This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Thursday night offers a light slate with just three games, which means there will be lot less lineup variability than on a typical NBA night. We've already gotten a look at every team that will be in action, and balancing preseason predictions with opening-night results should allow for optimal lineup construction. It's tough to trust the Pacers in what promises to be a grind-it-out affair with a defensive-oriented Grizzlies team, so most of the day's best value plays will probably be found in the other two games, which include an entertaining duel between DeAndre Jordan's Clippers and the Mavericks.
GUARD
Dennis Schroder, ATL at NY ($17) - Schroder scored 20 points in 25 minutes during Atlanta's season opener against Detroit, and there's no reason to believe the 22-year-old German won't come up with a repeat performance at MSG. He won't see major playing time due to the presence of Jeff Teague and Kyle Korver in Atlanta's backcourt, but Schroder proved last year he can provide a solid combination of scoring and dishing, and his opening night performance makes him an enticing option at his price.
John Jenkins, DAL at LAC ($10) -Chandler Parsons is out, Wesley Matthews is on a minutes restriction at best and Dirk Nowitzki might get less run than usual playing the second game of a back-to-back. Someone has to score for the Mavericks, and that's where Jenkins comes in. The sharpshooter poured in at least 16 points in six of his last seven preseason games, and Dallas needs his production to hang with the high-flying Clippers. Jenkins won't contribute much if his shot isn't falling, but he's well worth the risk at the minimum price of $10.
Guard to Avoid:
George Hill, IND vs. MEM ($31) - Hill is a good player, but a matchup against Mike Conley and the Grizzlies doesn't make for an optimal fantasy scenario. Even on a day with only three games, there are alternatives in better situations at a similar price. The veteran point guard is also unlikely to repeat his 16.1 ppg output from 2014-15 now that Monta Ellis and a healthy Paul George are in the fold.
Others to avoid: Wesley Matthews ($25), Langston Galloway ($23)
FORWARD
Carmelo Anthony, NY vs. ATL ($37) - Melo should be well worth his steep asking price. The Hawks showed Tuesday they sorely miss DeMarre Carroll's defense at small forward, as they allowed Marcus Morris to gash them for 18 points en route to a double-double. Anthony is a far more gifted scorer than Morris, and he'll be more than happy to carry the scoring load for a Knicks team that might struggle to get good looks from its supporting cast.
Zach Randolph, MEM at IND ($28) - The Pacers are looking to play small-ball with Paul George at power forward, but Randolph should render that strategy ineffective by bullying George in the post. While Memphis doesn't play a fast pace, Randolph's minutes should be high enough to make him more than serviceable in this matchup. The veteran is a good bet for a double-double on most nights even at age 34, and he should push 20 points in this game, as well.
Forward to Avoid:
Josh Smith, LAC vs. DAL ($20) - Smith's playing time will be limited as long as Griffin and Jordan are healthy, and there are more consistent options on which to spend $20. The enigmatic forward was content to take a reduction in both salary and role to sign on with a championship contender, but his Yahoo salary is too high to justify an investment in a low-floor player who probably won't see more than about 20 minutes in this game.
Others to avoid: Dirk Nowitzki ($27), Tony Allen ($19)
CENTER
DeAndre Jordan, LAC vs. DAL ($34) - Unlike Mark Cuban, you don't have to worry about Jordan reneging on his contract when you sign him to your DFS team. The Clippers' center will be motivated to perform against the Mavericks team he spurred in the offseason, and Dallas' plan B, Zaza Pachulia, is hardly capable of handling him on the glass. Plus, Cuban should get progressively angrier with every Jordan dunk and rebound, so picking DeAndre lets you root for a comical Cuban blow-up while also furthering your own cause.
Center to Avoid:
Robin Lopez, NYK vs. ATL ($20) - The new Knicks center is a sneaky-good player in some season-long formats thanks to his excellent percentages, but taking smart shots isn't worth anything as far as DFS is concerned. Atlanta plays two defensively responsible centers in Al Horford and Tiago Splitter, so Lopez should find life difficult on the offensive end in his home opener. Besides, you're not really living life unless you're playing DeAndre Jordan against the Mavericks after the events of this offseason.
Others to avoid: Tiago Splitter ($14)
