This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Saturday brings a fairly quiet slate in the NBA with only seven games, six of which make up main contest on Yahoo. Even though there aren't a ton of games, there are plenty of great options across the price scale. Let's dig in and examine some players to target and avoid as you create what will hopefully be a winning entry.
GUARDS
James Harden, HOU vs. SA ($56): Harden is on top of his game right now, scoring at least 51.8 Yahoo points in six of his last seven games. Now that Chris Paul (hamstring) is out, he's only going to get more opportunities to stuff the state sheet. Across five previous games that Paul missed this season, Harden averaged 62.9 Yahoo points. Don't hesitate to pay up to get him into your lineup.
Fred VanVleet, TOR at PHI ($14): VanVleet shined in another start for Kyle Lowry (thigh) on Friday against the Cavaliers, scoring 41 Yahoo points in 38 minutes. He's started three games since Lowry went down, scoring at least 26.9 Yahoo points in each contest. The Sixers play at the eighth-fastest pace (102.3 possessions per game) in the league, so the added playing time could really pay off for VanVleet in this matchup.
Guard to Avoid
Dennis Schroder, OKC at UTA ($19): Schroder has proven to be a key addition for the Thunder. They desperately needed to add some scoring punch to their bench and Schroder also stepped in and played well when Westbrook was injured early in the season. However, with Westbrook now healthy, Schroder's upside is limited. He's scored 18.7 Yahoo points or fewer in four of his last seven games, so it might be wise to keep him out of your entry.
FORWARDS
Trevor Ariza, WAS vs. PHO ($24): The Wizards have lost both games since acquiring Ariza from the Suns, one of which was against the Hawks. He's certainly not the reason for their struggles, though, and scored at least 35.7 Yahoo points in both contests. The absence of Otto Porter Jr. (knee) has forced Ariza to play heavy minutes right away, leaving him with a high floor considering the Wizards play at the seventh-fastest pace (103.2).
OG Anunoby, TOR at PHI ($10): Lowry won't be the only key player on the sidelines for the Raptors on Saturday. Kawhi Leonard won't play in the second game of their back-to-back set and Danny Green (knee) and Serge Ibaka (knee) also might not be able to take the floor. Even if both of them do play, the absences of Lowry and Leonard should open up a huge opportunity for Anunoby, who scored 32.6 Yahoo points in a start Friday.
Forward to Avoid
Kevin Durant, GS vs. DAL ($48): Durant put the Warriors on his back during a stretch when Stephen Curry and Draymond Green were injured, but the Warriors have all four of their star quartet healthy right now. Durant is still playing extremely well, but his upside isn't as high as it was when those two were on the sidelines. With 40.9 Yahoo points or fewer in five of his last six games, paying up for Durant might not be the best move for your budget.
CENTERS
Clint Capela, HOU vs. SA ($32): Capela has been an important part of the Rockets' recent strong play, scoring at least 41.4 Yahoo points in four of his last five games. Harden and Eric Gordon are the main beneficiaries of Paul being out, but Capela also averaged 39.8 Yahoo points over the first five games that Paul has missed. He's also had plenty of success against the Spurs in two previous meetings this year, scoring 37.9 and 57.9 Yahoo points, respectively.
Deandre Ayton, PHO at WAS ($24): The Suns are still one of the worst teams in the league, but they've actually won four straight games. Ayton has been extremely productive of late, scoring at least 32.2 Yahoo points in six of his last seven contests. He's averaging a double-double (16 points and 10.4 rebounds per game) for the season, which leaves him with a high floor despite his lack of defensive contributions. This could be an opportunity for him to shine against the Wizards, who have to play small up front without Dwight Howard (back). They have allowed the sixth-most Yahoo points per game (49.9) to opposing centers.
Center to Avoid
Bam Adebayo, MIA vs. MIL ($18): Adebayo has shown that he can be productive when given extended playing time. The problem is, those instances are few and far between as long as Hassan Whiteside is healthy. He hasn't logged more than 26 minutes in any of the three games since Whiteside returned from the birth of his child, which resulted in Adebayo scoring 26.3 Yahoo points or fewer in each contest. Since he doesn't come at much of a discount, buyer beware.
