This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Get ready for a busy Friday with nine games on the schedule. One of the marquee matchups will feature the Bulls hosting the Warriors. This is a tough spot for Golden State, who were blown out by the Bucks last night. To make matters worse, Draymond Green (calf) and Klay Thompson (rest) won't play. Another exciting matchup features Dallas heading to Memphis. The Grizzlies have won 11 straight while the Mavs will be facing an uphill battle with Kristaps Porzingis (COVID-19) expected to miss his seventh consecutive outing. Let's highlight some players to consider for your Yahoo lineups, as well as a few to possibly avoid.
GUARDS
Cole Anthony, ORL at CHA ($27): Anthony fell an assist short of a triple-double against the Wizards on Wednesday, continuing his breakout season where he's averaged 19.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.9 assists. After posting a 24.3 percent usage rate during his rookie campaign, that number has jumped up to 27.2 this season. With the Hornets playing at the league's second-fastest pace, Anthony could have plenty of opportunities to statistically contribute.
Jordan Poole, GS at CHI ($19): With Thompson in the fold, Poole has slid back into a reduced role for the Warriors. However, both Klay and Gary Payton II (back) will be out, leaving a lot of open guard minutes. With more court time and shot attempts likely coming Poole's way, he could provide value.
Guard to Avoid
Caris LeVert, IND vs. PHO ($28): LeVert logged 29 minutes Wednesday in his return from the health and safety protocols while scoring 16 points. He was limited to one rebound and four assists, leaving him with an overall underwhelming stat line. More trouble could be coming for LeVert given the Suns enter with NBA's second-best defensive rating.
FORWARDS
Miles Bridges, CHA vs. ORL ($31): The Hornets should be shorthanded with Kelly Oubre Jr. still in the protocols. Despite coming off the bench, he's an important part of their scoring attack having averaged 16.6 points and 2.9 three-pointers. Bridges has seen at least 40 minutes in each of the last two contests with Oubre out while producing at least 39.2 Yahoo points. Another productive night could be coming against a Magic team carrying the sixth-worst defensive rating.
Marvin Bagley III, SAC vs. HOU ($11): Before suffering a hand injury Wednesday, Bagley had played well recording 16 points, nine rebounds and a steal across 30 minutes. His overall numbers still aren't great, but he's averaged 9.3 points and 7.9 rebounds from his last 10 games. With the Rockets boasting the league's fastest pace, Bagley might be able to squeeze even more production out of his modest playing time.
Forward to Avoid
Al Horford, BOS at PHI ($22): Horford has gone cold with 22.9 Yahoo points or fewer in five straight. During that stretch, he's only averaged 5.0 points while shooting 37.9 percent from the field. Given Horford's salary doesn't come at much of a discount, he's probably not worth taking a chance on.
CENTERS
Joel Embiid, PHI vs. BOS ($50): Embiid has dominated the Celtics having averaged averaged 38.3 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists in three games against them last season and 27.0 points, 14.0 rebounds and 5.5 assists across two this year. An argument can be made for building your entire entry around him.
Robin Lopez, ORL at CHA ($13): This one will require some monitoring. With Wendell Carter Jr. (hamstring) and Mo Bamba (toe) out Wednesday, Lopez scored 35.2 Yahoo points in a spot start. Carter has already been ruled out for tonight while Bamba is questionable. If Bamba is out again, Lopez will be very appealing. If Bamba goes, it might be best to pivot to Onyeka Okongwu ($15), who is line to start again for the Hawks with Clint Capela (ankle) sidelined.
Center to Avoid
Andre Drummond, PHI vs. BOS ($27): The only reason Drummond has remained at this salary for so long is probably a hedge in case Embiid is ruled out at the last minute. He hasn't been playing well with Embiid in the fold scoring 27.5 Yahoo points or fewer in six of his last eight outings. On a busy night, there's no reason to even think about deploying Drummond in DFS.
