This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Friday brings plenty of options for us to choose from in DFS with nine games on the schedule. Let's highlight some players who could be set to thrive, as well as a few to potentially avoid based on their respective matchups.
GUARDS
Stephen Curry, GS vs. WAS ($47): The Bucks had no answer for Curry on Tuesday when he torched them for 41 points. They're one of the league's better defensive teams and have a great defensive point guard in Jrue Holiday, which makes Curry's performance even more impressive. He's scored at least 40.6 Yahoo points in six of his last seven games and offers the potential to dominate a Wizards team with the NBA's fifth-worst defensive rating.
Bogdan Bogdanovic, ATL vs. CHI ($24): The Hawks entered the season with a deep roster, but it's been severely depleted by injuries. Luckily for them, Bogdanovic has stepped up in a big way down the stretch. He's started to play more, which has helped him score at least 39.7 Yahoo points in four of his last six games. A matchup against a Bulls team that has played at the 10th-fastest pace in the league could leave Bogdanovic with another valuable stat line.
Guard to Avoid
Derrick Rose, NY vs. MEM ($17): Rose has gone quiet by scoring 24.7 Yahoo points or fewer in six straight games. Most of his contributions come from the scoring column, which could be a problem against a Grizzlies side with the seventh-best defensive rating. On a night with so many other viable options, taking a chance on Rose to break out of his slump in a poor matchup seems unwise.
FORWARDS
Draymond Green, GS vs. WAS ($27): While Curry was lighting up the Bucks, Green was fairly quiet scoring just 25 Yahoo points. That broke a streak of three straight with at least 33.5 Yahoo points, two resulting in double-doubles. With Green's ability to contribute in multiple areas and the Wizards playing at such a fast pace, he offers the potential to provide significant value.
Jalen McDaniels, CHA at MIL ($12): The Hornets have been decimated by injuries, so they are going to have to try out some players who started the season buried on the bench. McDaniels played 32 minutes Wednesday against the Thunder and produced 21 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals. He might have earned himself more playing time, although he might have been tabbed to play more tonight if the Bucks race out to an early lead. At near the minimum salary, McDaniels is at least worth considering in tournament play.
Forward to Avoid
Keldon Johnson, SA at DEN ($17): It's been a rough stretch for Johnson, who has scored 20.8 Yahoo points or fewer in eight of his last 10 games. He averaged 27 minutes during that stretch, but wasn't very involved in the offense by only averaging 8.5 shot attempts. Until Johnson starts to shoot more, his upside will remain limited.
CENTERS
Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN at BOS ($50): With all that Towns and his family have gone through, it's been refreshing to see him healthy and playing well down the stretch. He's been downright dominant scoring at least 50.4 Yahoo points nine of his last 10 games. There are several appealing top-tier center options for this slate, with Towns having arguably the highest floor.
Bobby Portis, MIL vs. CHA ($14): Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) has missed three straight contests and it's unclear if he will be able to take the floor Friday. With the Bucks wanting him healthy for the playoffs and the Hornets dealing with their own injury issues, the Bucks could probably blow out their opponents even if Giannis sits. If he remains sidelined, then Portis is an excellent option at such a low salary as he's scored 31.6 and 42.8 Yahoo points across the last two games.
Center to Avoid
DeMarcus Cousins, LAC vs. HOU ($20): This salary for Cousins doesn't make any sense. He only played eight minutes in his debut with the Clippers on Tuesday and didn't take the floor at all Thursday against the Suns. If he plays against the Rockets, he probably won't see significant action.
