This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Thursday marks the last day of games before the All-Star break. It will be a busy one with nine games on the schedule. As you try to narrow down the options, here are some players to consider, as well as a few to potentially avoid.
GUARDS
Paul George, LAC at WAS ($35): Injuries could be a problem for the Clippers in this game with Marcus Morris (concussion) listed as doubtful and Kawhi Leonard (back) listed as questionable. Leonard was a late scratch in their last game Tuesday, and with the All-Star break approaching, the Clippers might be cautious and keep him out another night. That could leave George with a heavier than normal workload against a Wizards team that has the fourth-worst defensive rating in the league.
Immanuel Quickley, NY vs. DET ($13): Another team that should be impacted by injuries is the Knicks. Elfrid Payton (hamstring) is doubtful after missing each of the last four games and Derrick Rose is listed as questionable. Rose is currently in the health and safety protocols and was unable to play Tuesday, which helped Quickley play 29 minutes. He cashed in his added playing time, recording 26 points, four rebounds, four assists and a steal against the Spurs. If Rose sits, Quickley is too good to pass up at this salary. Even if Rose plays, Quickley could still provide value.
Guard to Avoid
Jrue Holiday, MIL at MEM ($22): After a lengthy stint on the sidelines because of COVID-19, the Bucks have been cautious bringing Holiday back into the fold. He's come off the bench in both games since making his return and didn't log more than 18 minutes in either contest. With the high likelihood that he sees limited minutes in this matchup, he's someone to keep out of your lineups.
FORWARDS
Julius Randle, NY vs. DET ($43): Randle had a rare poor offensive performance versus the Spurs on Tuesday, scoring 14 points while shooting 6-for-16 from the field. Still, he helped salvage his stat line with 11 rebounds, five assists and one block. He had scored at least 41.8 Yahoo points in five straight games, which included torching these same Pistons for 51.6 Yahoo points. Look for him to be more effective offensively in this matchup.
Isaiah Roby, OKC at SA ($13): The Thunder just played Wednesday and Al Horford appeared in the contest, so don't expect him to take the floor Thursday. With the Thunder going nowhere fast, Horford hasn't played in both games of a back-to-back set yet this season. Roby has normally started when Horford is out, so expect him to fill that role versus the Spurs. Across 11 games as a starter, Roby has averaged 11.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.2 steals.
Forward to Avoid
Dillon Brooks, MEM vs. MIL ($18): Brooks is coming off of a strong offensive showing against the Wizards on Tuesday, scoring 20 points across 21 minutes. However, he was once again underwhelming in other areas, posting three rebounds and two assists. He's only averaging 3.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists for the season, which has contributed to him scoring 26.4 Yahoo points or fewer in five of his last six contests. On a night with so many other viable options, taking a chance on Brooks against a Bucks team that has the 11th-best defensive rating might not be a wise move.
CENTERS
Chris Boucher, TOR at BOS ($25): The Raptors barely had enough eligible players for Wednesday's match against the Pistons, which they lost by 25 points. Somehow, Boucher still didn't start, nor did he play at least 30 minutes. The good news is that he logged 25 minutes, which was a slight step up from his season average. He came through with 18 points, eight rebounds, one steal and two blocks. It doesn't appear that reinforcements will be coming for this game, so Boucher should once again see added playing time off the bench.
Jakob Poeltl, SA vs. OKC ($20): Between injuries and an outbreak of COVID-19 on the team, Poeltl has become a key member of the Spurs. Since moving into the starting five, he's averaged 9.6 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.6 blocks across 10 games. The Spurs will be missing several players in the health and safety protocols again, and LaMarcus Aldridge (illness) is listed as questionable, so look for Poeltl to have an expanded role against a Thunder team that has allowed the ninth-most Yahoo points per game to opposing centers.
Center to Avoid
Steven Adams, NO vs. MIA ($17): Adams completely flopped versus the Bulls on Wednesday, grabbing five rebounds and failing to score a single point. While that performance was uncharacteristically poor, Adams wasn't exactly lighting things up heading into the matchup, scoring 20.2 Yahoo points or fewer in back-to-back games. A potential matchup against Bam Adebayo (knee) isn't exactly an ideal situation for Adams to turn things around.
