This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Friday brings a busy night in the NBA with 10 games on the schedule. With so many options to consider, let's get right down to business and look at some players to target or avoid for your Yahoo entry.
GUARDS
Eric Bledsoe, MIL at CHI ($28): The Bucks will likely have a significant void to fill offensively with Giannis Antetokounmpo (ankle) listed as doubtful Friday. Bledsoe's 26.4 percent usage rate is second-highest on the team, so he figures to be one of the main beneficiaries of Giannis' absence. The Bulls are going to be thin at guard again with Kris Dunn (toe) and Zach LaVine (knee) out, so look for Bledsoe to take advantage of their backups and provide significant value.
Darren Collison, IND vs. LAC ($17): Collison has been a bit inconsistent since his return from injury, but he has scored at least 33.4 Yahoo points in two of his last four games. He's played at least 31 minutes in back-to-back contests, so he looks to be without limitations moving forward. He should have plenty of opportunities to produce Friday against a Clippers team that plays at the sixth-fastest pace (101.3 possessions per game) in the league, making him someone to consider at this cheap price.
Guard to Avoid
DeMar DeRozan, TOR vs. BKN ($31): DeRozan is an excellent scorer, but he doesn't excel in any other category, which has limited him to 34.1 Yahoo points or fewer in five of his last seven games. One of those games was against these same Nets when he scored just 25.4 Yahoo points. There's a chance he only sees limited playing time if this game gets out of hand, making it hard to pay up for him based on the risk involved.
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FORWARDS
Kevin Love, CLE vs. PHO ($25): Love has wasted no time since coming back from a hand injury, scoring at least 36.4 Yahoo points in both games since he returned. He played 30 minutes Wednesday against the Raptors, so he doesn't appear to be too restricted in minutes either. He gets a juicy matchup against the Suns on Friday, a team that plays at the second-fastest pace (102.8) and allows the most points per game (113.9) in the league.
Jabari Parker, MIL at CHI ($13): Parker has been on a minutes restriction since his return from injury but he logged a season-high 30 minutes Wednesday against the Clippers. He's provided value of late, scoring at least 21.6 Yahoo points in four straight games. With Giannis likely out Friday, Parker should get more scoring opportunities as well. The Bulls have allowed an average of 117.2 points in their last six games, leaving Parker as a viable option for your entry.
Forward to Avoid
Lauri Markkanen, CHI vs. MIL ($21): Markkanen (back) has missed the Bulls last five games and is listed as questionable for Friday. There is some optimism that he might return in this game, but it makes little sense for the Bulls to push him if he's still hurting. Even if he does return, the Bulls might limit his minutes. At only four dollars more, Love has a much higher upside, so it might be best to avoid Markkanen.
CENTERS
DeAndre Jordan, LAC at IND ($33): Jordan has shown a tremendous upside in March, scoring at least 50.4 Yahoo points four times this month. Not only has he continued to dominate the glass, but he's also averaging 15.7 points per game for the month, his highest average of any month this season. The Pacers allow the fourth-most Yahoo points per game (51.4) to opposing centers, so don't be surprised if Jordan comes up big again Friday.
Kelly Olynyk, MIA at OKC ($18):Hassan Whiteside (hip) will miss his seventh straight game Friday, opening up an expanded role for Olynyk once again. He didn't disappoint in the previous six games that Whiteside was sidelined, scoring at least 31.1 Yahoo points five times. Not only has his scoring increased, but he has dished out at least five assists in four of his last five contests. If you can't afford to squeeze Jordan into your lineup, Olynyk is also someone to consider.
Center to Avoid
Myles Turner, IND vs. LAC ($26): Turner hasn't been playing poorly, scoring at least 33.2 Yahoo points in six of his last seven games. This is more about his price than anything else. He topped 40 Yahoo points only once during that stretch, so he has similar upside to Olynyk. Jordan has a higher ceiling if you want to spend money at center as well, so Friday might not be the night to roll with Turner in your lineup.
