This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The NBA closes out the month of January with six games on the schedule Thursday. The evening is highlighted by two matchups featuring the Raptors hosting the Bucks and the Sixers taking on the Warriors. We also have another opportunity to bring home some cash on Yahoo, so here are some players to target and avoid as you work your way through the options.
GUARDS
Patrick Beverley, LAC vs. LAL ($19): The Clippers will once again be without Danilo Gallinari on Thursday, marking the seventh consecutive game that he has missed. Beverley has played extremely well in his absence, scoring at least 34.3 Yahoo points in four of six games. Avery Bradley (knee) is also listed as questionable, so the Clippers might be forced to rely on Beverley even more if he can't play. Even if Bradley does manage to take the floor, Beverley is still a great option at this reasonable price.
Shabazz Napier, BKN at SA ($17): The Nets guard depth is currently be tested. The injury to Spencer Dinwiddie (thumb) has forced Napier to log at least 25 minutes in each of the last three games and he's come through with at least 24.4 Yahoo points in all three contests. He's coming off of scoring an impressive 41.6 Yahoo points against the Bulls on Tuesday and has a relatively high floor at this price based on his new role.
Guard to Avoid
Fred VanVleet, TOR vs. MIL ($15): The Raptors enter this marquee matchup healthy and well rested considering they haven't played since Sunday. That means get ready for heavy doses of Kyle Lowry and Kawhi Leonard. VanVleet just doesn't receive enough playing time when those two are healthy and has scored 26.4 Yahoo points or fewer in nine of his last 10 games. Beverley and Napier don't cost significantly more and both of them have higher upsides, so this might be the night to avoid VanVleet.
FORWARDS
Tobias Harris, LAC vs. LAL ($38): Harris torched the Hawks for 54.1 Yahoo points Monday, which isn't surprising since the Hawks play at the fastest pace (105.1 possessions per game) and allow the most points per game (117.9) in the league. While this isn't as juicy of a matchup, the Lakers play at the fourth-fastest pace (103.8) and allow the 10th-most points per game (111.9). With Gallinari stuck on the sidelines, look for Harris to receive all of the shots that he can handle in this contest.
Pascal Siakam, TOR vs. MIL ($28): The Bucks play at the sixth-fastest pace (103.1), so the Raptors may be forced to play faster than they are accustomed to. Siakam has thrived in the first three games that these two teams have played this season, averaging 43.1 Yahoo points per contest. With the Raptors continuing to be limited up front due to the absence of Jonas Valanciunas (thumb), Siakam is set up to have another productive evening.
Forward to Avoid
Draymond Green, GS vs. PHI ($29): Green will return to the floor Thursday after sitting out Monday's game against the Pacers for rest. With the Warriors firing on all cylinders right now, they certainly have the luxury to start resting players even though we are just entering the month of February. Green has managed to remain productive despite the return of DeMarcus Cousins, but he hasn't really excelled with an average of 35 Yahoo points across the four games that he has shared the floor with Cousins. His price isn't outrageous, but it might be wise to spend up elsewhere.
CENTERS
LaMarcus Aldridge, SA vs. BKN ($38): Aldridge is closing out the month on a high note having scored at least 43.8 Yahoo points in five of his last six games. Some of that has been due to the absence of DeMar DeRozan (knee), who is listed as probable for this contest. Even if DeRozan does return, this is still a great spot to deploy Aldridge against a Nets team that allows the fifth-most Yahoo points per game (50) to opposing centers.
Montrezl Harrell, LAC vs. LAL ($22): After a brief cold stretch, Harrell is showing signs of picking things up again with at least 31.8 Yahoo points in back-to-back contests. His price has come down five dollars over the past couple of weeks, which provides an opportunity for added value. The Lakers are still trying to settle on their center rotation, but have struggled regardless of who plays considering they have allowed the fourth-most Yahoo points per game (50.6) to opposing centers.
Center to Avoid
Domantas Sabonis, IND at ORL ($19): The Pacers have a bit of an embarrassment of riches with Sabonis and Myles Turner up front. Both are more than capable starters, but Sabonis has remained a member of their second unit when Turner is healthy. That's been a contributing factor as to why Sabonis has scored 25.1 Yahoo points or fewer in four straight games. His price has come down considerably, but there still isn't a lot of upside here to get excited about.
