This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Friday's a busy night in the NBA with 11 games on the schedule. Let's get right down to business and look at some players to target and avoid to hopefully create a winning Yahoo entry.
GUARDS
Tyreke Evans, MEM vs. CLE ($27): The Grizzlies benched Evans while trying to trade him but ultimately could not swing a deal before the deadline. Evans struggled in his first game back, scoring just 18.5 Yahoo points. He appeared to have shaken off the rust by his second game back, scoring 47.3 Yahoo points just before the All-Star break. His 28.6 percent usage rate ranks inside the top-25 in the league, so he's going to be productive now that he's back on the floor. The Cavaliers still are struggling on defense, giving Evans excellent potential at this reasonable price.
Tomas Satoransky, WAS vs. CHA ($15): Satoransky has done an excellent job as the starting point guard for the Wizards with John Wall (knee) out, scoring at least 30.8 Yahoo points in each of his last four games. He played at least 31 minutes in all four of those contests and clearly has separated himself from Tim Frazier. With plenty of minutes likely on tap again Friday against a bad Hornets squad, Satoransky looks like a major bargain at this price.
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Guard to Avoid
Lonzo Ball, LAL vs. DAL ($26): Ball (knee) hasn't played in more than a month but is expected to return Friday. Being out for such an extended period of time, there's a chance that he won't see his normal allotment of minutes in this game. The Lakers also shook up their roster since Ball last played, so it may take him a little time to get adjusted to his new teammates. He could provide plenty of valuable performances down the stretch, but it might be best to avoid him Friday in his first game back.
FORWARDS
Julius Randle, LAL vs. DAL ($28): Randle has had his best month of the season in February, averaging 20.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists in seven games. It's no coincidence that he is also averaging 32 minutes per contest, which is six minutes more than any previous month. He has dominated the Mavericks this season, scoring at least 37 Yahoo points in both of their previous two meetings. Not only does he have a favorable matchup, but he also gets added opportunities to produce with the Lakers playing at the fastest pace (103.1 possessions per game) in the league. He could provide significant value again Friday.
Bojan Bogdanovic, IND vs. ATL ($13): Bogdanovic has been a steady contributor for the Pacers lately, scoring at least 21.4 Yahoo points in seven straight games. He's shown some upside as well, scoring at least 31.3 Yahoo points in three of those contests. The Hawks allow the most Yahoo points per game (42.3) to opposing small forwards, making Bogdanovic someone to consider at this cheap price.
Forward to Avoid
Andrew Wiggins, MIN at HOU ($22): Wiggins continues to be limited by the addition of Jimmy Butler, seeing his usage rate drop more than five percent from last season. He has limited upside as a result, scoring 24.6 Yahoo points or less in seven of his last eight games. With so many other options Friday, it might not be a bad idea to pass on Wiggins.
CENTERS
Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN at HOU ($39): Towns was on a roll heading into the All-Star break, scoring at least 41.8 Yahoo points in five of his last six games. One of those was a stellar performance against these same Rockets during which he scored 64.9 Yahoo points. The Rockets allow the seventh-most Yahoo points per game (50.4) to opposing centers, leaving Towns with significant upside again Friday.
Myles Turner, IND vs. ATL ($19): Turner largely has been a disappointment this season, battling injuries and inconsistent play. That doesn't mean he can't take advantage of a favorable matchup, however, which he did by scoring 35.3 Yahoo points against the Nets in the last game before the break. Friday brings another team who struggles to defend opposing centers, as the Hawks allow the fourth-most Yahoo points per game (51.6) to the position. Turner scored 40.2 Yahoo points in his first meeting with them and could provide significant value in their rematch.
Center to Avoid
Pau Gasol, SA at DEN ($20): Gasol doesn't produce enough on a consistent basis, scoring 23.9 Yahoo points or less in four of his last six games. He played 21 minutes or less in all four of those contests, which doesn't help his value. Friday is loaded with quality center options, so Gasol seems like an unnecessary risk to take.
