This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Thursday brings seven games in the NBA, some of which have early start times because of the holiday. As a result, only four games will make up the main evening slate on Yahoo. Let's dive into the matchups and discuss some players to consider for your lineups, as well as a few to potentially avoid.
GUARDS
De'Aaron Fox, SAC at HOU ($36): Fox doesn't always get the recognition that he deserves, which might partially be because of how poorly the Kings franchise has been in recent years. He's emerged as one of the best young point guards in the league after averaging 21.1 points and 6.8 assists last season while shooting 48 percent from the field. He's picked up right where he left off, scoring at least 40.3 Yahoo points in three of four games this season. With his heavy dose of minutes combined with how often he has the ball in his hands, Fox carries a high floor into this matchup.
George Hill, OKC vs. NO ($15): Hill (neck) sat out the Thunder's last game Tuesday against the Magic, but he's off the injury report for this contest. He was a member of the starting lineup in both of the Thunder's first two games, scoring 32.3 and 31 Yahoo points, respectively. While that's probably best-case-scenario for him, there is not a lot of talent around on him this roster, so his expanded role at least makes him worth considering at such a cheap salary.
Guard to Avoid
Eric Bledsoe, NO at OKC ($19): It's been a rough start to the season for Bledsoe. After scoring 18 points in his Pelicans' debut, he has a total of 19 points across the last three games. He also has a total of six rebounds through all four games. He's not one of the primary scorers on this team and Lonzo Ball will likely be the top play-making option on a nightly basis, so Bledsoe might continue to underwhelm.
FORWARDS
Brandon Ingram, NO at OKC ($35): Ingram exploded offensively last season, averaging 23.8 points per game to go along with a 28.1 percent usage rate. He's carried that over through his first four games, averaging 23.3 points to go along with a 29.4 percent usage rate. That allowed him to score at least 50.2 Yahoo points two times. Really, the only concern that would come with adding him to your entry is that the Pelicans would race out to a big league against an inferior roster, which could leave Ingram with reduced playing time in the second half. Still, he could be well worth that risk.
Luguentz Dort, OKC vs. NO ($17): Dort hasn't been shy about dialing up his shot from behind the arc, attempting 19 three-pointers through three games. He's made nine of them, leaving him to average 18.7 points. His usual lack of contributions in rebounds and assists do limit his upside, but with the expectation that he continues to receive plenty of opportunities to jack up three's, Dort is a viable option at a reduced salary.
Forward to Avoid
Marvin Bagley, SAC at HOU ($25): Bagley might be starting for the Kings, but he's not playing traditional stater's minutes. He hasn't topped 27 minutes in any of their four games and twice played 23 minutes or fewer. That's resulted in him scoring 24.9 Yahoo points or fewer each time. Posting a total of three assists, two steals and one block during that stretch hasn't helped his cause, either.
CENTERS
Rudy Gobert, UTA vs. PHO ($32): Few centers are as safe as Gobert from a DFS perspective on a nightly basis. He's basically a walking double-double who racks up a ton of blocks, which has resulted in him scoring at least 40.4 Yahoo points in all three games. There's no reason to believe that he can't at least approach that total again here based on his sizable role with the Jazz.
DeMarcus Cousins, HOU vs. SAC ($10): Cousins will be playing in his first game of the season after having to sit out because of the COVID-19 health and safety protocols. Despite playing limited minutes during the preseason, Cousins still averaged 10.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, two steals and 1.7 blocks. Similar production here would make him a steal at the minimum salary.
Center to Avoid
Hassan Whiteside, SAC at HOU ($16): It's not too often that you a see a player average 15.5 points, 13.5 rebounds and 2.9 blocks in a season, then immediately find himself in a limited role the following campaign. However, that's the situation with Whiteside, who is coming off the bench for his new squad. He didn't log more than 18 minutes in any of the Kings' first four games, which left him with paltry averages of six rebounds and six assists. His upside is similar to that of Cousins, but his salary isn't as appealing.
