This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
After a jam-packed Wednesday schedule, the NBA takes a step back with only three games Thursday. Four of the six teams that will be in action also played Wednesday, so there are some rest situations to monitor. A battle between two of the best big men in the league could take place when Joel Embiid and the Sixers host Rudy Gobert and the Jazz. The Lakers will also look to build on their win over the Celtics on Tuesday when they face the Grizzlies. Finally, the banged-up Nuggets will be faced with a road matchup against a Spurs team that is also expected to be down a couple of key players. Let's get down to business and highlight some players to consider for your Yahoo lineups, as well as a few to potentially avoid.
GUARDS
Dejounte Murray, SA vs. DEN ($43): Even in an off performance against the Knicks on Tuesday, Murray still scored 36.9 Yahoo points. He had scored at least 45.0 Yahoo points in seven straight games entering that contest. With season averages of 18.8 points, 8.4 rebounds, 8.4 assists and 2.0 steals, he could take advantage of a Nuggets team that might have tired legs playing the second game of a back-to-back set.
Derrick White, SA vs. DEN ($23): The Spurs are expected to be without two of their better scoring options for this game with Devin Vassell (thigh) and Keldon Johnson (ankle) both listed as doubtful. White comes into this game hot, averaging 17.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.1 blocks across the last eight games. With added playing time and shot attempts potentially coming his way, he could provide significant value.
Guard to Avoid
Mike Conley Jr., UTA at PHI ($20): The Jazz played Wednesday and Conley has a checkered injury history, so don't expect him to play a lot in this matchup. As it is, he's only averaged 28 minutes per game for the season. There's a chance that he doesn't play at all, too. The Jazz have played three back-to-back sets so far this season, and Conley has missed at least one game in two of them.
FORWARDS
Anthony Davis, LAL at MEM ($46): It's difficult to find a player with a higher floor than Davis, who is averaging 49.6 Yahoo points per game for the season. He's shooting 52.4 percent from the field to go along with his 27.5 percent usage rate, which has propelled him to an average of 24.1 points per game. Not only does he also provide plenty of rebounds and assists, but he's a defensive stalwart, averaging 1.3 steals and 2.2 blocks.
Jeff Green, DEN at SA ($13): Between injuries and an outbreak of COVID-19 within the team, Green has seen his playing time increase as the season has moved along. His overall season average is 25 minutes per game, but he's averaged 31 minutes over their last nine games. While he still hasn't been a reliable source for production, he did score at least 29.0 Yahoo points three times. That makes him at least worth considering in tournament play on a night when there are few viable options with cheap salaries.
Forward to Avoid
Carmelo Anthony, LAL at MEM ($18): Anthony has gone cold from the field, shooting 38.1 percent across the last 10 games. During that stretch, he has pedestrian averages of 11.9 points, 3.8 rebounds and 0.7 assists. Until he shows signs of coming out of his slump, he's not worth the risk.
CENTERS
Nikola Jokic, DEN at SA ($54): Jokic demolished the Pelicans in an overtime win Wednesday, posting a triple-double on his way to 65.7 Yahoo points. That marked the fifth time over the last seven games that he scored at least 54.5 Yahoo points. He scored 67.7 Yahoo points the last time these two teams met, so another juicy stat line could be coming.
Jakob Poeltl, SA vs. DEN ($23): Poeltl has settled in nicely to a starting role for the Spurs. He's scored at least 30.2 Yahoo points in seven straight games and is averaging close to a double-double for the season. Add in his averages of 2.4 assists and 1.6 blocks and he's a viable option if you want to fade Jokic.
Center to Avoid
Joel Embiid, PHI vs. UTA ($49): Embiid certainly isn't on this list because he's not playing well. In fact, he has monster averages of 29.0 points, 13.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.5 blocks since returning from a bout of COVID-19. However, this will be the second game of a back-to-back, so there's a chance that he either plays limited minutes, or sits out completely. If he does play, he'll have to do battle with Rudy Gobert, who is arguably the best defensive center in the league. If you want to allocate a big chunk of your budget to the center spot, it might be better to roll with Jokic.
