This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Despite their being only six games in the NBA on Friday, there will be plenty of top-tier talent to choose from in DFS with the Warriors, Nuggets, Thunder and Celtics among the teams in action. Let's examine some players across the price scale to target and avoid while creating what will hopefully be a winning lineup.
GUARDS
Damian Lillard, POR at ATL ($47): The Blazers routed the injury-plagued Bulls on Wednesday, leaving Lillard to score just 27.7 Yahoo points across 28 minutes. While the Hawks aren't a great team by any means, they should be able to put up a better fight than the Bulls did. With Jusuf Nurkic (lower leg) and C.J. McCollum (knee) out, expect Lillard to receive all of the scoring opportunities that he can handle. Considering the Hawks play at the fastest pace (104.5 possessions per game) in the league, Lillard's upside is off the charts.
Seth Curry, POR at ATL ($10): With the Blazers dealing with two key injuries, Lillard isn't the only player who they are counting on for increased production. Curry has been one of the main beneficiaries of McCollum's absence, averaging 17.3 point, 3.2 rebounds and one steal across his last five games. Faced with a favorable matchup at the minimum price, Curry is someone is an excellent option to target.
Guard to Avoid
Jaylen Brown, BOS vs. IND ($19): Brown has a lot of potential, but it's hard for him to shine given the Celtics' tremendous depth. He's scored 23.3 Yahoo points or fewer in eight of his last 11 games and doesn't have a good matchup against a Pacers team that allows the fewest points per game (104) in the league. At this price, it's hard to justify adding him to your entry.
FORWARDS
Miles Bridges, CHA at LAL ($17): Bridges has had a difficult time finding consistent minutes this season, which has put a damper on his upside. However, with the Hornets trying to make a push to get into the playoffs, they've decided to expand his role. He's logged at least 29 minutes in five straight games and scored at least 26.5 Yahoo points in each of those contests. Considering the Hornets have won four straight, don't expect his playing time to decrease anytime soon. The added minutes should be crucial for him Friday since the Lakers play at the fourth-fastest pace (103.7).
Jae Crowder, UTA vs. WAS ($14): These two teams just met last week and the Jazz thrived with 116 points. That shouldn't come as a surprise considering the Wizards allow the second-most points per game (117.1) in the league. Crowder was especially productive in that contest with 33.5 Yahoo points. He's scored at least 24.6 Yahoo points in nine of his last 13 games, overall, leaving him with a fairly high floor at this price.
Forward to Avoid
Gordon Hayward, BOS vs. IND ($18): In general, this might not be the night to target players on the Celtics. The Pacers are a very good defensive team and plenty of other teams have favorable matchups against bad defenses. If you were to take a chance on a Celtic or two, Hayward shouldn't be one of them. He's scored 23.1 Yahoo points or fewer in 10 of his last 13 contests.
CENTERS
JaVale McGee, LAL vs. CHA ($27): McGee faced a tough matchup against Rudy Gobert and the Jazz on Wednesday, but that didn't stop him from scoring 38.1 Yahoo points. The key is he played 30 minutes in that game and has now logged at least 29 minutes in five straight contests. It's hard to argue with the results considering he averaged 18.4 points, 14.4 rebounds and 3.8 blocks during that stretch. With Cody Zeller (knee) still on the shelf, this is a matchup to take advantage of.
Enes Kanter, POR at ATL ($10): Kanter stepped into the starting five with Nurkic out Wednesday, but he only scored 19.7 Yahoo points. Part of the reason for that muted production might have been the lopsided score leading him to log just 22 minutes. He'll have to share minutes with Zach Collins, but there is plenty of potential here against the Hawks to warrant rostering Kanter at the minimum price.
Center to Avoid
Bobby Portis, WAS at UTA ($19): Portis is never shy about jacking up shots, which has helped him post a 23.3 percent usage rate with the Wizards. However, his lack of contributions in assists and defensive stats often limit his upside. He's seen his playing time dwindle lately with Thomas Bryant entering the starting five again, so this might be the night to avoid him against a tough Jazz frontcourt.
