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 of the top teams in the league will be in action, which means there are a lot of high-priced stars at our disposal. Let's discuss some of the better options to target for entry, as well as a few to possibly avoid.
GUARDS
CJ McCollum, POR at ATL ($40): The Blazers won't have Damian Lillard (groin) back for this game, meaning McCollum will once again receive an expanded workload. He's been excellent across the last four games without Lillard, averaging 31 points, 5.5 rebounds and 10 assists. With the Hawks allowing the second-most points per game in the league, the sky is the limit for McCollum in this matchup.
Damion Lee, GS at PHO ($15): The Warriors might get Stephen Curry (hand) back Sunday, but they could be really shorthanded for this contest against the Suns. Ky Bowman (ankle) has already been ruled out and Jordan Poole (ankle) is listed as questionable. Even if Poole is able to take the floor, the Warriors are going to need Lee to log significant minutes. With his averages of 16.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.2 steals across his last six games, he could turn out to be a bargain at this price.
Guard to Avoid
Victor Oladipo, IND at CLE ($16): Oladipo is still working his way back from injury and clearly hasn't rounded into form. He's scored 25.4 Yahoo points or fewer in all nine games that he has played in this season, averaging just 25 minutes a night. While he's not overly expensive, there isn't enough upside here to warrant adding him to your entry.
FORWARDS
Aaron Gordon, ORL at SA ($32): Gordon put on a clinic against the Timberwolves on Friday, posting a triple-double across 41 minutes. He's been as hot as it gets, scoring at least 41.9 Yahoo points in each of the last six games. The Spurs will be shorthanded for this game without LaMarcus Aldridge (shoulder), so look for him to take advantage of their depleted front court.
Cam Reddish, ATL vs. POR ($11): The Hawks appear ready to unleash Reddish down the stretch. He's logged at least 31 minutes in four of five games since the All-Star break, which enabled him to score at least 27.1 Yahoo points in each of those contests. If he can receive similar playing time in this game, he could once again thrive considering the Blazers have the fourth-worst defensive rating.
Forward to Avoid
Draymond Green, GS at PHO ($20): Green didn't stick around long against the Lakers on Thursday, logging 10 minutes before being ejected. It's almost as if he wanted no part in playing in a game that ended up being a 30-point route by the Lakers. His playing time has been all over the map, which is part of the reason why he's scored 24.7 Yahoo points or fewer in four of his last five games. At this price, he's awfully risky.
CENTERS
Hassan Whiteside, POR at ATL ($42): Whiteside has also stepped up his production with Lillard out, scoring at least 45.3 Yahoo points in each of the last four games. Now he'll look to keep things rolling against a Hawks team that has allowed the most Yahoo points per game to opposing centers. While he's pricey, Whiteside also has a tremendously high floor.
Marquese Chriss, GS at PHO ($20): Chriss had a rare off night against the Lakers, producing only four points, seven rebounds and four assists. Before that, he had averaged 18.4 points and nine rebounds across his previous five games. Look for him to bounce back in a big way against the Suns, who he torched for 18 points, 12 rebounds and three assists earlier this month.
Center to Avoid
DeAndre Jordan, BKN at MIA ($18): The Nets center situation is a tricky one since either Jordan or Jarrett Allen could get the lion's share of the playing time any given night. Not only is that situation not very appealing, but this is a terrible matchup considering the Heat have one of the better defensive centers in the league in Bam Adebayo. With Chriss priced just two dollars more, taking a chance on Jordan to have one of his better performances doesn't seem necessary.
