This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Saturday brings eight games in the NBA, seven of which will make up the main evening slate on Yahoo. Several teams will be playing the second night of a back-to-back set, so be sure to keep your eye out for news since some players might be rested. As things currently stand, here are some players to target, and a few to avoid, while working your way through the options.
GUARDS
Ja Morant, MEM vs. WAS ($28): Morant recently missed some time with a back injury, so the Grizzlies decided to rest him against the Bucks on Friday. That should leave him fresh for what could be a high-scoring affair between two teams who have played inside the top-six in the league in pace of play. It will likely also help his cause that the Wizards have allowed the seventh-most Yahoo points per game to opposing point guards.
Ish Smith, WAS at MEM ($18): Smith has regained a spot in the starting five for the Wizards with Isaiah Thomas (calf) out. He's making a case to retain the job even when Thomas does return, averaging 15.3 points, two rebounds and 6.3 assists across four games. The Grizzlies have allowed the fourth-most Yahoo points per game to opposing point guards, setting up Smith to potentially be a steal at this price.
Guard to Avoid
Gary Harris, DEN vs. OKC ($15): On a slate with so many other viable options, Harris is someone that you can ignore. He has very little upside with all of depth that is around him on the Nuggets, leaving him to score 19.1 Yahoo points or fewer in five of his last six games. It also won't help his cause that both the Nuggets and the Thunder are inside the bottom-10 in the league in pace of play.
FORWARDS
Paul George, LAC at CHI ($38): Kawhi Leonard took the floor against the Timberwolves on Friday, so don't expect him to play in this game. Across the last five games that Leonard has missed, George has averaged 42.6 Yahoo points per contest. He should continue to receive added scoring chances in this matchup with the underwhelming Bulls, making him one of the safer options on the slate.
Davis Bertans, WAS at MEM ($22): Bertans is doing his best Stephen Curry impersonation by averaging six three-pointers across his last six games. That enabled him to score at least 34.4 Yahoo points in five of those contests. The Wizards will be even more shorthanded up front with Moritz Wagner (ankle) already ruled out, leaving Bertans to likely start at center and log a ton of minutes.
Forward to Avoid
OG Anunoby, TOR vs. BKN ($22): With his 15 percent usage rate, it's difficult to expect Anunoby to provide much in the scoring column. While he can provide value on the defensive end, his limited shot attempts have contributed to him scoring 29 Yahoo points or fewer in four of his last five games. Since he's not overly cheap, it might be best to spend your money elsewhere.
CENTERS
Montrezl Harrell, LAC at CHI ($26): With Leonard and George going off Friday, Harrell was left to score only 19.8 Yahoo points across 32 minutes. He's been a bit underwhelming lately, scoring 28 Yahoo points or fewer in four of his last five games. However, he has averaged 40.7 Yahoo points across the last five games that Leonard has missed. This is also a great matchup for him against a Bulls team that has allowed the most Yahoo points per game to opposing centers.
Marc Gasol, TOR vs. BKN ($19): Has Gasol turned a corner? After struggling to produce out of the gate, he has now scored at least 31 Yahoo points in four of his last six games. He hasn't provided much in the way of points, but he has averaged 6.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.8 blocks across that six-game stretch. With the Nets allowing the seventh-most Yahoo points per game to opposing centers, Gasol might be worth the risk at this price.
Center to Avoid
Jarrett Allen, BKN at TOR ($29): If you just look at Allen's recent production, it might seem crazy to avoid him. He's been extremely consistent, scoring at least 32.7 Yahoo points in eight of his last nine game. However, facing Gasol is no walk in the park. In fact, Gasol's defensive prowess has helped the Raptors allow the fewest Yahoo points per game to opposing centers. With Harrell facing a much more favorable matchup and priced three dollars cheaper, it's difficult to justify rolling with Allen.
