Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
All the games.
Friday night is going to be fantasy bonkers, as 14 games are on schedule. As the kids say nowadays, it is going to be quite “cray.” And for those of you who were disgusted in watching Andre Caldwell steal your Demaryius Thomas touchdowns last night, you have an opportunity of redemption in daily hoops land tonight.
Note: Point totals are based off of FanDuel scoring.
Kobe Bryant, SG (@ OKC)
FPPG allowed to SG: 35.70
You know what they say. You gotta risk it to get the biscuit. Or something like that. Anyway, it’s great for basketball to see Kobe back, but fantasy fans have some hesitation in inserting him into their lineups. And for good reason. Bryant is still on a bit of a minutes limit, but with injuries decimating the Lakers roster, that may change sooner rather than later. The likes of Steve Nash, Jordan Farmar and now Steve Blake are all sidelined, which has forced Kobe to start at point guard in this game. He’ll be guarding Russell Westbrook in this game, which may not be the best for his Achilles, but I think this will be Kobe’s breakout game. The Thunder are allowing almost 36 fantasy points per game to shooting guards, which is above the league average, and if you want to change that to point guards, only the Sixers are coughing up more points per game to the position. The Thunder could pull away in this game, which may force Kobe to log at least over the 30-minute mark. It’s risky, but Kobe is relatively cheap, so take advantage while it lasts.
Andre Drummond, C (vs BKN)
FPPG allowed to C: 41.85
After dominating (and I mean dominating) all season, Drummond has posted back-t0-back “ehh” performances. That’s terrific news for those who want to plug him into your daily lineups, as his price has dropped. Drummond is always going to rule the paint, especially in the rebounding department, and I especially love him tonight. Brook Lopez is a very good player, but mainly on offense. The Nets center has yet to post a double-double this season, and is only averaging six rebounds per contest. Meanwhile, the Nets as a team are struggling on the glass, allowing opposing centers to haul in a healthy 14.13 rebounds per game. As long as he stays out of foul trouble, Drummond should go bonkers this evening.
Arron Afflalo, SF (vs CLE)
FPPG allowed to SF: 41.06
If I told you that Afflalo would rank 11th in points per game at this point of the season, you’d think I was crazy. However, that’s the case, as Afflalo has benefited from a rather poor team and high volume. He is also shooting very well from the field (.467%) and beyond the arc (.430%). He could for at least 30 tonight against the Cavs. I mean, is there a bigger hole in basketball than the Cavaliers small forward position? This unit is coughing up the second-most fantasy points per game to the small forward position, and no team has allowed small forwards to average more points per game (24.53). Afflalo is averaging an outstanding 37.6 minutes per game, and I think this is going to be a very close game, which will result in plenty of volume again.
Serge Ibaka, PF (vs LAL)
FPPG allowed to PF: 50.27
Ibaka may be a must-play option tonight against a Lakers defense that is allowing five more fantasy points per game to power forwards than any other team in basketball. A dominant shot-blocker and rebounder, Ibaka could contribute in the scoring category, as the Lakers are also allowing power forwards to score 24.45 points per game, the most in the league. The Lakers don’t exactly have any frightening big men in the paint, so Ibaka should see plenty of blocks and rebounds. In fact, Los Angeles is surrendering 11.9 offensive rebounds per game, which is the fifth-most among defenses. They also are allowing the most defensive rebounds per game in the league, coming in at a whopping 35. Oh, and if that wasn’t enough, only the Jazz are currently coughing up more points per game in the paint than the Lakers (47.7). There is nothing to dislike about Ibaka’s prospects this evening. Let’s just hope the Thunder aren’t up by 40 at halftime.
Kyle Lowry, PG (vs PHI)
FPPG allowed to PG: 47.01
Combine a red hot point guard who is scoring at least 30 fantasy points in eight of his last 10 contests with the worst defense in basketball, and you are going to have a good time. The Sixers just can’t stop any position in fantasy right now, and with trade talks floating around Lowry, I think he wants to post a monster stat line to show that he is worth every penny. Over his last five outings, Lowry is averaging 18.4 points, 7.6 assists, 4 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game. Sure, the presence of Greivis Vasquez may cut his minutes a tad, but I still think he will play more than enough to go off in an incredible matchup.
Adam Pfeifer is a featured fantasy sports columnist for Rant Sports.
You can follow him on Twitter @aPfeiferRS.
