This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The NBA has nine games on tap for Friday night, several of which shape up to be fantasy friendly. Portland at Philadelphia feels like a shootout in the making, and the same can be said about Indiana at Los Angeles and Brooklyn at New Orleans. The best game of the night should be Golden State at Houston, putting three of the Western Conference All-Star starters on the court at the same time, including former teammates James Harden and Kevin Durant. Plus, we have to keep injuries, sickness and rest in mind. We're at the time of the season where injuries really manipulate player value on a given day, and player absences can be announced at the very last minute, so be sure to tune in for the latest lineup just before tip-off.
GUARDS
Mike Conley, MEM vs. SAC ($33): Conley has averaged 21.4 points, 8.9 assists, 4.4 boards, 1.3 steals and 2.1 treys per game over his last seven, and he'll now face a Kings defense that allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to points guards over the last 10 games.
Nicolas Batum, CHA vs. TOR ($33): Batum is getting close to his old form, coming off back-to-back games in which he had a double-doubles not including points (eight points, 10 boards, 10 assists, a steal and two blocks) followed by a 17 points, seven boards and seven assists. On Friday, he faces DeMar DeRozan and a Raptors defense that is league average against wings.
Guard to Avoid
George Hill, UTA at DAL ($25): Hill is expected to play Friday as his ankle sprain was minor, but he still has to face a Mavericks defense that allows the fewest fantasy points per game to point guards.
FORWARDS
Jimmy Butler, CHI at ATL ($46): Butler has averaged 22.7 points, 8.3 boards, 8.0 assists, 2.7 steals and 1.3 treys per game over his last three, and up next is a matchup against a Hawks defense that has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game to small forwards.
Al-Farouq Aminu, POR at PHI ($18): Aminu has returned of late to the form that made him a strong performer last season, averaging 10.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.0 blocks and 0.5 treys per game over his last six. On Friday, he faces a 76ers defense that has actually been fairly solid of late around Joel Embiid but is still vulnerable to his all-around talents.
Forward to Avoid
Harrison Barnes, DAL vs UTA ($30): Barnes is on the second night of a back-to-back, and is facing a Jazz defense that allows the fewest fantasy points per game to forwards this season.
CENTERS
Joel Embiid, PHI vs POR ($34): Embiid has scored more than 20 points in 10 straight games, averaging 23.6 points, 8.5 boards, 2.4 blocks, 2.3 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.9 treys per outing over that stretch. On Friday, he faces a Trail Blazers defense that ranks 14th against centers.
Jonas Valanciunas, TOR at CHA ($20): Valanciunas is a solid producer with explosive upside any given night. He has scored over 30 fantasy points four times in his last five games, including 46.6 against the Celtics last week. Up next is a matchup against a Hornets defense that allows the fifth-most fantasy points per game to centers.
Center to Avoid
Dwight Howard, ATL vs CHI ($31): Howard has had two bad outings in his last three games. Even if he plays like he did in his double-double Tuesday, the players just above (Joel Embiid) and right with him (Marc Gasol) in price are both better bets to produce.
