The Oklahoma City Thunder are shaking things up as they face the Portland Trail Blazers with a completely new starting lineup due to resting key players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams. This opens up intriguing opportunities for Thunder reserves in NBA DFS contests. With Aaron Wiggins averaging 17.8 points off the bench since February, he could become a key value pick. Meanwhile, the New York Knicks are also affected by an injury to Jalen Brunson, which may lead to other players stepping up for DFS consideration.

On the advice of DFS expert Mike McClure, top picks for Friday include Toronto Raptors’ Scottie Barnes, who has shown strong performances recently, averaging 19.3 points and 7.9 rebounds over his last eight games. Facing the Utah Jazz, whose defense ranks poorly, Barnes is primed for a breakout game. Another option is Charlotte Hornets’ Jusuf Nurkic, who could shine in the absence of Mark Williams. With the current injury landscape, value plays are crucial for crafting winning lineups.

The Boston Celtics face a formidable challenge in the Cleveland Cavaliers, who are rapidly emerging as a serious contender in the Eastern Conference. Following a comeback victory against Boston, the Cavaliers have demonstrated their ability to adapt and finish games in multiple ways, raising doubts about the Celtics' dominance. Cleveland's versatility, particularly with players like Evan Mobley and Donovan Mitchell stepping up in critical moments, highlights their depth. The addition of De'Andre Hunter has further enhanced their capabilities, providing flexibility to exploit Boston's inconsistencies. Meanwhile, the Celtics are grappling with health concerns and the need for consistent performances from their roster as they pursue another NBA title.

The Houston Rockets are looking to bounce back after a recent split in their back-to-back games. A hard-fought victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves was followed by a disappointing loss to the Utah Jazz, where they allowed a staggering 37 points in the fourth quarter. Coach Ime Udoka is optimistic as they prepare to face the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday, with key players Tari Eason and Steven Adams returning to the lineup.

While VanVleet participated in practice, his status remains uncertain as the team is cautious about his ankle recovery. Jae'Sean Tate is also under evaluation after missing the last game due to back soreness. The Rockets have faced a tough schedule, with four consecutive sets of back-to-backs, testing their endurance and depth. Udoka highlighted the need to find effective plays to maximize Alperen Sengun's contributions, emphasizing VanVleet's role in facilitating the offense.

Cam Johnson participated in the NBA All-Star weekend's Starry 3-Point Contest but fell short of making it to the final round. As the lone representative for the Brooklyn Nets, Johnson had a challenging start, managing only 14 points in the first round. Despite his impressive 41.3% shooting from long range this season, he struggled early on, hitting just two out of four attempts on his first rack. He eventually found his rhythm on the money balls, but it wasn't enough to advance.

Among his competitors were notable names such as Jalen Brunson, Cade Cunningham, and Damian Lillard. In the end, Tyler Herro emerged victorious, marking the fifth win for the Miami Heat in this contest's history. Johnson, now the sixth Nets participant in this event, joins a lineage of great shooters, including the 2019 champion Joe Harris, who upset Stephen Curry in his win.

Dwight Howard, alongside familiar Houston Rockets figures like Mike D'Antoni, Chris Paul, and Carmelo Anthony, has been named a finalist for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Howard, who spent three seasons with the Rockets, averaged 15.9 points and 11.6 rebounds during his tenure. Both he and Anthony are recognized not only for their individual accolades but also for their contributions to the 2008 U.S. Olympic gold medal-winning team, frequently referred to as the 'Redeem Team.'

D'Antoni, who coached the Rockets from 2016 to 2020, served as an assistant coach on that Olympic squad. The Rockets aimed for a championship with Howard and James Harden, reaching the Western Conference finals in 2015, yet falling short against the Golden State Warriors. Paul, after two impactful seasons with Houston, was traded to Oklahoma City following near misses in the playoffs.