This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Friday will be a fun night in the NBA with nine games on the schedule. With the Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors and Oklahoma City Thunder all in action, there are plenty of elite options available for your Yahoo entry. Here are some players to both target and avoid to hopefully end your night a winner.
GUARDS
C.J. McCollum, POR vs. DEN ($27): McCollum continues to be one of the most consistent scorers in the league, scoring at least 20 points in six of his last seven games. His 25.3 percent usage rate ranks inside the top-45 in the league, ahead of players like Paul George, Klay Thompson and Jimmy Butler. He's going to need to carry even more of the offensive load Friday with Damian Lillard (hamstring) already ruled out. This has the makings of a big performance from McCollum.
Eric Gordon, HOU vs. LAC ($19): Gordon has had his ups and downs since moving to the bench, but has played better lately by scoring at least 30.8 Yahoo points in both of his last two games. Chris Paul (groin) will not play Friday, so Gordon is expected to regain a starting role. In 13 starts this season, he has averaged 22.0 points, 2.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 4.0 three-pointers per game. This is a great price considering his upside Friday.
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Guard to Avoid
Reggie Jackson, DET vs. NY ($20): Jackson is in the midst of a cold streak right now, averaging only 17.8 Yahoo points over his last seven games. He hasn't had a lot of opportunities to be productive, playing 26 minutes or less in five of those seven games. With so many other great options available at guard, Friday might not be the night to bet on Jackson turning things around.
FORWARDS
Brandon Ingram, LAL at GS ($29): Ingram has a high floor because he gets plenty of playing time, logging at least 36 minutes in seven straight games. This is his third game of the season against the Warriors, a team that scored at least 44.7 Yahoo points against in their previous two meetings. Both the Lakers and Warriors are in the top-five in the league in pace of play, so get ready for another high scoring game Friday.
Kyle Kuzma, LAL at GS ($24): Another player who should benefit from the up-tempo pace Friday is Kuzma, who torched the Rockets for 55.4 Yahoo points Wednesday. With Brook Lopez (ankle) out, Kuzma played 40 minutes in that game. He should see heavy minutes in this contest that likely will be full of small lineups, so take advantage of him at this budget-friendly price.
Forward to Avoid
Carmelo Anthony, OKC vs. ATL ($26): The move to Oklahoma City hasn't gone well for Anthony, as his 17.3 points per game average is not only the lowest of his career, but it's the first time he's averaged less than 20 points per game in a season. His shot attempts are way down at 15.8 per game and he's only shooting 40.4 percent from the field, which is not a recipe for success. He has the potential to explode any given night, but he might not be worth the risk at this price Friday, especially since Kuzma is $2 cheaper.
CENTERS
DeAndre Jordan, LAC at HOU ($33): Jordan continues to dominate the glass in a thin Clippers frontcourt, averaging 18.1 rebounds over his last eight games. With few healthy scoring options, he also averaged 12.9 points over that same stretch. He's going to get all the minutes he can handle going forward, making him a great option Friday against a Rockets team that plays at the eighth-fastest pace (101.5) in the league.
Kelly Olynyk, MIA vs. DAL ($16): Speaking of teams decimated by injuries up front, the Heat are still without Hassan Whiteside (knee) and James Johnson (ankle). Olynyk has played at least 29 minutes in each of the last three games as a result, scoring at least 37 Yahoo points twice. The Mavericks like to use a lot of small lineups anyways, so Olynyk has a chance to provide value at this price based on his role.
Center to Avoid
Nikola Jokic, DEN at POR ($40): Jokic is an excellent all-around contributor, which gives him a nice floor to work off of on a nightly basis. The problem is, his ceiling hasn't been that high of late as he hasn't scored more than 31.8 Yahoo points in any of his last three games. Friday he has to face a Trail Blazers team that allows the third-fewest Yahoo points per game (45.7) to opposing centers, so he might not be worth adding to your lineup at this expensive price.
