This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The NBA gets us ready for the weekend with a packed Friday slate consisting of 10 games. Injuries to key players continues to be a common theme throughout the league, which has opened up plenty of cheaper value play options in DFS. Here are some players to target and avoid when creating your Yahoo lineup.
GUARDS
Terry Rozier, BOS vs. DAL ($17): First up on our laundry list of injuries is Kyrie Irving (eye), who will miss his second straight game. Rozier started in his place Wednesday against the Timberwolves and shined with 43.1 Yahoo points across 32 minutes. Over his three starts this season, Rozier has averaged 16 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 2.3 steals. At this price, he could be one of the top value play options for the evening.
Josh Hart, LAL vs. NY ($16): The Lakers are starting to run out of healthy players. Not only will LeBron James (groin) and Rajon Rondo (hand) not play in this game, but Kyle Kuzma (back) is listed as questionable. Even if Kuzma does manage to play, this will be another great opportunity for Hart to be productive. Across the last four games James and Rondo have missed, Hart is averaging 34.9 Yahoo points.
Guard to Avoid
Zach LaVine, CHI vs. IND ($27): LaVine carried the Bulls earlier this season when the team was decimated by injuries. However, with Lauri Markkanen and Kris Dunn back in the fold, LaVine hasn't been as productive. He's still providing points, but his rebounding and assist numbers have been on the decline, leading him to score 34.1 Yahoo points or fewer in seven straight games. Being so reliant on scoring to provide value certainly is not good news for LaVine in this contest against the Pacers, who allow the fewest points per game (101.1) in the league.
FORWARDS
Paul George, OKC at POR ($50): There are few players in the league as hot as George is right now. The subtraction of Carmelo Anthony has been huge for him and helped increase his usage rate from 25.7 percent last year to 29.5 percent this season. He's also averaging 8.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 2.3 steals per contest, giving him a high floor once again Friday.
DeMarre Carroll, BKN at MEM ($13): There's no good news on the injury front for the Nets, who will once again be without Allen Crabbe (knee) and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (hip). The Nets relied on Carroll more with both players out Wednesday against the Pelicans, which helped him score 19 points to go along with six rebounds and three assists across 29 minutes. He should receive plenty of minutes again Friday, making him a viable option despite this matchup against the stingy Grizzlies' defense.
Forward to Avoid
Otto Porter Jr., WAS at MIA ($23): Porter was able to make his return against the Hawks on Wednesday after missing the last 10 games for the Wizards. It couldn't have come at a better time, especially with Markieff Morris (neck) now out for at least the next six weeks. Porter will likely play all the minutes he can handle in the very near future, but that might not happen in this contest. He only logged 14 minutes Wednesday, so it's hard to see him playing more than 30 minutes in this one since he was out for so long. With so many other great options on a busy night, paying this much for Porter isn't really advisable.
CENTERS
JaVale McGee, LAL vs. NY ($17): It hasn't been all bad news for the Lakers, who at least have McGee back on the floor after he missed seven games due to an illness. Ivica Zubac played well in his absence, but he's only logged a total of 10 minutes in the two games since McGee has returned. It helped that McGee didn't show any signs of rust, scoring 31.9 and 36.1 Yahoo points, respectively. The Knicks have allowed the third-most Yahoo points per game (56) to opposing centers across their last 10 games, setting up McGee with the chance to thrive.
Luke Kornet, NY at LAL ($14): The Knicks have decided to change things up yet again, this time inserting Kornet into their starting lineup at center. He's been productive, so far, scoring at least 29.7 Yahoo points in all three of his starts. There's been no indication that he won't start again in this game, making him a great tournament option against a Lakers team that plays at the third-fastest pace (104.2 possessions per game) in the league.
Center to Avoid
Larry Nance Jr., CLE vs. UTA ($26): Several injuries to the Cavaliers up front had opened up an expanded role for Nance. They still oddly brought him off of the bench in some games, but he had logged at least 29 minutes in seven straight contests leading up to Wednesday's matchup against the Heat. However, Tristan Thompson returned in that game, limiting Nance to just 22 minutes. This isn't a great matchup against Rudy Gobert and the Jazz, to begin with, so when you add in the likelihood of reduced playing time again, it doesn't make Nance an appealing option.
