9-game Friday slate in the NBA, one that welcomes Donovan Mitchell back from concussion protocols for his first game since January 17th. He could be a target right away with all the injuries/illnesses Utah has right now and against the Nets - who will be without James Harden (hamstring).

Zach LaVine is one to watch as he's had some back tightness lately and the Bulls are on the back to back after OT last night. Luka Doncic goes for a 4th straight 30+ point game and Gary Trent tries to get his streak going again after having just 16 last night after five straight with 30+

Let's get it:

Tonight's Key NBA Matchups

Cavs @ Hornets (-4), O/U 219 7:00 ET

Cleveland is coming off a 114-105 loss in Houston on Wednesday, the sixth time in the last seven games they've been held to 105 or less. The weird thing is the Cavs are still putting up some quality DFS numbers with Kevin Love going for 40+ in four of the last five and Evan Mobley having 49 on Tuesday. Let's hope the minutes finally also stay up for LaMelo Ball (38+ in three of the last four).

Bulls (-2.5) @ Pacers, O/U 231.5 7:00 ET

Chicago is on the back-to-back and after an OT game after falling 127-120 last night in Toronto. Zach LaVine has been playing through some back issues so watch his status against an Indiana team that has allowed 116+ in 6 of the last 8.

Hawks @ Raptors (-1.5), O/U 217 7:30 ET

Both Atlanta and Toronto picked up wins against 1st place teams last night. The Hawks beat Phoenix 124-115 behind 43 real points from Trae Young while the Raptors beat Chicago even though Gary Trent had just 16 points while falling just short of setting a franchise mark with 6 straight 30+ point games.

Rockets @ Spurs (-3.5), O/U 234.5 8:30 ET

Not the greatest game on paper but that betting total of 234 is appealing for DFS purposes. The Spurs are potentially short in the post with Jakob Poeltl and Jock Landale both battling head injuries but Bam Adebayo still had a modest 18/11 in last night's 17-point Heat win.

Nets @ Jazz (-5), O/U 228.5 9:00 ET

It's looking like James Harden is sitting this one out so is it a Kyrie Irving load up night even though he's $10.3k? Utah is on the other side of the injury perspective, with Donovan Mitchell expected to return for the first time since suffering a concussion in mid-January.

Sixers @ Mavs (-1.5), O/U 212.5 10:00 ET

Some late-night Doncic vs. Embiid, with Luka going for 70+ fp the past two games with Kirstaps Porzingis (knee) sitting. Embiid has been held to under 65fp for three straight and is up against the #1 defense vs. centers over the past 20 games.

Tonight's Point Guard / Shooting Guard Notables

Kyrie Irving DK $10.3k | FD $9.5k @Utah

• Got to pay to see it with Kevin Durant and James Harden out (+7.02% usage, +15.02 fp)

• Poor night on Tuesday (24fp) came on the back to back

• Had 20+ shots in six games prior

Caris LeVert DK $8.4k | FD $7.6k vs. Chicago

• Took 24 shots on Wednesday with the Pacers very banged up right now

• Has 27 real points last two games vs. Bulls this season

• Chicago on the back to back after OT in Toronto last night

Ayo Dosunmu DK $5.6k | FD $5.5k @ Indiana

• Zach LaVine and/or DeMar DeRozan could sit following last night's heavy minute OT loss in Toronto

• Dosunmu played 42 mins last night but also had 45fp after playing 40 minutes on a January 24th back to back

• Indiana has 8 players on the injury report

Patty Mills DK $5.6k | FD $6.8k @Utah

• Definitely on DK with a +9.52% usage and +17.23fp in over 250 minutes without James Harden or Kevin Durant this season

Tonight's SF / PF Notables

Jaylen Brown DK $9.1k | FD $8.2k @ Detroit

• Shot 63% (36/57) in three games vs. Pistons last season

• Celtics 2nd best pace boost of the night

• Detroit on the back to back

Kevin Love DK $6.9k | FD $6.9k @Charlotte

• Has hit 6X this price tag in 4 of his last 5

• Hornets have 4th worst defense vs. reserves over last 20 games

Bojan Bogdanovic DK $6.5k | FD $5.1k vs Brooklyn

• Nice FD pricing even with Donovan Mitchell back. Utah still missing a lot of guys

• Nets have allowed 36+ fp to 4 of the past 5 SFs

Lu Dort DK $6.4k | FD $6.5k @ Portland

• Portland going to be a bit shorthanded after trading Robert Covington and Norman Powell

• 16+ shots in three straight games, 36fp floor over that span

• Just went for 18/6/3 (36fp) vs. Trail Blazers on Monday

Tonight's Center Position Notables

Nikola Jokic DK $12.4k | FD $11.2k vs. New Orleans

• Looks like the best spend-up option on the slate, Joel Embiid is up against a good Dallas defense vs. C's, same with Luka Doncic vs. the Sixers.

• Great history vs. Pelicans with a 63fp floor last six games

• Rested on Wednesday's back to back

Christian Wood DK $8.7k | FD $8.5k @ San Antonio

• Spurs could be shorthanded in the post without Jakob Poeltl and Jock Landale

• San Antonio allowing 10.8 reb/game to opposing C's over past 20

• 5.5X floor in 3 of past 5

• Spurs on the back to back

_______________________________

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.

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