This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The NBA ends the week with nine games on the schedule Friday. The highlight games of the evening are the Houston Rockets against the Washington Wizards and the Milwaukee Bucks against the Oklahoma City Thunder. There are plenty of star players available for your Yahoo entry, so let's take a look at some options you should both target and avoid for the evening.
GUARDS
Jordan Clarkson, LAL vs. LAC ($18): Clarkson likely is going to start again at point guard with Lonzo Ball (shoulder) out for his third straight game. Clarkson excelled in the first two games without Ball, scoring at least 30.8 Yahoo points both times. He played at least 35 minutes in both games, so it's not surprising he was productive, as his 27.5 percent usage rate ranks inside the top-30 in the league. It's hard to pass him up at this price.
Lance Stephenson, IND at CHI ($11): Stephenson started in place of the injured Victor Oladipo (knee) on Wednesday, playing 36 minutes and scoring 42.5 Yahoo points against the Dallas Mavericks. Oladipo has been ruled out for Friday as well, leaving Stephenson with the opportunity for increased minutes again. He has played at least 30 minutes in four games this season, averaging 13.0 points, 8.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists in those contests. At almost the minimum price, he should be a great value play Friday.
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Guard to Avoid
Spencer Dinwiddie, BKN at MIA ($27): Dinwiddie has been an excellent option on most nights this season but he has scored 27.6 Yahoo points or less in six of his last seven games. Offense has been a problem, as he scored seven points or less in three of those games. Friday brings a tough matchup against a Heat team that allows the eighth-fewest Yahoo points per game (41) to opposing point guards. With a limited ceiling and two far cheaper options with upside in Clarkson and Stephenson, it might be wise to avoid Dinwiddie.
FORWARDS
Anthony Davis, NO vs. DAL ($55): Davis destroyed the Nets on Wednesday on his way to 69.2 Yahoo points. Not only is he a threat for a substantial double-double every night, but he has 25 blocks in his last seven games. He scored 59.6 Yahoo points in a game against the Mavericks earlier this season and is a great option for your lineup Friday. The injury risk is always there with Davis, but his upside is excellent if he makes it through this game healthy.
Josh Richardson, MIA vs. BKN ($26): The Heat are starting to get a few players back from injury, but will still be without James Johnson (ankle), Justise Winslow (knee) and Dion Waiters (ankle) on Friday. That should leave plenty of playing time for Richardson, who has scored at least 32.7 Yahoo points in six of his last seven games. The Nets play at the fourth-fastest pace (102.8) in the league, so that combined with the added minutes for Richardson could lead to a valuable stat line.
Forward to Avoid
T.J. Warren, PHO at SAC ($28): Warren was the main scoring option with Devin Booker (groin) out but should see his opportunities drop significantly with Booker now healthy. In Booker's first game back Tuesday against the Memphis Grizzlies, Warren managed only 17 Yahoo points. He didn't score more than 27 Yahoo points in either of his first two games against the Kings this season, so it might be best to avoid him at this price.
CENTERS
Steven Adams, OKC vs. MIL ($26): Adams continues to get significant playing time due to the Thunder's lack of size up front, which gives him a nice floor on most nights. He's scored at least 28.8 Yahoo points in four straight games, one of which was a 42.8 Yahoo point performance Wednesday against the Toronto Raptors. The Bucks allow the fourth-most Yahoo points per game (52.3) to opposing centers, making Adams someone to consider for your entry.
Kelly Olynyk, MIA vs. BKN ($21): With the Heat's injury issues already detailed, Olynyk also has seen increased playing time. While he's only averaging 23 minutes per game this season, he's played at least 26 minutes in six straight games. He's had some big performances during that stretch, scoring at least 37 Yahoo points in three games. The Nets allow the third-most points per game (110.7) in the league, making Olynyk a viable option at this price.
Center to Avoid
Hassan Whiteside, MIA vs. BKN ($34): Normally this would be an excellent matchup for Whiteside against a bad Nets team with little size up front. However, he has only played one game after an extended absence with a knee injury and played only 18 minutes in that contest. The Heat likely are going to take a cautious approach with Whiteside for the immediate future, making it hard for him to reach value at this expensive price.
