Note: Sign up for FanDuel and receive a free entry into a one-day Fantasy Basketball league for real money. Finish anywhere in the top half to win cash. Enter now.

Welcome to juxtaposition Friday! No, I'd didn't have a dare to get that word in a column, there's just no better way to explain this night. Consider ...

  • The Heat might be without four starters, creating tons of value, but they're likely playing in the slowest paced game of the night.
  • The Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Lakers are both on the slate, which leads to outstanding matchups for the Utah Jazz and San Antonio Spurs. Blech.
  • The Hornets have been terrible defensively and will be without Nicolas Batum and Cody Zeller. This sets up a matchup with the previously shorthanded Orlando Magic, who just happen to be likely getting Victor Oladipo back, throwing their already unpredictable rotation into disarray.

So what's the right answer on a slate like this?

First, wait.

Some of the value issues are going to play themselves out later in the night. If the Heat are really playing with eight, it doesn't matter how slow the pace is. Heck, maybe Coach Pop will even give us a heads up who he's resting before 7 ET. OK, don't count on that.

Most importantly, settle on a strategy . The contrast between tournament and cash game play becomes more stark on a night like this. Avoid the nonsense if your goal is to finish in the top half of the field. Embrace it if you're trying to win the whole thing.

Injury Report

Cody Zeller (Shoulder, Out), Nicolas Batum (Toe, Out) & Jeremy Lamb (Toe, Questionable)
Jeremy Lin, Frank Kaminsky and Spencer Hawes figure to be the biggest benefactors in a decent matchup.

Dirk Nowitzki (Knee, Questionable)
Charles Villaneuva saw the start in Nowitzki's last absence.

Dwight Howard (Ankle, Out) & Jason Terry (Knee, Questionable)
Clint Capela and Terrence Jones should see extended run at the forward and center positions.

George Hill (Personal, Out) & Rodney Stuckey (Ankle, Out)
Monta Ellis and C.J. Miles should both see their usage go up in a fast paced matchup.

Hassan Whiteside (Hip, Out), Goran Dragic (Calf, Out), Dwyane Wade (Shoulder, Questionable), Luol Deng (Eye, Questionable) & Beno Udrih (Neck, Questionable)
Essentially anyone who suits up for the Heat on Friday will likely be a value play.

Friday Slate

Bucks @ Rockets
Fantasy Points Allowed: 411.9

This is easily the best game of the night for Fantasy production. I'm glad I got on the James Harden bandwagon a night early, but I'll have a hard time getting off tonight. The Bucks are not a good defensive team ...unless you compare them to the Rockets. Greg Monroe, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kris Middleton are all fine tournament plays.

Bulls @ Celtics
Fantasy Points Allowed: 403.9

It's so strange to see the Bulls as a good matchup, but at this point in the season there's very little doubt left about it. More specifically, they've been the third worst team vs. opposing PG this season. I'm not really comfortable with Isaiah Thomas' price, but you have to consider him in this matchup. It also seems like a really good time to get Pau Gasol in your lineup.

Hornets @ Magic
Fantasy Points Allowed: 398.4

The status of Victor Oladipo could turn this into one of the most stackable games of the night. If Oladipo is out, I could conceivably see a lineup with six players from this game. My favorite play would be Frank Kaminsky, who should see extended run with Zeller out.

Jazz @ Nets
Fantasy Points Allowed: 392.4

On a normal night, we'd talk about the stark difference between the Jazz and Nets defenses. On Friday that's more the norm than anything. Rudy Gobert has a great matchup against a Nets team that is surrendering 48 Fantasy points per game to opposing centers. I'll likely fade the Nets, although Donald Sloan is still cheap enough to consider a value play.

Pacers @ Warriors
Fantasy Points Allowed: 391.3

Monta Ellis has to be strongly considered with George Hill out. The Warriors play as such a fast pace that it's nearly impossible for them to limit opposing guards' production.

Clippers @ Knicks
Fantasy Points Allowed: 390.3

This game scares me as it pits a pair of solid defensive teams against each other. I could see playing one Clipper or maybe Kristaps, but I don't want very much exposure.

Thunder @ Mavericks
Fantasy Points Allowed: 389.1

All too often lately the studs at point guard have had blowout concerns. I feel like the Mavericks should be able to hang with the Thunder and that makes me love Russell Westbrook. At $300 less than Stephen Curry, I'd expect more minutes and a higher likelihood of topping 50 Fantasy points.

Spurs @ Lakers
Fantasy Points Allowed: 388.3

It's the best matchup in the league against the worst. To make it even worse, the game takes place late in the evening so we'll likely have no idea who the Spurs are playing. This game is an easy fade in cash unless we get solid info before lock.

Heat @ Raptors
Fantasy Points Allowed: 378.3

Even in a slow paced game you have to strongly consider Luol Deng and Gerald Green if they play and Dwyane Wade sits. I'm not touching Toronto due to the rare combination of slow pace and blowout potential.

Top Five

PG

1. Russell Westbrook $10,700 OKC @ DAL
2. Isaiah Thomas $8,400 BOS vs. CHI
3. Jeremy Lin $5,200 CHA @ ORL
4. Tyler Johnson $4,300 MIA @ TOR
5. Elfrid Payton $6,100 ORL vs. CHA

SG

1. James Harden $9,900 HOU vs. MIL
2. Monta Ellis $6,300 IND @ GS
3. Klay Thompson $7,000 GS vs. IND
4. Gerald Green $3,500 MIA @ TOR
5. Avery Bradley $5,400 BOS vs. CHI

SF

1. Luol Deng $4,400 MIA @ TOR
2. Tobias Harris $5,800 ORL vs. CHA
3. C.J. Miles $4,500 IND @ GS
4. Paul George $8,800 IND @ GS
5. Trevor Ariza $5,800 ORL vs. CHA

PF

1. Jabari Parker $5,100 MIL @ HOU
2. Frank Kaminsky $4,500 CHA @ ORL
3. Paul Gasol $8,500 CHI @ BOS
4. Clint Capela $4,800 HOU vs. MIL
5. Draymond Green $9,300 GS vs. IND

C

1. Rudy Gobert $7,000 UTA @ BKN
2. Zaza Pachulia $6,400 DAL vs. OKC
3. Spencer Hawes $3,500 CHA @ ORL
4. DeAndre Jordan $8,200 LAC @ NYK
5. Greg Monroe $7,700 MIL @ HOU

Five Under $5,000

PG Donald Sloan $4,500 BKN vs. UTA
SG Manu Ginobli $4,600 SA @ LAL
SF Harrison Barnes $4,700 GS vs. IND
PF Patrick Patterson $3,800 TOR vs. MIA
C Amir Johnson $4,800 BOS vs. CHI