Yahoo DFS Basketball: Friday Picks

Yahoo DFS Basketball: Friday Picks

This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.

Friday has the potential to be a wild night in the NBA with nine games on the schedule. We also have several teams playing the second of a back-to-back set, which could create some rest situations. Let's discuss some players to consider for your entries, as well as a few to possibly avoid.

GUARDS

Delon Wright, SAC vs. SA ($25): De'Aaron Fox (COVID-19) has been out for over two weeks and there have been no recent updates about when he might return. Tyrese Haliburton (knee) is out for the rest of the season, so the Kings don't have much of a choice but to provide Wright with heavy minutes. He's responded by scoring 60.0 and 59.4 Yahoo points the last two games.

Armoni Brooks, HOU at MIL ($10): It might be a better question to ask who will actually play for the Rockets on Friday than who won't. Their injury report consists of 13 players, some of which will have to take the floor in order for the game to proceed as planned. One player who definitely won't play is Kevin Porter Jr. (ankle), which should mean adding playing time for Brooks. He stepped up against the Sixers to log 31 minutes when Porter was injured Wednesday and finished with 20 points on 16 shot attempts.

Guard to Avoid

Coby White, CHI vs. BOS ($20): It might be a case of too little, too late for the Bulls as they earned a win on Thursday in Zach LaVine's return from a case of COVID-19. Although Chicago likely lost a shot at the playoffs during LaVine's absence, White played well in his place. However, he only scored 23.8 Yahoo points with LaVine back on the floor and should continue to have a limited role down the stretch.

FORWARDS

Jayson Tatum, BOS at CHI ($46): The Celtics will be missing one of their leading scorers with Jaylen Brown (ankle) ruled out. Tatum stepped up in his absence Wednesday by scoring 51.9 Yahoo points against the Magic. He dropped 27 points on 22 shot attempts and should once again be shooting at will in this matchup.

Kenyon Martin Jr., HOU at MIL ($17): Martin enjoyed a monster performance for the short-handed Rockets on Wednesday by scoring 48.0 Yahoo points across 44 minutes. Not only did he finish with 23 points, but he grabbed 10 rebounds and six assists. If Jae'Sean Tate (knee) is unable to play again, Martin could provide tremendous value at his low salary.

Forward to Avoid

Robert Covington, POR vs. LAL ($18): With his average of 26.3 Yahoo points per game, Covington is not an appealing option most nights. Add in a loaded schedule and he becomes even more questionable with there being so many other viable options. It also doesn't help Covington's cause he'll be facing a Lakers team boasting the league's best defensive rating.

CENTERS

Mo Bamba, ORL at CHA ($23): Wendell Carter Jr. (eye) was unable to take the floor Wednesday against the Celtics, which resulted in Bamba playing 31 minutes. To say that he performed well would be an understatement given the 56.5 Yahoo points. That came on the heels of Bamba netting 44.0 Yahoo points across 29 minutes Monday against the Pistons. Carter has already been ruled out for this matchup with the Hornets, so Bamba could once again shine in an expanded role.

Bobby Portis, MIL vs. HOU ($16): This has the feel of a great opportunity for the Bucks to rest some of their stars. Not only are the Rockets one of the worst teams, but they should be extremely shorthanded. Keep an eye out for updates leading up to tip off, but Portis would become an intriguing option if Giannis Antetokounmpo gets the night off. The last time Giannis missed a game, Portis torched the Bulls for 16 points and 14 rebounds over 28 minutes.

Center to Avoid

Brook Lopez, MIL vs. HOU ($19): Lopez is another veteran who could sit this game for rest. Even if he plays, this could turn into a blowout and that might limit his second-half minutes. Lopez is already averaging 24.2 Yahoo points per game, so taking a chance on him breaking out tonight is probably not a wise move.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Mike Barner plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: mbarner, DraftKings: mbarner51.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mike Barner
Mike started covering fantasy sports in 2007, joining RotoWire in 2010. In 2018, he was a finalist for the FSWA Basketball Writer of the Year award. Mike also won the 2022-23 FSGA NBA Experts Champions league. In addition to RotoWire, Mike has written for Sportsline, Sports Illustrated, DK Live, RealTime Fantasy Sports, Lineup Lab and KFFL.com.
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