This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Friday brings eight games in the NBA, seven of those making up Yahoo's main slate. There are several matchups that scream rest situations for top players, which could make things a little tricky. Let's try to help sort it out by discussing some options to consider, as well as a few to possibly avoid.
GUARDS
Terence Davis, SAC at MEM ($16): The Kings don't have many healthy players right now. We've probably seen the last of De'Aaron Fox (COVID-19) and Harrison Barnes (groin) for the season, Marvin Bagley III (groin) has missed two straight contests and Richaun Holmes left Thursday's game with a knee injury. Davis has recently stepped into an expanded role, which has helped him score at least 35.1 Yahoo points in four straight games - including 39.0 Yahoo points versus these same Grizzlies on Thursday.
Malachi Flynn, TOR at DAL ($15): Flynn played a whopping 41 minutes against the Bulls on Thursday with the Raptors resting most of their starters. Kyle Lowry and Fred VanVleet might be done for the season, so Flynn should retain his starting role if they both sit again tonight. Across the last three appearances, he's scored at least 29.6 Yahoo points.
Guard to Avoid
Josh Jackson, DET vs. DEN ($19): Jackson has been one of the few Pistons who hasn't been rested a lot down the stretch. But even with their top options frequently sitting out, Jackson has scored 20.4 Yahoo points or fewer in five straight games. There are plenty of other viable options in this salary range, so there's no need to take a chance on him here.
FORWARDS
Kelly Olynyk, HOU vs. LAC ($34): Olynyk may have lost out on a chance to play in the playoffs after being dealt from the Heat to the Rockets, but he's stepped into a much more significant role with his new squad. Over 25 games since being traded, he's averaged 19.1 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.4 steals. With plenty of potential playing time, Olynyk could be one of the safer forward options on a wild slate.
Kenyon Martin Jr., HOU vs. LAC ($25): Christian Wood (foot) is set to miss his sixth straight game for the Rockets. Across the first five he sat, Martin scored at least 39.8 Yahoo points each time while logging at least 37 minutes. Expect similar minutes to come his way against a Clippers team that could be resting a few of their starters.
Forward to Avoid
Danny Green, PHI vs. ORL ($15): Green offers limited upside given he's only averaging 9.5 points per game. That's resulted in him scoring 22.1 Yahoo points or fewer in four of his last five contests. This slate will have no shortage of value-play options, so there's no need to consider Green for your entry.
CENTERS
Willy Hernangomez, NO at GS ($17): The Pelicans continue to list Steven Adams (toe) as questionable and it seems unlikely we'll see him again this season as they have nothing left to play for. Hernangomez has been performing well in his absence by averaging 11.7 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.1 steals over his last seven games.
Dwight Howard, PHI vs. ORL ($14): It feels like a rest night for Joel Embiid. The Sixers just played on Thursday and this is a matchup against a vastly inferior opponent. If Embiid does sit, then Howard could be a viable option against his former squad. Across 18 games in which he has played at least 20 minutes this season, Howard has averaged 10.3 points, 11.5 rebounds and 1.6 blocks.
Center to Avoid
Kristaps Porzingis, DAL vs. TOR ($31): The Mavericks might actually want Porzingis to play tonight given how much time he recently missed with a knee injury. His first game back was Wednesday, which was a contest where he only played 22 minutes. With the potential Porzingis plays limited minutes again, he's too risky at this salary.
