This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Thursday brings a fairly quiet night in the NBA with only five games on the schedule. Although there aren't as many options to choose from for your Yahoo entry as usual, there are still some great players taking the floor. Consider targeting or avoiding the players below to hopefully end the night a winner.
GUARDS
Russell Westbrook, OKC vs. PHO ($55): Westbrook is one of the best DFS options any given night regardless of his opponent based on his 34.7% usage rate and his ability to contribute across the board. He does have a great matchup Thursday though against the Suns, who play at the fourth-fastest pace (102.5 possessions per game) and allow the most points per game (113.3) in the league. The only slight concern is that the Thunder could get up big early, but Westbrook should still stuff the stat sheet even if that happens.
Nicolas Batum, CHA vs. BKN ($27): Batum is in the midst of his best stretch of the season, scoring at least 30.5 Yahoo points in nine straight games. Although he hasn't scored more than 15 points in any of those contests, he's provided value by averaging 6.2 rebounds, 8.8 assists and 1.6 steals. The Nets play at the seventh-fastest pace (101) in the league, which could leave Batum with added opportunities to provide value for your entry.
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Guard to Avoid
Klay Thompson, GS vs. SA ($24): Thompson has seen his role in the offense shrink this year, posting a 22.9% usage rate that is more than three percent lower than any of his previous three seasons. He doesn't provide much in the way of rebounds, assists or defensive stats, so a decrease in scoring really hurts his value. He's scored 28.3 Yahoo points or fewer in nine of his last 11 games, so it might not be worth playing him at this price based on his limited upside.
FORWARDS
DeMarre Carroll, BKN at CHA ($21): Carroll has had a resurgent season for the Nets and isn't slowing down as the season comes to a close, scoring at least 30.9 Yahoo points in four of his last five games. Unlike other bad teams in the league, the Nets don't have their first round pick next year, so tanking doesn't do them any good. Carroll has played at least 27 minutes in 14 straight contests and should get enough playing time again Thursday to provide value.
Rudy Gay, SA at GS ($13): Gay (ear) blew out his left eardrum Monday against the Grizzlies and had to leave the game early. Before that, he had scored at least 25.6 Yahoo points in back-to-back contests. He practiced Wednesday and is not listed on the Spurs injury report, so he should be good to go Thursday. The Warriors deploy a lot of small lineups and play at the second-fastest pace (102.6) in the league, making Gay an enticing option at this cheap price.
Forward to Avoid
Paul George, OKC vs. PHO ($39): Although George gets the benefit of facing a porous Suns defense Thursday, he didn't score more than 42.5 Yahoo points in either of their first two meetings this season. He didn't exactly struggle in those games, but he is the second-most expensive forward for the evening. The potential for a blowout is more concerning for George than Westbrook since he has a smaller role in the offense and also doesn't contribute as much in other categories. This might not be the night to pay up for his services.
CENTERS
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Dwight Howard, CHA vs. BKN ($29): Howard hasn't been as dominant lately, scoring 29.6 Yahoo points or fewer in four of his last six games. Don't expect him to struggle Thursday though facing a Nets team that allows the most Yahoo points per game (54.4) to opposing centers. Howard destroyed them for 15 points, 24 rebounds and one block in their first meeting this season, so don't hesitate to add him to your entry for their rematch.
Jarrett Allen, BKN at CHA ($12): Allen has been bad his last two games, but one of them came against a superior defender in DeAndre Jordan and the other was a bad matchup against the Warriors. He was playing well before that, scoring at least 23.5 Yahoo points in four straight games. One of those games came against these same Hornets when he finished with 28.4 Yahoo points. The Nets are going to need him to battle with Howard, so he's worth considering at almost the minimum price.
Center to Avoid
Alex Len, PHO at OKC ($17): Len played well when Tyson Chandler was injured, scoring at least 24.2 Yahoo points in three of his four starts. However, he has moved back to the bench now that Chandler is healthy, scoring 12 Yahoo points or fewer in both of the last two games. The Suns seem intent in playing Chandler, leaving Len as someone to avoid Thursday.
