This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Thursday marks the final night of action before the All-Star break. There will be five games on the schedule, including a marquee matchup between the Bucks and 76ers. Another battle between two Eastern Conference teams with playoff aspirations features the Hornets hosting the Heat. The Hornets are currently in a dry spell, posting a 2-8 record over their last 10 games. The Nets will be playing the second game of a back-to-back set when they take on the Wizards, but they will have to do so without Kyrie Irving with the game being played in Brooklyn. 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
Reggie Jackson, LAC vs. HOU ($23): It looked like the Clippers had received some scoring support when they acquired Norman Powell from the Trail Blazers, but he's on the shelf indefinitely because of a foot injury. That means that Jackson will once again have to be one of the leaders of the team. Across three games since Powell went down, Jackson has averaged 19.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 8.3 assists. He could stay hot against a Rockets team that has the worst defensive rating in the league.
Seth Curry, BKN vs. WAS ($19): Curry played an important role in the Nets' stunning comeback win over the Knicks on Wednesday, recording 20 points and six assists across 36 minutes. He's already averaging a career-high 15.3 points per game this season, but he's scored at least 20 points in back-to-back games since joining the Nets. With Irving out again, expect Curry to remain one of their primary scorers.
Guard to Avoid
Spencer Dinwiddie, DAL at NO ($21): Dinwiddie made his Mavericks debut Tuesday in an upset win over the Heat. He wasn't a significant factor in the game, though, posting four points and five assists across 23 minutes. It appears that he is ticketed for a limited role off the bench for his new squad, at least until he gets adjusted to his new surroundings. Given that his salary doesn't come at much of a discount, he's not someone to consider for your entry.
FORWARDS
Kyle Kuzma, WAS at BKN ($35): Kuzma doesn't have many viable scoring options left around him, especially with Kristaps Porzingis (knee) still out. The result has been Kuzma averaging 23.7 points and 19.7 shot attempts over the last three games. Given that he also averaged 10.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists during that stretch, he could be one of the safer forward options for this slate.
Terance Mann, LAC vs. HOU ($16): Mann produced a dud against the Suns on Wednesday, registering just two points and three rebounds. Prior to that, he had scored at least 29.5 Yahoo points in four straight games. The good news is that he started and played 32 minutes, so it could have just been an off night for him against one of the best defensive teams in the league. Given this much more favorable matchup, he has an excellent opportunity to provide a valuable bounce-back performance.
Forward to Avoid
Tobias Harris, PHI at MIL ($28): The Sixers played the Cavaliers and Celtics their last two games, both of whom rank inside the top-four in the league in defensive rating. That left Harris to score a total of 17 points on 7-for-17 shooting from the field. The Bucks are no slouches themselves on the defensive end, posting the 12th-best defensive rating. With the potential that Harris could struggle in the scoring column, his salary makes him very risky.
CENTERS
Bam Adebayo, MIA at CHA ($35): Targeting centers against the Hornets is usually a good idea in DFS. They are not good at controlling the boards, which has resulted in them allowing the second-most rebounds per game in the league. Adebayo has already dominated them in two previous matchups this season, scoring 55.8 and 50.9 Yahoo points, respectively.
Ivica Zubac, LAC vs. HOU ($17): Make no mistake about is, Zubac is a risky option. Sometimes his playing time can fall off the map. He's averaging 24 minutes per game for the season, but he has logged 20 minutes or fewer in three of his last seven games. Still, this is a great matchup, and he has scored at least 28.1 Yahoo points in three straight games, so he could be worth the risk in tournament play.
Center to Avoid
P.J. Washington, CHA vs. MIA ($15): Washington has had a few strong performances lately, scoring at least 27.6 Yahoo points in three of the last five games. The problem is, this is a tough matchup against a Heat team that has the sixth-best defensive rating. The last time he faced them, he was held to 16.3 Yahoo points.
