This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
GUARDS
Tyus Jones, MIN at MIL ($3,400): The Wolves breathed a sigh of relief Thursday morning when an MRI revealed no structural damage to Jeff Teague's knee, but the veteran will still remain "out indefinitely," per a team release, and Jones is the obvious fill-in at point guard. The 2015 first-rounder has only started three games in his career -- all of which came earlier this season -- and in those contests he averaged 12.3 points, 6.7 assists, 4.0 rebounds and a whopping 4.0 steals in 40.0 minutes per game. Of course, the steals are unsustainable, but Jones could easily approach 35-40 minutes, especially after seeing only 15 minutes Wednesday on the first night of a back-to-back.
Marcus Smart, BOS vs. NY ($5,100): Aside from Jones, Ish Smith is the other obvious play Thursday, but you already know that. Smart is another interesting consideration, and he'll move into the starting five at shooting guard in place of the injured Jaylen Brown. Smart's shooting woes have been well-documented, but those struggles don't carry nearly as much weight in DFS contests as they do in a real-life basketball sense. Smart is coming off of a dud against the Hornets on Wednesday, but prior to that, he'd scored at least 20 DraftKings points in nine consecutive games. In the absence of Brown, Smart should be set for increased minutes against a Bucks team that ranks 23rd in defensive rating.
GUARD TO AVOID
Andrew Wiggins, MIN at MIL ($5,600): Wiggins is by no means a must-sit at this price, but I'd be cautious about deploying him on the second night of a back-to-back, especially after the Wolves went to overtime against Denver on Wednesday night. Wiggins played 42 minutes in that matchup, and while I wouldn't expect that to impact his role Thursday night, he doesn't have a great matchup against a Bucks team that defends well against shooting guards. While Wiggins drilled five threes Wednesday night, that area of his game is still hit-or-miss, and he's failed to record an assist in two of his last three games -- the same goes for blocks and steals, as well.
FORWARDS
Jayson Tatum, BOS vs. HOU ($5,500):Jaylen Brown's absence could lead to a few more opportunities for Tatum, though he's already been averaging well over 30 minutes with Brown in the lineup. The rookie has scored in double-figures in seven straight games, and he continues to rebound well for his age and position. The downside, of course, is that Tatum doesn't offer much in terms of assists -- zero in his last 71 minutes -- or steals, but he'll occasionally provide a couple of blocks, as was the case Wednesday against Charlotte. Expect Tatum to play a key role in helping slow down Houston's bevy of versatile wings.
Dario Saric, PHI at POR ($6,000): Saric's pricetag is down $200 after a lackluster showing in the Sixers' Christmas Day win over the Knicks (17.3 DKPTS), but in the eight games prior, Saric averaged 16.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.0 steal per game en route to 36.3 DraftKings points. Entering Thursday, Saric has attempted at least 10 field goals in 13 straight games, and he's taken at least five threes in 10 of his last 12 contests.
FORWARD TO AVOID
Enes Kanter, NY at SAN ($6,900): Kanter erupted for 60.5 DraftKings points on Christmas Day -- and he had 55.5 DKPTS three days earlier -- but for the most part, he's been difficult to trust. He's a safe bet to score around 30 DraftKings points on most nights, but Kanter is still prone to putting up duds, as was the case Wednesday against the Bulls, when he finished with just four points and 11 rebounds in 22 minutes. Kanter could certainly bounce back, but I wouldn't count on it against the Spurs, of all teams.
CENTER
Andre Drummond, DET at ORL ($9,400): Given the smaller slate, it's feast or famine at the center position, at least among "true" centers. Drummond represents the second-highest-priced player at the position (behind only Joel Embiid), and while $9,400 is a significant investment, Drummond goes up against a depleted Magic frontcourt that will be without Nikola Vucevic. Bismack Biyombo may be the better defensive option, but the Magic have been a bottom-five defense against centers over the last five games, and Drummond enters Thursday with five double-doubles in his last six games.
