This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
As far as Thursdays go, we have a busy one upcoming with six games in the NBA. The battle for Los Angeles will get underway when the Clippers host the Lakers, although both teams are severely compromised by injuries. To make matters worse, the Lakers will be playing the second game of a back-to-back set. The Hawks will face a tough opponent when they take on the Suns, and they might have to do so without Trae Young (shoulder), who is listed as a game-time decision. The Bulls will try to maintain their spot atop the Eastern Conference in a matchup against the Raptors, who enter having won three straight games. Let's dig into all of the games and highlight some players to consider for your Yahoo lineups, as well as a few to possibly avoid.
GUARDS
Fred VanVleet, TOR vs. CHI ($37): The Bulls have allowed at least 115 points in three straight games and should continue to struggle in that area with Lonzo Ball (knee) and Alex Caruso (wrist) out. Their inability to slow down opposing guards puts them in a tough spot against VanVleet, who hasn't shown any ill-effects from a recent knee injury. Over the last three games, he's averaged 18.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, 8.3 assists and 1.3 steals.
Bogdan Bogdanovic, ATL vs. PHO ($15): With Young out Monday against the Raptors, Bogdanovic posted 18 points, five rebounds and four assists across 31 minutes off the bench. He's stepped up his production lately, averaging 16.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.0 steals over the last four games. If Young is out again, Bogdanovic is really appealing at this salary. Even if Young plays, though, he could still provide value.
Guard to Avoid
Jordan Poole, GS vs. SAC ($20): With the Warriors resting just about everyone Tuesday against the Spurs, Poole was the focal point of their scoring attack. He didn't disappoint, scoring 31 points to go along with six rebounds and five assists across 34 minutes. However, with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins all expected to return for this game, Poole could fade back into a reduced role.
FORWARDS
Anthony Edwards, MIN at DET ($33): Edwards had a rare off night in a lopsided win over the Nuggets on Tuesday, scoring just five points. He only attempted eight shots over 26 minutes. Given his 27.1 percent usage rate, don't expect him to be as quiet in a great matchup against a Pistons team that has the seventh-worst defensive rating in the league.
Javonte Green, CHI at TOR ($10): Injuries have hammered the Bulls at power forward, which has left Green to fill a significant role. He's not flashy and doesn't have a ton of scoring upside, but he plays with a lot of energy and can rack up defensive stats. That's helped him score at least 20.7 Yahoo points in three of the last four games. At the minimum salary, he's an interesting tournament option.
Forward to Avoid
Cameron Johnson, PHO at ATL ($21): Jae Crowder returned from a four-game absence when he took the floor Tuesday against the Nets. Johnson logged at least 36 minutes in all four games that Crowder was out, but he only played 23 minutes in his return. That limited him to just 18.6 Yahoo points. Given that Johnson is averaging just 26 minutes per game for the season, expect him to remain in a limited role now that Crowder is healthy.
CENTERS
Bam Adebayo, MIA at SA ($35): The Spurs are going to be really thin up front for this game with Jakob Poeltl (concussion) and Jock Landale (concussion) both out. That puts them in a tough spot against Adebayo, who has scored at least 40.4 Yahoo points in three of the last four games. It should also help his cause that the Spurs have played at the fifth-fastest pace in the league.
Drew Eubanks, SA vs. MIA ($10): With Poeltl and Landale out, Eubanks could be in line for a spot start. He hasn't played much this season, averaging only 12 minutes per game. However, across nine games in a starting role, he's averaged 9.0 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists. That's enough to at least put him on your radar.
Center to Avoid
Clint Capela, ATL vs. PHO ($21): With the trade deadline approaching, could Capela be someone whom the Hawks consider moving? Onyeka Okongwu played well during a stint that Capela was injured, and has continued to play more, even though Capela is healthy. Despite regaining his starting job, Capela has only averaged 23 minutes over the last five games. The result was him scoring 24.6 Yahoo points or fewer four times.
