 26.0 fantasy points per game over that span. Vukcevic is also a viable DFS option at $4,300 for those seeking value at center or power forward.
KJ Simpson, PG, Charlotte Hornets (0.2%)
With LaMelo Ball and Collin Sexton ruled out for Friday's game due to injuries, Simpson is positioned to start. He has scored at least 23 fantasy points in two consecutive games with Ball and Sexton sidelined. Simpson is also a nice DFS value at $4,500.
Moody's favorite bets for Friday
Evan Mobley OVER 29.5 points and rebounds (-120)
The Wizards rank last in defensive rating and struggle to protect the paint, and Mobley is likely to play center with Jarrett Allen ruled out due to a finger injury. Washington gives up the most points per game and the second-most rebounds per game to centers this season. Mobley has gone over this line in only two of his past five games without Allen, but he has averaged 29.4 points and rebounds in those contests. The Cavaliers are heavy favorites, but Mobley should be able to clear this number before the game gets out of hand.
Quinten Post OVER 14.5 points and rebounds (-113)
Post has played at least 25 minutes in three straight games, and that should continue against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night with Draymond Green and Al Horford out. He has cleared this line in three of four games this season without Green and Horford. In those games, Post has averaged 12.3 field-goal attempts and 12.3 rebound chances, along with 7.0 three-point attempts per game, which adds to his appeal. The Timberwolves have been a middle-of-the-road defensive team against centers this season.
Miles Bridges OVER 12.5 rebounds and assists (-137)
Bridges should see a heavy usage rate against the Chicago Bulls with Ball and Sexton already ruled out. He has gone over this line in both games without them this season, recording at least 17 rebounds and assists in each and generating at least 14 rebound chances and potential assists in both. The Bulls play at the second-fastest pace in the league and also allow a high number of rebounds to small forwards, which further boosts Bridges' outlook.
Top Daily Fantasy values of the day
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$8,100-plus salary
Jalen Johnson, PF, Hawks ($10,600)
Johnson continues to develop into one of the league's top players, scoring at least 70 fantasy points in four of his past five games. He's producing numbers reminiscent of Nikola Jokic and should thrive against the Pistons, especially with Kristaps Porzingis ruled out.
Donovan Mitchell, SG/PG, Cleveland Cavaliers ($9,800)
Mitchell has surpassed 50 fantasy points in only two of his last seven games, but his 33.2% usage rate this season keeps him well-positioned for a big performance against a Wizards team that ranks 30th in defensive rating and fifth in pace.
Anthony Davis, PF/C, Dallas Mavericks ($9,600)
Davis has scored at least 48 fantasy points in three of his last five games since returning from a calf injury. The Mavericks frontcourt is thin with Dereck Lively II out for the season and Daniel Gafford doubtful for Friday night's game, and Davis should shine against a Brooklyn Nets team that has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to power forwards.
Onyeka Okongwu, C, Hawks ($8,200)
Okongwu is another strong value at center if you're looking to save some salary, especially in a game where Porzingis is out and Okongwu should log ample minutes. He has scored at least 40 fantasy points in three of his last six games, including one against the Pistons.
$6,100-$8,000 salary
Lauri Markkanen, PF, Jazz ($8,000)
Markkanen missed Sunday's game due to an illness but is expected to play against the Grizzlies on Friday night. He has averaged 39.0 fantasy points per game in December, and with this matchup carrying the second-highest total on the slate, his fantasy outlook remains strong.
Cooper Flagg, SG, Mavericks ($7,000)
Flagg's confidence continues to grow with every game, and he has scored at least 38 fantasy points in four of his last six outings. With the Nets ranking 27th in defensive rating, Flagg is well-positioned to deliver another strong performance on Friday night.
Andrew Nembhard, PG, Indiana Pacers ($6,600)
Nembhard has emerged as a reliable lead guard for the Pacers with Tyrese Haliburton not expected to play this season, delivering strong production and validating the team's trust in him. He has recorded at least 32 fantasy points in four straight games, including one with 56.
$3,500-$6,000 salary
Kyle Filipowski, PF, Jazz ($5,700)
Filipowski's minutes have been trending up, and head coach Will Hardy has spoken positively about him recently. He has averaged 32.8 fantasy points per game over that span. Even with Jusuf Nurkic available for Friday night's game, his return shouldn't negatively impact Filipowski's fantasy productivity.
Walter Clayton Jr., SG/PG, Jazz ($3,500)
Clayton has averaged 24.0 fantasy points and 22.2 minutes per game over his last five contests as his role in the Jazz rotation has grown. He should remain involved against the Grizzlies.
Projections and Injury Reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook
Chicago Bulls at Charlotte Hornets
7 p.m. ET
Line: Bulls -3.5 (-110) | Hornets +3.5 (-110)
Money line: Bulls -155 | Hornets +130
Total: 229.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Hornets by 0.4, straight up 51%, 237.2 total points.
Injury Report:
Bulls: Noa Essengue, (OFS - Shoulder); Coby White, (GTD - Calf); Isaac Okoro, (GTD - Back); Jalen Smith, (GTD - Hamstring); Tre Jones, (GTD - Ankle); Zach Collins, (GTD - Wrist); Ayo Dosunmu, (OUT - Thumb); Kevin Huerter, (OUT - Thigh)
Hornets: Moussa Diabate, (GTD - Knee); Collin Sexton, (OUT - Quadriceps); Grant Williams, (OUT - Knee); LaMelo Ball, (OUT - Ankle); Pat Connaughton, (OUT - Calf)
Atlanta Hawks at Detroit Pistons
7 p.m. ET
Line: Hawks +7.5 (-110) | Pistons -7.5 (-110)
Money line: Hawks +230 | Pistons -285
Total: 232.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Pistons by 4.6, straight up 64%, 237.9 total points.
Injury Report:
Hawks: Jacob Toppin, (OFS - Shoulder); Kristaps Porzingis, (OUT - Illness); N'Faly Dante, (OUT - Concussion); Trae Young, (OUT - Knee); Nikola Durisic, (OUT - Elbow)
Pistons: Tolu Smith, (GTD - Ankle); Isaac Jones, (OUT - Knee)
Indiana Pacers at Philadelphia 76ers
7 p.m. ET
Line: Pacers +6.5 (-105) | 76ers -6.5 (-115)
Money line: Pacers +225 | 76ers -278
Total: 224.5 (-112 O, -108 U)
BPI Projection: 76ers by 7.3, straight up 70%, 237.1 total points.
Injury Report:
Pacers: Obi Toppin, (OUT - Foot); Tyrese Haliburton, (OFS - Achilles); Quenton Jackson, (GTD - Hamstring); Kam Jones, (OUT - Back); Aaron Nesmith, (OUT - Knee); Ben Sheppard, (OUT - Calf)
76ers: Joel Embiid, (GTD - Knee); Tyrese Maxey, (GTD - Illness); Hunter Sallis, (OUT - Shoulder); Kelly Oubre Jr., (OUT - Knee); Trendon Watford, (OUT - Thigh)
Cleveland Cavaliers at Washington Wizards
7 p.m. ET
Line: Cavaliers -14.5 (-115) | Wizards +14.5 (-105)
Money line: Cavaliers -1100 | Wizards +700
Total: 242.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Cavaliers by 16.9, straight up 91%, 242.2 total points.
Injury Report:
Cavaliers: Jarrett Allen, (OUT - Finger); Max Strus, (OUT - Foot); Sam Merrill, (OUT - Hand); Larry Nance Jr., (OUT - Calf)
Wizards: Malaki Branham, (GTD - Thumb); Alex Sarr, (OUT - Thigh); Khris Middleton, (OUT - Knee); Bilal Coulibaly, (OUT - Oblique); Corey Kispert, (OUT - Thumb)
Utah Jazz at Memphis Grizzlies
8 p.m. ET
Line: Jazz +7.5 (-115) | Grizzlies -7.5 (-105)
Money line: Jazz +225 | Grizzlies -278
Total: 242.5 (-105 O, -115 U)
BPI Projection: Grizzlies by 9.1, straight up 74%, 242.7 total points.
Injury Report:
Jazz: Walker Kessler, (OFS - Shoulder); Georges Niang, (OUT - Foot)
Grizzlies: Javon Small, (OUT - Toe); Zach Edey, (OUT - Ankle); Scotty Pippen Jr., (OUT - Toe); Ty Jerome, (OUT - Calf); Ja Morant, (GTD - Calf); , (OUT - Knee); John Konchar, (OUT - Thumb)
Brooklyn Nets at Dallas Mavericks
8:30 p.m. ET
Line: Nets +7.5 (EVEN) | Mavericks -7.5 (-120)
Money line: Nets +260 | Mavericks -325
Total: 221.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Mavericks by 8.1, straight up 72%, 224.9 total points.
Injury Report:
Nets: Cam Thomas, (OUT - Hamstring); Haywood Highsmith, (OUT - Knee); E.J. Liddell, (OUT - Ankle)
Mavericks: Kyrie Irving, (OUT - Knee); Dante Exum, (OFS - Knee); Dereck Lively II, (OFS - Foot); Daniel Gafford, (GTD - Ankle)
Minnesota Timberwolves at Golden State Warriors
10 p.m. ET
Line: Timberwolves +1.5 (-108) | Warriors -1.5 (-112)
Money line: Timberwolves +105 | Warriors -125
Total: 230.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Warriors by 2.7, straight up 58%, 228.6 total points.
Injury Report:
Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards, (GTD - Foot); Mike Conley, (OUT - Achilles)
Warriors: Trayce Jackson-Davis, (GTD - Knee); Al Horford, (OUT - Back); Draymond Green, (OUT - Personal)