This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Get ready for a couple of great games in the NBA on Friday with the Bucks hosting the Nuggets and the Mavericks taking on the Rockets. In total, we have seven games to choose from in DFS. Here are some players to consider for your Yahoo entry, as well as a few to avoid.
GUARDS
Jrue Holiday, NO vs. MEM ($32): Scoring should not be hard to come by in this game with both the Pelicans and Grizzlies ranked inside the top-six in the league in pace of play. Holiday is coming off of a monster performance against the Cavaliers in which he scored 62.4 Yahoo points, giving him at least 35.5 Yahoo points in five of his last six contests. With his ability to contribute in so many different areas, Holiday's not only one of the top guards to target but also one of the top players to pursue at any position.
Jalen Brunson, DAL at HOU ($10): The big news here is that Luka Doncic (ankle) is out. During a four-game stretch that Doncic missed earlier this season, Brunson averaged 13.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 9.5 assists. Add in the Rockets playing at the second-fastest pace in the league and Brunson is too good to pass up at the minimum price.
Guard to Avoid
Bruce Brown, DET vs. TOR ($16): Outside of Luke Kennard (knee), the Pistons are well-staffed at guard. That's not good news for Brown, who has logged 26 minutes or fewer in six of his last seven games. While a trade might open up more playing time for him down the stretch, he's not worth deploying in DFS as things currently stand.
FORWARDS
Kristaps Porzingis, DAL at HOU ($29): Porzingis has logged limited minutes since his return from a knee injury, which hasn't been great for his production. The Mavericks haven't played since Tuesday, so he's had some added time to rest. With Doncic out, Porzingis is now the primary scoring option on the team. Across the four games Doncic missed earlier in the season, Porzingis averaged 22.5 points, 13.8 rebounds and 2.8 blocks.
Brandon Clarke, MEM at NO ($18): A confrontation broke out towards the end of the Grizzlies' game against the Knicks on Wednesday, which has resulted in Jaren Jackson Jr. receiving a one-game suspension. That could push Clarke into a starting role. He's already averaged 11.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, 0.8 steals and 0.9 blocks in just 23 minutes a night over his last 10 games, so any added playing time could be huge.
Forward to Avoid
Josh Hart, NO vs. MEM ($16): With the Pelicans the healthiest they have been in a while, Hart has returned to a limited role off the bench. As a result, he's scored 20 Yahoo points or fewer in three of his last five games. If you're looking for a small forward in this price range, it might be better to deploy Trevor Ariza ($16), who is locked into significantly more playing time with the Blazers.
CENTERS
Nikola Jokic, DEN at MIL ($45): As far as impressive performances go, what Jokic did against the Jazz on Thursday is right up there. He finished with 28 points, four rebounds, 10 assists and three steals while having to battle with Rudy Gobert, who represents the best defensive center in the league. Jokic has been carrying the Nuggets with Jamal Murray (ankle) out, scoring at least 44.1 Yahoo points in seven of the last eight games. Expect him to also offer a high floor in this contest.
Serge Ibaka, TOR at DET ($23): Ibaka started at center Thursday is place of Marc Gasol (hamstring), which resulted in him playing 33 minutes. He didn't let the opportunity go to waste by scoring 37.3 Yahoo points. There has been no official word yet on Gasol for this matchup with the Pistons, but Ibaka is a great option at such a reasonable price if the Spaniard is sidelined again.
Center to Avoid
Steven Adams, OKC at PHO ($20): Adams is battling an ankle injury, which has limited him to 26 minutes or fewer in three straight games. He didn't score more than 25.1 Yahoo points in any of those contests. The Thunder don't need to push him with the very competent Nerlens Noel coming off the bench, so there's a strong possibility Adams remains limited in this contest.
