This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The NBA brings eight games to the table Saturday, seven of which make up the main slate on Yahoo. With injuries and teams resting players down the stretch, it is wild times in the DFS. Let's try to make the path to success a little easier by highlighting some players to target and avoid while you create your entry.
GUARDS
Damian Lillard, POR vs. DET ($45): Lillard is already one of the best offensive forces in the league with his 29.5 percent usage rate that ranks inside the top-20. The Blazers need him even more now with C.J. McCollum (knee) on the shelf. Over the two games that McCollum has missed, Lillard has scored 60.9 and 62 Yahoo points, respectively. With the ball in his hands even more, he dished out at least 12 assists in both contests. He has a tremendously high ceiling again Saturday.
Shaquille Harrison, CHI vs. UTA ($11): This could be a really ugly game for the Bulls. Otto Porter Jr. (shoulder) is listed as doubtful, Zach LaVine (thigh) will be a game-time decision and Kris Dunn (back) is questionable. With Porter and LaVine out Wednesday against the Wizards, Harrison scored 36.2 Yahoo points across 39 minutes. If any combination of Porter, LaVine and Dunn can't play, Harrison is once again lined up for heavy playing time. At this price, he could be well worth the risk in tournament play.
Guard to Avoid
Dwyane Wade, MIA at WAS ($19): Wade can have the occasional highly-productive game, but he's largely been average with 26.9 Yahoo points or fewer in six of his last nine contests. This time of year, cheap options come out of the woodwork in DFS with teams resting players or battling injuries. Not only is Harrison in play for this slate, but Tyus Jones ($18), Delon Wright ($16) and Troy Brown ($12) are just a few of the players who are cheaper than Wade who at least present similar upside. Don't pay up for Wade.
FORWARDS
Marvin Bagley III, SAC vs. PHO ($27): The Kings playoff hopes are on life support since they currently sit six games back of the eighth seed. Bagley is doing his best to try and help them pull off a miracle, which has resulted in him scoring at least 36.4 Yahoo points in three straight games. Even though he comes off the bench, the combination of his 23.4 percent usage rate and the Kings playing at the fastest pace (104.5 possessions per game) still makes him a great target against the lowly Suns.
Justin Jackson, DAL at GS ($10): The Mavericks shallow depth chart took yet another blow last week when Tim Hardaway Jr. (lower leg) was ruled out for the season. In his first game as a member of the starting five, Jackson scored 25.5 Yahoo points across 33 minutes. That was coming on the heels of scoring 27.3 Yahoo points over 34 minutes against the Blazers. With secure playing time now in hand, Jackson could be a steal at the minimum price.
Forward to Avoid
Harrison Barnes, SAC vs. PHO ($19): The return of Bagley from injury hasn't hurt Barnes' playing time since he has logged at least 30 minutes in five straight games. However, his production has suffered, leaving him to score 27.9 Yahoo points or fewer in four straight contests. With so many viable cheaper options, this might not be the night to add Barnes to your entry.
CENTERS
Jonas Valanciunas, MEM vs. MIN ($23): Valanciunas mauled the Magic with Mike Conley Jr. (rest) out Friday, recording 23 points, 24 rebounds, three assists and four blocks. Even if Conley does return for the second game of the Grizzlies' back-to-back set, Valaciunas has thrived with him on the floor, as well. After scoring 37.1 Yahoo points in five of his last six contests, Valanciunas is a stellar option against a Timberwolves team that has allowed an average of 120.7 points across their last 15 games.
Thomas Bryant, WAS vs. MIA ($11): With the Wizards close to being eliminated from the playoffs, they decided to insert Bryant into the starting five against the Nuggets on Thursday. He cashed in with 37.6 Yahoo points across 35 minutes. He's expected to start alongside Bobby Portis moving forward, so Bryant should continue to see added playing. That's huge since the Wizards play at the ninth-fastest pace (102.4). This isn't exactly an ideal matchup against a good Heat defense, but Bryant is still worth a look in tournament play.
Center to Avoid
Robin Lopez, CHI vs. UTA ($20): Lopez laid an egg against the Wizards on Wednesday with just 9.9 Yahoo points across 31 minutes. However, he had scored at least 31.9 Yahoo points in three of his previous four games, so he's not exactly struggling. The problem is, he's not that cheap anymore and is faced with a tough matchup against Rudy Gobert. Valaciunas has a higher upside and is only three dollars more expensive, so it's hard to make an argument to play Lopez over him.
