It feels like a holiday Friday for fans with the "Big Game" coming Sunday in Atlanta. Most of the other sports take a back seat to the NFL this weekend but we've still got a decent 5 game NBA DFS card tonight.

Tonight's Headline Games

With Golden State's loss last night, the Denver Nuggets are now just 0.5 GB from the #1 seed in the Western Conference. Denver has a tough game on paper Friday when they host James Harden ($12,900) and the Houston Rockets.

Harden or Russell Westbrook ($11,000) this evening? The Oklahoma City Thunder are just -4 favorites in South Beach. When Westbrook played the Miami Heat last April he posted 23 points, 18 rebounds, and 13 assists - not a bad night.

The New York Knicks cleared some cap space for next season in Thursday's Kristaps Porzingis trade to the Mavs. One of their rumored targets is Kyrie Irving ($9,600) who coincidentally visits (future home?) Madison Square Garden with the Boston Celtics favored by 13 Friday.

Guards

Malik Beasley (DK: $4,400 FD: $4,500 Y! $10)

There remains solid value on Malik Beasley with Jamal Murray out of the lineup. Denver coach Mike Malone has resisted the urge to put Beasley in the starting lineup, instead keeping him coming off the bench where he is more comfortable. Not only is Murray out Friday, Gary Harris is also battling a groin issue, so the minutes will remain to be there for Beasley. Wednesday night vs. the Pelicans, Beasley had 22 points in 29 minutes. That success should continue vs. the Rockets as Chris Paul is battling lower back soreness.

Allonzo Trier (DK: $5,400 FD: $4,000 Y! $15)

LineStar user @jjaja probably said it best, noting that Knicks coach David Fizdale "could have MJ in his prime and find a way to not get on the court." You definitely worry about Allonzo Trier's usage not only because their coach uses a chicken and seed to determine his roster but because the Celtics come to town tonight. That being said, blowout or not Trier should see the court tonight as New York is short in the backcourt after the Porzingis to Dallas trade is still being processed.

Jaylen Brown (DK: $4,900, FD; $5,500 Y!:$15 )

Boston's Jaylen Brown has had back-to-back 33+ point fantasy nights in the wake of Kyrie Irving's absence with a left hip strain. Irving is back in the lineup (probably) tonight but how much is he really going to play with the Celtics 13 point favorites at the shorthanded Knicks? Brown should see plenty of court time either way on Friday.

Forwards

Wayne Ellington (DK: $3,600 FD: $4,300 Y! $10)

Oklahoma City feels like they're in a trap scenario tonight being favored by only 4 points at Miami. The Thunder have won 6 in a row while the Heat have lost 3 of 5. If Miami has a big night, Wayne Ellington should have another solid outing, as he's gone for 22+ fantasy points the last two games. Ellington has started the last two games, played 30+ minutes in both, and has launched 22 total three pointers over that span. Oh by the way, the Thunder rank 30th defensively in fantasy points allowed to the SF.

Joe Ingles (DK: $5,300 FD: $5,800 Y!: $19)

There's solid value for Joe Ingles Friday as the Jazz try to bounce back from a 27 point loss to Portland on Wednesday. Utah could be in line for a big win as Atlanta has been on the road for two weeks due to the Super Bowl. Ingles played just 27 minutes vs. the Trail Blazers and you worry about that usage being low in a dominant Utah win Friday. In the four games prior, however, Ingles logged at least 32 minutes and had 11+ field goal attempts in three of those games.

Kenneth Faried (DK: $6,900 FD: $7,900 Y!: $24)

His price has really sky rocketed, but Kenneth Faried has also earned that 'raise' with his play since joining the Rockets. In his last three games, Faried has posted a double-double in each and has at least 37 fantasy points every game. Can Faried push a 50 point fantasy night up against his old team Denver on Friday?

Center

Alex Len ( DK: $4,400, FD: $4,500 Y! $12)

An Atlanta Center is the play here vs. a Utah team that just allowed a 16 point, 6 rebound night to Meyers Leonard of Portland. The Jazz have allowed 46+ fantasy points to 4 of the past 5 C position players they've faced. The big question is whether to go with Dewayne Dedmon or Alex Len based on who gets more minutes. Dedmon is a more consistent producer, but Len might get more minutes as the Hawks are nearly 12 point underdogs as they play their 5th straight road game. Len is $1,000 cheaper and has a 3% ownership compared to 11% for Dedmon making the backup the play.

Utility Player

James Harden (DK:$12,900 FD:$13,600 Y!64)

Friday's lineup leaves $15,100 left over for utility, which puts everybody in play. The Rockets are in a big matchup with Denver and Harden has 70+ fantasy points in 3 out of 4. No brainer.

Dark H-O-R-S-E Play of the Night

Kadeem Allen (DK: $3,300 FD: $3,500 Y! $10)

There's a nice discussion going on the LineStar App about New York's Kadeem Allen. Shout out to user @jpitz who suggested the Knicks point guard is not a combination of Allen Iverson, Ray Allen, and Kareem-Abdul Jabbar. Regardless, however, the Knicks are very low on PG's with Trey Burke being traded, Dennis Smith, Jr. in the midst of passing physicals, and the combination of Emmanuel Mudiay and Frank Ntilikina being injured. There are minutes there for Allen as he takes the court for the whopping third time this year.

Have a chicken wing or two this weekend everybody and enjoy some football in between commercials. To quote Jimmy Buffet, Come Monday it's the NBA's turn to take center stage in the sports world and they do so with a 6 game slate to help cure a football hangover. Until then, feel free to follow Carl Taylor (@dailydogsports) for more daily fantasy and sports betting insights and oversights.

Freeroll

The NBA freeroll contests will take place on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday on DraftKings:

1st Place: $10 via PayPal

2nd & 3rd Places: Your choice of one-month LineStar Premium, a t-shirt, or a coffee mug

Bonus: If you place 1st, 2nd or 3rd in the LineStar Freeroll and you are using the LineStar avatar below, you will receive 2x that prize!

Here's a link for today's freeroll.

Please Note - While you may enter the LineStar freeroll as often as you’d like, you can only win each prize 1 time.