This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Two more NBA games have been postponed Friday, but we still have eight on the slate to digest on Yahoo. Here are some players to consider as you work your way through the options, as well as a few to potentially avoid.
GUARDS
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC vs. CHI ($32): Gilgeous-Alexander is coming off of a season-low 18.9 Yahoo points in what was a blowout loss against the Lakers on Wednesday. The lopsided score resulted in him playing only 27 minutes, so don't read too much into his off night. This should be a closer matchup against the Bulls who play at the second-fastest pace in the league, so look for SGA to bounce back in a big way.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker, NO at LAL ($15): Lonzo Ball (knee) and Eric Bledsoe (eye) were unable to take the floor Wednesday against the Clippers, which left Alexander-Walker with a starting role. He took full advantage of his opportunity by recording 37 points and eight rebounds across 33 minutes. Ball will once again be sidelined and Bledsoe is listed as questionable, so Alexander-Walker should be given added playing time for a second straight contest.
Guard to Avoid
Dillon Brooks, MEM at MIN ($21): The Grizzlies could be getting some reinforcements back tonight with Ja Morant (ankle) listed as questionable. If the star were to make his return, then Brooks could see fewer scoring opportunities. Even if he doesn't, Brooks isn't a very appealing option on a schedule with so many other viable targets. And across the last six games, Brooks has scored 28 Yahoo points or fewer five times.
FORWARDS
James Johnson, DAL at MIL ($11): The Mavericks are one of several teams playing short-handed because of the league's health and safety protocols. That has resulted in Johnson logging at least 26 minutes in back-to-back games. He may not be flashy, but got the job done by scoring 29.5 and 31 Yahoo points, respectively. At near the minimum salary, he offers the potential to provide significant value since the Mavericks will still be missing several key contributors.
Taurean Prince, CLE vs. NY ($10): Prince was one of the players involved in the four-team trade that sent James Harden to the Nets. The move should be a positive for Prince, who endured a difficult time finding minutes on a deep Nets' lineup. He's expected to make his debut with the Cavaliers in this game and could immediately step into a significant role given their laundry list of injuries. While deploying Prince in DFS comes with some risk, he's at least worth considering in tournament play.
Forward to Avoid
Obi Toppin, NY at CLE ($16): Toppin made his return from a calf injury Wednesday against the Nets, marking only his second appearance this season. He only played one minute, so the Knicks didn't exactly throw their top rookie right back into the thick of things. Until Toppin starts to see consistent playing time, it's probably safer to avoid him.
CENTERS
Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN vs. MEM ($48): An already thin Timberwolves' frontcourt will be even more so Friday with Juancho Hernangomez (COVID-19 protocols) and Jake Layman (personal) out. Towns already boasts an extremely high floor after scoring at least 47.9 Yahoo points in all four games he's played in this season. That included him scoring 51.3 Yahoo points against these same Grizzlies on Thursday.
Richaun Holmes, SAC vs. LAC ($24): While the Kings came up short against the Blazers on Wednesday, it sure wasn't Holmes' fault. He chipped in 17 points, nine rebounds, six assists and a block in the contest while playing 35 minutes. Holmes has been extremely efficient by shooting 69.7 percent from the field and 82.8 percent from the charity stripe. As far as mid-salary-range centers go, few are as appealing as Holmes and his averages of 13.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, one steal and 1.5 blocks.
Center to Avoid
Jarrett Allen, CLE vs. NY ($25): Like Prince, Allen is also expected to make his debut for the Cavaliers. The problem for Allen is he is now stuck behind Andre Drummond. The Cavaliers would probably love to trade Drummond and hand the starting center job over to the younger Allen, but his upside will be limited until that happens.
