This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The NBA has 10 games on tap Friday night, not quite a packed slate but two-thirds of the teams will be on display. Looking ahead, there is some good low-price players available in the backcourt, with the frontcourt value more relative to price tag.
GUARDS
Mario Chalmers, MEM vs DEN ($10):Mike Conley is doubtful for Friday night with an Achilles injury, which opens the floor for Chalmers to get another start. Chalmers started Wednesday against the Thunder and out-played Russell Westbrook head-to-head to the tune of 23 points, nine assists, eight boards, four treys, two steals and only one turnover in 39 minutes. On Friday, he faces a Nuggets defense that ranks 27th in the NBA against opposing point guards.
Bojan Bogdanovic, BKN vs ORL ($12): Bogdanovic plays about 34 minutes per game and has a green-light to shoot for the Nets, who don't have much perimeter firepower. This combination has led to averages of 13.2 points, 6.4 boards, 2.0 assists and 1.0 treys per game over his last five, a great return for his price. Bogdanovic faces a Magic squad that he had success against last Wednesday, scoring 20 points with six boards and three assists in that outing.
Guards to Avoid
Stephen Curry, GSW at POR ($55): Curry in this space always requires a disclaimer: he's one of the best in the game and could pop for 50 fantasy points. However, this is a game of odds. In the last five games, Curry has sat out two games entirely and left two others early due to a shin injury. Of course, in the other he scored 30 points, but the risk of aggravating the injury is enough to get Curry in this space. Plus, his Friday matchup isn't great, as the Trail Blazers defense that ranks second in the NBA at limiting production from opposing point guards.
Evan Fournier, ORL at BKN ($24): Fournier is on a value roller coaster that makes it very difficult to project what he'll do. He was one of the best value plays early in the season, went on a several week lull of poor play, surged a couple of weeks ago only to go through a three-game stretch this week where he averaged only 6.7 points, 1.7 boards and 2.3 assists per game. He is also struggling with a toe injury, and despite his solid outing Wednesday, he is a risky play.
FORWARDS
T.J. Warren, PHO vs MIA ($15): There is some risk to this pick, as Warren comes off the bench and managed only one blocked shot and one turnover in 21 minutes Sunday against the Lakers. However, in the three games surrounding that dud, Warren averaged 21.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 38 minutes per game. For his low price tag, and with a recent success rate of three big games in four outings, Warren may be worth the risk.
Dirk Nowitzki, DAL at MIL ($29): Nowitzki has been playing well of late, scoring 47 points with nine boards and six assists over his last two outings. He should be rested, as he (along with three other Mavs starters) sat out Wednesday's game to catch a breather. Plus, Nowitzki has a great matchup Friday against a Bucks defense that is 28th in the NBA against opposing power forwards.
Forwards to Avoid
Carmelo Anthony, NY at SAN ($41): Anthony is a great scorer who has been playing very well lately, but on Friday he faces a Spurs team, led by reigning Defensive Player of the Year Kawhi Leonard, that is No. 1 in the NBA at limiting production to opposing small forwards. At Anthony's price tag, that kind of challenging matchup is enough to leave him on the fantasy bench.
Kenneth Faried, DEN at MEM ($24): Faried injured his neck last week, and had to miss a game. He sat out Tuesday's practice but did play Wednesday against the Timberwolves. He was only able to play 18 minutes, though, so his output and health level are uncertain for Friday in an already tough matchup against a Grizzlies defense that is No. 1 in the NBA at limiting production to opposing power forwards.
CENTER
Zaza Pachulia, DAL at MIL ($22): Pachulia is averaging 13.6 points, 12.4 rebounds and 2.4 steals per game over his last five and now faces a Bucks defense that is only average (16th in the NBA) at defending opposing centers.
Center to Avoid
Hassan Whiteside, MIA at PHO ($35): Whiteside is the second-most expensive center, but he is dealing with a knee injury that has limited him of late. He played through the ailment Wednesday but was outplayed by Robin Lopez and managed only eight points, eight rebounds, four turnovers and a single blocked shot in 28 minutes. He now faces a Suns defense that is surprisingly stingy against opposing centers, sporting the top defense at limiting center production.
