Injury Report

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Orlando Magic @ Philadelphia 76ers

Game Time: 07:10 pm ET

DraftKings Lines

ORL -3.5 (-162), PHI +3.5 (+136)
Game Total 210

Key Storylines

Dodged A Bullet: Jonathan Isaac was on his way to putting up one of his better performances of the season vs. the Sixers on Wednesday when he had to exit the game after dunking the basketball during the fourth quarter. Considering Isaac’s lengthy injury history, thankfully Isaac dodged a bullet this time, suffering “just” from cramps. Isaac is not listed on the injury report ahead of Friday’s contest. Isaac has been a reliable source of defensive stats this season, as well as solid rebounding and the occasional 3-pointer in limited minutes. In deeper formats, Isaac is a strong defensive-stats streamer to grab for fantasy managers in need of a boost in those particular categories. Should Isaac consistently roam around 20 minutes of action, he would become interesting in standard formats as well moving forward, although that remains to be seen, especially once Paolo Banchero returns to action.

Simple Formula: We have seen this “Formula” take its course now multiple times this season: In games in which the Sixers are missing one or multiple of their star players, such as was the case on Wednesday, rookie Jared McCain is asked to step up offensively, which has translated into strong fantasy performances for the rookie when given that extended opportunity. In games in which McCain is taking on a more secondary role, the production has just not been there. McCain needs high-usage numbers to fill up the box score in the scoring department to provide fantasy value, due to his limitations in other areas of his game (for example McCain has yet to record a single block on the season). This makes McCain a very situation-dependent option in standard formats, and not a must-roster player. However, in formats which allow stashing of players, McCain should be held in case the Sixers keep losing games, and we could see them turn into tank mode by sitting out their starting players sooner than later, which would be a massive boost for McCain’s fantasy outlook later in the year.

Stream of the Game

Guershon Yabusele has been putting up decent numbers while starting and can be considered in standard formats for help in rebounds and 3-pointers.
Andre Drummond is listed as questionable for Friday, which could limit Yabusele’s upside, although Yabusele has clearly outplayed Drummond so far this season.
Joel Embiid remains sidelined.

Alternatives: Mo Wagner, Jonathan Isaac, Kelly Oubre Jr.,  Jared McCain and Anthony Black (deeper formats).

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Milwaukee Bucks @ Boston Celtics

Game Time:  7:40 pm ET

DraftKings Lines

MIL +7.5 (+240), BOS -7.5 (-298)
Game Total 229.5

Key Storylines

Finally: Khris Middleton is set to make his season debut on Friday. Expect Middleton to be on a strict minutes restriction for the foreseeable future as he ramps up after his offseason surgery on both ankles. Fantasy managers will have to be patient, but it is positive news that Middleton will be finally able to step on the court and start producing for fantasy teams.

“Rest Days”: The Celtics already had one back-to-back set this week, and will start another on Friday vs. the Bucks. Due to this, we have seen a number of players be in and out of the lineup across the week. For Friday’s game, both Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis are listed as questionable to play, which could result in another start for Luke Kornet. Jayson Tatum is also listed as questionable. All these potential (likely in case of Horford and Porzingis), make players such as Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser very interesting options as streamers for the back-to-back set.

Stream of the Game

The previously mentioned Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser are the priority here.
Should they not be available, fantasy managers can pivot to Luke Kornet should both Horford and Porzingis be unavailable.

Alternatives: Taurean Prince, Gary Trent Jr., A.J. Green (deeper formats).

Los Angeles Lakers @ Atlanta Hawks

Game Time:  7:40 pm ET

DraftKings Lines

LAL +4.5 (+160), ATL -4.5 (-192)
Game Total 231

Key Storylines

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