This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
We have an unusually busy Saturday in the NBA with 11 games on the schedule, nine of which will make up the main evening slate on Yahoo. With so many options to consider, let's get right down to business and discuss some of the better players to target at each position, as well as a few to avoid.
GUARDS
Zach LaVine, CHI vs. CLE ($39): LaVine had a quiet night by his standards against the Sixers on Friday, scoring 23 points to go along with seven rebounds and three assists. He had scored at least 30 points in four of his previous five contests and is clearly the main offensive weapon for the Bulls, especially since Lauri Markkanen continues to log limited minutes for some strange reason. Expect him to thrive against a Cavaliers team that has the second-worst defensive rating in the league.
Matisse Thybulle, PHI at NY ($10): Although Thybulle didn't initially move into the starting five once Joel Embiid (finger) went down, he has started both of the last two games. He's provided his usual juicy defensive stats, which enabled him to score at least 28.1 Yahoo points in both contests. There is the potential for him to play a lot in this game considering it could get out of hand early, making him a viable option at the minimum price.
Guard to Avoid
Buddy Hield, SAC at UTA ($25): Despite scoring 25 points against the Mavericks on Wednesday, Hield finished with just 28.6 Yahoo points thanks to his inability to contribute in other areas. That trend has also limited him to fewer than 30 Yahoo points in three of his last four contests. This is a difficult matchup for him considering the Jazz have allowed the eighth-fewest points per game in the league. The first two times that he faced them this season, he scored 4.4 and 24.5 Yahoo points, respectively.
FORWARDS
Julius Randle, NY vs. PHI ($33): Randle has already been very busy for the Knicks, leading them with his 27.3 percent usage rate. That's a big reason why he has scored at least 43.5 Yahoo points in three straight games. Although this is a tough defensive matchup, the Knicks are going to need him to score even more with R.J. Barrett (ankle) out, who has the third-highest usage rate on the team. That should leave Randle with a high floor once again.
Sekou Doumbouya, DET at ATL ($14): The Hawks have played at the sixth-fastest pace in the league, so this immediately stands out as a matchup to target a Piston or two for your entry. The Pistons also have a compromised depth chart due to injuries, making them even more appealing since the players who will be able to take the floor should see extended playing time. One of the better cheaper options on the team is Doumbouya, who has averaged 14 points, 5.3 rebounds, one steal and 1.5 three-pointers across eight games since becoming a starter.
Forward to Avoid
Bobby Portis, NY vs. PHI ($18): While the Knicks will have to play this game without Barrett, they are at least healthy up front. That's not good news for Portis, who has scored 17.5 Yahoo points or fewer in two of the last three games. Minutes likely won't be easy for him to come by in this matchup, so it's difficult to justify paying this much to add him to your entry.
CENTERS
Andre Drummond, DET at ATL ($49): The Hawks are a bad defensive team, in general, but have really struggled against opposing centers, allowing the fourth-most Yahoo points per game to the position. Drummond has torched them in two previous meetings, scoring 49.4 and 49 Yahoo points, respectively. With the lack of weapons around him forcing Drummond to be even more aggressive, the sky is the limit for him in this game.
Tristan Thompson, CLE at CHI ($21): Thompson was ejected after playing only 25 minutes against the Grizzlies on Friday, so at least he'll be somewhat fresh for the second game of this back-to-back set. There's a chance that Kevin Love also sits this game out since the Cavaliers have been avoiding playing him on consecutive nights. That would leave Thompson as an even more appealing option against a Bulls team that has been forced to trot out Luke Kornet and Cristiano Felicio at center due to injuries.
Center to Avoid
Mitchell Robinson, NY vs. PHI ($17): Robinson isn't overly expensive, but he's not that cheap, either. Yes, he scored 35.6 Yahoo points against the Suns on Thursday. However, he had scored 23.2 Yahoo points or fewer in each of his previous six games. With the Sixers being such a strong defensive team, this is probably not the night to take a chance on Robinson having one of his better performances.
