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If you have been thinking about giving DraftEasy and their new Rapid Fire game a try, now is the perfect time. Between Friday’s NBA slate and two games with important NFL playoff implications Saturday, there are a lot of great matchups to choose from. The picks below are the ones I am actually playing in my own entries. Each player is listed along with his opponent, with my choice appearing in bold.

NBA

Match-up 1

Russell Westbrook (ATL) vs. James Harden (LAC)

James Harden has played at least 38 minutes in each of his last three games, and I worry a poor shooting night could be coming as a result. Russell Westbrook is the master at filling the stat sheet when he isn’t scoring, and he feels like the safer pick here.

Match-up 2

DeMarcus Cousins (@ORL) vs. Kevin Durant (LAL)

Durant has played the Lakers twice this month, averaging 32.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 2.0 blocks in those games. Cousins is capable of a similar stat line, but he hasn’t reached 30 points in any of his last five games and he hasn’t recorded more than one block in six straight.

Match-up 3

Giannis Antetokounmpo (CHA) vs. Anthony Davis (@ORL)

This game could just come down to blocks. Anthony Davis has at least four blocks in three of his last five games, but he didn’t record a single block in the other two. Giannis appears to have the advantage in every other category, including rebounds. Since Davis’s blocks are so inconsistent, give me Giannis.

Match-up 4

Paul George (ATL) vs. John Wall (@BKN)

Wall still hasn’t reached 20 points scoring since returning from a knee injury, though he does have two double-doubles in those four games. Wall’s shooting is bound to improve sooner than later, and only two teams are allowing more points than the Nets this season. George, on the other hand, has scored fewer than 10 points twice in his last eight games, and he only has two double-doubles all season.

Match-up 5

Nikola Jokic (@POR) vs. Kemba Walker (@MIL)

Jokic has one double-double in three games since returning to the lineup, but and he scored 22 points Wednesday. Walker hasn’t recorded more than 15 points or six assists in any of his last six games, and it is difficult to feel optimistic about his chances of turning things around when he will spend most of the night being guarded by Eric Bledsoe.

NFL

Match-up 1

Joe Flacco (IND) vs. Case Keenum (@GB)

Keenum has thrown two touchdowns in four consecutive games, and he has topped that total twice this season. Joe Flacco has hasn’t thrown more than two touchdown passes in any game this season, and he has reached that threshold just four times all year. Both have nice matchups, but Keenum has a much better supporting cast.

Match-up 2

Danny Woodhead (IND) vs. Frank Gore (@BAL)

Woodhead hasn’t outscored Gore in any week since returning from IR. While Baltimore has the better defense, they are more susceptible to the run, and they have allowed at least one rushing touchdown in four consecutive games. Woodhead still hasn’t found the end zone this season, and I don’t know why that would change this week.

Match-up 3

Jamaal Williams (MIN) vs. Jerick McKinnon (@GB)

It is possible Aaron Jones barely plays again now that Aaron Rodgers is out, but both of these backs will likely have to share the workload with somebody else. The Packers have one of the worst defenses in the NFL, while Minnesota has one of the best, and that is enough to tip this matchup in McKinnon’s favor.

Match-up 4

Stefon Diggs (@GB) vs. Mike Wallace (IND)

Wallace has actually been surprisingly consistent of late, with at least four receptions in five of his last six games, and at least 48 receiving yards in five straight. Diggs is the better player with the better quarterback, but he has 32 yards or fewer in four of his seven games since returning from his two-game absence. Diggs has twice as many touchdowns as Wallace this season, which tips the scale in his favor.

Match-up 5

Randall Cobb (MIN) vs. Jordy Nelson (MIN)

I love the teammate match-up here, and I hope DraftEasy does more of these going forward. Aaron Rodgers’ return was supposed to be the magic elixir for Nelson last week, but instead he had fewer targets than Geronimo Allison. Nelson has not outscored Cobb since Week 6, and it is hard to see that changing this week.