This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Thursday's five-game NBA slate should yield fantasy-friendly performances from the Big Apple, with a couple of on-paper mismatches in Cleveland at Brooklyn and Chicago at New York. The rest of the action is highlighted by a couple low-price guards who have lit it up lately for the Pelicans and Jazz, respectively. Those two guards aren't the only players in prime position to outperform their price tags, though.
GUARD
Toney Douglas, NO at IND ($14) - Douglas is an enticing low-price option, as New Orleans' continued injury issues have forced the veteran into a prominent role. He has averaged 14.8 PPG, 5.0 RPG and 5.4 APG in 32 minutes per game over his last five, as the Pelicans lack competent offensive backcourt options aside from Douglas and Jrue Holiday. There's really nobody healthy left to cut into Douglas' production, so don't expect his price to remain down at $14 for much longer.
Shelvin Mack, UTA at OKC ($16) - Many remember Jazz star Gordon Hayward as the driving force behind Butler's improbable final four run not too long ago, but Mack was also a major contributor on that squad. History appears to be repeating itself, as the lesser-known Butler product has been a catalyst behind Utah's recent surge while Hayward hogs most of the recognition. With 16.8 PPG, 8.7 APG and 5.3 RPG over his last six games, the starting point guard has outplayed his price for nearly two weeks now while shoring up what has been a season-long problem spot in Utah.
Guard to Avoid:
Kyrie Irving, CLE at BKN ($32) - Irving hasn't been particularly effective in the last five games heading into his birthday, averaging just 19.2 PPG, 2.4 RPG and 3.2 APG as LeBron James has started to take on a larger role with the postseason looming. While it's possible he begins life as a 24-year-old by turning things around against the putrid Nets, it's unlikely he'll fully live up to his valuation considering two available alternatives have put up better stats recently for half the price
Others to Avoid: Damian Lillard ($46), Rodney Hood ($22), George Hill ($18)
FORWARD
Bojan Bogdanovic, BKN vs. CLE ($15) - Bogdanovic has been on a roll since facing the 76ers on March 15, averaging 27.3 PPG in his last four games including that 44-point outburst. That streak has helped him reach at least 24.0 fantasy points in each of his last six games, and his high volume of touches suggests he should once again top that mark against the Cavaliers. Bogdanovic's value is mostly tied to his shooting effectiveness, and he has been locked in with three made 3-pointers per games over his last four.
Luke Babbitt, NO at IND ($10) - With Anthony Davis (knee/shoulder) done for the year, and the Pelicans mulling shutting down Ryan Anderson (groin), things are starting to get awfully thin in the New Orleans frontcourt. No healthy Pelicans power forward costs more than the minimum $10, but that doesn't mean there's no value to be found at the position. Babbitt has been eating minutes with 32 per game over his last two, and he has made the most of that playing time with 18.5 PPG and 6.0 RPG. The stretch-four has also made at least one 3-pointer in six consecutive games and can basically be viewed as a Ryan Anderson-lite at a third of the price.
Forward to Avoid:
Nikola Mirotic, CHI at NY ($17) - Mirotic was held to six points by the Kings after being benched down the stretch for poor play, and the coaching staff could have the luxury of benching him early again against the lowly Knicks. The Montenegrin forward has scored 15.1 or less fantasy points in three of his last four games and lacks the consistency to be trusted with the Bulls giving him such a short leash.
Others to Avoid: Thaddeus Young ($29), Kevin Love ($26), Serge Ibaka ($19)
CENTER
Pau Gasol, CHI at NY ($35) - While frugality rules the recommendations at other positions Thursday, it also wouldn't hurt to let loose and spend big on an expensive option at center. Although Gasol might still be on a minutes restriction in his second game back from a knee injury, the veteran's 14-point, 14-rebound double-double in just 25 minutes against the Kings on Monday showed he doesn't need to log massive minutes to be effective. The Knicks don't represent much of a step up in quality of competition, meaning the Spaniard is in excellent position to put up another strong performance.
Center to Avoid:
DeAndre Jordan, LAC vs. POR ($31) - Jordan hasn't been himself lately, as his last two outings mark the first time the bouncy center has gone consecutive games without pulling down double-digit rebounds this season. The $31 center's upside sinks much lower when he's not accruing inordinate amounts of rebounds, making Jordan a questionable play with a couple significantly more offensively gifted options available in his price range.
Others to Avoid: Tristan Thompson ($16), Ian Mahinmi ($13)
