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Take a gander at Friday’s slate. There’s nine contests in total, yet only one that features both teams having an above .500 record. Now, that’s much to do with the parody of the Eastern Conference through the first half of the year, but there’s also six East vs. West showdowns that make for unique matchups.
But new faces and lopsided final scores can make for a more unpredictable slate. More than usual, there are a handful of scintillating buy-low plays on Friday’s slate, mixed in with role players who are in line for a sizable increase in usage.
This article will provide you with my daily fantasy basketball lineup picks for DraftKings on 2/26/21. You can also check out today's FanDuel lineup picks. With COVID-19 a significant factor globally, remember to monitor injury news as the slate can completely change before line-up lock.
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DraftKings DFS Guards
Stephen Curry - PG, GS vs. CHA ($9,700)
After going through a stretch earlier in the season where Curry was viewed strictly as a GPP play, he has flipped through the script during a campaign in which he has emerged as an MVP candidate. He has fired up double-digit three-point attempts in 16 of his last 18 outings, averaging 5.7 makes from behind the arc in that stretch.
While much of the focus upon Curry from a DFS perspective focuses on his shooting, and rightly so, he has begun to rack up assists and boards with elite consistency, averaging 8.4 dimes and 6.0 rebounds over his last five contests. With Golden State having ramped up their pace to the second-highest in the league -- and Charlotte featuring an exciting backcourt in their own right -- there’s little to indicate that Curry won’t have every opportunity available to deliver a loaded stat line.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - PG/SG, OKC vs. ATL ($8,800)
It’s been a seesaw February for Gilgeous-Alexander, who has missed six games due to a persistent knee ailment. But when healthy, he has averaged 27.1 points, 6.4 assists, and 4.9 boards across eight contests this month, including shooting 50 percent from behind the arc in that stretch. He enters play Friday having dropped a career-high 42 points and six threes in his last outing, a showcase of what his upside looks like within the Thunder offense.
For all of his offensive exploits, Trae Young's defense has had a spotlight focused upon it from a DFS perspective. Ranking dead last in the league among point guards with a -3.46 defensive real plus minus, Young on defense earns his opposition immediate consideration on most slates; in the case of Gilgeous-Alexander, it only furthers his impressive appeal.
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DraftKings DFS Forwards
Jerami Grant - SF/PF, DET vs. SAC ($7,300)
After being held out for the first time this season due to rest purposes in Detroit’s most recent outing, Grant should be fresh and ready for a full workload, just in time to face the league’s lowest-ranked defense. By all available metrics, Sacramento’s defensive unit is worth zeroing in on; their 116.8 defensive efficiency is far and away the worst in the league and they’re allowing an NBA-high 120.5 points on a nightly basis.
Also worth considering is Grant’s own offensive exploits. Having erupted for a career-high 43 points on Feb. 17, there has been very little indication that he won’t be Detroit’s No. 1 scoring option on a game-by-game basis moving forward. His field-goal percentage has scuffled as of late, but the Kings’ defense has shown a funny way of remedying such concerns in 2020-21.
Gordon Hayward - SF/PF, CHO @ GS ($6,700)
For those fantasy managers who also dabble in NFL contests, let me draw a parallel: Hayward on Friday is the star receiver who has seen sizable targets, but hauled in very few receptions the past few weeks, which torpedoes his price tag. Then, he is presented with a matchup against a high-octane opponent, which should elevate his own appeal, making a perfect storm for him to return to DFS relevance.
All of which is to say that Hayward is a terrific buy-low candidate Friday, with his upside being highlighted by facing the Warriors’ blurring offensive pace. There have been more mouths to feed in the Hornets’ offense during February with LaMelo Ball’s emergence, but Hayward has actually increased his rebounds (6.1) and assists (3.8) average from where they sat last month.
Montrezl Harrell - PF/C, LAL vs. POR ($6,000)
It’s easy for Harrell to get lost in the DFS shuffle due to his consistent role among the Lakers’ second unit. But in each of his past three games, he has compiled double-digit shot attempts en route to a 20-PPG average. It marks the first time all season that Harrell has seen such an expanded role as a scorer, elevating his intrigue ahead of Friday’s matchup with Portland, who boasts the league’s second-lowest defensive efficiency (114).
The absence of Anthony Davis (calf) has wreaked havoc on L.A.’s rotations, but the one consistent appears to be Harrell leading the bench group. No matter who head coach Frank Vogel utilizes alongside Harrell, he should remain an offensive focal point, which outweighs any stunted minutes concerns for those considering cash contests.
DraftKings DFS Centers
Jonas Valanciunas - C, MEM vs. LAC ($6,800)
It was just Thursday night that Valanciunas was able to rack up 16 points and 15 boards in just 25 minutes of action versus the Clippers, so there’s little reason to stay away 24 hours later. Valanciunas knocked down a pair of threes for just the second time this season, but all other indications are that his role will remain right where it has been since returning to play earlier this month.
Valanciunas has ripped off a double-double in each of his last five contests. After reaching the 20-point plateau five times across his first seven February outings, his scoring has slowed, which funnels him toward fantasy managers eyeing cash lineups. While the Clippers have traditionally been strong against opposing centers this season, Valanciunas’ yeoman-like work on the boards should alleviate concerns.
Isaiah Roby - PF/C, OKC vs. ATL ($4,900)
With Al Horford (rest) heading to the sidelines, Roby’s DFS appeal skyrockets Friday. During his 10 previous starts this year, he has averaged 12.1 points and 6.6 boards, seeing his minutes load bump up to 27 minutes per contest. He has scored in double figures in nine of those outings, with Atlanta’s bottom third of the league defensive efficiency further adding to his intrigue.
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