This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Thursday night brings five games in the NBA, highlighted by the Cleveland Cavaliers taking on the Houston Rockets. While there are only five games on the schedule, there are a lot of great options for your Yahoo entry as several fantasy friendly teams are in action. Here are the players you want to consider for your lineup.
GUARDS
James Harden, HOU vs. CLE ($54): Harden is coming off of a 56-point explosion against a Utah Jazz team that is only allowing 100.5 points per game, the fourth-fewest in the NBA. Thursday, he gets to face the Cavaliers who are allowing the third most points per game in the NBA at 113.9. Harden's ability to score in bunches while also racking up assists give him the potential for another monster performance.
Buddy Hield, SAC vs. PHI ($16): Hield struggled as a member of the starting unit this season, ultimately being moved to the bench. The move seems to have done wonders for his production as he is averaging 17.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 2.3 three-pointers over three games as part of the second unit. If he can approach those averages again Thursday, that's a lot of value at this price.
[Join the free NBA Yahoo Cup. $25K in total prizes with weekly winners]
Guard to Avoid
De'Aaron Fox, SAC vs. PHI ($20): Fox has really struggled of late, scoring 19.6 Yahoo points or fewer in three of his last five games. He's shooting 41.9% from the field and is averaging 2.3 turnovers in only 27 minutes per game this season, which isn't doing him any favors. With his recent struggles, his price is just too hard to justify.
FORWARDS
Ben Simmons, PHI at SAC ($47): Simmons has posted three straight double-doubles and has scored at least 50.1 Yahoo points in four of his last five games. By averaging 17.8 points, 10.1 rebounds, 8.0 assists and 1.7 steals per game this season, his floor is extremely high. Expect him to be well worth this price.
Brandon Ingram, LAL at WAS ($21): Lost in all of the Lonzo Ball talk has been the improved play of Ingram this season. He enters this game averaging 15.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.4 steals per game. After shooting only 40.2% from the field last year, he's all the way up to 47.1% this season. He scored 37.5 Yahoo points when these teams met earlier this season and should have significant value again Thursday.
Forward to Avoid
Serge Ibaka, TOR vs. NO ($22): Ibaka has provided little value this season as he is only averaging 22.5 Yahoo points per game. He's averaging just 27 minutes per game, which would be his lowest average since the 2011-12 season. Stay away from using him again against a tough Pelicans frontcourt.
[Join a Yahoo Daily Fantasy Basketball contest or league today]
CENTERS
Joel Embiid, PHI at SAC ($39): Embiid sat out Tuesday's game against the Jazz to rest, but he should be back in full force Thursday. There is no doubt that he is valuable when he plays as he is averaging 42.0 Yahoo points per game this season. The Kings are allowing the most Yahoo points per game to opposing centers (59.1), so look for Embiid to thrive.
Marcin Gortat, WAS vs. LAL ($22): At first glance, Gortat doesn't look like someone you want to use as he enters Thursday having scored 25.0 Yahoo points or less in four of his last five games. However, he's still getting plenty of minutes as he is averaging 31 per contest and scored 31.3 Yahoo points against the Lakers earlier this season. At this price, he's worth the risk if you need to save money at center.
Center to Avoid
Brook Lopez, LAL at WAS ($26): Lopez has been inconsistent this season and threw up a dud in his last game against the Boston Celtics when he scored only 19.3 Yahoo points. The Wizards are only allowing 45.4 Yahoo points per game to opposing centers and Lopez scored just 16.7 Yahoo points against them earlier this season. Spend your money elsewhere at center.
