Yahoo DFS Basketball: Friday Picks

Yahoo DFS Basketball: Friday Picks

This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.

Buckle up for a wild Friday that brings 10 games in the NBA. That leaves us with a bevy of options to choose from on Yahoo, so let's get right down to business and discuss some players to target at each position, as well as a few to avoid.

GUARDS

Trae Young, ATL at WAS ($47): The Hawks couldn't pull out a win against the Rockets on Wednesday, but Young certainly wasn't the problem since he finished with 42 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists. Not only did he attempt 30 shots, but he went to the free-throw line 18 times. With a 34.7 percent usage rate that ranks fourth-highest in the league, Young could be in line for a monster performance against a Wizards' team that has allowed the most points per game.

Markelle Fultz, ORL at PHO ($19): Fultz has already started to step up his production lately, scoring at least 33.9 Yahoo points in three of his last five contests. Now the Magic could be facing the prospects of playing this game without D.J. Augustin (knee), who is listed as doubtful. To tip the scales even more in Fultz's favor, Michael Carter-Williams (shoulder) is also still out. Add in this excellent matchup against a Suns' side that has played at the ninth-fastest pace and Fultz could provide excellent value with increased playing time.

Guard to Avoid

Joe Harris, BKN vs. MIA ($17): Harris is an excellent floor spacer for the Nets and is averaging a career-high 14.5 points per game. The problem is, he provides very little in the way of assists and defensive stats. With an average of 24.2 Yahoo points per game for the season and a matchup against a good defensive team in the Heat, this might not be the night to roll with Harris.

FORWARDS

Brandon Ingram, NO at NY ($40): Ingram sprained his right pinky Wednesday against the Bulls, but X-rays came back clean and he's not even on the injury report for this contest against the Knicks. He's scored at least 55.1 Yahoo points in back-to-back games with Jrue Holiday (elbow) out and should once again have increased upside with Holiday set to miss his third straight matchup. While pricey, Ingram has the makings of one of the safest options on this slate at any position.

Josh Hart, NO at NY ($14): Holiday isn't the only player who will be missing from the Pelicans' depth chart. Kenrich Williams (back) has also been ruled out, which will only further shorten their rotations. With at least 29.7 Yahoo points in two of his last three games, Hart represents an excellent cost-effective option to target in tournament play.

Forward to Avoid

Cody Zeller, CHA at UTA ($16): Not much to see here. Zeller has been relegated to coming off the bench with Bismack Biyombo taking over as the starting center for the Hornets. The result has been Zeller scoring 25.6 Yahoo points or fewer in eight straight games. Combine his limited playing time with this matchup against a good defensive team and Zeller shouldn't be on your radar.

CENTERS

Bam Adebayo, MIA at BKN ($35): The Nets have once again experienced problems slowing down opposing centers, allowing the eighth-most Yahoo points per game to the position. Enter Adebayo, who is enjoying a breakout season with averages of 15.7 points, 10.6 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.2 blocks. He also scored 39.7 Yahoo points the last time these two teams met and should once again provide an extremely high floor.

Dwight Powell, DAL vs. LAL ($13): Powell has started to come alive of late, averaging 11.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.1 blocks across his last nine games. His playing time hasn't exactly been consistent this season, but he shouldn't have a problem getting added minutes here with Kristaps Porzingis (knee) already ruled out. If you want to fade Adebayo and spend up at other positions, Powell is someone to at least consider.

Center to Avoid

Jarrett Allen, BKN vs. MIA ($19): Allen has gone cold, scoring 22.1 Yahoo points or fewer in five of his last seven games. Having DeAndre Jordan behind him can sometimes complicate matters because the Nets have a viable option to turn to if Allen doesn't have it any particular night. When you also factor in that the Heat have allowed the third-fewest Yahoo points per game to opposing centers, Allen is just too risky to take a chance on during a slate with many other viable options.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Mike Barner plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: mbarner, DraftKings: mbarner51.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mike Barner
Mike started covering fantasy sports in 2007, joining RotoWire in 2010. In 2018, he was a finalist for the FSWA Basketball Writer of the Year award. Mike also won the 2022-23 FSGA NBA Experts Champions league. In addition to RotoWire, Mike has written for Sportsline, Sports Illustrated, DK Live, RealTime Fantasy Sports, Lineup Lab and KFFL.com.
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