Yahoo DFS Basketball: Friday Picks

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Updated on May 6, 2016 10:32AM EST

The NBA has two games on tap Friday night, likely the most on any one day in the playoffs. With such a short slate, there won't be much variation between teams, so each slot is important.

GUARD

Kyrie Irving, CLE at ATL ($35) - Irving is averaging 40.6 fantasy points over his last seven games, with a floor of 31.5 fantasy points over that stretch. His price is similar to the much more inconsistent Jeff Teague, while his price tag is more similar to the much more expensive Russell Westbrook.

Danny Green, SA at OKC ($13) - The available shooting guards are all low-priced players. Green and J.R. Smith have been the best producers lately, but Green 's price is only two-thirds of Smith's while his production has been almost exactly the same.

Guards to Avoid:

Jeff Teague, ATL vs CLE ($28) - Teague has scored more than 30 fantasy points twice in the postseason and has not surpassed 24.6 fantasy points since Game 3 of the first round against the Celtics. The Cavaliers have a strong perimeter defense, and with Dennis Schroder also eating into his opportunities Teague is a risky play.

Dion Waiters, OKC vs SA ($12) - Waiters and Kyle Korver have been the coldest of the starting shooting guards available Friday. But while Korver is streaky, and could return to form Friday at home, Waiters is a lower priority for the Thunder and is also playing the tougher defense.

FORWARD

LeBron James, CLE at ATL ($51) - There are three superstar small forwards going Friday, so it's hard to justify taking a risk on a lesser player like Kent Bazemore having a good game. Of the three superstars, James has been by far the best bet to produce mega-star numbers compared to Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard.

LaMarcus Aldridge, SA at OKC ($39) - Aldridge has been absolutely massive against the Thunder, averaging almost 55 fantasy points in the first two games of the series. Aldridge has had his way against Serge Ibaka, who is a great shot-blocker but not so good at 1-on-1 defense.

Forwards to Avoid:

Kevin Durant, OKC vs SA ($52) - Durant is the highest priced small forward, despite the fact that he is playing against the best defense in the NBA and has been regularly out-produced by LeBron James. Durant could always explode, but he's not the best bet at that price.

Serge Ibaka, OKC vs SA ($21) - Ibaka has not scored more than 25.5 fantasy points since game three of the first round, a stretch over which he is averaging only a bit more than 21 fantasy points per game.

CENTER

Steven Adams, OKC vs SA ($13) - Adams has been the most effective big man for the Thunder against the Spurs. He has been a monster on the glass, averaging 12.3 boards over his last three games, and is averaging a double-double over his last four games.

Center to Avoid:

Al Horford, ATL vs CLE ($31) - Horford is by far the highest-priced center, but he has been unimpressive since his groin injury in the first round. He has only surpassed 30 fantasy points once in his last five games, a 30.3 fantasy point effort against the Celtics in the closeout. He is offering only 22 fantasy points in the first two games against the Cavaliers.

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The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire.