This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Friday brings a seven-game slate. There are some exciting matchups among the bunch, including the Warriors hosting the Nuggets and the Celtics taking on the Nets. Let's highlight some players to consider for your Yahoo lineups, as well as a few to possibly avoid.
GUARDS
Paul George, LAC at HOU ($41): The Clippers will once again be without Kawhi Leonard, who has already missed six of their past seven games. During that stretch, George scored at least 50.1 Yahoo points six times. Look for him to keep things rolling against a Rockets team with the league's sixth-worst defensive rating.
Brandon Goodwin, ATL vs. MIA ($10): After suffering an ankle injury Wednesday against the Knicks, Trae Young has been ruled out for at least the Hawks' next two contests. That should open up added playing time for Goodwin, who started both of the last two that Young missed. He took advantage of the role by scoring 33.0 and 30.5 Yahoo points, respectively.
Guard to Avoid
Devonte' Graham, CHA vs. CLE ($20): With all the injuries on the Hornets, Graham should have been primed to provide better numbers. Although he's starting again, he's scored 28.2 Yahoo points or fewer in six of his last eight. That includes scoring 26.7 Yahoo points the last time he played the Cavaliers. Given his salary doesn't come at much of a discount, it might be best to avoid him for the rematch.
FORWARDS
Kevin Huerter, ATL vs. MIA ($15): Huerter logged a whopping 44 minutes in the Hawks' last matchup against the Knicks and should be looking at plenty of use moving forward with Young out. Huerter's upside might not be off the charts, but could provide value at this low salary considering he's already scored at least 28.6 Yahoo points in five of his last seven.
Davis Bertans, WAS at OKC ($10): The Wizards are among the many teams dealing with injuries to important rotation players. Deni Avdija (ankle) has been lost for the season and Rui Hachimura (knee) is slated to miss his third straight contest. That should mean plenty of minutes for the sharp-shooting Bertans against a Thunder team coming in with the eighth-worst defensive rating.
Forward to Avoid
Aaron Gordon, DEN at GS ($19): Gordon has basically been an afterthought in the Nuggets offense having attempted eight shots or fewer in six of his last nine games. During that stretch, he's produced lackluster averages of 9.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists. Even with Jamal Murray (knee) out, Gordon could continue to provide muted production.
CENTERS
Nikola Jokic, DEN at GS ($56): This is a tough matchup for the Warriors, who don't have much size or depth at center. Jokic has torched them in two previous meetings by scoring 60.8 and 55.4 Yahoo points, respectively. While the salary will do a number on your budget, his upside makes him someone to build your lineup around.
Daniel Gafford, WAS at OKC ($13): The Wizards have been a revolving door at center since Thomas Bryant (knee) was lost for the season. With that being said, Gafford has been able to carve out a role for himself since being acquired from the Bulls. The result has been him scoring at least 29.6 Yahoo points in three of the last four games. If you want to fade Jokic in tournament play, Gafford is someone to at least consider.
Center to Avoid
Enes Kanter, POR vs. MEM ($23): With Kanter, it's important to monitor whether or not Jusuf Nurkic is going to play. Nurkic's return has contributed to Kanter scoring 29.1 Yahoo points or fewer in six straight games. Nurkic has been receiving rest days, and Kanter can provide increased production when that happens. However, with the expectation Nurkic plays Friday, there's not much upside with Kanter.
