This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
While we have eight games, only four make up the night slate beginning at 7 p.m. ET. That gives us slim pickings, but there are some fascinating matchups. We actually have the three best players in fantasy and that's going to make things very interesting. There's a lot to discuss, so let's go ahead and get into it.
Guards
Devin Booker, PHX vs. SAS ($40)
D-Book goes into stretches where he thinks he's the NBA's best player, and he's certainly in that mindset right now. He's taken at least 23 shots in six straight games while attempting 28.3 shots a night over that span. That's the highest total in the league, and it's led to Booker produced at least 40 Yahoo points in seven of his last eight. He's also got an astounding 50-point average in that stretch, and you better believe it'll continue against a subpar San Antonio defense. In his last meeting with the Spurs, Booker bombarded them to the tune of 48 points, five rebounds, six assists and three steals en route to a season-high 71.5 Y!.
Jordan Clarkson, UTA at MIN ($20)
Utah has been struggling mightily without Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, but it's significantly boosted Clarkson's fantasy value. The usage bump is what makes him so valuable at $20 while leading Utah with a 33 percent usage rate with Mitchell off the floor. The simple fact is Clarkson's going to be taking 20-plus shots and playing 30-35 minutes in this expanded role, and you can't overlook that from such an affordable player. Not to mention, Minnesota surrenders the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing shooting guards.
Guard to Avoid
Cole Anthony, ORL vs. DAL ($28)
Anthony has scored 28 or fewer fantasy points in six of his last eight appearances while only shooting 33 percent from the field and 20 percent from three-point range. Those terrible averages hurt his fantasy upside, especially since he's nearly $30. It's also concerning that everyone on the Magic are fully healthy and that's taking a ton of usage away. The worst part is this matchup with Dallas allowing the fewest points in the NBA in 2022.
Forwards
Anthony Edwards, MIN vs. UTA ($37)
It looks like D'Angelo Russell will sit with a shin issue, and that should make ANT the de facto point guard in his absence. That's what he did on Friday against an elite Phoenix defense collecting 27 points, five rebounds, 10 assists and four steals. That gives Edwards a 59-point average over the last three outings, and it's clear his salary is due for a significant bump. Utah is usually a tough matchup, but they've lost eight of their last 10 and have been one of the worst defenses without Gobert.
Mikal Bridges, PHX vs. SAS ($19)
Bridges might not boast eye-popping numbers, but he continues to provide value through volume. He's averaging 34.4 minutes this season, one of the highest totals in the NBA. That's a massive total from a sub-$20 player, especially one who's averaging 24.3 Y!. Bridges has been even better recently by posting a 31-point average across his last five outings. That form is fantastic in a matchup like this with the Spurs sitting fifth in pace and 24th in total defense.
Forward to Avoid
Kristaps Porzingis, DAL at ORL ($34)
We had Porzingis in this section yesterday, and the same rules apply tonight. KP is simply not the stud we saw when Luka Doncic was out with the superstar swallowing up a league-leading 36 percent usage rate. That has led to Porzingis attempting 12 shots or fewer in six of eight games while posting a putrid 25-point average across his last two. That's a disastrous total from a $34 player, with KP failing to crack 40 Y! in all seven since returning from injury. That's the minimum you need from such an expensive player, and it's also possible his minutes will be limited here in the second half of a back-to-back set.
Centers
Nikola Jokic, DEN at MIL ($57)
The reigning MVP has produced the best statistical season of any player leading the NBA with 57 Y! per game. His floor is even more ludicrous with at least 40 in all but one outing. It's been even better of late with 50-plus in eight straight with an average of 64. The Bucks aren't necessarily tough either sitting sixth in pace while offering one of the league's weakest center rotations. That's on full display with Joker's 64-point average against them since the start of last season.
Hassan Whiteside, UTA at MIN ($25)
Whiteside has always been a fantasy beast when given the opportunity, and it's just a matter of time before he gets back to $30. He was actually valued at $40 during his time with Portland, and he's still the per-minute stud we saw in those days. In fact, Whiteside is averaging 21.5 Y! across only 17.5 minutes on the year. If he logs 30-35 minutes like we expect, that means he could easily be a 40-point player. Facing a terrible defender like Karl-Anthony Towns is the icing on the cake, with the T'Wolves also surrendering the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing centers.
Center to Avoid
Bobby Portis, MIL vs. DEN ($23)
Portis has been an excellent piece for the Bucks, but we simply don't like his upside. The feisty big man hasn't cracked 34 Yahoo points in nine straight outings, scoring 28 or fewer in three of his last four appearances. That's the minimum you need from someone in this salary range, and it's clear there are too many cooks in the kitchen with Khris Middleton, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday all healthy. It's not like Denver is an easy matchup ranked 23rd in pace and 11th in total defense.
