This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
With so many players hurt and tanking teams resting players, it's wild times in DFS right now. Let's try to help make sense of Thursday's seven-game slate by highlighting some players to consider for your entries, as well as a few to possibly avoid.
GUARDS
Donovan Mitchell, UTA vs. POR ($38): Mitchell thrived in the Jazz's overtime loss at the hands of the Suns on Wednesday, scoring 54.1 Yahoo points across 41 minutes. That's impressive against one of the best defensive teams in the league. Things should be easier for this game against a Blazers team that has the second-worst defensive rating in the league, which leaves Mitchell with tantalizing upside.
Malachi Flynn, TOR vs. CHI ($18): No reinforcements are coming for the Raptors with Kyle Lowry (foot) and Fred VanVleet (hip) out again. Flynn has logged at least 31 minutes in three straight games, scoring at least 33.5 Yahoo points in each contest. While his salary is climbing, his increased role still makes him an appealing option.
Guard to Avoid
Victor Oladipo, MIA vs. LAL ($24): The Heat strengthened their roster for a title push by acquiring Oladipo from the Rockets. Oladipo is likely pleased to be back in the playoff hunt, but in terms of his production, this move has not been beneficial, so far. He hasn't scored more than 23.3 Yahoo points in any of his three games with the team, mostly because of a lack of scoring. He won't be needed to score as much on a significantly deeper Heat team, so his production could continue to underwhelm.
FORWARDS
Khris Middleton, MIL at DAL ($34): The Bucks are taking no chances with Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee), who is listed as doubtful after missing the last two games. Their goal is to have him healthy for what they hope will be a lengthy playoff run. Middleton is already averaging 36.7 Yahoo points per game for the season and could surpass that number while filling a more substantial role in the Bucks' offense without Giannis.
Hamidou Diallo, OKC at SAC ($15): Diallo has been inconsistent lately, but he's also shown tremendous upside. Yes, he's scored fewer than 20 Yahoo points in two of his last five games. However, he also scored at least 30.6 Yahoo points in each of the other three games during that stretch. He might be asked to take more shots with Jerami Grant (knee) out, which could leave him with one of his better stat lines against a Kings team with the worst defensive rating.
Forward to Avoid
Mikal Bridges, PHO at LAC ($19): Bridges laid an egg Wednesday, scoring just 5.6 Yahoo points. He played only 20 minutes while in foul trouble, but it continued a troubling trend of decreased production. In fact, he's scored 24.7 Yahoo points or fewer in seven of his last 10 games. Facing a Clippers team with the ninth-best defensive rating might not help him get out of his slump.
CENTERS
Nikola Vucevic, CHI at TOR ($41): Vucevic is coming off of his best game with the Bulls, lighting up the Pacers for 32 points, 17 rebounds and five assists Tuesday. He's scored at least 50 Yahoo points in back-to-back games and he's scored at least 41.8 Yahoo points in four of his last five contests, so the move to the Bulls has not hurt his production. Expect him to continue to have a high floor on a nightly basis.
Isaiah Hartenstein, CLE at OKC ($13): The Cavaliers will remain shorthanded up front with Jarrett Allen (concussion) and Larry Nance Jr. (illness) both out. Hartenstein has been forced to cover more minutes up front, which has helped him average 10.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.3 blocks over the last four games. At near the minimum salary, he could be a great option if you want to fade Vucevic, especially considering the Thunder have allowed the 10th-most Yahoo points per game to opposing centers.
Center to Avoid
Andre Drummond, LAL at MIA ($30): Drummond only made it through 14 minutes in his Lakers debut before suffering a toe injury. He then missed three straight games, although he is listed as probable for this contest. The problem is, those 14 minutes are the only game action that he's seen in nearly two months. It wouldn't be a surprise to see him on a minutes limit in what is already a tough matchup against Bam Adebayo.
