This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Friday should be an exciting night in the NBA as the Oklahoma City Thunder take on the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the Washington Wizards face off against the Golden State Warriors. There are seven total games on the slate, so let's end your DFS week on a high note by examining some of the better options for your entry.
GUARD
Stephen Curry, GS vs. WAS ($48): Curry saw his scoring decrease to 25.3 points per game last year with the addition of Kevin Durant. Curry's numbers have increased to start this season though as he is averaging 29.2 points per game. With an average of 45.3 Yahoo points through five games, he's a great option again Friday.
D.J. Augustin, ORL vs. SA ($12): Augustin has taken on the starting point guard job with Elfrid Payton (hamstring) out of action. Starting has suited Augustin well as he has scored at least 33.8 Yahoo points in both games since taking over the job. With Payton out again Friday, Augustin makes for a great value play at this cheap price.
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Guards to Avoid
Jeff Teague, MIN vs. OKC ($24): Teague is not off to a great start with his new team as he enters Friday averaging 12.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 1.4 steals per game. He has only scored 30 or more Yahoo points in one of five games this season and has actually played less than 30 minutes in three of the five games. This is a bad matchup against Russell Westbrook, so stay away from using Teague.
FORWARD
LaMarcus Aldridge, SA at ORL ($35): Aldridge averaged only 17.3 points and 7.3 last season with the Spurs, well below his career standards. This season has been a different story with Kawhi Leonard (quad) out of action, as Aldridge is averaging a career high 26.0 points to go along with 8.8 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 1.5 blocks per game. With Leonard out again Friday, Aldridge is in line for another excellent game.
DeMarre Carroll, BKN at NY ($14): Carroll has seemed to be a perfect fit with the Nets, averaging 15.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 2.2 three-pointers through the first five games. He has scored at least 33.2 Yahoo points in the last four contests, resulting in excellent value considering his usually low price tag. Don't pass up this bargain Friday.
Forward to Avoid
Paul Millsap, DEN at ATL ($35): Millsap is playing very poorly heading into his return to Atlanta as he is only averaging 23.0 Yahoo points per game. He was awful Wednesday against the Charlotte Hornets as he only scored eight points to go along with five rebounds. He provides virtually nothing when it comes to assists, steals and blocks. At this price, he's not worth the risk.
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CENTER
Clint Capela, HOU at CHA ($23): Capela is coming off of a very impressive performance against Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers, where he scored 16 points to go along with 20 rebounds, two assists, one steal and four blocks. He already has two games with at least 53.9 Yahoo points and is averaging 37.8 Yahoo points on the season overall. He may see slightly more minutes than normal Friday to defend Dwight Howard, making him a valuable option at this price.
Enes Kanter, NY vs. BKN ($16): Kanter his thrived with the Knicks as he is averaging 14.3 points and 12.0 rebounds in only 25 minutes per game. Two of his three games this season have come against Andre Drummond and Steven Adams, making his start even more impressive. He gets a much weaker Nets frontcourt Friday, so he could be in line for a dominant performance.
Center to Avoid
Marcin Gortat, WAS at GS ($24): Gortat continues to be a steady presence in the middle for the Wizards as he is averaging 12.5 points, 11.3 rebounds and 1.0 block through four games. This is a tough matchup for Gortat against a fast-paced Warriors offense that likes to use small lineups. There is a chance he could see limited minutes as a result, making him unworthy of the risk at this price.
