This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Thursday's six-game NBA slate should be a good one, as it features a mix of young teams eyeing next season, veteran squads coasting into the postseason and the desperate middle class in between looking to claw their way into the playoffs. Injuries or increased opportunities have paved the way for some solid late-season value picks, though some more established veterans have also made their way onto this list due to recent hot streaks. Combining the best of both of those categories yields the guys below as the night's top value plays.
GUARD
Tim Frazier, NO vs. DEN ($10) - Frazier is a terrific bargain at the minimum price with Jrue Holiday (eye) out for the season and Norris Cole (back) not yet practicing. There's nobody left to compete with Frazier and Toney Douglas for minutes in the New Orleans backcourt, meaning both will be heavily relied upon to produce in extended minutes. That production is likely to be substantial Thursday against a Nuggets team that ranks 22nd in the NBA on the defensive end.
Elfrid Payton, ORL at IND ($17) - Payton's triple-double in Detroit on Mar. 23 was the start of a terrific four-game stretch during which the second-year point guard has put up 15.0 points and 9.8 assists per game. The Magic should continue to give the youngster plenty of run down the stretch since they're out of the playoff picture, meaning Payton will probably hold down the starting point guard job over Brandon Jennings for the remainder of the season. Considering how well Payton has performed in that role recently, he should have no problem outplaying his modest $17 price tag.
Guard to Avoid:
Jimmy Butler, CHI at HOU ($37) - Butler hasn't been right since his knee injury, failing to top 37.1 fantasy points in any of his last 10 games. He's been getting big minutes as the Bulls desperately attempt to break out of their late-season swoon, but the shooting guard simply isn't putting up the same stats he had been for most of the campaign. Even against the porous Houston defense, Butler isn't a smart play at his high price.
Others to Avoid: Kyrie Irving ($31), Monta Ellis ($24), J.R. Smith ($17), E'Twaun Moore ($14)
FORWARD
Kevin Love, CLE vs.BKN ($28) - He doesn't exactly get much love in Cleveland, but the former Timberwolves star has been coming on of late with four consecutive double-doubles and an average of 37.4 fantasy points per game in his last four appearances. Love's price is still depressed thanks to an extended slump that preceded this run, making him worth a look against a Nets team that the Cavaliers won't take lightly after being upset in Brooklyn a week ago.
Maurice Harkless, POR vs. BOS ($10) - The talented backcourt duo of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum soak up almost the entirety of the limited media attention given to the Trail Blazers, but Harkless has been playing terrific under-the-radar basketball since being inserted into Portland's starting lineup as a small-ball power forward. He has been putting his versatility on full display in 27 minutes per game over his last four, averaging 13.0 points and 5.8 rebounds to go along with half a steal, half a 3-pointer and a block per contest. Those in need of a cheap option at the forward position would be hard-pressed to find a better deal than Harkless at the minimum price.
Forward to Avoid:
Myles Turner, IND vs. ORL ($18) - Turner has averaged just 4.0 points and 4.3 rebounds per game in three outings as a 20-year-old, totaling fewer fantasy points in those performances combined than he accrued in picking up a double-double on his birthday. His poor recent play has led to a continued decline in playing time as the Pacers fight to lock up a playoff berth, and it's tough to trust Turner knowing he could be yanked immediately if he struggles out of the gate.
Others to Avoid: Thaddeus Young ($29), Evan Fournier ($22), Trevor Ariza ($19)
CENTER
Ian Mahinmi, IND vs. ORL ($13) - While Turner hasn't been producing of late, his teammate Mahinmi surely has, scoring over 30 fantasy points in three consecutive games, averaging 18.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.3 blocks in 29.7 minutes per game in that span. His matchup Thursday makes him primed to continue his solid run, as the Magic are allowing the sixth-most fantasy points per game to centers over the last 10 games.
Center to Avoid:
Jared Sullinger, BOS at POR ($18) - Sullinger has been very inconsistent lately, failing to pull down more than five rebounds in four of his last seven appearances while only scoring double-digits points twice in that span. Don't expect a turnaround against the small-ball Trail Blazers, as he could play fewer minutes than usual if head coach Brad Stevens chooses to mold his lineups to adapt to the competition.
Others to Avoid: Pau Gasol ($31), Tristan Thompson ($14)
