This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Thursday might bring an ugly night in DFS as not only are there only five games on the schedule, but studs like Blake Griffin (knee) and Joel Embiid (rest) also won't be taking the floor with their teams. It doesn't matter if it's pretty, though -- it only matters that you win. Let's take a look at players to target and avoid for your Yahoo entry.
GUARDS
Eric Bledsoe, MIL at POR ($32): Bledsoe is playing well with his new team, posting a 27.9% usage rate with the Bucks. That would put him inside the top-30 in the NBA on the season. He's proven to be an excellent second scoring option to Giannis Antetokounmpo while also providing 2.1 steals and 0.8 blocks per game. With at least 41.6 Yahoo points in three of his last four games, consider getting Bledsoe into your lineup Thursday.
Austin Rivers, LAC vs. UTA ($14): The Clippers continue to be hit hard with injuries and will now be without their best player in Griffin for a significant period of time. Already down Milos Teodosic (foot), Patrick Beverley (knee) and Danilo Gallinari (hip), it's becoming an ugly scene in Los Angeles. Rivers is getting massive playing time as a result, averaging 35 minutes over his last 10 games. He's scored at least 24.7 Yahoo points in three straight games, so take a chance on him at this price.
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Guard to Avoid
C.J. McCollum, POR vs. MIL ($30): McCollum has thrown up some duds lately, scoring 24.4 Yahoo points or less in two of his last four games. This is not an ideal matchup against a Bucks team with a lot of length and talent on defense. Considering McCollum's primary value in DFS is derived from his ability to score, it might be best not to risk spending this much for him Thursday.
FORWARDS
Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL at POR ($58): The cream of the crop today comes down to Giannis and LeBron James at forward. Both should put up great performances, but Giannis might be the safer bet as this should be a closer game than when the Cleveland Cavaliers take on the lowly Atlanta Hawks. Giannis has the fifth-best usage rate (33.5%) in the NBA and is an elite option just about every night.
John Collins, ATL vs. CLE ($21): The Hawks were thin up front to begin with, but have now lost center Dewayne Dedmon (leg) for at least three weeks. Collins will likely be one of the main beneficiaries of Dedmon's absence and should log heavy minutes if he can stay out of foul trouble. When he plays, Collins produces as he has scored at least 30.1 Yahoo points in all four games where he played at least 27 minutes this season.
Forward to Avoid
Khris Middleton, MIL at POR ($34): Middleton has a high ceiling as he has scored at least 50 Yahoo points in a game five times this season. The problem is there is very little middle ground with his production as he has scored 23.4 Yahoo points or less seven times already. With Bledsoe now the firm second running mate for Giannis, paying this much for Middleton based on his inconsistencies may not be a wise move.
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CENTERS
Nikola Jokic, DEN vs. CHI ($45): Jokic stands out as the one elite center option available Thursday with Embiid out for the Sixers. He only scored 27.2 Yahoo points in his last game Tuesday against the Utah Jazz, but don't read too much into that as the Nuggets were blown out in the game. They get to face the horrid Bulls on Thursday, so expect Jokic to rebound in a big way.
John Henson, MIL at POR ($14): While his production is not spectacular, Henson continues to churn out useful fantasy performances as he has scored at least 23.6 Yahoo points in five of his last six games. He doesn't provide a ton of offense, but he provides a lot of value defensively as he is averaging 1.8 blocks over his last six games. If you want to save money at center, Henson is a viable option.
Center to Avoid
Robin Lopez, CHI at DEN ($19): Lopez is starting to see his playing time dwindle as he has played 28 minutes or less in three of his last four games. His overall production has not been great as he has scored 19.3 Yahoo points or less in four of his last eight games. Don't be surprised if Henson provides better production at a cheaper price, making Lopez someone to avoid.
