This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Thursday should be interesting. COVID-19 has already claimed one game with the postponement of the matchup between the Bulls and Raptors. The Nets are scheduled to be in action again, but their situation is worth monitoring given their own outbreak of COVID-19 that limited them to eight players Tuesday. The Knicks, who have three positive cases of their own, will travel to Houston to face the Rockets. Arguably the most exciting matchup of the night will feature the Wizards taking on the Suns. It's a tough spot for the Wizards, who just played the Kings in Sacramento on Wednesday. Let's get down to business and highlight some players to consider for your Yahoo lineups, as well as a few to possibly avoid.
GUARDS
Cade Cunningham, DET at IND ($28): With so little talent around him, Cunningham should have no shortage of shot attempts. He's averaged 17.8 shots across his last six games, which is up from his season average of 15.2 per game. Not only did he average 22.7 points during that stretch, but he also chipped in averages of 5.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.8 steals. His efficiency might not always be pretty, but that's not as much of a concern in DFS as it is in season-long leagues.
Patty Mills, BKN at PHI ($14): An outbreak of COVID-19 on the Nets has left them with few healthy options. Mills logged 43 minutes in their overtime victory over the Raptors on Tuesday, scoring 30 points on 20 shot attempts from the field. He's arguably their second-best scoring option with James Harden out, so look for him to continue to receive added scoring opportunities.
Guard to Avoid
Bradley Beal, WAS at PHO ($34): Beal has struggled with his efficiency, shooting only 44.6 percent from the field. He shot 48.5 percent last season when he averaged 31.3 points per game. Add in Beal's usage rate being more than three percentage points lower than last season, and he's averaged a 22.7 points per game, which is a disappointment by his standards. Facing a Suns team that has the third-best defensive rating in the league might not help his cause.
FORWARDS
Kevin Durant, BKN vs. PHI ($52): Durant helped will the Nets to a win Tuesday, posting a triple-double over 48 minutes. He attempted 29 shots on his way to 34 points, which marked his third straight game with at least 30 points. If there is one player to build your lineup around for this slate, Durant might be it. His ceiling is incredibly high with Harden out.
Eric Gordon, HOU vs. NY ($14): Gordon did not play Wednesday, getting the night off for rest purposes. The veteran was coming off of a 32-point performance against the Hawks in what was an improbable come-from-behind victory. With the Rockets short on scoring options, Gordon has taken on an expanded role. That's enabled him to score at least 25.2 Yahoo points in five straight games.
Forward to Avoid
Saddiq Bey, DET at IND ($15): This season has been a struggle for Bey with him only shooting 34.5 percent from the field. Even his free-throw percentage has dropped to 73.5 percent, compared to 84.4 percent last season. He provides very little in the way of assists and defensive stats, so if his shot isn't falling, it's difficult to justify rolling with him in DFS.
CENTERS
Alperen Sengun, HOU vs. NY ($12): Christian Wood is in the midst of another excellent season for the Rockets, but a knee injury has put his campaign on hold. He didn't take the floor Wednesday against the Cavaliers and he's not expected to appear in this contest, either. Across 10 games in which Sengun has played at least 20 minutes this season, he's averaged 11.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.4 steals. That should at least have him on your radar at this salary.
Nicolas Claxton, BKN vs. PHI ($10): Claxton is one of the last men standing for the Nets. That helped him log 26 minutes against the Raptors, which he turned into 16 points, seven rebounds and one block. He should log at least 20 to 25 minutes again in this matchup, making him another center with a cheap salary to consider.
Center to Avoid
Isaiah Stewart, DET at IND ($17): Stewart has had more of an impact on the glass lately, averaging 10.0 rebounds over the last eight games. The problem is, his lack of scoring upside contributed to him scoring 24.3 Yahoo points or fewer four times. With Sengun and Claxton having similar upsides but both at cheaper salaries, Stewart is likely someone on whom to pass.
