This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The NBA tips off the month of November with an eight-game slate Friday that carries plenty of star power. Along with those high-priced options, there are also some potentially excellent bargains available on Yahoo. Let's discuss some of the better players to target, as well as a few to avoid, while creating your entry.
GUARDS
Malcolm Brogdon, IND vs. CLE ($33): Brogdon served in mostly a supporting role on the Bucks, but he's one of the focal points of the Pacers, especially with Victor Oladipo (knee) still sidelined. He's showed that he can handle the responsibility, posting four straight double-doubles on his way to scoring at least 43.1 Yahoo points in each contest. His usage rate sits at 26.3 percent and likely won't decrease anytime soon. Combine that with his ability to rack up assists and he could be a steal at this price.
Derrick White, SA at GS ($15): White has served in a reserve role for the Spurs this season with Dejounte Murray back in the told. While he hasn't logged more than 26 minutes in any of his first four games, he's still scored at least 20 points and grabbed at least five rebounds in back-to-back contests. He should start and play more minutes in this contest with Murray sitting out the second game of a back-to-back set, potentially making him one of the best bargains on the entire slate.
Guard to Avoid
Buddy Hield, SAC vs. UTA ($26): The majority of Hields' production comes in the scoring department, so when he's shooting 35.4 percent from the field like he is across the Kings' first five games, he's going to disappoint in DFS more often than not. He even has two games already in which he's scored five or fewer points, including a three-point performance against these same Jazz. Since the Jazz are one of the best defensive teams in the league, it's difficult to be excited about Hield's prospects of being productive.
FORWARDS
Domantas Sabonis, IND vs. CLE ($32): After serving in a reserve role for most of his career, the Pacers decided to start Sabonis at power forward this season. The initial results have been excellent for his fantasy value with him averaging 22.8 points, 10 rebounds and 2.3 assists. The key is that he's averaging 36 minutes a night compared to 25 minutes a game last season. With Myles Turner (ankle) now out, the Pacers are going to have to rely even more heavily on Sabonis up front, leaving him with plenty of upside here.
P.J. Tucker, HOU at BKN ($18): With James Harden and Russell Westbrook in the fold, the Rockets don't need scoring from Tucker, so it's no surprise that his usage rate sits at 11 percent. However, he plays a ton of minutes and can provide value in other areas, which has enabled him to score at least 30 Yahoo points in three straight games. While his ceiling isn't off the charts, he presents a viable cost-effective option to consider.
Forward to Avoid
Kyle Kuzma, LAL at DAL ($25): The good news for the Lakers is that Kuzma (ankle) is set to make his season debut in this matchup. His ability to stretch the floor makes him a dangerous player to add to the likes of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. However, from a DFS perspective, there's no reason to deploy him against the Mavericks since he will be limited to 15 to 20 minutes of playing time.
CENTERS
Andre Drummond, DET at CHI ($48): The Bulls are coming off of a terrible rebounding performance in which they allowed Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson to rack up 30 combined boards. Now they are set to face one of the most prolific rebounders in the league in Drummond, who is averaging 17.4 rebounds a night. Not only is he a great option for your entry, but I wouldn't argue against building your entire lineup around him.
Richaun Holmes, SAC vs. UTA ($15): With their struggles out of the gate, the Kings are already making changes to their starting five. After recording 24 points, 13 rebounds and two blocks off the bench against the Nuggets on Monday, Holmes moved into the starting lineup for Wednesday's bout versus the Hornets. He didn't disappoint, recording 17 points, nine rebounds, two assists, two steals and three blocks. While a matchup against Rudy Gobert is certainly not ideal, Holmes is priced cheap enough to still warrant consideration.
Center to Avoid
Bobby Portis, NY at BOS ($18): Portis smoked his former team in the Bulls on Monday, scoring 28 points to go along with 11 rebounds in 30 minutes off the bench. He followed that up with another double-double against the Magic, but that only translated to 24 Yahoo points. The problem is that Portis provides very little in the way of assists and defensive stats, so he really has to go off in the scoring department if he's going to provide value. Considering the Celtics have allowed only 103.3 points per game, Portis' chances of putting up a lot of points here aren't great.
