This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Friday brings six NBA games, five of which will make up the main evening slate on Yahoo. With the Sixers, Bucks and Heat among the teams in action, there is no shortage of stars to consider for your entry. Here are some players across the price scale to target, as well as a few to avoid.
GUARDS
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC at CHA ($27): The Thunder already have a pretty thin depth chart and will now be without the services of Danilo Gallinari (ankle) through the weekend. He's one of the best offensive players on the team, so the Thunder will need others to step up in his absence. Gilgeous-Alexander was certainly busy with him out Thursday, scoring 21 points on 19 shot attempts against the Grizzlies. He also took 25 shots against the Clippers in the previous game when Gallinari was sidelined, so expect him to also see added scoring opportunities here.
Damion Lee, GS vs. PHO ($15): Talk about having a big game on a big stage. Lee put forth an impressive performance against the Rockets on Christmas, posting 22 points, 15 rebounds, four assists and three steals across 31 minutes. He's starting now and has scored at least 27.5 Yahoo points in four of his last five games, making him an excellent player to target at this cheap price.
Guard to Avoid
Markelle Fultz, ORL vs. PHI ($19): Fultz doesn't present much upside. He's scored 25.9 Yahoo points or fewer in six of his last eight games and is only averaging 23.7 Yahoo points per game for the season. It doesn't help Fultz's cause the Magic play at the fourth-slowest pace in the league and this is a tough matchup against an excellent defensive team in the Sixers. The last time he faced them, he was held to 20.3 Yahoo points.
FORWARDS
John Collins, ATL vs. MIL ($30): The Hawks missed Collins in the worst way. Although they still lost in his first game back from suspension, he was very productive with 27 points, 10 rebounds, two steals and two blocks. The key is that he played 35 minutes, so expect him to receive his usual heavy allotment of playing time moving forward. With the Bucks playing at the fastest pace in the league, Collins brings a high floor into this matchup.
Aaron Gordon, ORL vs. PHI ($19): Given this matchup, Gordon might not be included in a lot of entries. If you're looking to differentiate yourself in tournament play, he's still a viable target. He's scored at least 33.2 Yahoo points in back-to-back contests and played well against the Sixers in their first matchup with 48.1 Yahoo points. The Sixers won't be able to focus on him defensively with Nikola Vucevic back in the fold, which should also help his cause.
Forward to Avoid
Jabari Parker, ATL vs. MIL ($19): Nothing to see here. Now that Collins is back in action, Parker is going to see a drastic decrease in production. He logged just 15 minutes Monday, scoring five Yahoo points in the process. His price hasn't come down yet, so be sure to keep him out of your entry.
CENTERS
Bam Adebayo, MIA vs. IND ($36): Adebayo is on some kind of hot streak right now. He scored 58.4 Yahoo points against Rudy Gobert and the Jazz on Monday and has now posted at least 50.3 Yahoo points in seven of his last nine games. Adebayo can contribute in multiple areas and will be facing a Pacers' team that has allowed the fourth-most Yahoo points per game to opposing centers, leaving him as one of the most appealing big men on the slate.
Willie Cauley-Stein, GS vs. PHO ($19): Cauley-Stein has turned himself into a DFS-worthy option based on his contributions on the defensive end. Across his last 11 games, he's averaged 1.5 steals and 2.1 blocks a night. He should receive plenty of playing time again Friday with Kevon Looney (abdomen) out, making him a cost-effective option to consider if you want to fade Adebayo.
Center to Avoid
Nikola Vucevic, ORL vs. PHI ($36): Vucevic hasn't been playing poorly, but he's only surpassed 40 Yahoo points once across five games since returning from injury. Now he has to face Joel Embiid and a Sixers' side that has allowed the 10th-fewest Yahoo points per game to opposing centers. Adebayo is playing much better right now and checks in at the same price, making Vucevic someone to possibly avoid.
