This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The NBA sends off the last Friday of the regular season in style with 10 games on the schedule. Several tanking teams will be in action, leaving a lot of opportunities to find value on the slate. Here are some players to target and avoid on Yahoo to hopefully end the night with a winning lineup.
GUARDS
Ben Simmons, PHI vs. CLE ($44): The Sixers are on a roll right now of winning 12 straight games despite dealing with injuries to Joel Embiid (eye) and Dario Saric (elbow). This is an important game Friday, as the Sixers are just half a game behind the Cavaliers for the third seed in the East. Embiid will be out again, and Saric is listed as questionable, so expect Simmons to see increased usage in their absences. Add that in with his ability to contribute in rebounds and assists, and Simmons can provide value even as the most expensive guard Friday.
Danuel House, PHO vs. NO ($10): The Suns are going to have very little depth at guard Friday with Devin Booker (hand), Elfrid Payton (knee) and Troy Daniels (ankle) unlikely to play. House has played at least 25 minutes in three straight games, scoring at least 19.6 Yahoo points in each contest. The Suns and Pelicans play at the two fastest paces in the league, leaving House with added opportunities to produce. It's hard to pass him up at the minimum price.
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Guard to Avoid
Jimmy Butler, MIN at LAL ($40): Butler (knee) hasn't played in more than a month, but he's inching closer to a return. He was active for Thursday's game against the Nuggets, but he did not make it onto the floor. The Timberwolves suffered a tough loss and are now tied for the eighth seed in the West, so Butler might try to play Friday. Even if he does, he'll likely see limited minutes. Don't pay the premium price required to get him into your lineup.
FORWARDS
Josh Jackson, PHO vs. NO ($31): Not only will the Suns be thin at guard, but T.J. Warren (knee) is unlikely to play Friday as well. Jackson has stepped up as the primary offensive weapon with the Suns battling injuries, resulting in him scoring at least 31.2 Yahoo points in nine straight games. Considering the up-tempo pace at which this game likely will be played, Jackson should be in line for another valuable performance.
Anthony Tolliver, DET vs. DAL ($13):Blake Griffin (ankle) is unlikely to play Friday and might be shut down for the season with the Pistons already eliminated from playoff contention. Tolliver has done an excellent job filling in for Griffin, scoring at least 24.4 Yahoo points in all four games that he has missed. The Mavericks are dealing with injuries and a suspension in their frontcourt, leaving them even thinner than normal. Tolliver has significant upside at this price.
Forward to Avoid
Taurean Prince, ATL at WAS ($21): Prince (back) is listed as questionable for Friday, and with the Hawks tanking hard down the stretch, they might sit him out. Prince hasn't played more than 27 minutes in any of his last four games as it is, scoring 29.2 Yahoo points or fewer in each contest. His ceiling isn't high enough to be worth the risk Friday.
CENTERS
Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN at LAL ($44): Towns has had some big performances lately in an effort to get the Timberwolves into the playoffs, scoring at least 44.4 Yahoo points in seven of his last nine games. He posted a season-high 26.1 percent usage rate in March with Butler sidelined and likely will continue to be the Timberwolves main offensive threat even if Butler does return in a limited role Friday. The Lakers play at the third-fastest pace (102.6 possessions per game) and are tied for the fifth-most points allowed per game (109.7) in the league, making Towns someone to consider for your entry.
Kyle O'Quinn, NY vs. MIA ($19):Enes Kanter (back) is unlikely to play Friday and might not play again this season. O'Quinn has played very well in his absence, scoring at least 31.5 Yahoo points in back-to-back contests. He logged at least 29 minutes in both of those games and should continue to get plenty of minutes Friday, making him a strong candidate to consider at this reasonable price.
Center to Avoid
Myles Turner, IND at TOR ($21): Turner has had a disappointing season in general, but he's really finishing poorly, scoring 19.9 Yahoo points or fewer in four of his last seven games. He's been particularly bad on the boards, grabbing three rebounds or fewer in four of his last five contests. O'Quinn is two dollars cheaper and has far higher upside right now, so it might be best to avoid Turner again Friday.
