This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The NBA closes out the work week with nine games on the schedule Friday. It will be a star-studded night with the Warriors, Rockets, Bucks and Sixers all set to take the floor. Let's dive right in and examine some players to target and avoid when you're working your way through the DFS options on Yahoo.
GUARDS
Donovan Mitchell, UTA vs. LAL ($28): The Jazz have basically run out of point guards. Ricky Rubio (hamstring) and Dante Exum (ankle) were already on the shelf, and now they've lost Raul Neto (groin). Expect Mitchell to be charged with facilitating the offense, which is what he did Wednesday against the Magic when he chipped in seven assists. He also scored 33 points in that game on his way to 49.3 Yahoo points. With how often Mitchell should have the ball in his hands Friday, he should have a high floor considering his price tag.
Kevin Huerter, ATL at PHI ($13): With the Hawks down a couple of key rotation players, Huerter has logged at least 36 minutes in four of his last five games. Since the Hawks have depth issues and are trying to develop their young players, Huerter should have a high minute's floor regardless of the score in most games. He scored at least 26 Yahoo points in three of those four contests and is an appealing option with both the Hawks and the Sixers inside the top-seven in the league in pace of play.
Guard to Avoid
Fred VanVleet, TOR vs. BKN ($19): Few teams are lucky enough to have a player like VanVleet on their bench. He's done a great job stepping into the starting five when players are injured, which has been important with Kyle Lowry battling injuries and Kawhi Leonard resting at times after missing most of last season. However, with Lowry and Leonard ready to roll Friday, VanVleet doesn't carry much upside considering his price.
FORWARDS
Luka Doncic, DAL at MIN ($33): It's not hard to make a case to play Doncic pretty much every night in DFS. He's the focal point of the Mavericks' offense, posting a 27.8 percent usage rate. Not only is he an excellent scoring option, but he carries a high floor with averages of 6.7 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.1 steals. His price won't kill your budget, either, so don't hesitate to consider him Friday in this matchup between two teams in the top-12 in pace of play.
Joe Ingles, UTA vs. LAL ($19): Mitchell isn't the only player on the Jazz who will need to step up in the assists department. Ingles averaged 4.8 assists per game last season and has followed that up with an average of 4.7 dimes so far this year, so expect him to be another player who should see a boost in that category. He dished out seven assists Wednesday and finished with 30.9 Yahoo points, leaving him as a nice cost-effective option to target against a Lakers team that plays at the third-fastest pace (104.1 possessions per game).
Forward to Avoid
Derrick Favors, UTA vs. LAL ($21): Favors had been playing well of late, but then he scored just 14.1 Yahoo points Wednesday. He only logged 21 minutes in that game, which was one of the main reasons for his struggles. The Lakers don't really have much size outside of the center spot, so this could be another contest where Favors sees limited action. The last time these two teams met, Favors scored 19.6 Yahoo points in 24 minutes.
CENTERS
Domantas Sabonis, IND at NY ($28): Myles Turner (shoulder) has missed the last three games for the Pacers, thrusting Sabonis into a starting role. He certainly didn't disappoint, averaging 37.3 Yahoo points during that stretch. Turner is listed as questionable for this contest, so if he doesn't play again, Sabonis has a ton of upside. Even if Turner does return, Sabonis could still provide value facing a Knicks team that has allowed the third-most Yahoo points per game (56.3) to opposing centers across their last 10 contests.
Ed Davis, BKN at TOR ($10): Davis completely dominated the glass against the Hawks on Wednesday, pulling down 16 boards in only 23 minutes. He finished with 31.7 Yahoo points, marking the fifth time over his last six games that he's scored at least 24.1 Yahoo points. The absence of Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (hip) has freed up a few extra minutes up front, making Davis a target in tournament play.
Center to Avoid
Joel Embiid, PHI vs. ATL ($51): On the surface, this looks like a spectacular matchup. The Hawks are a horrible defensive team and have allowed the fifth-most Yahoo points per game (48.9) to opposing centers this year. However, this game screams blowout potential. The Sixers have been dominant at home this year with an 18-3 record. They played another bad team in the Wizards at home Tuesday and won by 17 points in a game that was even more lopsided than the final score indicates. Embiid was only needed to play 24 minutes and finished with 38 Yahoo points. This might be the night to fade him.
