This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The NBA has one more day of games before the league shuts down for Christmas Eve. With COVID-19 running through several teams, a day off is much needed. However, we have to get through Thursday's 11-game slate first.
The matchup between the Nets and Trail Blazers has already been postponed, and we need to keep an eye on the Bucks matchup against the Mavericks with two more Mavericks players landing in the health and safety protocols Wednesday. The Hawks, who are scheduled to face the Sixers, could also be a problem since they already have five players in the protocols.
As things currently stand, here are some players to consider for your Yahoo lineups, as well as a few to possibly avoid.
GUARDS
Brandon Ingram, NO at ORL ($35): The Pelicans are going to be short on scoring options for this game with Jonas Valanciunas out because of a non-COVID related illness. He's averaged a career-high 18.6 points per game. That could mean that even more scoring attempts are coming for Ingram, who already has a 29.4 percent usage rate. He's been at the top of his game lately, scoring at least 41.5 Yahoo points in seven of his last eight games.
Kemba Walker, NY vs. WAS ($14): The Knicks will again be shorthanded as they continue to deal with an outbreak of COVID-19. To complicate matters, Derrick Rose underwent ankle surgery Wednesday. With so many players out, Walker has scored at least 39.1 Yahoo points in back-to-back games. Expect him to remain busy in this matchup.
Guard to Avoid
Spencer Dinwiddie, WAS at NY ($19): Dinwiddie is as cold as ice from the field, shooting 26.8 percent over his last eight games. He's even struggled at the free-throw line, shooting 70.6 percent during that same stretch. There are a lot of viable options in this salary range with so many games on the schedule, so it might be best to wait to deploy Dinwiddie again until he shows signs of coming out of his slump.
FORWARDS
Chuma Okeke, ORL vs. NO ($15): Talk about a strange stat line from Okeke on Wednesday against the Hawks. He was only 5-for-14 from the field, including 2-for-11 from behind the arc. However, he generated six steals. Strangely enough, that marked the second time in the last three games that he had exactly six steals. He scored at least 33.7 Yahoo points in all three of those contests, and should continue to play more in this game with Mo Bamba (COVID-19) out and Wendell Carter Jr. (leg) questionable.
Cam Reddish, ATL at PHI ($14): The Hawks have been hit hard by COVID, which has sent Trae Young, Clint Capela, Danilo Gallinari, Kevin Huerter and Lou Williams into the health and safety protocols. With them out Wednesday, Reddish led their offense with 34 points on 23 shot attempts. As long as this game is played, Reddish should have no shortage of scoring opportunities.
Forward to Avoid
Luguentz Dort, OKC at PHO ($20): While the Thunder pulled off an upset win over the Nuggets on Wednesday, Dort was quiet with just 19.7 Yahoo points. He's now scored 25.7 Yahoo points or fewer in four of his last five games. Add in a tough matchup against a Suns team that has the second-best defensive rating in the league and Dort is too risky.
CENTERS
Nikola Jokic, DEN vs. CHA ($56): The Nuggets weren't showing much effort in their loss to the Thunder, which resulted in head coach Mike Malone pulling his enter starting five midway through the third quarter. They never returned to the game, which left Jokic with a disappointing 28.9 Yahoo points. Look for him to bounce back in a big way against a Hornets team that has allowed the most rebounds per game in the league, which is a testament to their lack of talent up front.
Willy Hernangomez, NO at ORL ($10): Valanciunas being out means that Hernangomez should receive added playing time, and possibly even start. He's played at least 20 minutes in a game three times this season, averaging 14.7 points, 11.0 rebounds and 1.0 blocks across them. At the minimum salary, he could be well worth the risk in tournament play.
Center to Avoid
Steven Adams, MEM at GS ($20): The Warriors are not only a great defensive team, but they have allowed the fifth-fewest rebounds per game in the league. That could spell trouble for Adams, who generates most of his production on the boards. On the offensive end, he's averaging just 7.0 points per game.
