This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Saturday brings a packed slate in the NBA with nine games on the schedule. However, due to a few early start times, only six of them will make up the main slate on Yahoo. There are still a lot of great options to consider, so let's highlight some players to target and avoid when crafting your entry.
GUARDS
Shaquille Harrison, CHI vs. TOR ($19): The Bulls depth chart looks like a wasteland right now. Lauri Markkanen (illness), Otto Porter Jr. (shoulder) and Kris Dunn (back) have all been ruled out for this game and Zach LaVine (thigh) is listed as doubtful. With nothing left to play for, expect LaVine to sit this one out. Harrison is a steals machine who has taken advantage of added playing time by scoring at least 27.8 Yahoo points in four straight games. With a high minute's floor, Harrison could provide plenty of value.
Wayne Selden Jr., CHI vs. TOR ($11): Selden has started the last two games for the Bulls and logged at least 34 minutes in both contests. That's made him a fantasy relevant option since he scored 30.4 and 32.4 Yahoo points, respectively. He's one of the more established healthy players on the team right now, so he should play a lot in this matchup.
Guard to Avoid
Kyle Lowry, TOR at CHI ($28): With this lopsided matchup on tap, the Raptors have decided to give Kawhi Leonard another night off. While Lowry is expected to take the floor, don't look for him to play much. He only logged 21 minutes when these two teams met Tuesday, which limited him to 23.4 Yahoo points. Spend elsewhere.
FORWARDS
Jimmy Butler, PHI at MIN ($34): Speaking of resting players, the Sixers have decided to give Joel Embiid the night off against the lowly Timberwolves. The last time these two teams met in Philadelphia, the Sixers won by 42 points. Butler was excellent in that game with 35.6 Yahoo points in just 28 minutes. This will be Butler's first game in Minnesota since the trade and he's already talked about how he is going to relish being booed by the home crowd. With added scoring opportunities, this has the makings of a big performance.
Bruno Caboclo, MEM at PHO ($15): Injuries to the Grizzlies' frontcourt have opened up added playing time for Caboclo down the stretch. He's shown plenty of promise, scoring at least 45.2 Yahoo points in back-to-back contests. There won't be any reinforcements coming for the Grizzlies on Saturday, so look for Caboclo to thrive against a Suns team that is tied for the third-most points allowed per game (116.3) in the league.
Forward to Avoid
Damyean Dotson, NY vs. MIA ($20): The Knicks' rotations have been tough to gauge, so starting just about anyone on their roster comes with some risk. Dotson has started to see his production decline of late with 23.6 Yahoo points or fewer in four of his last five games. With the Heat playing at the seventh-slowest pace (98.6 possessions per game) and allowing the third-fewest points per game (105.8), it's hard to get excited about Dotson at this price.
CENTERS
Jonas Valanciunas, MEM at PHO ($32): Valanciunas is on the injury report for this game with abdominal soreness, but the good news is that he's listed as probable. He's taken off since being traded to the Grizzlies and has scored at least 41.3 Yahoo points in five straight games. The Suns have allowed the sixth-most Yahoo points per game (42.1) to opposing centers, so don't hesitate to deploy Valanciunas if he plays.
Mitchell Robinson, NY vs. MIA ($18): Robinson has scored at least 37 Yahoo points in three of his last four games, logging a double-double and at least two blocks in each of those contests. The only time he didn't produce was when he played just 14 minutes against the Clippers on Sunday. The Knicks decided to give DeAndre Jordan extended run against his old team, so don't be too worried about Robinson's reduced role in that matchup. With his upside, he could be a steal at this price.
Center to Avoid
Marc Gasol, TOR at CHI ($21): Like Lowry, Gasol is another Raptors' veteran who could see limited playing time in this game. He only logged 20 minutes when these teams last met and actually hasn't played more than 23 minutes in any of their last three contests. He doesn't come at much of a discount, so it might be best to take a chance on Robinson and his upside if you want to save a few bucks at center.
