This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Thursday brings a limited six-game slate for us to ponder on Yahoo. We could be looking at a few blowout situations, which further throws a wrench into filling out our lineups. As things currently stand, here are some players to consider targeting, as well as a few to potentially avoid.
GUARDS
Stephen Curry, GS at MIN ($50): The Warriors will enter this game looking to recover from an embarrassing 30-point loss at the hands of the Mavericks. Despite the poor showing, Curry still scored 27 points on 9-for-18 shooting from the field. This should be a closer contest against an inferior Timberwolves team that has the third-worst defensive rating in the league, so look for Curry to put up another gaudy stat line.
Luguentz Dort, OKC vs. NO ($22): This game isn't part of a back-to-back situation for the Thunder, so Dort should play. He's emerged as one of the leaders of his tanking squad, averaging 25.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.5 steals across his last six games. He averaged 33 minutes per game during that stretch and should continue to log heavy minutes in what is a favorable matchup against a Pelicans team that has the fourth-worst defensive rating.
Guard to Avoid
Fred VanVleet, TOR at DEN ($32): VanVleet has hit a rough patch in what has otherwise been an excellent season. He doesn't look right after missing seven games with a hip injury, averaging 13.8 points on 35.2 percent shooting from the field over his last five games. Since his salary doesn't come at much of a discount, it might be best to wait to deploy him again in DFS until he shows signs of turning things around.
FORWARDS
Kevin Durant, BKN at IND ($43): Durant's efficiency of late has been eye-popping. Since returning from a lengthy injury, he's shot 65.0 percent from the field and 63.0 percent from behind the arc across seven games. He did mix in a three-game absence because of a thigh injury during that stretch, but it's clear that when he's healthy, he's an elite option in DFS. What's also good to see is that he logged 33 minutes in his last game Tuesday versus the Raptors.
Blake Griffin, BKN at IND ($15): The sudden retirement of LaMarcus Aldridge has left Griffin with a larger role for the Nets. He's become one of the leaders of their second unit, scoring at least 28.5 Yahoo points in four of the last five games. The Pacers will be thin up front with Myles Turner (toe) and Domantas Sabonis (back) out, so Griffin might be able to exploit their lack of size.
Forward to Avoid
Khris Middleton, MIL at HOU ($30): This is one of the games that has significant blowout potential. The tanking Rockets have lost 10 of their last 11 games. During that stretch, their average margin of defeat was 14.6 points. If the Bucks race out to a big lead early, we might not see much of Middleton in the second half. The Bucks also play again Friday, which is another reason to potentially limit Middleton's minutes, or maybe even rest him, altogether.
CENTERS
Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN vs. GS ($47): While many of the worst teams in the NBA are resting their star players, the Timberwolves have come out and said they will play out the string without resting their core. That's great news for Towns, who is averaging 47.4 Yahoo points per game. Expect him to be a tough matchup for a Warriors team that doesn't have much size up front.
Isaiah Stewart, DET vs. DAL ($20): Despite having not played since Monday, and not playing again until Saturday, the Pistons have decided to rest Mason Plumlee for this game. The good news is that Plumlee's previous absences have provided a major windfall for Stewart. Across seven games as a starter, Stewart has averaged 13.0 points, 11.7 rebounds and 2.0 blocks.
Center to Avoid
Brook Lopez, MIL at HOU ($18): Lopez already isn't a very appealing option in DFS after having scored 22.6 Yahoo points or fewer in four of his last six games. As previously stated, this game has blowout written all over it. When you also factor in that Stewart's salary is only two dollars more, there's no need to take a chance on Lopez.
