This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The NBA is back in full force Friday with 11 games on the schedule. With plenty of players from whom to pick, here are some of the best options you'll want to consider for your Yahoo entry.
GUARDS
Lou Williams, LAC at CLE ($21): As the Clippers have dealt with injuries to Patrick Beverley (knee) and Danilo Gallinari (hip), Williams has seen increased playing time. He has played at least 36 minutes in each of his last three games, scoring at least 44.9 Yahoo points twice. Beverley is doubtful, and Gallinari already has been ruled out of this game, so look for Williams to keep things rolling based on the Cavaliers' struggles to defend opposing guards.
Spencer Dinwiddie, BKN vs. UTA ($13): Dinwiddie started Tuesday against the Boston Celtics with D'Angelo Russell (knee) out, scoring 34.1 Yahoo points. With Russell expected to fbe out again Friday, Dinwiddie should play big minutes again. He has played at least 29 minutes in a game three times this season, scoring at least 34.1 Yahoo points in each game. He can provide tremendous value at this price.
Guard to Avoid
Russell Westbrook, OKC at SA ($58): Westbrook is the most expensive guard of the day, but has scored no more than 49.7 Yahoo points in each of his last eight games. The Spurs allow the fewest Yahoo points per game (35.7) to opposing point guards, so Friday might not be the day to pay up for Westbrook.
FORWARDS
Anthony Davis, NO at DEN ($58): Other than one game where Davis left early due to injury, the 36.5 Yahoo points he scored Wednesday against the Toronto Raptors was his lowest total this season. He's averaging a whopping 52.2 Yahoo points per game and has scored at least 60.0 Yahoo points five times. The Nuggets allow the ninth-most Yahoo points per game (47.0) to opposing power forwards, so Davis looks primed for more elite production.
Derrick Favors, UTA at BKN ($20): Favors continues to start at center in place of Rudy Gobert (knee) and has scored at least 34.5 Yahoo points in two of the last three games. One of those games came against these same Nets when he scored 46.4 Yahoo points. That's no coincidence, as the Nets are allowing the third-most Yahoo points per game (57.8) to opposing centers. Expect big numbers again Friday.
Forward to Avoid
James Johnson, MIA at WAS ($23): Johnson has provided some great all-around performances this season but has struggled lately, as he has scored 19.6 Yahoo points or less in three straight games. Not only did he shoot 31.3 percent from the field, but he failed to grab more than three rebounds and two assists in any of those games. He only scored 8.4 Yahoo points Wednesday against these same Wizards, so keep him out of your lineup.
CENTERS
Jusuf Nurkic, POR at SAC ($31): Regardless of the price, you want to play centers against the Kings, as they are allowing the most Yahoo points per game (61.3) to the position. They allowed 20 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks Wednesday to Dewayne Dedmon. Nurkic has the 17th best usage rate (29.0 percent) in the NBA, so the sky's the limit in this game.
Jonas Valanciunas, TOR vs. NY ($17): The only problem with Valanciunas is that he struggles to get playing time. While he's only averaging 22.1 Yahoo points per game this season, he has scored at least 28.6 Yahoo points in all four games where he played at least 24 minutes. Expect him to get extended run against a big Knicks front court, giving him value at this cheap price.
Center to Avoid
Marcin Gortat, WAS vs. MIA ($21): Gortat has only scored 14.9 Yahoo points or less in four of his last five games. He recorded just two points and five rebounds against Hassan Whiteside and the Heat Wednesday, which is no easy matchup. Stay away from using him again in this game.
