This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Friday has a full slate of 11 games, offering plenty of options. The season is going full swing, with most players having established their baselines but others already taking advantage of new opportunities to make early season runs. Looking Friday's match-ups, there is a lot of really good value out there for us to explore.
GUARD
Isaiah Thomas, BOS vs. BKN ($32) - The Nets are pretty bad at defending the opposing backcourt, ranking 26th against point-guard production and 28th against shooting-guard production. Thus, Marcus Smart ($21) and Avery Bradley ($18, SG) also make good values. But Thomas is the safest of the Celtics' guards, the one most likely to generate points against a weak defense, and his price still isn't out of hand for a player who could very reasonably be among the fantasy scoring leaders of his position for the night.
Will Barton, DEN vs. PHO ($21) - This slot came down to Barton vs. Rodney Hood ($20, at DAL), as both are quietly producing well, have good defensive matchups and have relatively modest price tags. Hood is playing solidly since his return (28 FPts/G over last two) and has a matchup against the Mavericks, who are 26th in the NBA in production allowed to opposing shooting guards. But Barton has been outstanding lately (35.9 FPts/G over last four outings), and has a home matchup against a fast-paced Suns team that he burned for 45.9 FPts less than a week ago. Nicolas Batum is another honorable mention in this slot at a higher price point, as he has been on a roll lately and has a good matchup on Friday, as well.
Guards to Avoid:
Chris Paul, LAC at POR ($41) - Paul was a last-second addition to the Clippers lineup on Thursday due to a groin injury that has already forced him to miss three games over the last two weeks. It would not be surprising at all if he were to sit out Friday, as the second night of a back-to-back that isn't on prime time like Thursday's game. But even if he plays, the groin injury has slowed him (only 25 FPts/G in the two games leading into Thursday), and he is facing a Trail Blazers defense that is fourth in the NBA at limiting production from opposing point guards.
Klay Thompson, GS vs. CHI ($26) - Like Chris Paul, Thompson played on Thursday night through a nagging injury. In Thompson's case, it's a back issue that has been plaguing him, rendering him less effective on the court and more prone to time off the court. If Thompson even plays Friday, he will face a tough, physical defender in Jimmy Butler, who has led the Bulls to an eighth-place rank in limiting opposing shooting guards.
FORWARD
Danilo Gallinari, DEN vs. PHO ($28) - I've gone back and forth several times between Gallinari and Al-Farouq Aminu in this slot. I started to put Aminu because of his solid average at a slightly lower price. But ultimately I went with Gallinari because he has explosive upside with three games of more than 34 FPts in his last five outings, including a 53.1 FPts explosion Tuesday. The Suns are 21st in the NBA in production allowed to the opposing small forward.
Thaddeus Young, BKN at BOS ($26) - Young has been on an absolute role lately. Here are the lines of his last three games: 26 points, 10 boards, three assists, 3 steals for 47.5 FPts; 16 points, 11 rebounds, five steals for 37.2 FPts; 27 points, eight rebounds, one steal for 40.1 FPts. He's the lowest-priced power forward among the top 8 Friday (when sorted by scoring average), and he plays a Celtics defense that is 20th in the NBA in production allowed to opposing power forwards.
Forwards to Avoid:
Gordon Hayward, UTA, at DAL ($28) - Hayward is tied for fourth-most expensive small forward Friday, but he is eighth in average (25.9 FPts/G) and less than a point from 11th. He also has a matchup against a Mavericks defense that is second in the NBA in limiting production to opposing small forwards.
Dirk Nowitzki, DAL vs. UTA ($28) - Nowitzki is a legend that is still playing very well for his age, but he's relatively expensive and has a matchup against one of the best defensive frontlines in the NBA. The Jazz frontline, led by Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert, ranks second in the NBA in limiting production from opposing power forwards.
CENTER
Jared Sullinger, BOS vs. BKN ($24) - Sullinger has averaged 32.3 FPts over his last eight games, since taking over as the starting big man for the Celtics. He's mixed in a pretty consistent long-range jumper with his solid interior game, a versatility that helps him because his lack of height limits his effectiveness down low. The Nets would have to defend him with either Brook Lopez (too slow on perimeter) or Thaddeus Young (too thin down low), and he should be able to use his versatility to be effective.
Center to Avoid:
Pau Gasol, CHI at GS ($32) - There aren't any obviously overpriced centers on the board, but Gasol isn't exactly value. Gasol has been all right, but he's the third-most expensive center Friday and isn't playing like a star. This week he has averaged 11 points, 10.5 boards, two assists, one steal and one block ... OK, but not what you'd expect from possibly the highest-priced player on your team. And on Friday he faces Andrew Bogut and a tough Warriors interior, limiting his upside.
