This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
With every team set to get the day off for Thanksgiving, we have a packed 14-game slate in the NBA on Wednesday. With a bevy of options up and down the price scale, let's get right to it and discuss some players to target on Yahoo, as well as a few to avoid.
GUARDS
LeBron James, LAL at NO ($51): There is certainly a lot of excitement around this game with these two teams facing each other for the first time since making a major trade in the offseason. While a lot of the headlines are swirling around Anthony Davis' return to New Orleans, James isn't someone to overlook. He's averaging a whopping 52.9 Yahoo points per game and the Pelicans play at them fifth-fastest pace in the league.
Tomas Satoransky, CHI at GS ($11): This isn't one of the more exciting games on the slate with both of these teams struggling badly. However, there is plenty of fantasy appeal since both have played poorly on the defensive end, especially the Warriors. Satoransky has shown decent upside by scoring at least 33.3 Yahoo points in two of his last four games, so he could be well worth the risk in tournament play at nearly the minimum price.
Guard to Avoid
Jeff Teague, MIN at SA ($21): The big news surrounding the Timberwolves is the move of Teague to the second unit. Andrew Wiggins played extremely well running the point when Teague missed some time earlier this season, so the Timberwolves are going to stick with him there, at least for the time being. The good news is that Teague still logged 31 minutes while coming off the bench against the Hawks on Sunday, but he scored only 27.4 Yahoo points. There are so many other viable options during such a busy slate that taking a risk on Teague at this price seems unnecessary.
FORWARDS
Jonathan Isaac, ORL at CLE ($33): The Magic will once again be shorthanded with Aaron Gordon (ankle) and Nikola Vucevic (ankle) both set to miss their third straight games. Isaac has been forced to take on an expanded role with them sidelined, which resulted in him scoring 55.3 and 32.7 Yahoo points, respectively. His price is climbing, but his floor is high enough to still make him a viable target.
Jarrett Culver, MIN at SA ($15): With Wiggins shifting over to point guard and Teague moving to the bench, Culver is expected to start moving forward. He's played well in that role, averaging 10.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.1 steals across seven games. It should also help his cause that the Timberwolves have played at the third-fastest pace in the league.
Forward to Avoid
Julius Randle, NY at TOR ($29): This is not a good matchup for Randle against the defensive-minded Raptors. They've proven that they can shut down even the best big men, even holding Joel Embiid scoreless Sunday. Since Randle also won't come cheap, it might be wise to spend your money elsewhere.
CENTERS
Wendell Carter Jr., CHI at GS ($20): It comes as no surprise that the Warriors' lack of talent up front has left them susceptible to being beaten by opposing big men. In fact, they've allowed the fourth-most Yahoo points per game to opposing centers. Carter is a double-double threat whenever he takes the floor with his only real issue of late being staying out of foul trouble. If he can avoid that here, he could be in line for a very productive evening.
Mo Bamba, ORL at CLE ($11): Khem Birch has had a couple of underwhelming performances starting in place of Vucevic. Meanwhile, Bamba has stepped up to score 22.9 and 34.9 Yahoo points, respectively. Even if he continues to come off the bench, the boost in playing time makes him one of the better cheaper centers to target.
Center to Avoid
Mitchell Robinson, NY at TOR ($19): As good as Robinson looked when given added playing time last season, he's been stuck in a limited role out of the gate for the Knicks. He's only averaging 19 minutes a game and has started just six of the 13 contests that he's played. Some of his reduced playing time has been because of foul trouble, but another reason is because the Knicks have ample depth up front. The Raptors have allowed the second-fewest Yahoo points per game to opposing centers, so buyer beware.
