This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The NBA will be busy heading into the weekend with 11 games on the schedule Friday. The slate is loaded with fun matchups, including the Nuggets facing the Blazers. With so many options to sift through on Yahoo, here are some players who stand out as having favorable opportunities to be productive, and a few to avoid for your entry.
GUARDS
James Harden, HOU at SA ($54): Chris Paul (hamstring) has missed the last three games for the Rockets and is listed as questionable for Friday. The Rockets play again at home Saturday against the Bulls, so it might make more sense for Paul to sit out against the Spurs since he probably wouldn't play in both games of the back-to-back set. In the three games that Paul has missed, Harden has scored at least 58.3 Yahoo points each time, including at least 73.7 Yahoo points in both of his last two contests.
J.J. Barea, DAL at LAL ($14): Barea is only averaging 20 minutes a game this year, which would be his lowest mark since the 2014-15 season. However, his 27.1 percent usage rate is the highest on the Mavericks, which has still enabled him to average 11 points per game. He also racks up assists in bunches, which has helped him score at least 26.9 Yahoo points in four of his last five games. This could be a matchup to exploit considering the Lakers play at the fifth-fastest pace (103.8 possessions per game) in the league.
Guard to Avoid
Lonzo Ball, LAL vs. DAL ($19): Ball entered Thursday's contest against the Pacers with an ankle injury but still managed to play 34 minutes. That was about the only positive, though, as he finished with just two points, eight rebounds, four assists and four turnovers. Ball seemed to have a great opportunity to be productive when Rajon Rondo (finger) went down, but he's scored 26 Yahoo points or fewer in six of seven games during Rondo's absence.
FORWARDS
Jabari Parker, CHI at DET ($26): The Bulls are still without Lauri Markkanen (elbow) and Bobby Portis (knee), leaving Parker to shoulder the load at power forward. He's been on fire of late, scoring at least 38 Yahoo points in each of his last five games. Markkanen appears to be closing in on a return, but since he won't be out there Friday, Parker has the potential for another valuable performance.
Markieff Morris, WAS at PHI ($16): The news on Dwight Howard (lower body) doesn't appear to be good. With the potential for him to have a lengthy absence, the Wizards are very thin at center. Morris has already been someone they have leaned on without Howard, which has allowed Morris to score at least 32.5 Yahoo points in four straight games. This won't be an easy task facing Joel Embiid, but Morris is a viable option in tournament play at this price, especially when you consider that both of these teams are in the top-seven in pace of play.
Forward to Avoid
Rodney McGruder, MIA vs. NO ($19): Goran Dragic (knee) and Tyler Johnson (hamstring) are both out again Friday, leaving the Heat thin in the backcourt. Their being on the sidelines hasn't really benefited McGruder so far, which has left him to score 26.5 Yahoo points or fewer in eight straight games. Since he doesn't come at much of a discount, it might be best avoid McGruder based on his limited upside.
CENTERS
Nikola Vucevic, ORL at PHO ($40): Vucevic is off to a blazing start, averaging 20.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists, one steal and 1.1 blocks per game. His 26.7 percent usage rate is the highest on the Magic, and he's shooting a stellar 55.3 percent from the floor. The Suns allow the fourth-most Yahoo points per game (54.8) to opposing centers, so don't be surprised if Vucevic feasts in this contest.
Aron Baynes, BOS vs. CLE ($10): The Celtics have already ruled out Al Horford (rest), which could open up a spot start for Baynes. Baynes also started in place of Horford last Friday against the Hawks, scoring 33.8 Yahoo points across 23 minutes. While it might be hard for him to duplicate that performance, he still makes for a great tournament play option at the minimum price.
Center to Avoid
Wendell Carter Jr., CHI at DET ($18): Foul troubles have become an issue for Carter. He has at least five fouls in each of his last five games, limiting him to 24 minutes or fewer four times. With so little time on the floor, it's not that surprising that he's scored 24 Yahoo points or fewer in each of those five contests. This is not an easy matchup against Andre Drummond, making Carter a very risky option.
