This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
After a packed Friday, the NBA quiets down with only four games on the schedule Saturday. Just three of those will make up the main evening slate on Yahoo, leaving us with even fewer options to pick from. As we try to make the best of a small slate, here are some players to target, as well as a few to avoid, while compiling your entry.
GUARDS
Russell Westbrook, HOU vs. ATL ($42): The Rockets are likely to be shorthanded for this game with Clint Capela (illness) and Danuel House Jr. (illness) both listed as doubtful. That will place even more responsibility on Westbrook and James Harden to be productive. With the Hawks allowing the fourth-most points per game in the league and Westbrook priced $16 cheaper than Harden, he could provide significant value.
Jeremy Lamb, IND at PHI ($22): The Pacers are finally healthy. They've played the bulk of their season missing at least a starter or two, which included a stretch in which Lamb missed seven straight games. He's quickly returned to his productive ways, scoring at least 31.8 Yahoo points in two of his last three games. He's averaging 32 Yahoo points per game for the season, overall, making him appealing at this reasonable price.
Guard to Avoid
Aaron Holiday, IND at PHI ($15): The flip side of the Pacers getting healthy is that Holiday no longer has a prominent role. He's logged 17 and 14 minutes, respectively, across his last two games and finished with single-digit Yahoo points in both contests. Although he's not overly expensive, his limited upside makes him someone to avoid.
FORWARDS
Jabari Parker, ATL at HOU ($28): Parker recorded a rare offensive dud against the Pacers on Friday, scoring only four points on 1-for-8 shooting from the field. However, he still scored 26 Yahoo points on the strength of 10 rebounds and three steals. He's the second-best scoring option on the Hawks behind Trae Young and will continue to start with John Collins suspended, leaving him with a relatively high floor.
Ben McLemore, HOU vs. ATL ($10): If you're looking to go with a stars-and-scrubs approach for this small slate, taking a chance on McLemore might not be a bad idea. If House is indeed out, McLemore should enter the starting five. Across his four previous starts this season, he's averaged 15.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 31 minutes a night. The added playing time is key since the Rockets have played at the second-fastest pace in the league.
Forward to Avoid
T.J. Warren, IND at PHI ($19): Warren is one of the few members of the Pacers' starting five who has been able to stay healthy this season. With that being said, he's still only averaging 26.2 Yahoo points a game. The problem is that outside of the scoring column, his contributions are limited with him averaging only 3.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. This is not a good matchup for him against a Sixers team that has allowed the fourth-fewest points per game.
CENTERS
Myles Turner, IND at PHI ($22): This slate has the potential to be downright awful at center. The Sixers just played Friday, so there is a chance that Joel Embiid is rested for the second game of their back-to-back set. With Capela also unlikely to play, that leaves Turner as the next best option. While his scoring upside isn't great, he's recorded at least three blocks in six straight games. If Embiid sits, Turner is probably the safest option left at the position.
Bismack Biyombo, CHA at MIL ($12): The key here will be the status of Cody Zeller (hip). He's missed the last two games and his status is still uncertain for Saturday. Biyombo started both of the previous two games that Zeller missed, scoring 37.3 and 29.8 Yahoo points, respectively. Just as important is the fact that he played 34 minutes in each contest. At this price, he could provide excellent value if Zeller is out again.
Center to Avoid
Brook Lopez, MIL vs. CHA ($19): How bad is center for this slate? If Embiid, Capela and Zeller are all out, only three players will be above the minimum price, including Biyombo at just $12. That makes it hard to say to flat out avoid Lopez, but he has limited upside having scored 29.4 Yahoo points or fewer in five straight games. If Zeller is out, it might be best to just save the seven dollars and go with Biyombo. However, if Zeller does play, I'm not nearly as down on Lopez because the remaining options behind him and Turner would be bad.
