This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
There are 10 games in the NBA on Saturday, but two of them have early start times, leaving eight games to make up the main evening slate on Yahoo. There's still a ton of options to choose from, so let's examine some players to target and avoid to hopefully create a winning lineup.
GUARDS
Klay Thompson, GS vs. BKN ($27): The Warriors will be without two of their top players with Stephen Curry (groin) and Draymond Green (toe) ruled out. Curry's loss might have the biggest impact on Thompson, who will now be counted on to shoulder more of the offensive load. He scored 40.1 Yahoo points Thursday against the Bucks when Curry suffered the injury and could be a steal at this price Saturday.
Quinn Cook, GS vs. BKN ($10): Not only is Curry out, but Shaun Livingston (foot) won't play in this contest, either. Expect Cook to move into the starting five, leaving him with plenty of upside at the minimum price. Across 18 games in which Cook started last year, he averaged 14.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.2 three-pointers. It also helps that the Warriors play at the 10th-fastest pace (103.2 possessions per game) in the league.
Guard to Avoid
J.J. Redick, PHI at MEM ($20): Redick is averaging 17.2 points per game, which is impressive considering he's shooting a miserable 38.6 percent from the field. While that should increase as the season wears on, this is not a great matchup against a Grizzlies team that has allowed the fewest points per game (100.6). Redick also doesn't provide much in the way of rebounds, assists or defensive stats, which has limited him to 24.4 Yahoo points or fewer in six straight games.
FORWARDS
Paul George, OKC at DAL ($44):Russell Westbrook (ankle) will be out again Saturday, marking the third straight game in which he has missed. George has been the focal point of the Thunder's offense during Westbrook's absence, although he shot a combined 14-for-37 (37.8 percent) across those two games. However, that didn't stop him from scoring 58.2 Yahoo points Thursday against the Rockets. The Thunder play at the eighth-fastest pace (103.6), which will once again leave George with tremendous upside.
Davis Bertans, SA vs. HOU ($10): Injuries continue to dominate the headlines Saturday with the Spurs being no exception. Rudy Gay (heel) and Pau Gasol (foot) will both be sidelined, marking the second straight contest that they both have missed. Bertans didn't start Wednesday against the Heat, but he scored 31.3 Yahoo points in 26 minutes. It wouldn't be surprising for him to receive similar playing time against the Rockets, leaving him with the potential to be a bargain at the minimum price.
Forward to Avoid
Markieff Morris, WAS at MIA ($17): The Wizards have dealt with their fair share of injuries up front this season, but they are finally healthy now. While that might be good news for the team, in general, it's certainly had a negative impact on Morris' production. With 15.4 Yahoo points or fewer in four of his last five games, Morris isn't exactly an appealing option at this time.
CENTERS
Steven Adams, OKC at DAL ($29): Adams is off to a great start, averaging career-highs in points (14) and rebounds (10.5) per game. He's also been stellar on the defensive end with 1.5 steals and 1.2 blocks per contest. That shouldn't come as much of a surprise considering he's averaged at least 1.1 steals and one block in both of the previous two seasons. The Thunder play him a ton, which has helped him score at least 33.1 Yahoo points in all but two games this season.
Wendell Carter Jr., CHI vs. CLE ($24): The Bulls wasted no time throwing their rookie into the fire, making him a part of the starting five right out of the gate. He's had a few tough matchups, but he's settled in to score at least 31.5 Yahoo points in seven straight games. Not only does he have three straight double-doubles, but he's been stellar defensively by averaging two blocks per contest, overall. The Cavaliers are riddled with injuries and playing poorly, making Carter a great cost-effective option.
Center to Avoid
Dwight Howard, WAS at MIA ($30): The return of Howard hasn't exactly helped the Wizards. They've lost three of the four games he's played in this season, which included losses to the Magic and Mavericks. He hasn't been terrible, but Howard has scored 28 Yahoo points or fewer in each of his last three games. Adams and Carter haven proven to have higher upsides so far and are both cheaper, making it hard to justify taking a chance on Howard.
