This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Friday has the potential to be a crazy night in the NBA with 10 games on the schedule. That leaves us with a ton of options to wade through on Yahoo, so let's get right to it and highlight a couple at each position to consider. Also, let's discuss a few that might be worth avoiding.
GUARDS
Kyle Lowry, TOR vs. WAS ($35): This is going to be a battle of two teams who have been hit hard by injuries of late. The Raptors have already ruled out Pascal Siakam (groin), Marc Gasol (hamstring) and Norman Powell (shoulder) while Fred VanVleet (knee) is listed as questionable. Lowry is likely going to be left with all of the minutes and shots he can handle against a Wizards' team playing at the third-fastest pace in the league. His upside should be through the roof.
Jalen Brunson, DAL at PHI ($18): If you watched Wednesday's game between the Mavericks and Celtics, Brunson didn't look to be playing all that well. He was 4-for-13 from the field, but he still provided significant value in DFS with 10 points, seven rebounds and 11 assists. He's played at least 30 minutes in three straight games with Luka Doncic (ankle) out and has been able to average 13.7 points, six rebounds and 10 assists during that stretch. Delon Wright (finger) and Seth Curry (back) are both listed as questionable, so Brunson would carry even more responsibility if both or either of them can't play.
Guard to Avoid
Ish Smith, WAS at TOR ($19): Smith played well while filling in for the injured Isaiah Thomas, but he has now returned to his role with the second unit since Thomas is healthy. He scored just 21 Yahoo points against the Bulls on Wednesday, who are actually a tough matchup for opposing point guards. Given the myriad of other quality options available on this slate, taking a chance on Smith producing despite coming off the bench might not be a risk worth taking.
FORWARDS
Brandon Ingram, NO at GS ($39): It's not difficult to make an argument for adding Ingram to your entry whenever the Pelicans are in action. He hung 34 points on the Timberwolves on Wednesday, scoring 55.7 Yahoo points in the process. His 29.4 percent usage rate ranks inside the top-20 in the NBA and that's not likely to change anytime soon. The last time we saw him take the floor against the Warriors, he scored 52 Yahoo points across only 31 minutes. He carries a tremendously high floor headed into their rematch.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, TOR vs. WAS ($10): Since the Raptors are likely going to have a limited depth chart at their disposal, Lowry certainly isn't the only player on the team to consider for this favorable matchup. Hollis-Jefferson figures to play significantly more with Siakam and Gasol out and his skill set seems ideal for what should be an uptempo matchup against a Wizards' team that also doesn't possess much size up front. At the minimum price, he could be well worth the risk in tournament play.
Forward to Avoid
Marvin Bagley III, SAC at IND ($24): For some reason, Bagley continues to come off the bench for the Kings since his return from injury. Not only that, but he hasn't logged more than 23 minutes in any of his last four games. As a result, he scored 25.2 Yahoo points or fewer in each contest. Until he returns to the starting five, he likely won't be worth this price tag.
CENTERS
Bam Adebayo, MIA vs. NY ($37): Adebayo is scorching hot right now after, scoring at least 50.3 Yahoo points in six of his last seven games. During that stretch, he is averaging an insane 20.3 points, 11.9 rebounds, 6.6 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.6 blocks across 39 minutes a night. He even posted two triple-doubles. The Knicks own a lot of size up front, but they have still allowed the 10th-most Yahoo points per game to opposing centers. Adebayo could once again be in line for an extremely valuable performance.
Serge Ibaka, TOR vs. WAS ($21): Yes, another Raptor. Ibaka stepped up in a big way after Gasol was injured Wednesday against the Pistons by recording 25 points, 13 rebounds, two assists and a steal. It marked just the second time this season he has played at least 30 minutes in a game. The first time, he posted 19 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals - which also happened to be against the Pistons. Add in this great matchup and Ibaka will be difficult to resist.
Center to Avoid
Derrick Favors, NO at GS ($16): Favors has been on a minutes limit since returning from injury, which has held him to no more than 21 minutes in any of his four games. The fact he will be playing for the third time in four nights probably won't help his cause to play more against the Warriors. This seems like a no-brainer to just pay the extra five dollars to add Ibaka to your entry.
