This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Get ready for a fun Friday night with 10 games on the NBA schedule. With so many teams set to take the floor, there are a bevy of options from which to choose in DFS. Here are some players to target or avoid while you create what will hopefully be a winning entry on Yahoo.
GUARDS
D'Angelo Russell, BKN vs. NY ($34): Russell is firing on all cylinders right now with at least 51.4 Yahoo points in four of his last five games. His usage rate is up to 30.2 percent and he should continue to get all of the shots that he can handle moving forward, especially with the status of Spencer Dinwiddie (thumb) now in doubt. The Knicks allow the third-most points per game (115.7) in the league, so look for Russell to explode in this contest.
Shabazz Napier, BKN vs. NY ($10): Dinwiddie's injury could be a serious one. There is the potential that he is dealing with torn ligaments, which could keep him on the sidelines for a while. If that is the case and he doesn't play Friday, Napier should be in line for an expanded role. He's cashed in when given added playing time this season, averaging 14.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.2 steals across 10 games in which he has logged at least 20 minutes.
Guard to Avoid
Austin Rivers, HOU vs. TOR ($17): The Rockets' depth chart is looking better these days with Eric Gordon healthy and the addition of Kenneth Faried. Chris Paul (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Friday, but reports indicate a return Sunday against the Magic might be more likely. Even if Paul doesn't play Friday, Rivers might be someone to avoid. His production has started to fall off now that the Rockets have a little more depth, resulting in him scoring 21.5 Yahoo points or fewer in three straight games.
FORWARDS
Blake Griffin, DET at DAL ($45): With how little talent the Pistons have on their roster, they really have to rely on Griffin for production. He's been up to the task, scoring at least 42.8 Yahoo points in six of his last seven games. Don't worry about Andre Drummond (concussion) potentially returning for this game. Griffin still has a tremendously high floor based on his 30.4 percent usage rate and stellar averages of 8.1 rebounds and 5.3 assists per contest.
Noah Vonleh, NY at BKN ($18): It's hard to feel confident about deploying anyone on the Knicks in DFS. They constantly change up their rotations and don't really give a ton of valuable insight leading up to games. However, one thing that is certain is that Luke Kornet (ankle) will be out Friday. With Enes Kanter's playing time up in the air, the Knicks are going to need someone to play up front. Enter Vonleh, who has scored at least 26.5 Yahoo points in 10 of his last 14 contests.
Forward to Avoid
Paul Millsap, DEN vs. PHO ($21): It's taken a while, but the Nuggets are finally healthy again. Millsap hasn't been playing a ton, as a result, logging 27 minutes or fewer in five straight games. It's no coincidence that he scored 19.6 Yahoo points or fewer in three of those contests. Add their depth to the potential for this game to be a blowout and Millsap is a risky option at this price.
CENTERS
Nikola Vucevic, ORL vs. WAS ($41): Vucevic continues to shine for the Magic with at least 42.8 Yahoo points in six straight games. He absolutely destroyed the Nets on Wednesday, scoring 21 points to go along with 14 rebounds, five assists, two steals and four blocks. The Wizards frontcourt has been decimated by injuries, leaving them to allow the ninth-most Yahoo points per game (47.3) to opposing centers. Don't expect them to be able to slow down Vucevic.
Mitchell Robinson, NY at BKN ($10): Another player who has benefited from the Knicks unsettled center situation is Robinson. It makes sense that they give him an extended look considering the state of the franchise. He's played at least 16 minutes in back-to-back games, scoring 25.7 and 25.2 Yahoo points, respectively. This is a great matchup for him against a Nets team that allows the fourth-most Yahoo points per game (50.2) to opposing centers.
Center to Avoid
Enes Kanter, NY at BKN ($19): Kanter said he was told he was going to start Wednesday against the Rockets with Kornet on the shelf. However, Kanter didn't play at all, let alone start. He expressed his frustrations after the game, and it appears his days with the Knicks might be numbered. Based on the uncertainty surrounding him, it doesn't make much sense to take a chance on him at this price.
