The NBA starts off April in style with 10 games on the schedule Friday. One of those will be a showdown between two of the best teams in the Western Conference when the Grizzlies host the Suns. Memphis will likely be rolling with a compromised squad since several of their key rotation players are not expected to take the floor. The Bucks and Clippers will face off after both going to overtime against their respective opponents Thursday. That means both could decide to rest players, so be sure to monitor the injury reports throughout the day. The Lakers and Pelicans will battle in a matchup between two teams angling for play-in spots and LA could receive a big boost with LeBron James (ankle) and Anthony Davis (foot) both trending towards playing. Let’s discuss some players to consider for your Yahoo lineups, as well as a few to possibly avoid.
GUARDS
Davion Mitchell, SAC at HOU ($25): De’Aaron Fox (hand) hasn’t officially been ruled out for the season, but it would be a surprise if he takes the floor again. He won’t go tonight, which would mark his seventh straight absence. Mitchell has been playing a lot in place of Fox, which has propelled him to produce at least 36.7 Yahoo points in five straight games.
Jalen Green, HOU vs. SAC ($23): Like Mitchell, Green’s production has been helped down the stretch due to teammates’ injuries with Christian Wood (hamstring), Eric Gordon (groin) and Dennis Schroder (shoulder) done for the year. Green has scored at least 25 points in each of the last three games, including 32 against these same Kings on Wednesday.
Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green dribbles during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs, Monday, March 28, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Guard to Avoid
Russell Westbrook, LAL vs. NO ($32): Westbrook has provided reliable production of late with at least 41.6 Yahoo points in five of his last seven games. But Anthony Davis missed all of those outings while LeBron James was…