This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The NBA has eight games on tap Friday night, a relatively low number for a Friday. Even so, there are plenty of solid matchups, so there is a good potential for high scores. And since the season is so young, we all have to choose between sticking with our preseason player evaluations or possibly over-valuing one or two games action; It should make for an exciting night.
GUARDS
James Harden, HOU at DAL ($54): Before the season I did an analysis of how five previous point guards performed under Mike D'Antoni, and based on the trend I projected Harden to average about 35 points and 10 assists per game. He went for 34 and 17, respectively, in the opener and now has a game Friday against a Mavs defense that was torched by the Pacers in their debut.
Deron Williams, DAL vs. HOU ($18): Williams is reportedly healthy for the first time in a while, and he responded with 25 points and seven assists in his season opener. He now faces a Rockets defense that let the Lakers score like the Showtime Lakers in their season debut.
Guard to Avoid
Klay Thompson, GSW at NOP ($39): Thompson was off in his season debut, missing a lot of easy looks that he normally makes, so he will have better games. With that said, he's the highest-priced shooting guard on the board but he's on a team in which he could end up as the fourth option on any given night. That's not secure enough for a max-level player.
FORWARDS
Anthony Davis, NOP vs. GSW ($52): Davis isn't going to average 50 points and 16 rebounds with 11 combined steals and blocks per game this season, but the fact that he was able to do that in his season debut is enough to get him on this list. Add in that he will be facing a Warriors defense that was torched for 26 and 14 by LaMarcus Aldridge in their season debut, and he looks like a strong play.
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, CHA at MIA ($25): Hornets head coach Steve Clifford says that he has never seen anyone improve their skill level the way that Kidd-Gilchrist has. Then, a day later, Kidd-Gilchrist went out and had 23 points and 14 boards in his season debut. That's enough to get him a recommendation for Friday, given his reasonable price.
Forward to Avoid
Luol Deng, LAL at UTA ($24): Deng had the lowest opening game score of any forward priced over $18. He could bounce back Friday, but he's on a new team and his role is to play in the background and let the young Lakers carry the load. Add in a tough road game against a strong Jazz defense, and he's one to avoid.
CENTERS
Myles Turner, IND at BKN ($25): Turner led all centers with 61.2 fantasy points in his season debut. He was expected to make a leap this season, and he certainly looks ready to play. Add in that he faces an awful Nets defense Friday, and he makes a strong play.
Steven Adams, OKC vs. PHO ($17): Adams has established himself as a potential impact player. In fact, he was strong enough in last season's playoffs that it helped usher Serge Ibaka out of town. He played well in the preseason, and then had a solid 16 points, five boards, three steals and an assist in 36 minutes during the season opener, which is good production at such an affordable price.
Center to Avoid
Hassan Whiteside, MIA vs. CHA ($41): This may seem like an odd pick since Whiteside is coming off 43.3 fantasy points in his season debut. However, he's the highest priced center and the only one over $40. Meanwhile, there are some really productive centers at much lower prices that are solid bets to match or exceed Whiteside's production.
