This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The NBA brings plenty of action Friday with 10 games on the schedule. That leaves a lot of options to choose from in DFS, but don't worry, we've got you covered. Here are some players to target and avoid while creating your Yahoo entry.
GUARDS
Lonzo Ball, LAL vs. LAC ($23): Ball shined in the Lakers first game without LeBron James (groin) and Rajon Rondo (finger), scoring 55.8 Yahoo points Thursday against the Kings. He logged 37 minutes, finishing just a rebound shy of a triple-double. With James set to miss several games and Rondo also likely out Friday, Ball should receive plenty of playing time moving forward. This is another great opportunity for him to shine, since both the Lakers and the Clippers are in the top-nine in the league in pace of play.
Justise Winslow, MIA vs. CLE ($16): With Goran Dragic (knee) out for a couple of months, the Heat have turned to Winslow to be their starting point guard. He's thrived in the role so far, scoring at least 31.4 Yahoo points in back-to-back contests. The key is he logged at least 31 minutes in both of those games. Across 13 games in which Winslow has played at least 30 minutes this season, he has averaged 15.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.3 steals.
Guard to Avoid
Reggie Jackson, DET at IND ($20): Jackson might be the starting point guard for the Pistons, but with a lot of their offense running through Blake Griffin, he's only averaging 4.4 assists per game. That would be his lowest mark since he was a member of the Thunder in the 2013-14 season. He doesn't provide much in the way of rebounds or defensive stats, which has resulted in him scoring 27.8 Yahoo points or fewer in six of his last seven games. This is not a great matchup against a Pacers team that allows the fewest points per game (101.2) in the league, so it might be best to stay away from him while crafting your lineup.
FORWARDS
Luka Doncic, DAL at NO ($35): Doncic (toe) is listed as probable for this game, which is a great matchup against a Pelicans team that plays at the third-fastest pace (103.9 possessions per game). These two teams just played each other Wednesday, and Doncic shined in that contest, scoring 48.8 Yahoo points. With at least 44.2 Yahoo points in five of his last six games, Doncic is once again an excellent option to consider.
Rodions Kurucs, BKN at CHA ($12): Allen Crabbe (knee) has been ruled out for this game, opening up another start for Kurucs. With the way he's been playing, it's going to be hard for the Nets to bench him once Crabbe eventually does return. The Nets have won six of seven games since Crabbe went down with Kurucs scoring at least 32 Yahoo points in each of their last three contests. At this cheap price, it's hard to pass him up Friday.
Forward to Avoid
Justin Holiday, CHI at WAS ($19): The Bulls don't have much talent at small forward, which has enabled Holiday to average a career-high 35 minutes per game. They've also played significant stretches without some of their top offensive weapons, which has resulted in Holiday taking on more scoring responsibilities. However, with Zach LaVine and Lauri Markkanen both healthy right now, scoring opportunities won't be as easy to come by. With both players in action Wednesday against the Timberwolves, Holiday scored just 12.1 Yahoo points. While he might not struggle that much in this contest, his limited upside makes him an unappealing option at this price.
CENTERS
Montrezl Harrell, LAC at LAL ($20): Harrell experienced a brief lull in production toward the middle of December, which helped lower his price tag considerably. He's back to his productive ways now though, scoring at least 31.2 Yahoo points in five of his last six games. Considering the pace at which this game will likely be played, he could be a bargain.
Dewayne Dedmon, ATL at MIN ($15): Alex Len (back) has eaten into Dedmon's playing time, but he was unable to take the floor Wednesday against the Pacers. Dedmon was able to log 37 minutes in that contest, finishing with a whopping 45.5 Yahoo points. Len has already been ruled out for this game against the Timberwolves, which could again leave Dedmon with extended minutes. Across five games in which he has logged at least 30 minutes this season, he has averaged 12 points, 10 rebounds, two steals and a block.
Center to Avoid
Jarrett Allen, BKN at CHA ($18): The Nets and Hornets played a double-overtime thriller Wednesday, but Allen only scored 20.3 Yahoo points over 24 minutes in that game. The Hornets like to use a lot of small lineups, which likely contributed to his reduced role. He's scored 27.8 Yahoo points or fewer in six of his last eight games, so his upside hasn't been that great lately, anyway.
