This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
There are a ton of top-tier options available in DFS on Saturday with the Warriors, Rockets, Pelicans, Bucks and Sixers all set to take the floor. With a total of seven games making up the main slate on Yahoo, there are also some cheaper choices that could prove profitable. Let's examine some players to target and avoid as you create your lineup.
GUARDS
James Harden, HOU at POR ($58): Harden is playing out of his mind right now. He's scored at least 41 points in five straight games and has posted triple-doubles in both of his last two contests. With Chris Paul (hamstring) out, he's also logged at least 37 minutes in seven straight games. The absence of Eric Gordon (knee) has thrust even more of the offensive load onto Harden's shoulders. Even at this lofty price, it's hard to pass up on Harden considering his tremendous upside.
T.J. McConnell, PHI vs. DAL ($10): McConnell certainly isn't a flashy option. Playing alongside Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and Jimmy Butler (illness) doesn't leave him with many scoring opportunities, but he's at least been efficient by shooting 55.9 percent from the field. Add in his ability to provide value with assists and steals and McConnell has averaged 24 Yahoo points across his last six games. On a night with so many stars in action, rolling with McConnell at this cheap price might be worth the risk in tournament play based on how much he frees up the rest of your budget.
Guard to Avoid
Fred VanVleet, TOR at MIL ($18):Kyle Lowry (back) has missed nine of his last 10 games and is listed as doubtful for Saturday. VanVleet has assumed his spot in the starting five and averaged 29 minutes per contest. However, the increased playing time hasn't resulted in VanVleet being more productive. He enters this game having scored 27.5 Yahoo points or fewer in six straight, so since he doesn't come at a significant discount, it might be best to pass on him.
FORWARDS
Luka Doncic, DAL at PHI ($33): Doncic has cooled off a bit, but he's still scored at least 32.8 Yahoo points in 10 of his last 11 games. His 27.4 percent usage rate leaves him with a high floor, especially when you factor in his averages of 6.6 rebounds, five assists and one steal per game. The Sixers play at the seventh-fastest pace (102.9 possessions per game) in the league, which should leave Doncic with even more opportunities to stuff the stat sheet.
Moe Harkless, POR vs. HOU ($13): Harkless certainly doesn't stand out in terms of his production for the season, overall, with averages of 6.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and one block per game. However, he's rolling right now with at least 28.1 Yahoo points in four straight contests. He's been a monster defensively during that stretch, averaging two steals and 2.3 blocks. With the Rockets deploying a lot of small lineups, this is another great opportunity for Harkless to play expanded minutes and provide value at such a cheap price.
Forward to Avoid
Joe Ingles, UTA at DET ($19): The Jazz have been involved in a lot of one-sided games lately, which hasn't left Ingles with a ton of playing time. In fact, he's logged 29 minutes or fewer in four of his last seven games. That's left him with a few ugly stat lines, including two performances with under 20 Yahoo points. Even when the Jazz are able to keep things close, Ingles doesn't have a ton of upside with his 17.7 percent usage rate, making him a somewhat risky option.
CENTERS
Anthony Davis, NO at CLE ($58): Davis returned from missing one game due to an illness to destroy the Nets for 82.2 Yahoo points Wednesday. The Nets are one of the worst teams in the league at defending against centers, so it's not all that surprising that Davis dominated. The Cavaliers do have Tristan Thompson back for his foot injury, but Davis still has one of the highest floors of anyone in DFS, making him a prime target despite his price tag.
Kevon Looney, GS at SAC ($10): As the Warriors await the return of DeMarcus Cousins (Achilles), Looney remains a member of their starting five. He obviously doesn't receive a lot of scoring opportunities playing with such a stat-studded unit, but that hasn't stopped him from scoring at least 20 Yahoo points in six of his last seven games. The Kings struggle to defend up front, allowing the most Yahoo points per game (59.5) to opposing centers across their last 10 contests. When these two teams last met, Looney scored 24.1 Yahoo points, leaving him as a viable tournament play option.
Center to Avoid
Serge Ibaka, TOR at MIL ($22): Ibaka is slumping at the moment with 28.1 Yahoo points or fewer in four of five games since returning from injury. Normally an efficient shooter, Ibaka went only 22-for-57 (38.6 percent) from the field during that stretch. With so many other great options on the board, Ibaka's price tag might not warrant taking a chance on this being the game he breaks out of his slump since the Bucks allow the ninth-fewest points per game (107.8) in the league.
