This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Thursday brings seven games in the NBA, including an exciting matchup between the Nuggets and Clippers. Also, we have another chance to win some money on Yahoo. Here are some players to consider for your lineups, as well as a few to potentially avoid.
GUARDS
Russell Westbrook, WAS at DET ($53): Westbrook is on a crazy run right now in which he has averaged 25.8 points, 12.7 rebounds, 13.1 assists and 1.6 steals across his last 10 games. He shot 70.7 percent from the charity stripe during that stretch, which is a major improvement over his season mark of 61.7 percent. Also, he's averaged 38 minutes per game, which is huge given that the Wizards have played at the fastest pace in the league. While his salary will do a number on your overall budget, he also has an incredibly high ceiling.
Hamidou Diallo, DET vs. WAS ($15): This might be one of the final opportunities to deploy Diallo in DFS at such a cheap salary. He's scored at least 35.9 Yahoo points in back-to-back games, providing a nice mix of scoring, rebounding and defensive production. The Pistons said at the time that they acquired him that they wanted to give Diallo significant run down the stretch to see if he can be an important part of their future, so don't expect his role to diminish anytime soon.
Guard to Avoid
Tyler Herro, MIA vs. GS ($20): The Heat are expected to have Victor Oladipo (illness) available for this game, which would be the first time that he's played with the team since being acquired from the Rockets. When the Heat have been shorthanded, Herro has generally been able to step up his production. However, with a mostly healthy roster now, his upside is limited. As it stands, he's already scored fewer than 30 Yahoo points in eight of his last nine games.
FORWARDS
Gordon Hayward, CHA at BKN ($30): After a few lackluster performances, Hayward exploded for 47.2 Yahoo points versus the Wizards on Tuesday. He was more aggressive offensively, scoring 26 points on 19 shot attempts. With LaMelo Ball (wrist) out, the Hornets are going to need Hayward to stay aggressive if they are going to make the playoffs. A matchup against a Nets team that has the fifth-worst defensive rating in the league could leave Hayward with a valuable stat line.
Chuma Okeke, ORL at NO ($14): With the Magic dismantling their roster at the trade deadline, Okeke has now found himself with a starting job. He's made the most of his opportunity, averaging 18.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.7 steals across three games. His expanded role makes him an appealing target versus a Pelicans team that has the third-worst defensive rating.
Forward to Avoid
Keldon Johnson, SA vs. ATL ($17): Johnson has shown flashes of being able to do a lot of damage, but he's generally been underwhelming, especially of late. In fact, he hasn't scored more than 18.8 Yahoo points in any of his last six games. With Okeke available at an even cheaper salary, there's no need to take a chance on Johnson.
CENTERS
Clint Capela, ATL at SA ($33): Capela is going to be busy up front with John Collins (ankle) out. He already has a high floor with his averages of 14.6 points, 14.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks, which has helped him average 40.2 Yahoo points per game. It could also help his cause here that the Spurs have allowed the sixth-most rebounds per game in the league.
Isaiah Hartenstein, CLE vs. PHI ($11): Jarrett Allen (concussion) will not play against the Sixers, marking the third straight game that he has missed. Hartenstein made his Cavaliers debut Monday, playing 26 minutes as the starting center. He only scored five points, but he also chipped in 14 rebounds, seven assists and one block. At near the minimum salary, the high likelihood that he starts again makes him someone to at least consider in tournament play.
Center to Avoid
DeAndre Jordan, BKN vs. CHA ($14): We haven't seen much of Jordan lately. He's played 12 minutes or fewer in three of the last four games and hasn't scored more than 21.8 Yahoo points in any of the last five games. Nicolas Claxton has played well and Blake Griffin has added another body up front, although he might not play Thursday in what is the second game of a back-to-back set. Still, Jordan might not play enough to provide value.
