Daily Fantasy NBA Player Picks for Friday 03/08/13

Oklahoma City Thunder at Charlotte Bobcats 7:00pm ET

Thunder PG Russell Westbrook ($205K) struggled with his shot Thursday in New York, hitting just eight of his 22 field goal attempts. He ended up with 31 fantasy points in 36 minutes, which was his lowest production in five games. He should bounce back in a big way against a poor Bobcats team. Bobcats swingman Gerald Henderson ($96K) has gone for 16 or more fantasy points in each of his past three games, making him a decent mid-level salary play. PF/C Josh McRoberts ($70K) has stepped up his play, and is a cheap option for fantasy owners. He has averaged 15.8 fantasy points per game over his past five outings.

Indiana Pacers at Orlando Magic 7:00pm ET

Magic PF/C Nikola Vucevic ($130K) exploded for 50 fantasy points last time out against Miami, snagging 21 boards while adding 25 points. He is unlikely to have anything close to that against the best scoring defense in the Eastern Conference. PG Jameer Nelson ($119K) (hip) has posted 56 total fantasy points in two games since returning from a hip injury. SG Lance Stephenson ($83K) has totaled 40 fantasy points over his past two games, making him a nice value against a poor Magic defense.

Washington Wizards at Brooklyn Nets 7:30pm ET

Wizards SG Bradley Beal ($136K) (ankle) is a question mark for this one after missing Wednesday’s game with a badly sprained ankle. Swingman Trevor Ariza ($105K) started at shooting guard in his absence, posting 27 fantasy points in 38 minutes. He is averaging 25.0 fantasy points per game over the past four outings, making him a solid option whether he starts at the two or not. Nets PF Reggie Evans ($76K) exploded for 16 rebounds and 25 fantasy points in Wednesday’s game at Charlotte. He has double-digit rebound totals in five of the past six games.

Dallas Mavericks at Detroit Pistons 7:30pm ET

Pistons PG Brandon Knight ($123K) (knee) has been strong in four games since returning from a knee injury. He has 27.3 fantasy points per game during the solid stretch. Mavericks PF Dirk Nowitzki ($142K) is a fantastic option for this one, as he has averaged 36.5 fantasy points per game in his past four outings against Eastern Conference teams. Mavericks SG O.J. Mayo ($120K) (hand) shook off a hand injury to post 31 fantasy points Wednesday against Houston. He is averaging 26.3 fantasy points per game over his past three outings.

Memphis Grizzlies at Cleveland Cavaliers 7:30pm ET

Grizzlies PF/C Ed Davis ($83K) was a huge disappointment Wednesday, going for just three points, six rebounds and two blocked shots in 25 minutes for a grand total of 15 fantasy points. He had a chance to fill in with PF/C Zach Randolph ($151K) (ankle) and PF/C Darrell Arthur ($55K) (back, neck) sidelined, but he did nothing to help fantasy owners expecting a big bargain. Cavaliers PG Kyrie Irving ($165K) (knee) complained of knee soreness after Wednesday’s game, and he is no certainty to play in this one. It’s best to avoid the risk.

Atlanta Hawks at Boston Celtics 8:00pm ET (ESPN)

Celtics PF/C Brandon Bass ($75K) is averaging 15.6 fantasy points per game over his past five games, making him a decent mid-level salary play. Hawks PF/SF Josh Smith ($157K) has been up and down lately, posting two games with 19 or fewer fantasy points over the past four outings. That’s rough considering how expensive he is. Fantasy owners are expecting 35-40 fantasy points when dishing out this high of a salary. Avoid until he gets back on track, or his salary drops significantly to make him a value again. PG Jeff Teague ($126K) appears to have ironed out his shooting problems. He hit just six of 23 field goal attempts in two games from March 1-3, averaging just 10.0 fantasy points per game. However, over the past two games, he is averaging 34.0 fantasy points per game.

Philadelphia 76ers at Miami Heat 8:00pm ET

76ers swingman Dorell Wright ($106K) has gone for 21 or more fantasy points per game over each of his past four games, averaging 25.0 fantasy points per contest during the span. He had 22 fantasy points in the last meeting against his former team back on Feb. 23. Swingman Evan Turner ($129K) had been rolling right along until laying an egg Wednesday in Atlanta, posting just nine fantasy points. His salary has slid a bit, making him worth a look since he had 25 fantasy points in the last outing against Miami Feb. 23. Heat PF/C Chris Bosh ($133K) has totaled 60 fantasy points over his past two games.

Utah Jazz at Chicago Bulls 8:00pm ET

Bulls PF/C Carlos Boozer ($134K) has struggled with his shot over the past two games, hitting just eight of his 23 field goal attempts, averaging 16.5 fantasy points per game. That has caused his salary to freefall, making him a nice value just in time for a matchup against one of his former teams. Jazz PF/C Al Jefferson ($159K) (ankle) was able to practice Thursday, and he expects to return to the lineup Friday. However, there is still a little risk with Jefferson, as it is possible he could return and see a minutes cap. Wait one full game for Jefferson to prove his health and see if he plays without restrictions. Even if he does go full out, playing in Chicago is not exactly a favorable matchup. SG/PG Mo Williams ($91K) (thumb) returned to action Wednesday in Cleveland, hitting just three of his 12 field goal attempts for eight points, six assists and three rebounds in 27 minutes against his former team. His minutes will be capped, so he isn’t a great option right now.

Portland Trail Blazers at San Antonio Spurs 8:30pm ET

Trail Blazers PG Damian Lillard ($136K) has gone for 22 or more fantasy points in each of his past seven games, and he is averaging 30.0 fantasy points per game over his past four outings. Swingman Wesley Matthews ($101K) (ankle) hasn’t exactly gotten back to pre-injury levels, going for 19 or fewer fantasy points in each of his past four outings. He has hit just 17 of his 40 field goal attempts during the span, and perhaps his ankle might be giving him some trouble. Who knows? Anyway, avoid Matthews until he starts to show more consistency. Spurs PF/C Tim Duncan ($165K) has been giant over the past four games, averaging 37.3 fantasy points per game over his past four outings.

Phoenix Suns at Sacramento Kings 10:00pm ET

Kings PF/C DeMarcus Cousins ($136K) was benched for the fourth quarter Wednesday, and he finished with just 20 fantasy points in 20 minutes. He has hit just three of his past 22 field goal attempts, which makes him one to avoid even at a very tempting salary level. PF/C Patrick Patterson ($90K) went for 31 fantasy points in just 28 minutes, hitting six of his 10 field goal attempts while adding eight rebounds and four assists with a blocked shot. He was playing more time with Cousins benched for poor play, but don’t expect Patterson to eat into Cousins’ playing time frequently. C Marcin Gortat ($116K) (foot) is dealing with a foot injury, so PF Markieff Morris ($80K) is expected to start at power forward in his absence. Morris is a nice value.

Toronto Raptors at Los Angeles Lakers 10:30pm ET

Raptors PF Amir Johnson ($121K) has averaged 29.7 fantasy points per game over the past three outings, and he has gone for 20 or more fantasy points in eight of his past nine. Lakers SG Jodie Meeks ($70K) came out of nowhere Wednesday in New Orleans, burying five 3-pointers to finish with 19 points in 26 minutes off the bench. He ended up with 21 fantasy points points, his most since Feb. 14. Lakers C Dwight Howard ($164K) had a giant game in New Orleans Wednesday, going for 20 points, 15 rebounds and four blocked shots in 35 minutes, finishing with 48 fantasy points. He has 12 or more boards in each of his past eight games, and he is definitely playing his best basketball of the season right now.

Houston Rockets at Golden State Warriors 10:30pm ET (ESPN)

Warriors SG Klay Thompson ($123K) has posted 25 or more fantasy points in each of his past four games, hitting at least six field goals in each of the outings. He is averaging 29.2 fantasy points per game during the impressive span. Rockets PF/SF Donatas Motiejunas ($65K) appeared to be heading toward regular appearances in fantasy lineups by averaging 19.5 fantasy points per contest in a four-game stretch from Feb. 23-March 3, but he disappeared with just seven fantasy points Wednesday in Dallas. Avoid. C Omer Asik ($125K) is averaging 29.0 fantasy points per game over his past four outings, making him a solid mid-level buy. He had 30 fantasy points in the last meeting with the Warriors Feb. 12.