This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The NBA heads into the weekend with eight games on the schedule Friday night. With so many teams in action, there are a lot of great options to choose from across the price scale on Yahoo. Here are some players to target and avoid as you create what will hopefully be a winning entry.
GUARDS
John Wall, WAS vs. BKN ($42): The Wizards routed the Cavaliers on Wednesday, limiting Wall to just 21 minutes. He still managed to score 33.5 Yahoo points, which is an excellent performance considering how little he played. The Wizards have been playing better and Wall was rolling coming into that contest, scoring at least 48.8 Yahoo points in five straight games. With his 27.9 percent usage rate, he'll continue to have a tremendously high floor in this matchup against the Nets.
Spencer Dinwiddie, BKN at WAS ($15): With Caris LeVert (foot) sidelined for the foreseeable future, the Nets have a significant void to fill. One player who will likely be counted on for more production is Dinwiddie, who scored 28.1 Yahoo points across 29 minutes Wednesday against the Heat. The Wizards play at the sixth-fastest pace (103.4 possessions per game) in the league, so that could lead to even more opportunities for Dinwiddie to provide value at this cheap price.
Guard to Avoid
Jaylen Brown, BOS vs. TOR ($16): The Celtics depth is spectacular, but it doesn't necessarily create the best fantasy situations. Brown is still starting and playing 30 minutes a game, but he's struggled to score consistently, shooting just 38.3 percent from the field. Since he doesn't contribute much in the way of assists or defensive stats, he's scored 24.4 Yahoo points or fewer in five of his last six games. In fact, he's topped 30 Yahoo points in a game only one time this season. The Raptors are a very good defensive team, so don't count on this being the game that Brown breaks out of his shooting slump.
FORWARDS
Andrew Wiggins, MIN vs. POR ($25): Now that Jimmy Butler has been traded to the Sixers, the cloud that was hanging over the Timberwolves has been lifted. Wiggins had arguably his best game of the season Wednesday against the Pelicans, scoring 23 points to go along with six rebounds, four assists, three steals and a block. It's no coincidence that he took 22 shot attempts, either, which was his second-most in a game this year. Expect Wiggins to continue to have more scoring opportunities moving forward, which adds to his value even further considering the Timberwolves play at the seventh-fastest pace (103.3).
Robert Covington, MIN vs. POR ($19): In his first game with the Timberwolves, Covington played a whopping 41 minutes. He's an athletic wing who plays great defense, which is exactly the type of player that coach Tom Thibodeau loves. Covington was already averaging 34 minutes a game with the Sixers, but that number should be on the rise. Even though he won't be one of their primary offensive players, Covington is still someone to consider for your entry based on his minute's floor.
Forward to Avoid
Marvin Bagley, SAC at MEM ($18): Bagley has had a couple of great performances in the early going, but he just doesn't get enough playing time to be a reliable contributor. He's logged 25 minutes or fewer in each of his last 10 games, scoring 21.7 Yahoo points or fewer eight times during that stretch. The Grizzlies play at the slowest pace (96.3) and have been stellar defensively, leaving Bagley with very little appeal at this price.
CENTERS
Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN vs. POR ($44): Of all the players set to see an increase in value due to the Butler trade, Towns might receive the most significant boost. Across the first two games since Butler was dealt, Towns is averaging 25 points, 18.5 rebounds and two blocks. During the 2016-17 season, which was the year before Butler arrived in Minnesota, Towns had a 27.5 percent usage rate. Don't expect the Blazers to be able to slow him down Friday.
Jusuf Nurkic, POR at MIN ($23): Opposing Towns will be Nurkic, who just destroyed the Lakers for 58.3 Yahoo points Wednesday. He's continued to provide consistent production with at least 31.6 Yahoo points in each of his last eight contests. The Timberwolves have allowed the seventh-most Yahoo points per game (51.5) to opposing centers, making Nurkic a great option if you don't want to spend the big bucks required to get Towns into your entry.
Center to Avoid
Brook Lopez, MIL vs. CHI ($19): Lopez had a couple of fantastic games against the Clippers and Nuggets recently, but he came crashing back down to Earth with 12.9 Yahoo points Wednesday against the Grizzlies. Facing Marc Gasol is no easy task, but Lopez's upside will normally be limited due him averaging only 3.1 rebounds per game. This contest has the potential to be a blowout playing the lowly Bulls at home, which could also lead to less minutes for Lopez. Since he's not overly cheap, the risk might not be worth the reward.
