This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
We have a limited slate Thursday in the NBA consisting of only seven games. However, the evening won't be short on big names with the Nets, Clippers and Bucks among the teams in action. Let's discuss some players at various salary points to consider for your DFS lineups, as well as a few to possibly avoid.
GUARDS
Jamal Murray, DEN vs. WAS ($34): Murray has been more aggressive on the offensive end lately, averaging 19.7 shot attempts over the last six games. That's a noteworthy increase over his season average of 16.4 shot attempts per game. Not only is he shooting more, but he posted a 55.1 percent field goal percentage during that stretch. That included a game against these same Wizards in which he recorded 35 points, nine rebounds and six assists.
Monte Morris, DEN vs. WAS ($11): With the Wizards sporting the fourth-worst defensive rating in the league, Murray isn't the only player on the Nuggets to consider for your entries. Gary Harris (thigh) and PJ Dozier (hamstring) have been ruled out again, which should mean more minutes for Morris. Across 10 games in which he has logged at least 30 minutes, Morris has averaged 13.2 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists. That should at least put him on your radar at near the minimum salary.
Guard to Avoid
Lou Williams, LAC at MEM ($20): The good news is that Williams should be fresh for this matchup after he sat out Tuesday for rest. The bad news is that the Clippers have both Paul George and Kawhi Leonard back, so they won't need to rely as much on Williams. Even though he performed well in their absences, he only scored five points across 22 minutes Sunday with George and Leonard on the floor. Expect Williams to resume his limited role off the bench.
FORWARDS
Julius Randle, NY vs. SAC ($40): The Kings are a team to attack in DFS since they have the worst defensive rating in the league. Enter Randle, who is sporting a 27.6 percent usage rate. Not only has he been aggressive with his own shot, but his ability to rack up rebounds and assists has left him to average 44.1 Yahoo points per game. Expect him to have a high floor given this matchup.
Bruce Brown, BKN vs. ORL ($14): Brown took advantage of the Kings' porous defense Tuesday, scoring 29 points while shooting 11-for-13 from the field. He's obviously not going to be able to sustain that type of efficiency, but he did start again and played 25 minutes. He's scored at least 27.9 Yahoo points in three of his last six games, all of which were starts. At this cheap salary, he might be worth a look in tournament play.
Forward to Avoid
Brandon Clarke, MEM vs. LAC ($19): Clarke has seen a bump in playing time compared to his rookie season, entering Thursday averaging 28 minutes per game. However, he's only averaged 24 minutes across five games since returning from injury. The result has been modest averages of 11.2 points and 4.6 rebounds. If he continues to play limited minutes in this matchup, he could be in trouble considering the Clippers have played at the sixth-slowest pace in the league.
CENTERS
Joel Embiid, PHI vs. DAL ($50): Embiid is usually a great option regardless of where the Sixers are playing, but he's even more appealing when they are at home. Last season, he averaged 23.9 points per game and shot 49.5 percent from the field at home, compared to averaging 21.9 points and shooting 45.4 percent on the road. This season, he is averaging 31.6 points and shooting 56.7 percent at home, while averaging 27.8 points and shooting 48.1 percent on the road.
Ivica Zubac, LAC at MEM ($12): Zubac has been heating up for the Clippers. Despite only averaging 22 minutes across their last 11 games, he's been able to record averages of 10.4 points and 8.8 rebounds. He's been able to make the most of his limited playing time by shooting a robust 68.2 percent from the field. With the prospects of him potentially playing an extra minute or two so the Clippers can use his size against Jonas Valanciunas, Zubac is appealing if you want to fade some of the top-tier center options.
Center to Avoid
Serge Ibaka, LAC at MEM ($18): During the aforementioned 11-game stretch in which Zubac has thrived, Ibaka only averaged 9.7 points and 6.5 rebounds in 22 minutes per game. He's not nearly as involved on the offensive end with his new team and he's averaging three fewer minutes per game than he did last season with the Raptors. Given that Zubac's salary is significantly cheaper, taking a chance on Ibaka doesn't seem necessary.
