This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The NBA schedule lightens up Thursday with only four games. There will be some teams on the second game of a back-to-back set, including the Mavericks, Pelicans and Trail Blazers. The Mavericks will try to bounce back from a disappointing loss to the Magic when they face the Wizards, but they will have to do so without Christian Wood (knee). The 76ers did not play Wednesday, so they will be well rested for their matchup against the Hawks, who are yet another team playing the second game of a back-to-back. Let's dig into the options on Yahoo and discuss some players to consider for your lineups, as well as a few to possibly avoid.
GUARDS
Luka Doncic, DAL at WAS ($57): For the first time this season, Doncic failed to score at least 30 points in a game when the Mavericks lost to the Magic. He was only 9-for-29 from the field, including 2-for-11 from behind the arc. However, he also chipped in six rebounds, six assists, three steals and two blocks, helping him score 55.2 Yahoo points. With his hefty usage rate and ability to contribute in multiple areas, he's one of the top DFS options whenever the Mavericks play.
Jordan Goodwin, WAS vs. DAL ($12): Bradley Beal (COVID-19 protocols) has missed the last two games for the Wizards and will be out again Thursday. Goodwin logged at least 21 minutes in both games with Beal out, scoring 35.1 and 34.3 Yahoo points, respectively. At his cheap salary, he could be well worth the risk in tournament play.
Guard to Avoid
Monte Morris, WAS vs. DAL ($16): Even with Beal out, Morris hasn't seen increased production. The last two games, he scored 22.5 and 19.0 Yahoo points, respectively. His usage rate is only 15.2 percent this season, and he's never had a usage rate above 17.5 percent in any season of his career. Don't expect that to change anytime soon.
FORWARDS
Tobias Harris, PHI at ATL ($25): With so many talented players around him, Harris averaged only 13.4 points on 10.7 shot attempts per game across the first nine games for the 76ers. However, since James Harden (foot) went down, he averaged 22.0 points and 16.5 shot attempts over two games. With Harden set to miss multiple weeks, Harris should remain in an expanded scoring role.
Herbert Jones, NO vs. POR ($15): Jones is an excellent defender who is still finding his way on the offensive end of the floor with so many great scoring options around him. His latest results have been encouraging, with him scoring at least 16 points in three straight games. That propelled him to at least 34.3 Yahoo points twice. If you're looking to save some of your budget at the forward spot, Jones' cheap salary makes him at least worth considering.
Forward to Avoid
John Collins, ATL vs. PHI ($23): Collins has seen his usage rate plummet to 15.7 percent this season, which is nearly five percentage points lower than last season. The addition of Dejounte Murray is likely the main cause, given Murray's 26.5 percent usage rate. A smaller role within the Hawks' offense has left Collins to score fewer than 25 Yahoo points in three straight games.
CENTERS
Bam Adebayo, MIA vs. CHA ($31): Adebayo's numbers are down this season, but he's still been productive with 17.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.2 steals per game. With the Heat lacking size at power forward, they have been forced to play Adebayo a ton, leaving him to log a career-high 35 minutes per game. The Hornets have allowed the fifth-most rebounds per game in the league, setting up Adebayo to potentially have a big night.
Mason Plumlee, CHA at MIA ($14): This isn't exactly a great matchup for Plumlee against Adebayo. However, with only four games, it's difficult to find a more appealing center with a cheap salary than him. Plumlee is starting and playing significant minutes for the Hornets, which has helped him average 27.4 Yahoo points per game.
Center to Avoid
Clint Capela, ATL vs. PHI ($22): Capela is coming off one of his best games of the season, posting 15 points, 19 rebounds and two blocks against the Jazz on Wednesday. The problem here is an impending matchup with Joel Embiid. There's a chance that Capela finds himself in foul trouble early, so there is plenty of risk that comes with deploying in DFS.
