This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
If you enjoyed the 10-game slate in the NBA on Friday, get ready for another fun night Saturday with nine games on the schedule. Eight of those contests will make up the main slate on Yahoo, leaving plenty of options to choose from for your entry. Here are some players to target and avoid to hopefully finish with some extra money in your pocket.
GUARDS
Mike Conley, MEM vs. LAL ($35): Conley has come back with a vengeance after injuries limited him to just 12 games last year. He's averaging a career-high 20.6 points per game on the strength of his 28.2 percent usage rate. While his scoring numbers are impressive, he's also chipped in 3.5 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 1.1 steals per contest. The Lakers play at the fourth-fastest pace (104.2 possessions per game) in the league, which should leave Conley with even more opportunities to stuff the stat sheet Saturday.
Alec Burks, CLE vs. WAS ($10): Burks had his best game as a Cavalier on Friday against the Kings, scoring 44.9 Yahoo points. He was productive across the board with 22 points, seven rebounds, nine assists and one steal. The key to his success might have been the fact that he logged 38 minutes in that contest. The Cavaliers just traded away George Hill, David Nwaba (knee) has missed seven straight games and Rodney Hood (foot) was also injured Friday, so Burks could have a clear path to significant playing time again Saturday. At the minimum price, he's a great option in tournament play against a Wizards team that plays at the sixth-fastest pace (103.7).
Guard to Avoid
Trae Young, ATL vs. DEN ($23): Young isn't exactly off to the best start. His 15.7 points and 7.3 assists per game are nice, but he's also averaging four turnovers a game while shooting 37.7 percent from the field. Add in his limited defensive contributions and Young has scored 23.8 Yahoo points or fewer in five of his last eight games. This isn't exactly a favorable matchups against a Nuggets team that allows the third-fewest points per game (103.8).
FORWARDS
John Collins, ATL vs. DEN ($28): There aren't a lot of reasons to get excited about the Hawks right now, but Collins does at least provide a jolt up front that they desperately needed. After missing the start of the season with an ankle injury, Collins is rolling with at least 35.7 Yahoo points in four of his last six games. He recorded a double-double in all four of those contests and is still worth considering Saturday despite the Nuggets' defensive prowess, especially with Paul Millsap (toe) injured.
Trey Lyles, DEN at ATL ($10): Millsap's brief tenure with the Nuggets has been marred by injuries. He only played in 38 games last season and now looks poised to miss an extended period of time due to a broken toe. During the stretch last year when Millsap missed 44 straight games, Lyles averaged 12.8 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.5 three-pointers per game. With the potential for added playing time and a matchup against a Hawks team that plays at the fastest pace (107.1), this could be a great opportunity to deploy Lyles for your entry.
Forward to Avoid
Marcus Morris, BOS at CHI ($18): Morris has been a steady contributor for the Celtics, but his fantasy upside is limited due to him averaging just 27 minutes a game. It also doesn't help that the Celtics are in the bottom-10 in the league in pace of play. He's scored 25 Yahoo points or fewer in nine of his last 11 games, making him an unappealing choice on a night with so many quality options.
CENTERS
Al Horford, BOS at CHI ($23): Horford doesn't normally have tremendous upside, but he has scored at least 40.3 Yahoo points in three of his last five games. Part of the reason why his price is still so low is that he scored 22.6 Yahoo points or fewer in the other two contests during that stretch. The Bulls allow the most Yahoo points per game to opposing centers (56.7), so it's not all that surprising that Horford scored 33.1 Yahoo points across just 20 minutes against them earlier this season. That game was in Boston, but this contest has the potential to be more competitive with Lauri Markkanen back and the Bulls playing much better at home.
Bam Adebayo, MIA at LAC ($10): Adebayo filled in for Hassan Whiteside (personal) on Friday and crushed the Suns for 43 Yahoo points. He wasn't exactly facing a tough opponent, but the Clippers struggle against centers, as well, allowing the fifth-most Yahoo points per game (52) to the position. If Whiteside doesn't return, it's hard to pass up on Adebayo at the minimum price.
Center to Avoid
JaVale McGee, LAL at MEM ($16): The Lakers have to be thrilled with the production that they have received from McGee. He barely touched the floor last year for the Warriors, but is averaging 24 minutes a game with his new squad. However, his playing time hasn't been as consistent since the Lakers signed Tyson Chandler, leaving McGee to score 19.4 Yahoo points or fewer in three of his last six games. If Whiteside is out again, it doesn't make much sense to roll with McGee when you can play Adebayo for six dollars fewer.
