This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Thursday won't be a very busy night in the NBA with only five games on the schedule. However, seven of the teams in action are positioned to make the playoffs. Not only will there be playoff seeding on the line, but also some cash on Yahoo. Here are some players to target and avoid as you craft your entry.
GUARDS
Eric Bledsoe, MIL at GS ($28): The Warriors are likely to get Kevin Durant (ribs) and Draymond Green (illness) back Thursday, but they will still be thin at guard. That gives Bledsoe the advantage of matching up against their backups. He's played well heading into this contest, scoring at least 31.7 Yahoo points in seven of his last eight games. The Warriors play at the fourth-fastest pace (101.9 possessions per game) in the league, which should leave Bledsoe with even more opportunities to provide value.
Goran Dragic, MIA vs. CHI ($23): Dragic isn't exactly on fire right now, scoring 27.8 Yahoo points or fewer in three of his last four games. The good news is that he gets to face a Bulls team Thursday who is still without their best defensive point guard in Kris Dunn (toe). The Bulls have struggled on defense in general lately, allowing an average of 119.6 points in their last five games. Although his upside might not be very high, Dragic is still priced low enough to potentially be a valuable addition to your entry.
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Guard to Avoid
Dejounte Murray, SA vs. OKC ($19): Murray doesn't provide much offensively, scoring nine points or fewer in five of his last six games. He provides above average rebounding numbers for a point guard and a lot of steals, but his limited scoring abilities cap his potential. The Thunder allow the eighth-fewest Yahoo points per game (42.2) to opposing point guards, so it might be best to avoid Murray on Thursday.
FORWARDS
Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL at GS ($51): Giannis has one of the highest ceiling of anyone in DFS, largely due to his 31.3% usage rate that ranks seventh in the league. He's a great rebounder and defender as well, resulting in him scoring at least 58.3 Yahoo points in four of his last six games. One of the two games where he failed to reach the mark was when he was limited to just 17 minutes due to injury. This could be a high-scoring affair against the up tempo Warriors, so paying up to get Giannis into your entry could be worth it.
Noah Vonleh, CHI at MIA ($10): The Bulls continue to rest veterans while also dealing with several injuries, which has left Vonleh with a significant role. He's made the most of his opportunity, scoring at least 23.5 Yahoo points in five of his last six games. The Bulls could even be even more short-handed up front Thursday with their current starting center Cristiano Felicio (back) listed as doubtful. Vonleh should see plenty of minutes in this game, making him a viable option at the minimum price.
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Forward to Avoid
Carmelo Anthony, OKC at SA ($18): Anthony is in a bad slump right now, shooting 19-for-55 (34.5%) from the field in his last five games. As a result, he scored 19.1 Yahoo points or fewer in three of those five contests. The Spurs are the only team in the league that allows fewer than 100 points per game (99.4), so banking on him to come out of his funk in this contest might not be a good idea.
CENTERS
Andre Drummond, DET vs. WAS ($41): Drummond continues to dominate the glass down the stretch for the Pistons, hauling in at least 16 rebounds in six of his last seven games. He's also been excellent defensively, averaging 2.7 blocks in his last seven contests. The Wizards have had trouble slowing him down this season, leaving Drummond to average 12.3 points, 16.7 rebounds, 5.7 assists and two blocks in their first three meetings. He's the most expensive center Thursday, but he could have the highest upside, especially is LaMarcus Aldridge (knee) can't play for the Spurs.
Kelly Olynyk, MIA vs. CHI ($25): Olynyk is having his best month of the season in March, averaging 13.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.8 three-pointers. Although Hassan Whiteside (hip) has missed the majority of the month, Olynyk didn't really see a lot more playing time, averaging 25 minutes per contest in March. There is a chance Whiteside returns Thursday, but Bam Adebayo (ankle) has already been ruled out. Olynyk could be in for a big night against the porous Bulls defense.
Center to Avoid
Hassan Whiteside, MIA vs. CHI ($28): Whiteside has missed the last nine games for the Heat, but is listed as questionable for Thursday after practicing Wednesday. Even if Whiteside does take the floor, expect him to be on a minutes restriction. He might not be needed much if this game gets out of hand early, leaving him too much of a risk at this price.
