Below are the projected starting lineups for each team playing on Friday's NBA slate, along with notable injury news for each squad. For real-time updates to these lineups, check out our Action Labs NBA lineups page.
NBA Injury News
6:30 p.m. ET Update: Joel Embiid has cleared the health and safety protocols and will play Friday after missing the All-Star game and the win on Thursday.
Kevin Love has been cleared to return to action Friday after missing all but two games this season with strained right calf. Darius Garland has been ruled out with a strained groin.
The Rockets will be severely shorthanded on Friday, as John Wall, Victor Oladipo, Eric Gordon, Danuel House (knee), Rodions Kurucs and PJ Tucker are all out
The Washington Wizards are monitoring the status of Bradley Beal on Friday morning ahead of their game against the Philadelphia 76ers. Per our NBA Insiders tool:
Beal has been added to the injury report with a sore left knee and is officially questionable for Friday's game. He has only missed two prior contests this season, with Garrison Mathews entering the starting lineup in Beal's previous absence … With Beal off the court this season, Westbrook has led the team with a 40% usage rate.
The Sixers still haven't confirmed that Joel Embiid will play though he is probable after sitting out Thursday's game due to health and safety protocols.
The Houston Rockets will be without Eric Gordon, who is undergoing an MRI for a strained groin, and PJ Tucker on Friday. Tucker and the Rockets have agreed that he will no longer be with the team, and a resolution is being worked on that will work for both parties involved as far as finding him a new team before the March 25 trade deadline.
Kevin Love has been upgraded to questionable after missing most of the first half of the season. Love has been sidelined since Dec. 27 due to a strained calf, and he'll likely be on a minutes restriction if he's able to return.
Be sure to check the Action Labs NBA page for real time updates.
Projected Starting Lineups
Denver Nuggets vs. Memphis Grizzlies (8 p.m. ET)
Nuggets Projected Lineup
PG – Jamal Murray
SG – Monte Morris
SF – Will Barton
PF – Michael Porter Jr.
C – Nikola Jokic
Injury news: Paul Millsap (Knee) and JaMychal Green (shoulder) are questionable, Gary Harris (adductor) and RJ Hampton (health protocols) are out
Grizzlies Projected Lineup
PG – Ja Morant
SG – Grayson Allen
SF – Dillon Brooks
PF – Kyle Anderson
C – Jonas Valanciunas
Injury news: Nothing new
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Washington Wizards (8 p.m. ET)
76ers Projected Lineup
PG – Seth Curry
SG – Danny Green
SF – Matisse Thybulle
PF – Tobias Harris
C – Joel Embiid
Injury news: Joel Embiid (COVID Protocols) is active, Ben Simmons (COVID Protocols) is out
Wizards Projected Lineup
PG – Russell Westbrook
SG – Bradley Beal
SF – Garrison Matthews
PF – Rui Hachimura
C – Moe Wagner
Injury news: Bradley Beal (knee) is questionable
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New Orleans Pelicans (8 p.m. ET)
Cavaliers Projected Lineup
PG – Collin Sexton
SG – Cedi Osman
SF – Isaac Okoro
PF – Kevin Love
C – Jarrett Allen
Injury news: Kevin Love (Calf) is active, Darius Garland (Groin) is out
Pelicans Projected Lineup
PG – Lonzo Ball
SG – Eric Bledsoe
SF – Brandon Ingram
PF – Zion Williamson
C – Steven Adams
Injury news: Nothing new
Miami Heat vs. Chicago Bulls (9 p.m. ET)
Heat Projected Lineup
PG – Kendrick Nunn
SG – Jimmy Butler
SF – Duncan Robinson
PF – KZ Okpala
C – Kelly Olynyk
Injury news: Bam Adebayo (knee) is out
Bulls Projected Lineup
PG – Coby White
SG – Zach LaVine
SF – Patrick Williams
PF – Lauri Markkanen
C – Wendell Carter Jr.
Injury news: Nothing new
Orlando Magic vs. San Antonio Spurs (9 p.m. ET)
Magic Projected Lineup
PG – Michael Carter-Williams
SG – Dwayne Bacon
SF – Gary Clark
PF – Al-Farouq Aminu
C – Nikola Vucevic
Injury news: Nothing new
Spurs Projected Lineup
PG – Dejounte Murray
SG – Derrick White
SF – Lonnie Walker
PF – Keldon Johnson
C – Jakob Poeltl
Injury news: DeMar DeRozan (personal) is out, Devin Vassell (health protocols) is active
Houston Rockets vs. Utah Jazz (10 p.m. ET)
Rockets Projected Lineup
PG – Kevin Porter Jr.
SG – Ben McLemore
SF – Sterling Brown
PF – Jae'Sean Tate
C – Justin Patton
Injury news: John Wall (Knee) and Eric Gordon (Groin) are out, PJ Tucker will no longer be with the team as they seek to find a trade
Jazz Projected Lineup
PG – Mike Conley
SG – Donovan Mitchell
SF – Bojan Bogdanovic
PF – Royce O'Neale
C – Rudy Gobert
Injury news: Nothing new
Indiana Pacers vs. Los Angeles Lakers (10:30 p.m. ET)
Pacers Projected Lineup
PG – Malcolm Brogdon
SG – Justin Holiday
SF – Doug McDermott
PF – Domantas Sabonis
C – Myles Turner
Injury news: Nothing new
Lakers Projected Lineup
PG – Dennis Schroder
SG – Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
SF – LeBron James
PF – Markieff Morris
C – Damian Jones
Injury news: LeBron James (ankle), Kyle Kuzma (heel), Damian Jones (back), Alex Caruso (neck), Jared Dudley (knee) are probable, Anthony Davis (calf) and Marc Gasol (health protocols) are out
Phan’s Bet to Watch
As of 6:30 p.m. ET, Justin Phan sees betting value in three Friday games: Cavaliers vs. Pelicans, Magic vs. Spurs, Rockets vs. Jazz. To get instant alerts when he sees an edge and his analysis on those picks, sign up for Action Labs.
