Injuries, rest, and health and safety protocols are the main themes for Friday night's NBA docket. That's something that is probably going to continue for the rest of the regular season though. Tonight Detroit and Toronto are resting a bunch of guys out of the blue, Charlotte and Houston have 6-7+ guys on the injury report, and Chicago begins life without Zach LaVine who has entered quarantine.

The good news is, everybody in these contests faces the same unknowns. Let's see how the Roulette wheel spins tonight.

Today's NBA Matchups

Thunder @ Pistons (-3), O/U 216.5, 7:00 PM ET

Detroit opened as a -7 favorite here, but oddsmakers are torn in this injury (rest) riddled matchup.

Clippers @ Sixers (-3), O/U 220.5, 7:00 PM ET

Does Kawhi Leonard (foot) go or not here? Is Joel Embiid ($10.5k) worth a play against a Clippers team that has the 3rd best defense vs. the C position? This is two top 10 defenses, but the betting total is still up there in the 220s.

Pelicans (-2.5) @ Wizards, O/U 240, 7:00 PM ET

Great target spot here with the highest betting total of the night. Lonzo Ball supposedly returns from his hip injury tonight, drawing the probable tag and Washington just finished up a 4-1 road trip.

Hornets @ Nets (-12.5), O/U 222.5, 7:30 PM ET

Charlotte has dropped three straight, failing to break 101 points in any of those games. This is still a possible target game though, in the up-tempo matchup with the Nets who have lost two of three.

Magic @ Raptors (-2.5), O/U 213.5, 7:30 PM ET

Toronto could get Fred VanVleet back tonight, but at the same time, they lose Kyle Lowry, OG Anunoby, and Pascal Siakam for rest. That doesn't necessarily make Orlando a team to look at - but boosts other players on the Raptors.

Grizzlies (-4) @ Bulls, O/U 220.5, 8:00 PM ET

Chicago begins life without Zach LaVine tonight as he could be out up to two weeks for health and safety protocol. These squads just met up Monday in Memphis in an ugly 101-90 Grizzlies win powered by 26 & 14 from Jonas Valanciunas.

Nuggets (-8.5) @ Rockets, O/U 227, 8:00 PM ET

Denver had a nice bounce back on Wednesday in a 123-106 win over the Heat after losing two straight prior. It's not the double digit spread you'd expect, is that because Kelly Olynyk has dominated for the Rockets lately, going for a 🍔50 Burger🍔last time out?

Heat (-6.5) @ Timberwolves, O/U 221, 8:00 PM ET

Miami doesn't have the most exciting offense in the league, but Minnesota has allowed 127+ in 4 of their last 5.

Trail Blazers (-2.5) @ Spurs, O/U 233, 8:30 PM ET

Portland has dropped 4 of their last 5, but have had the last two nights off before a meeting with a Spurs team that has lost 6 of 8. San Antonio has allowed 125+ in 4 of their last 5 home games.

Knicks @ Mavericks (-5.5), O/U 210.5, 9:30 PM ET

Not a ton of points expected here with the lowest betting total of the night. New York is 5th defensively vs. the PG spot this year, so Doncic finally getting back to 60+fp could be a long shot.

Tonight's Point Guard / Shooting Guard Notables

Russell Westbrook DK $11k | FD $11.3k

vs. New Orleans

Russ Westbrook still has value at $11k, possibly up against Lonzo Ball who is battling through a sore hip. Westbrook has a triple double in six straight, no reason to think he won't make it seven.

Terry Rozier DK $8.1k | FD $7k

@ Brooklyn

The already thin Charlotte backcourt takes another hit with Devonte Graham going down with a quad issue. PJ Washington (ankle) is still doubtful so Rozier might be the play here simply because there is nobody else. Rozier was able to launch 20 times last game, and that's even with Graham taking 16 shots.

Coby White DK $5k | FD $3.8k

vs. Memphis

We might as well buy this chip to see it, as Coby White plays in the first game since Zach LaVine entered COVID protocols and Tomas Satoransky also trying to play through a back injury. White has been atrocious with just 8 total points the last two games, but let's see what he does with a usage bump.

Tonight's SF / PF Notables

Jimmy Butler DK $9.2k | FD $9.2

@Minnesota

Going back to the Twin Cities really doesn't do anything to motivate Jimmy Butler, but playing a horrible Timberwolves defense should. Minnesota has allowed 127+ points in four of their last five and has served up a 🍔50 Burger🍔 to Khris Middleton and an 11/15 shooting night to Kevin Durant their last two.

DeMar DeRozan DK $7.9k | FD $7.9k

vs. Portland

6X+ seems very doable tonight for DeMar DeRozan, up against Portland's #29 defense. DeRozan had a nice 20/11/6 line in his only matchup with the Trail Blazers this season (48fp).

Miles Bridges DK $6.4k | FD $6.4k

@Brooklyn

Get back in on some more Miles Bridges tonight as he's in what should be a higher scoring game and also one of the few Charlotte players who are healthy-ish. Bridges has 20+ points in 3 of 4, and 7+ rebounds in four straight as well.

Aaron Gordon DK $5.7k | FD $5.3k

@Rockets

Can we see an upside game from Aaron Gordon? The Rockets should be paying a bit more attention to Michael Porter, Jr. who has gone for 20+ in 7 of 8. Gordon has a great matchup with a Houston team that has allowed 37+ to 3 of the last 4 SFs they've faced, and he also went for 16 & 9 last time out playing in the first game since Jamal Murray was officially lost for the year.

Tonight's Center Position Notables

Jonas Valanciunas DK $7.9k | FD $8.4k

@Chicago

Jonas Valanciunas hit 7X vs. the Bulls on Monday even while playing on the back to back. Why can't he have a similar 26 point, 14 rebound performance again this time with a day of rest? Chicago has allowed 50 Burgers to three of the last five C's they've faced.

Chris Boucher DK $7.1k | FD $7.5k

vs. Orlando

Nobody is going to fight you if you say Chris Boucher is inconsistent, but when he's good he's really good. Things seem to be lining up for one of those Boucher nights, with Anunoby, Siakam, Lowry, and Trent among the wounded for the Raptors. Boucher is back at PF, where he's grabbed 12+ rebounds in two of the last three since Khem Birch got the nod at C. Birch could be a play vs. his old team Orlando as well.

____________________________________________________________________________________

You can follow me, Carl Taylor (@dailydogsports), on Twitter for more daily fantasy and sports betting talk and make sure to check out the LineStar chat.

🚨 Bonus: Get 3 Free Months of LineStar Premium

Get 3-months of LineStar Premium for new users to SuperDraft who deposit/play $10!

Terms: Partnership offers do NOT renew. See SuperDraft landing page for full terms and conditions. Must be a new user to SuperDraft and deposit and play a minimum of $10 to qualify. If you have an existing LineStar Premium subscription you get a Hat/Tee/Pen combo instead of the 3-months.