Fantasy basketball tips and NBA betting picks for Friday

ESPN's fantasy basketball and basketball betting tips cheat sheet is your pregame destination for basketball betting predictions and our best intel and data, featuring ESPN's proprietary Basketball Power Index (BPI) to help you make smart fantasy and wagering decisions. NBA game odds for Friday, Feb. 24 are provided by Caesars Sportsbook, and fantasy advice is based on ESPN 10-team leagues.

Statistical success can be driven by who isn't on the floor. Which is to say, the absence of high-usage players can reveal sustainable fantasy values deeper in rotations.

Take the Minnesota Timberwolves, a team that recently dealt a shot-happy D'Angelo Russell and has been without superstar offensive force Karl-Anthony Towns for much of the season. A formerly quiet role player such as Jaden McDaniels (72% available in ESPN leagues), one of the league's most versatile and gifted perimeter defenders, has elevated his offensive impact given the need created by his missing peers. Even Russell's ankle injury last night for the Los Angeles Lakers could create a new role for Dennis Schroder (71%).

Charlotte Hornets defense tonight that is allowing 44.1 DraftKings points per game to small forwards, the second-highest clip in the league. McDaniels, meanwhile, is one of just 11 NBA players currently averaging at least .9 blocks and .9 steals per game. With Towns and Russell off the floor this season, he's enjoyed a leap of 4.5 DraftKings points per 36 minutes, second only to Anthony Edwards. Such splits scream value.

With Kyle Lowry still sidelined for the Miami Heat, Steve Alexander details below the key beneficiary in this scenario. Both Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr. are ailing for the Houston Rockets, pushing rookie Jabari Smith Jr.