In a week that's featured a light, yet consistent slate of games each night, Friday is no different with just six games on the slate. However, there are enough silly-season heroes and injuries out there that finding fantasy value on a light night shouldn't be all that tough.
Vasilije Micic will be back in action for the Hornets and comes in readily available and hot, Simone Fontecchio will look to keep it going for the Pistons as Ausar Thompson deals with asthma, Kelly Olynyk is hot for the Raptors, the banged up Clippers are playing in the second of a back-to-back against the defensive-minded Pelicans, and De'Andre Hunter should have a big role for the injured Hawks against a banged up Jazz squad in Utah. Additionally, while it's not on national television, League Pass subscribers might be flocking to their televisions at 8:30 p.m. to see Victor Wembanyama battle with Nikola Jokic in San Antonio.
The Clippers will visit the Pelicans in the game of the night at 8 p.m., while the rest of Friday's action features several of the league's cellar dwellers without much intrigue. If you want to record the Nuggets-Spurs game and go out on the town instead of hunkering down and watching hoops, Friday night might be the time to do it.
Friday's Stream Team
Vasilije Micic, PG/SG, Charlotte Hornets (Rostered in 6.4% of ESPN leagues)
Micic is rostered in more leagues than he was a week ago but is still widely available. The problem appears to be that the Hornets only have two games next week. But if you are simply looking for a streamer for Friday, Micic is a good one. He has averaged of 15.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.6 3-pointers while shooting 49% from the floor and 94% from the free-throw line over his past seven games. It's difficult to come up with a guy who can get you big assist numbers this late in the season, but Micic certainly fits the bill.
Simone Fontecchio, SF, Detroit Pistons (7.4%)
Fontecchio has been hot with Ausar Thompson out, averaging 14.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.4 blocks and 2.4 3-pointers over his past seven games. He has also been shooting effectively, going 46% from the floor and a stellar 94% from the free-throw line. Fontecchio should be a fun play against the Heat tonight.
Kelly Olynyk, PF/C, Toronto Raptors (27%)
Olynyk's rostership is finally high enough that he won't be available in a ton of ESPN leagues, but he's still available in enough of them to make an impact. Olynyk has been a Top-35 player over his past seven games, averaging of 14.4 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 4.7 APG, 1.9 SPG, 1.1 BPG and 1.4 3PM in 29 MPG. He's not a great rebounder but is sufficient and his steals, blocks and 3-pointers are fantasy gold. He's the last big man standing in Toronto and is cooking right now.
Norman Powell, SG/SF, LA Clippers (12.5%)
James Harden (shoulder) sat out on Thursday and isn't guaranteed to play on Friday, while Kawhi Leonard played through a back injury in an easy win over the Chicago Bulls. With the Clippers on the second night of a back-to-back against the Pelicans, Paul George isn't necessarily guaranteed to play either. Powell has been solid for the Clippers, scoring in double figures in five straight games, including 18 points on 6-of-10 shooting Thursday off the bench. He has been a decent producer of points, rebounds, assists, steals and 3-pointers over his past five games and if any of the big-named Clippers are out on Friday, he is worth a plug-and-play. Bones Hyland (1.8%) started for Harden on Thursday and went off for 17 points, five rebounds, 11 assists, four steals and four 3-pointers on 6-of-10 shooting. He's also worth a look if you're looking for streamers, especially if he draws another start.
De'Andre Hunter, SF/PF, Atlanta Hawks (13.5%)
With Jalen Johnson and Saddiq Bey out for the season, Hunter is now one of the lone forwards still playing for Atlanta, along with Bogdan Bogdanovic. I like Bogdanovic more than Hunter, but Hunter is the one more available in fantasy leagues at this point. He has quietly scored in double figures in 15 straight games and has averaged 14.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.7 steals and 2.3 3-pointers on 44% shooting over his past six games. I wish there were more peripheral stats to report from Hunter, but that also means he is due for a breakout game. The banged-up Utah Jazz could be just what the doctor ordered.
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.
Phoenix Suns at Charlotte Hornets
7 p.m. Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC
BPI Projection: Suns in the 2nd highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Suns: Eric Gordon, (GTD - Knee); Josh Okogie, (GTD - Abdomen); Damion Lee, (OUT - Knee)
Hornets: Bryce McGowens, (OUT - Knee); LaMelo Ball, (OUT - Ankle); Cody Martin, (OUT - Ankle); Mark Williams, (OUT - Back); Seth Curry, (OUT - Ankle)
Suns projections:
Kevin Durant, SF/PF: 48.3 FPTS (29.6 pts, 6.8 reb, 5.9 ast)
Devin Booker, PG/SG/PF: 46.4 FPTS (27.6 pts, 4.8 reb, 6.1 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Bradley Beal, PG/SG: 34.5 FPTS (19.3 pts, 4.0 reb, 4.5 ast)
Jusuf Nurkic, C: 27.7 FPTS (11.9 pts, 10.3 reb, 3.4 ast)
Grayson Allen, SG: 25.9 FPTS (11.5 pts, 4.2 reb, 3.0 ast, 2.1 3PM)
Royce O'Neale, SF: 20.9 FPTS (7.8 pts, 4.3 reb, 2.5 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Drew Eubanks, PF: 13.3 FPTS (6.1 pts, 3.9 reb, 1.0 ast)
Hornets projections:
Miles Bridges, SF/PF: 39.6 FPTS (21.4 pts, 7.5 reb, 3.9 ast, 2.3 3PM)
Brandon Miller, SG/SF: 32.8 FPTS (17.8 pts, 4.6 reb, 2.6 ast, 2.3 3PM)
Vasilije Micic, PG/SG: 26.1 FPTS (13.3 pts, 3.0 reb, 4.0 ast)
Tre Mann, PG: 25.9 FPTS (12.3 pts, 5.0 reb, 3.1 ast)
Nick Richards, C: 24.1 FPTS (11.0 pts, 8.9 reb, 0.9 ast)
Grant Williams, PF: 20.3 FPTS (9.8 pts, 4.1 reb, 1.9 ast)
Davis Bertans, PF: 13.1 FPTS (6.0 pts, 2.2 reb, 1.2 ast)
Miami Heat at Detroit Pistons
7 p.m. Little Caesars Arena, Detroit
BPI Projection: Heat in the 6th highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Heat: Bam Adebayo, (GTD - Back); Kevin Love, (OUT - Heel); Tyler Herro, (OUT - Foot); Josh Richardson, (OUT - Shoulder)
Pistons: Cade Cunningham, (GTD - Knee); Ausar Thompson, (OUT - Illness); Quentin Grimes, (OUT - Knee)
Heat projections:
Jimmy Butler, SF/PF: 42.7 FPTS (23.1 pts, 5.9 reb, 5.2 ast)
Bam Adebayo, C: 36.8 FPTS (20.1 pts, 9.8 reb, 4.0 ast)
Terry Rozier, PG/SG: 36.5 FPTS (18.5 pts, 4.1 reb, 5.6 ast, 2.3 3PM)
Duncan Robinson, SG/SF: 23.4 FPTS (11.2 pts, 2.6 reb, 3.1 ast, 2.5 3PM)
Jaime Jaquez Jr., SF: 21.4 FPTS (10.5 pts, 3.6 reb, 2.0 ast)
Caleb Martin, SG/SF: 20.4 FPTS (10.4 pts, 4.3 reb, 1.7 ast)
Nikola Jovic, SF: 15.4 FPTS (7.0 pts, 4.5 reb, 1.7 ast)
Pistons projections:
Cade Cunningham, PG/SG: 42.7 FPTS (25.6 pts, 4.9 reb, 7.4 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Jaden Ivey, PG/SG: 31.6 FPTS (20.0 pts, 3.9 reb, 4.0 ast)
Jalen Duren, C: 28.8 FPTS (12.5 pts, 10.6 reb, 2.4 ast)
Isaiah Stewart, PF/C: 27.4 FPTS (14.6 pts, 7.2 reb, 1.7 ast)
Simone Fontecchio, SF: 26.5 FPTS (14.1 pts, 4.9 reb, 1.9 ast, 2.3 3PM)
Marcus Sasser, PG: 18.2 FPTS (8.9 pts, 1.9 reb, 2.7 ast)
James Wiseman, C: 16.0 FPTS (7.0 pts, 5.2 reb, 1.1 ast)
Orlando Magic at Toronto Raptors
7:30 p.m. Scotiabank Arena, Toronto
BPI Projection: Magic in the 4th highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Magic: None reported
Raptors: D.J. Carton, (GTD - Ankle); Gary Trent Jr., (GTD - Groin); RJ Barrett, (OUT - Personal); Chris Boucher, (OUT - Knee); Jakob Poeltl, (OUT - Finger); Scottie Barnes, (OUT - Hand)
Magic projections:
Paolo Banchero, SF/PF: 39.0 FPTS (24.0 pts, 6.1 reb, 5.5 ast)
Franz Wagner, SG/SF/PF: 33.6 FPTS (19.3 pts, 4.7 reb, 3.3 ast)
Wendell Carter Jr., C: 23.6 FPTS (11.7 pts, 6.8 reb, 1.4 ast)
Jalen Suggs, PG/SG: 22.1 FPTS (11.4 pts, 3.1 reb, 2.5 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Cole Anthony, PG: 20.3 FPTS (10.6 pts, 3.4 reb, 2.5 ast)
Moritz Wagner, PF/C: 17.4 FPTS (9.0 pts, 3.7 reb, 0.9 ast)
Gary Harris, SG: 15.6 FPTS (7.6 pts, 1.8 reb, 1.2 ast)
Raptors projections:
Immanuel Quickley, PG/SG: 43.7 FPTS (23.3 pts, 5.6 reb, 5.7 ast, 2.9 3PM)
Kelly Olynyk, PF/C: 32.3 FPTS (14.4 pts, 6.7 reb, 4.1 ast)
Gradey Dick, SG: 24.3 FPTS (13.5 pts, 3.8 reb, 1.7 ast, 1.8 3PM)
Gary Trent Jr., PG/SG: 23.8 FPTS (13.3 pts, 3.2 reb, 1.3 ast, 2.5 3PM)
Bruce Brown, SG/SF: 21.1 FPTS (10.5 pts, 4.3 reb, 1.9 ast)
Jontay Porter, PF: 16.2 FPTS (6.4 pts, 4.3 reb, 1.8 ast)
Ochai Agbaji, SG/SF: 16.1 FPTS (8.6 pts, 3.2 reb, 0.9 ast)
LA Clippers at New Orleans Pelicans
8 p.m. Smoothie King Center, New Orleans
BPI Projection: Pelicans in the 3rd highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Clippers: James Harden, (GTD - Shoulder); Russell Westbrook, (OUT - Hand)
Pelicans: Dyson Daniels, (OUT - Knee)
Clippers projections:
Kawhi Leonard, SF/PF: 41.1 FPTS (22.1 pts, 5.2 reb, 3.4 ast, 1.9 3PM)
Paul George, SG/SF/PF: 37.4 FPTS (20.6 pts, 4.9 reb, 3.6 ast, 3.0 3PM)
James Harden, PG/SG: 34.7 FPTS (15.4 pts, 4.9 reb, 6.7 ast, 2.4 3PM)
Ivica Zubac, C: 24.5 FPTS (11.8 pts, 8.2 reb, 1.2 ast)
Norman Powell, SG/SF: 21.6 FPTS (12.9 pts, 2.7 reb, 1.2 ast, 2.0 3PM)
Terance Mann, SG/SF: 16.0 FPTS (7.0 pts, 3.4 reb, 1.2 ast)
Daniel Theis, PF/C: 12.5 FPTS (5.6 pts, 3.3 reb, 0.8 ast)
Pelicans projections:
Brandon Ingram, SF/PF: 40.5 FPTS (23.0 pts, 5.1 reb, 5.4 ast)
Zion Williamson, PF: 39.6 FPTS (22.7 pts, 5.6 reb, 5.1 ast)
CJ McCollum, PG/SG: 31.3 FPTS (16.2 pts, 3.5 reb, 3.8 ast, 2.6 3PM)
Herbert Jones, SF/PF: 30.1 FPTS (11.5 pts, 3.5 reb, 2.3 ast)
Trey Murphy III, SG/SF: 25.7 FPTS (12.2 pts, 3.3 reb, 1.5 ast, 3.0 3PM)
Jonas Valanciunas, C: 20.4 FPTS (9.0 pts, 6.4 reb, 1.5 ast)
Larry Nance Jr., PF/C: 16.3 FPTS (6.0 pts, 4.9 reb, 1.3 ast)
Denver Nuggets at San Antonio Spurs
8:30 p.m. Frost Bank Center, San Antonio
BPI Projection: Nuggets in the 5th highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Nuggets: Vlatko Cancar, (OUT - Knee)
Spurs: Cedi Osman, (OUT - Ankle); Charles Bassey, (OUT - Knee)
Nuggets projections:
Nikola Jokic, C: 57.5 FPTS (26.4 pts, 11.8 reb, 7.9 ast)
Jamal Murray, PG: 43.4 FPTS (23.7 pts, 4.1 reb, 6.7 ast, 2.4 3PM)
Michael Porter Jr., SF: 30.8 FPTS (16.1 pts, 6.4 reb, 1.7 ast, 2.6 3PM)
Aaron Gordon, PF: 26.4 FPTS (13.2 pts, 5.1 reb, 3.1 ast)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, SG/SF: 20.9 FPTS (10.4 pts, 2.4 reb, 1.9 ast)
Christian Braun, SG: 14.7 FPTS (7.6 pts, 3.6 reb, 1.2 ast)
Reggie Jackson, PG: 13.3 FPTS (5.6 pts, 1.3 reb, 2.5 ast)
Spurs projections:
Victor Wembanyama, PF/C: 38.3 FPTS (20.3 pts, 9.3 reb, 3.5 ast, 2.2 blk)
Devin Vassell, SG/SF: 37.3 FPTS (21.3 pts, 4.0 reb, 4.2 ast, 2.6 3PM)
Tre Jones, PG: 24.2 FPTS (9.2 pts, 3.3 reb, 5.4 ast)
Jeremy Sochan, PG/PF: 23.3 FPTS (11.5 pts, 5.7 reb, 2.9 ast)
Keldon Johnson, SF: 23.3 FPTS (12.3 pts, 3.9 reb, 2.3 ast)
Zach Collins, PF/C: 18.0 FPTS (9.6 pts, 3.9 reb, 2.3 ast)
Julian Champagnie, SG/SF: 16.6 FPTS (8.3 pts, 3.7 reb, 1.6 ast)
Atlanta Hawks at Utah Jazz
9:30 p.m. Delta Center, Salt Lake City
BPI Projection: Jazz in the highest-scoring game of the slate.
Injury Report:
Hawks: Bogdan Bogdanovic, (GTD - Illness); Jalen Johnson, (GTD - Ankle); Seth Lundy, (GTD - Back); Kobe Bufkin, (OUT - Toe); Onyeka Okongwu, (OUT - Toe); Trae Young, (OUT - Finger); Saddiq Bey, (OUT - Knee)
Jazz: Taylor Hendricks, (GTD - Toe); Jordan Clarkson, (OUT - Groin); Kris Dunn, (OUT - Rest); Lauri Markkanen, (OUT - Quadriceps)
Hawks projections:
Dejounte Murray, PG/SG: 44.7 FPTS (24.0 pts, 5.2 reb, 6.8 ast, 2.4 3PM)
Bogdan Bogdanovic, SG/SF: 34.0 FPTS (18.7 pts, 3.7 reb, 3.9 ast, 3.3 3PM)
De'Andre Hunter, SF/PF: 29.8 FPTS (19.2 pts, 3.9 reb, 1.5 ast, 2.1 3PM)
Clint Capela, C: 28.4 FPTS (14.1 pts, 10.2 reb, 1.2 ast, 1.4 blk)
Bruno Fernando, C: 22.0 FPTS (11.5 pts, 7.1 reb, 1.3 ast)
Vit Krejci, PG: 9.6 FPTS (2.9 pts, 2.2 reb, 1.6 ast)
Garrison Mathews, SG/SF: 8.9 FPTS (3.2 pts, 2.1 reb, 0.6 ast)
Jazz projections:
Collin Sexton, PG/SG: 40.1 FPTS (24.4 pts, 3.0 reb, 5.0 ast)
John Collins, PF: 34.8 FPTS (20.1 pts, 9.3 reb, 1.9 ast)
Keyonte George, PG/SG: 32.0 FPTS (18.0 pts, 3.4 reb, 5.2 ast, 2.4 3PM)
Brice Sensabaugh, SF: 22.2 FPTS (13.0 pts, 4.2 reb, 1.3 ast)
Walker Kessler, C: 20.7 FPTS (9.8 pts, 7.4 reb, 1.1 ast, 1.9 blk)
Luka Samanic, PF: 19.1 FPTS (12.9 pts, 4.0 reb, 0.9 ast)
Talen Horton-Tucker, SG/SF: 18.6 FPTS (8.9 pts, 2.0 reb, 3.5 ast)