This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
After a jam-packed schedule Wednesday, we only have five games on the NBA slate Thursday. Still, there is plenty of star power available in DFS with the Lakers, Mavericks, Nuggets and Nets among the teams in action. Let's highlight some players at various salary points to consider for your lineups, as well as a few to possibly avoid.
GUARDS
Kyrie Irving, BKN vs. PHI ($47): With Kevin Durant (COVID-19) on the sidelines, Irving destroyed the Jazz on Tuesday, recording 29 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals across just 30 minutes. He attempted 19 shots despite his limited playing time and should be a usage rate monster until Durant makes his return. Look for him to take advantage of a Sixers team that is playing the second night of a back-to-back set.
Seth Curry, PHI at BKN ($18): Curry was on top of his game in a win over the Wizards on Wednesday, hitting 11 of 14 shots on his way to a season-high 28 points. It marked his third game of the season with at least 20 points and he's averaging a career-high 17 points a contest thanks to added playing time in a starting role. His three-point shooting has been one of the keys to the Sixers' early success, so his role isn't going to diminish anytime soon.
Guard to Avoid
Anthony Edwards, MIN at POR ($17): There isn't much to see here with Edwards. His fantasy contributions have mostly been limited to the scoring department considering he's only averaged 2.1 rebounds, two assists, 0.6 steals and 0.3 blocks. With that being said, his underwhelming average of 13.9 points per game has resulted in him scoring no more than 26.7 Yahoo points in a single contest. Since Curry's salary is only a dollar more, there's no need to take a chance on Edwards.
FORWARDS
Michael Porter Jr., DEN vs. DAL ($26): The Nuggets should receive a big boost for this game with Porter now eligible to turn. He missed the last three games while in the NBA's health and safety protocols, but he's continued to test negative for COVID-19. With averages of 19.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, one steal and 1.5 blocks, early indications are that Porter could be on his way to a breakout campaign.
Editor's note: Porter has been ruled out of Thursday's game due to the league's health and safety protocols.
Cedi Osman, CLE at MEM ($15): Injuries have taken a toll on the Cavaliers in the early going. As a result of their depleted depth chart, Osman has logged at least 33 minutes and scored at least 27.5 Yahoo points in back-to-back games. His performance could have been even better Wednesday, too, had he not shot just 1-for-12 from the field. Reinforcements likely won't be coming in this matchup, so expect Osman to continue to spend a lot of time on the floor.
Forward to Avoid
Carmelo Anthony, POR vs. MIN ($17): Anthony hasn't done much out of the gate with averages of 12.5 points and 3.7 rebounds. Now a member of the Blazers' second unit, he's only averaging 25 minutes a night, a role that likely won't change for him anytime soon. His salary is on the decline, but his limited upside still makes him someone to avoid.
CENTERS
Nikola Jokic, DEN vs. DAL ($51): Through seven games, Jokic already has three contests in which he's scored at least 69.4 Yahoo points. That's what happens when a player averages 24.1 points, 11.9 rebounds and 11.9 assists. Even with Porter set to return, the Nuggets' offense will continue to run through Jokic, leaving him with a tremendously high floor.
Jarrett Allen, BKN vs. PHI ($22): Allen started off the season coming off the bench behind DeAndre Jordan, but it was pretty clear that he was outplaying the veteran big man. The Nets decided to insert him into the starting five in place of Jordan on Tuesday and he responded with 19 points, 18 rebounds, three steals and two blocks across 32 minutes. The Nets would be hard-pressed to move him back to the bench after that performance.
Center to Avoid
Naz Reid, MIN at POR ($18): Reid has been unable to take advantage of the absence of Karl-Anthony Towns (wrist). He didn't play well during a three-game stretch as a starter, which prompted his move back to the bench. In that role the last two games, he scored 20.3 and zero Yahoo points, respectively. That's right, he didn't register a single Yahoo points across 10 minutes Tuesday. Since Allen's salary is only four dollars more, deploying Reid probably isn't a wise move.
