This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
We have a busy nine-game schedule in the NBA on Saturday, eight of which will make up the main evening slate on Yahoo. Let's get right down to business and highlight some players across the price scale to target for your entry, as well as a few to avoid.
GUARDS
Fred VanVleet, TOR vs. BKN ($30): The Raptors are once again running into depth chart issues. They've been battling injuries for most of the season, including key reserve Norman Powell (finger) being limited to 38 games. Kyle Lowry (neck) was forced to leave Friday's contest against the Pacers and is considered doubtful to play against the Nets. That should leave VanVleet with all of the playing time that he can handle and added playmaking responsibilities, making him an extremely appealing option.
Damion Lee, GS vs. LAL ($15): The fallout of the Warriors' flurry of activity at the trade deadline is that their depth chart is a mess. One of the few reliable options that they have left is Lee, who has averaged 12.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, three assists and one steal across 23 starts. Even though this isn't an ideal matchup against an excellent defensive team in the Lakers, Lee should receive enough playing time to still be worth considering when you combine that with his cheap price.
Guard to Avoid
Jarrett Culver, MIN vs. LAC ($13): Another team who was active leading up to the deadline was the Timberwolves, which left them shorthanded for their matchup against the Hawks on Wednesday. Culver started and played 30 minutes, but finished with only 17.7 Yahoo points. He's struggled mightily lately and the Timberwolves might have some of the new players that they acquired eligible for this game, making Culver someone to avoid.
FORWARDS
Julius Randle, NY at DET ($33): The Knicks didn't do a lot to alleviate the logjam of players that they have assembled up front, but they did at least trade away Marcus Morris. While that doesn't really impact Randle's playing time, it does leave him with added shot attempts since Morris had one of the highest usage rates on the team. The Pistons aren't exactly loaded with talent up front now after they traded away Andre Drummond, leaving Randle with an opportunity to thrive.
Josh Hart, NO at IND ($18): Hart might sometimes get overlooked with all of the big names on the Pelicans, but he's proven to be a vital part of the team. He's stepped up his production lately, scoring at least 31.5 Yahoo points in three straight games. Brandon Ingram (ankle) is listed as doubtful for this matchup, so if he sits, Hart could be looking at an expanded role. Even if Ingram does play, Hart is appealing given his price tag and recent run of success.
Forward to Avoid
Taurean Prince, BKN at TOR ($19): This has the makings of a tough matchup for the Nets on the offensive end since the Raptors have the second-best defensive rating in the league. They held Prince in check the last time they faced off, limiting him to 21.2 Yahoo points across 28 minutes. Prince is already struggling having scored 23.2 Yahoo points or fewer in five of his last seven games, so it seems unnecessary to take a chance on him breaking out of his slump considering all of the other quality options available on such a busy night.
CENTERS
Serge Ibaka, TOR vs. BKN ($27): Ibaka would be a starter on most teams in the league, but he normally comes off the bench for the Raptors. However, with Marc Gasol (hamstring) injured again, Ibaka has been thrust back into a starting role. He's scored at least 31.7 Yahoo points in four of five games since Gasol went down and is once again set up to be successful against a Nets team that struggles to slow down opposing big men.
Christian Wood, DET vs. NY ($15): Wood's first start since the Pistons traded away Drummond couldn't have gone any better. He logged 35 minutes against the Thunder on Friday, finishing with 27 points, 12 rebounds and five assists. He is certainly in line for added playing time moving forward, but part of the reason why he logged 35 minutes Friday was because Markieff Morris (illness) was out and the newly-acquired John Henson was not yet eligible to play. Still, Wood is likely in line to play around 25-30 minutes on a nightly basis, making him an excellent option to target at such a cheap price.
Center to Avoid
Mitchell Robinson, NY at DET ($16): As promising as the outlook is for Wood right now, things continue to look bleak for Robinson. The Knicks didn't trade away Taj Gibson or Bobby Portis, which means Robinson is still blocked from playing extended minutes. Considering Wood is a dollar cheaper and has a more significant role with his team, there's no need to take a chance on Robinson here.
