This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The Clippers and Rockets play the marquee game of the night as part of the NBA's nine-game slate, battling for the right to join the Spurs and Warriors as contenders in the West, though Chris Paul will have to carry a larger load with Blake Griffin still watching from the sidelines. The starting point guards have sprained ankles in Philadelphia and Portland, opening up production opportunities for their teammates. And there are some forwards in Oakland and San Antonio facing their old teams. All told, a lot of interesting action for a Friday night.
GUARDS
T.J. McConnell, PHI at DEN ($10): McConnell is expected to start Friday in place of Sergio Rodriguez, who sprained an ankle on Thursday. His opponent, the Nuggets, are allowing the fourth-most fantasy points per game to point guards this season.
C.J. McCollum, POR at SA ($32): McCollum has been picking up the slack for the injured Damian Lillard, who is considered a game-time decision for Friday, though he is more likely to sit than play. In the last two games without Lillard, McCollum has averaged 24.5 points, 7.0 assists, 2.5 treys, 2.5 boards and one steal per contest.
Guard to Avoid
Damian Lillard, POR at SA ($41): As mentioned, Lillard is listed as a game-time decision but it would be a surprise if he does play. And if he does, he'll be at less than full speed against a solid Spurs defense.
FORWARDS
Harrison Barnes, DAL at GS ($28): Barnes is in a potential revenge game against the team that replaced him this offseason. The last time he faced the Warriors in Oakland the Warriors blew the Mavericks out, but not before Barnes dropped 25 points and grabbed eight boards.
LaMarcus Aldridge, SA vs. POR ($28): Aldridge played the Trail Blazers last week and blew up for 18 points, 14 boards, six assists and three steals to snap out of a slump. Since that game, Aldridge has scored at least 43.6 fantasy points in each of his last three outings.
Forward to Avoid
Paul Millsap, ATL v DET ($40): Millsap is solid, but he hasn't had a 40+ fantasy point effort in the last three games. Meanwhile, the next three cheaper power forwards (and four of the next five) each scored at least 40 in their most recent game. Plus, Millsap has a tough matchup against a Pistons defense that allows the fifth-fewest fantasy points per game to power forwards.
CENTERS
Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN vs MIL ($43): Towns has scored at least 42 fantasy points in six of his last seven games and is coming off his first career triple-double. On Friday, he faces a Bucks defense that ranks 14th in the league against power forwards.
Nikola Jokic, DEN vs PHI ($28): Jokic is coming off back-to-back games in which he has scored at least 42 fantasy points. His passing ability sets him apart from most other centers, and makes him a nightly triple-double threat. He had 11 assists against Karl-Anthony Towns and the Timberwolves in his last game, the second time in his last five he had at least nine assists.
Center to Avoid
Hassan Whiteside, MIA at BOS ($47): Whiteside has had two straight clunkers after a streak of really strong games, and in an interview this week he mentioned that he is playing hurt. Either way, his price is too high for someone who has averaged 21.5 fantasy points per game in their last two.
