<
>

Fantasy basketball tips and projections for Friday

Payton Pritchard has stepped up for the Boston Celtics in Jrue Holiday's absence. Photo by Kenny Giarla/NBAE via Getty Images

Friday's slate features eight games, including a few marquee matchups like the New Orleans Pelicans at the Miami Heat, the Indiana Pacers at the Golden State Warriors and the Philadelphia 76ers at the Los Angeles Lakers in the night's final game at 10:30 p.m. ET.

The Boston Celtics visit the Detroit Pistons in what should be one of the snoozers of the night, but there should also be some big fantasy opportunities here. Jrue Holiday (shoulder) remains out and Kristaps Porzingis and Jaylen Brown, who are both listed as questionable, along with Jayson Tatum and Al Horford, who might rest. The Celtics can certainly handle the Pistons without at least two of their stars, if not more. Boston currently holds a whopping 10.5-game lead over the No. 2 seed Milwaukee Bucks, clinched their division and hold the top seed in the East for the playoffs with just 13 games remaining on the regular-season schedule.

Payton Pritchard has been big in Holiday's absence, Derrick White has been a fantasy monster and Sam Hauser, who has missed a couple games with a sprained ankle, went off for 30 points, six boards and 10 3-pointers on Sunday before going down with an injury. And if you want to get deep with the Celtics, I could even see Luke Kornet and Oshae Brissett getting big minutes tonight and doing producing fantasy-relevant numbers. Hauser is listed as probable and should be one of the more popular streamers on Friday's slate.

Brandon Ingram has been struggling for the Pelicans in the wake of Zion Williamson's sudden uprising and left Thursday's game with a left knee injury. The Pelicans, who are sitting as the No. 5 seed in the West, have managed to stay mostly healthy this season but Ingram's struggles combined with the injury are not good news for a team trying to hold off the hot Dallas Mavericks, who are just 1.5 games back. Ingram was ruled out for tonight game, meaning Trey Murphy III should go off in Miami, while Herbert Jones and Naji Marshall will also get a boost.

Speaking of Miami, Bam Adebayo is questionable after sitting out on Wednesday with a lower back contusion and should be considered a game-time decision for now. Thomas Bryant got the start for Adebayo Wednesday and had six points, 10 rebounds and a block, making him a viable DFS candidate if Adebayo sits. Meanwhile Jaime Jaquez Jr. hit rock bottom once again Wednesday, playing 31 minutes but finishing with just seven points, one rebound, two assists in a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. He has officially hit the rookie wall, scoring in single digits in five of his past six games, despite playing at least 25 minutes in each game. If you have options, Jaquez is a candidate to be benched given how bad he has played over the past two weeks.

Luka Garza could get another start for the Minnesota Timberwolves tonight with Rudy Gobert (ribs) and Naz Reid (head) both questionable to play against the Cavs. I wouldn't consider Garza unless both Gobert and Reid are out, but he did have 11 points, six rebounds, two steals and a block Tuesday and could be a sneaky streamer.


Friday's Stream Team

Payton Pritchard, PG, Boston Celtics (3.9% rostered in ESPN leagues)

While the Jrue Holiday shoulder injury couldn't have happened at a worse time for his fantasy managers, those of us holding Pritchard in deep leagues are reaping the benefits. I have him as a starter in a 30-team league and he's been a blast to run out there lately, averaging 18.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 7.7 assists and 4.0 3-pointers over his last three games. Fire him up tonight with the Celtics potentially running a skeleton crew at the Pistons. Sam Hauser (if he plays/ankle), Oshae Brissett and Luke Kornet are all worth deep league looks tonight as well, depending on who is in and who is out for Boston.

GG Jackson, PF, Memphis Grizzlies (12.2%)

Jackson is cooking with grease right now and, simply put, should be rostered in any league imaginable right now. He has averaged 25.2 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.8 3-pointers over his past six games and is playing 31.5 minutes per game in March. Jackson has been carrying fantasy teams for a couple weeks now but just don't look for many blocks or steals from him if you roll him out there.

Sam Hauser, SF, Boston Celtics (1.7%)

Given the low rostership and the red crosses littering the entire Celtics' roster, I'm going to go ahead and call Hauser the 'streamer of the night.' He's missed two straight games with a sprained ankle but exploded for 30 points and 10 3-pointers the last time we saw him and has averaged 24.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 0.8 blocks and 5.5 3-pointers over his last four games. He could totally backfire if he's rusty and his shot's not falling against the Pistons.

Gary Trent Jr., PG/SG, Toronto Raptors (27%)

While Trent is not likely to be available in many active leagues, he still might be sitting out there in yours. He is having a March to remember, averaging of 19.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.6 steals and 3.6 3-pointers per game on 44% shooting. He has also managed to avoid committing a turnover in three straight games and only has three TOs on his stat line over his past 10 games. Trent should be in all fantasy lineups tonight, and especially if you find yourself in a head-to-head turnover battle.

Georges Niang, PF, Cleveland Cavaliers (2.0%)

Niang has quietly been getting it done in Cleveland and should see another big opportunity against the Wolves with Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley out. He has scored in double figures in four straight games, averaging 15.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.0 3-pointers over that stretch. He is not going to get a lot of steals or blocks, but he is a great free-throw shooter and is due for a bounce-back night after he hit just 6-of-15 shots against the Heat Wednesday.

Luka Garza, C, Minnesota Timberwolves (0.1%)

While I can't say that I trust Garza, he is certainly an intriguing fantasy option Friday and could come through with a surprising stat line if both Rudy Gobert (ribs) and Naz Reid (head) sit out. Garza had 11 points, six rebounds, two steals, a block and two 3-pointers against the Nuggets Tuesday and has averaged 9.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.5 triples in his four March games. He should be better than that tonight if the other Wolves big men are all sitting out.

Projections and injury reports

Fantasy projections powered by ESPN Analytics. * Projections assume all players who are listed as GTD will play. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Players available in at least 50% of ESPN leagues are listed in italics.


Boston Celtics at Detroit Pistons
7 p.m. ET, Little Caesars Arena, Detroit


BPI Projection: Celtics in the 3rd highest-scoring game of the slate.

Injury Report:
Celtics: Al Horford, (GTD - Toe); Jaylen Brown, (GTD - Ankle); Jayson Tatum, (GTD - Ankle); Kristaps Porzingis, (GTD - Hamstring); Sam Hauser, (GTD - Ankle); Jrue Holiday, (OUT - Shoulder)
Pistons: Quentin Grimes, (OUT - Knee); Simone Fontecchio, (OUT - Toe); Stanley Umude, (OUT - Ankle); Taj Gibson, (OUT - Hamstring); Ausar Thompson, (OUT - Illness); Isaiah Stewart, (OUT - Hamstring)

Celtics projections:

Pistons projections:


Oklahoma City Thunder at Toronto Raptors
7 p.m. ET, Scotiabank Arena, Toronto


BPI Projection: Thunder in the 2nd highest-scoring game of the slate.

Injury Report:
Thunder: None reported
Raptors: D.J. Carton, (OUT - Ankle); Immanuel Quickley, (OUT - Personal); Chris Boucher, (OUT - Knee); Jakob Poeltl, (OUT - Finger); RJ Barrett, (OUT - Personal); Scottie Barnes, (OUT - Hand)

Thunder projections:

Raptors projections:


New Orleans Pelicans at Miami Heat
8 p.m. ET, Kaseya Center, Miami


BPI Projection: Pelicans in the 7th highest-scoring game of the slate.

Injury Report:
Pelicans: Brandon Ingram, (GTD - Knee); Matt Ryan, (GTD - Illness); Dyson Daniels, (OUT - Knee)
Heat: Bam Adebayo, (GTD - Back); Duncan Robinson, (OUT - Back); Kevin Love, (OUT - Heel); Tyler Herro, (OUT - Foot); Josh Richardson, (OUT - Shoulder)

Pelicans projections:

Heat projections:


Cleveland Cavaliers at Minnesota Timberwolves
8 p.m. ET, Target Center, Minneapolis


BPI Projection: Timberwolves in the 8th highest-scoring game of the slate.

Injury Report:

Cavaliers: Dean Wade, (OUT - Knee); Evan Mobley, (OUT - Ankle); Max Strus, (OUT - Knee); Ty Jerome, (OUT - Ankle); Donovan Mitchell, (OUT - Nose)
Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards, (GTD - Finger); Naz Reid, (GTD - Head); Rudy Gobert, (GTD - Ribs); Jaylen Clark, (OUT - Achilles); Karl-Anthony Towns, (OUT - Knee)

Cavaliers projections:

Timberwolves projections:


Memphis Grizzlies at San Antonio Spurs
8 p.m. ET, Frost Bank Center, San Antonio


BPI Projection: Spurs in the 5th highest-scoring game of the slate.

Injury Report:
Grizzlies: Desmond Bane, (GTD - Back); John Konchar, (GTD - Heel); Scotty Pippen Jr., (GTD - Lower Leg); Vince Williams Jr., (GTD - Knee); Brandon Clarke, (OUT - Achilles); Lamar Stevens, (OUT - Thigh); Luke Kennard, (OUT - Personal); Yuta Watanabe, (OUT - Personal); Marcus Smart, (OUT - Finger); Derrick Rose, (OUT - Groin)
Spurs: Zach Collins, (GTD - Concussion); Charles Bassey, (OUT - Knee)

Grizzlies projections:

  • Desmond Bane, SG/SF: 40.3 FPTS (22.7 pts, 4.2 reb, 4.9 ast, 3.1 3PM)

  • Jaren Jackson Jr., PF/C: 38.3 FPTS (24.8 pts, 5.7 reb, 3.0 ast, 2.0 3PM, 1.7 blk)

  • GG Jackson, PF: 28.4 FPTS (17.1 pts, 5.1 reb, 1.3 ast, 2.1 3PM)

  • Santi Aldama, PF/C: 26.7 FPTS (12.5 pts, 6.4 reb, 2.4 ast, 1.8 3PM)

  • John Konchar, SG/SF: 20.1 FPTS (6.6 pts, 6.7 reb, 1.8 ast)

  • Jordan Goodwin, PG/SG: 19.5 FPTS (9.1 pts, 4.5 reb, 2.5 ast)

  • Jake LaRavia, PF: 19.5 FPTS (10.0 pts, 4.6 reb, 1.5 ast)

Spurs projections:


Indiana Pacers at Golden State Warriors
10 p.m. ET, Chase Center, San Francisco


BPI Projection: Warriors in the highest-scoring game of the slate.

Injury Report:
Pacers: Obi Toppin, (GTD - Ankle); Bennedict Mathurin, (OUT - Shoulder)
Warriors: Draymond Green, (GTD - Back); Moses Moody, (GTD - Knee)

Pacers projections:

Warriors projections:


LA Clippers at Portland Trail Blazers
10 p.m. ET, Moda Center, Portland


BPI Projection: Clippers in the 6th highest-scoring game of the slate.

Injury Report:
Clippers: Moussa Diabate, (GTD - Hand); Norman Powell, (GTD - Lower Leg); Terance Mann, (GTD - Shoulder); Russell Westbrook, (OUT - Hand)
Blazers: Anfernee Simons, (GTD - Knee); Jerami Grant, (GTD - Hamstring); Matisse Thybulle, (GTD - Ankle); Malcolm Brogdon, (OUT - Elbow); Shaedon Sharpe, (OUT - Abdomen); Robert Williams III, (OUT - Knee)

Clippers projections:

  • Paul George, SG/SF/PF: 42.4 FPTS (23.3 pts, 4.9 reb, 4.0 ast, 3.2 3PM)

  • Kawhi Leonard, SF/PF: 41.7 FPTS (23.9 pts, 5.3 reb, 3.4 ast, 2.0 3PM)

  • James Harden, PG/SG: 38.1 FPTS (17.0 pts, 5.0 reb, 6.8 ast, 2.6 3PM)

  • Ivica Zubac, C: 25.9 FPTS (12.4 pts, 8.4 reb, 1.3 ast)

  • Norman Powell, SG/SF: 22.6 FPTS (13.8 pts, 2.5 reb, 1.1 ast, 2.1 3PM)

  • Terance Mann, SG/SF: 16.8 FPTS (7.8 pts, 3.2 reb, 1.3 ast)

  • Amir Coffey, SG: 13.6 FPTS (6.1 pts, 2.5 reb, 1.0 ast)

Blazers projections:


Philadelphia 76ers at Los Angeles Lakers
10:30 p.m. ET, Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles


BPI Projection: Lakers in the 4th highest-scoring game of the slate.

Injury Report:
76ers: Tobias Harris, (GTD - Ankle); De'Anthony Melton, (OUT - Back); Robert Covington, (OUT - Knee); Joel Embiid, (OUT - Knee)
Lakers: Anthony Davis, (GTD - Achilles); LeBron James, (GTD - Ankle); Gabe Vincent, (OUT - Knee); Jarred Vanderbilt, (OUT - Foot); Colin Castleton, (OUT - Wrist); Christian Wood, (OUT - Knee)

76ers projections:

  • Tyrese Maxey, PG/SG: 48.7 FPTS (28.4 pts, 4.3 reb, 6.1 ast, 3.2 3PM)

  • Kelly Oubre Jr., SF/PF: 33.4 FPTS (20.3 pts, 5.5 reb, 1.7 ast)

  • Kyle Lowry, PG: 22.7 FPTS (7.6 pts, 3.7 reb, 3.9 ast)

  • Paul Reed, PF/C: 21.7 FPTS (10.0 pts, 7.6 reb, 1.3 ast, 1.2 blk)

  • Buddy Hield, SG/SF: 19.1 FPTS (7.7 pts, 2.7 reb, 2.6 ast, 1.9 3PM)

  • Nicolas Batum, SG/SF: 16.6 FPTS (4.7 pts, 4.7 reb, 1.6 ast)

  • Mo Bamba, C: 15.9 FPTS (6.6 pts, 6.0 reb, 1.0 ast, 1.3 blk)

Lakers projections: