This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
There will be no shortage of choices for your Yahoo entry with 10 games on the NBA schedule Friday. With so many options to consider, let's not waste any time and examine both players to target and avoid as you create your lineup.
GUARDS
Damian Lillard, POR vs. GS ($43): The Trail Blazers have won eight consecutive games, with Lillard scoring at least 44.9 Yahoo points six times during that stretch. His usage rate us is more than 30.5 percent for the third consecutive season, leaving him with a high floor in DFS. Lillard has destroyed the Warriors this season, averaging 41.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, five assists, two steals and 4.5 three-pointers in their first two meetings. He's expensive, but he should be worth it Friday.
Ben McLemore, MEM vs. UTA ($13): The Grizzlies continue to be decimated by injuries and will be without Tyreke Evans (ribs), Andrew Harrison (wrist) and Mario Chalmers (hamstring) on Friday. McLemore has played at least 30 minutes in each of his last three games, averaging 16.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.7 steals and 2.3 three-pointers. At almost the minimum price, it's hard to pass up McLemore considering the opportunity he should have.
Guard to Avoid
Kent Bazemore, ATL at IND ($20): Bazemore has been in a slump lately, scoring 24.8 Yahoo points or fewer in seven of his last nine games. With the Hawks playing for nothing but a high draft pick at this point, there is no incentive to give Bazemore heavy minutes down the stretch. On a night with so many options, avoiding Bazemore based on his limited upside might be a wise move.
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FORWARDS
Kyle Kuzma, LAL at DEN ($19): Kuzma has started each of the last three games with Brandon Ingram (groin) injured, scoring at least 26.1 Yahoo points in all three contests. The key is he played at least 33 minutes in each game after playing 28 minutes or fewer in his six previous games. With the Lakers playing at the fastest pace (103.2 possessions per game) in the league, Kuzma provides excellent upside Friday.
Mario Hezonja, ORL at SAC ($17): The Magic are going to be short handed Friday with Evan Fournier (knee) and Aaron Gordon (concussion) already ruled out. That should open up significant playing time for Hezonja. In the 11 games that he has played at least 30 minutes this season, he's averaging 18.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, two steals and 2.3 three-pointers. He has the potential to end the night as one of the better value plays at forward.
Forward to Avoid
Tim Hardaway Jr., NY at MIL ($21): Hardaway is one of the leading scorers on the Knicks, but the problem is he doesn't contribute much in other categories. As a result, he has scored 26.8 Yahoo points or fewer in four of his last five games. He has averaged just seven points in his first two games against the Bucks this season, making him a risky option Friday.
CENTERS
Nikola Vucevic, ORL at SAC ($29): With both Fournier and Gordon out, Vucevic could have an even larger role in the offense for the Magic. He's already playing well right now, scoring at least 32.2 Yahoo points in seven of his last eight games. The Kings allow the second-most Yahoo points per game (51.9) to opposing centers, so don't hesitate to add Vucevic to your entry.
Brook Lopez, LAL at DEN ($15): Lopez certainly had a strange line Wednesday against the Magic. Even though he scored 27 points in 35 minutes, he failed to grab a single rebound. That's not easy to do for a seven-footer. The good news is that he logged 35 minutes in the game and should continue to see added playing time with Kuzma assuming some of Ingram's minutes. He won't cost you much, making him an intriguing option Friday.
Center to Avoid
Clint Capela, HOU at TOR ($28): Capela (calf) is listed as probable Friday, but he was limited to just 19 minutes in his last game Wednesday against the Bucks. He's not on top of his game right now either, scoring 22.6 Yahoo points or fewer in three of his last five games. With a quality option like Vucevic priced only one dollar more than Capela, this might not be the night to take a chance on him busting out of his slump.
