This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The NBA has a jam-packed schedule Friday with 18 teams in action. There are a lot of options to sift through for your Yahoo entry as a result, so here are some players to both target and avoid to hopefully help you earn some money.
GUARDS
Russell Westbrook, OKC vs. DEN ($54): Westbrook has seen his usage rate drop this year with Paul George and Carmelo Anthony now on the Thunder, but his current usage rate of 34.4 percent is still second highest in the league. His overall numbers in March have been great, as the Thunder push for playoff seeding, averaging 27.2 points, 10.3 rebounds and nine assists in 13 games this month. Westbrook has scored at least 66.8 Yahoo points in two of his three previous meetings with the Nuggets this season and has tremendous upside again Friday.
Isaiah Taylor, ATL vs. PHI ($10): Taylor has started three of the last four games for the Hawks, scoring at least 31.1 Yahoo points in all three contests. Dennis Schroder (ankle) is listed as doubtful for Friday, so Taylor likely will be in the starting lineup once again. He may not provide as many assists as most traditional point guards, but by scoring at least 18 points in all three games that he started, he could provide great value at the minimum price.
Guard to Avoid
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, LAL vs. MIL ($23): Caldwell-Pope is in a slump right now, shooting 36.6 percent from the field in his last seven games. His production hasn't been great as a result; he's scored 27.3 Yahoo points or fewer in six of those seven contests. He gets a tough matchup against one of the better defensive teams in the league in the Bucks, so this might not be the night to bank on Caldwell-Pope turning things around.
FORWARDS
Dario Saric, PHI at ATL ($19): Saric had one of his best games of the season Wednesday against the Knicks, finishing with 54.3 Yahoo points. It's no coincidence that Joel Embiid (face/head) played only nine minutes in that game. Saric has thrived in the last nine games that Embiid has missed, averaging 18 points, 9.1 rebounds and two three-pointers per contest. Embiid could be out at least through the rest of the regular season, making Saric a prime target for your entry Friday.
Noah Vonleh, CHI at ORL ($10): Vonleh has played at least 24 minutes in four of the last five games for the tanking Bulls, scoring at least 26.7 Yahoo points in all four of those contests. Not only has he recorded back-to-back double-doubles, but he also has six steals in his last three games combined. Expect him to see plenty of playing time in a battle between two horrible teams Friday, leaving him with plenty of upside at the minimum price.
Forward to Avoid
Danilo Gallinari, LAC at POR ($22): Gallinari (hand) has not played in more than a month and while he said his hand isn't completely healed, he's going to try to play Friday. Expect him to be on a minutes restriction if he does return, which isn't good for his value. Add in the rust factor from being out for so long and Gallinari is not worth the risk.
CENTERS
Nikola Vucevic, ORL vs. CHI ($30): Vucevic's last two games came against two bad teams in the Suns and the Nets and he took advantage by scoring 45.7 and 46.5 Yahoo points, respectively. He'll get a similar opponent in the Bulls on Friday, who have allowed the sixth-most Yahoo points per game (56.1) to opposing centers this season. This might not be a pretty game to watch, but Vucevic could dominate.
Richaun Holmes, PHI at ATL ($10): Like Saric, Holmes also stepped up when Embiid was injured Wednesday, finishing with 24.9 Yahoo points in 22 minutes. Holmes and Amir Johnson (illness) are both possibilities to take over for Embiid in the starting lineup, but even if Holmes isn't the starter, he should see increased playing time. Holmes has played at least 30 minutes in a game 10 times this season, averaging 16.3 points and 9.2 rebounds per contest.
Center to Avoid
Dwight Powell, DAL vs. MIN ($14): Powell (knee) is listed as probable Friday, but hasn't been playing as much lately with Nerlens Noel back in action. Powell has logged 20 minutes or fewer in three straight contests, scoring 22.5 Yahoo points or fewer in each game. The Mavericks have been resting Noel during one game of back-to-back sets, but that won't be an issue Friday. Holmes has much more upside and costs four dollars less, so it might be best to stay away from Powell.
