This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Thursday brings an abbreviated three-game slate is nevertheless packed with star power, including LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, James Harden and Kevin Durant. The trick will be to scope out enough mid-tier value so that you can roster 1-2 elite players who can help win tournaments. Here's our look at some of those selections in Thursday Yahoo Daily Fantasy Basketball.
GUARD
Patrick Beverley HOU at LAL ($14) - While the player opposite Beverley, D'Angelo Russell, also has considerable promise Thursday, the Rockets point guard comes $7 cheaper and has been more consistent. Beverley has totaled 20.9 to 28.2 fantasy points in nine of his last 10, outstanding production for a player near minimum price. The matchup against Russell also works in his favor, as the Lakers come in as a bottom-five defense against point guards in actual points and rebounds surrendered (23.8 and 6.5, respectively) and last in assists allowed (9.2).
Nicolas Batum CHA vs. TOR ($34) - Batum has proven to be one of the best free-agent acquisitions of the 2015 offseason, and has been particularly outstanding over his last 15 games. The Hornets shooting guard has tallied 30.3 to 48.5 fantasy points in 12 games during that stretch, including seven in which he's posted 40.7 fantasy points or higher. He also draws a Raptors defense that ranks in the bottom half of the league versus shooting guards, surrendering 21.1 actual points per game to the position.
Guard to Avoid:
Ty Lawson HOU at LAL ($11) - Lawson's price may be dirt cheap, but it's a case of getting what you pay for. The Rockets point guard has been a shadow of the player he was in Denver, averaging a meager 6.2 points per game this season. He's also totaled 20 minutes in his last two games, scoring 5.0 and 3.5 fantasy points, respectively. While he did produce 20.9 fantasy points against this same Lakers squad Dec. 12, there's no guarantee he'll receive any measure of meaningful minutes with Patrick Beverley playing as consistently as he has.
FORWARD
Kobe Bryant HOU at LAL ($27) - Anyone who has seen Kobe shoot this year knows he is far from a sure thing, but he has been progressively more consistent in his last 10 games. Bryant is even still capable of an occasional fantasy outburst, as he demonstrated in a season-high 50.4-fantasy point performance against this same Rockets squad Dec. 12. The fact that the stellar outing came against Houston should be no surprise, considering the Rockets rank as the second-worst defense versus small forwards (21.1 points and 7.6 rebounds allowed per game, respectively). The perennial All-Star followed that effort with 34.1 fantasy points Tuesday versus the Bucks and has now shot 51.6 percent (16 for 31) over the last two games.
Kevin Love CLE vs. OKC ($41) - Love is the priciest power forward Thursday, but worth the investment. Serge Ibaka's reputation as a shot-swatting, above-average defender notwithstanding, the Thunder came into Wednesday night's matchup against Portland as a bottom-10 defense versus power forwards, surrendering 21.1 per game to the position. Love's sophomore campaign in Cleveland has been much more productive than his initial season, and he's totaled 31.5, 35.8, 37.1 and 42.6 fantasy points in four of his last five.
Forward to Avoid:
Serge Ibaka OKC at CLE ($27) - One of the areas of his game Kevin Love has upgraded this season has been his overall defense, a key factor in the Cavs ranking as the third- and fourth-best unit in the league, respectively, in points and rebounds allowed to opposing power forwards. Ibaka has been up and down with his production this season, and underwhelmed fantasy-wise in his last matchup against a top frontcourt Dec. 8 versus the Grizzlies (21.3 fantasy points). With an elevated price, he's an avoid candidate Thursday.
CENTER
Dwight Howard HOU at LAL ($33) - It's been tough to get a read on Howard at times recently, with his 13.8-fantasy-point performance in 28 minutes against the Kings on Tuesday serving as Exhibit A. However, if there's an opponent Howard can be counted on against, it's the Lakers. Not only does the Rockets' big man play with an extra level of motivation against his former team, but the Lakers also rank as a bottom-10 defense versus centers. Howard posted an 18-point, 12-rebound double-double that netted 39.8 fantasy points in his encounte Dec. 12 against the Lakers and should be able to capitalize once again in his second crack at his former teammates.
Center to Avoid:
Steven Adams OKC at CLE ($10) - Adams might be minimum price, but isn't worth a look Thursday. While he tends to flourish against some weaker defenses, he often underwhelms offensively against the tougher defenders at the center position. He draws such a matchup Thursday against Cleveland, which ranks as the third-stingiest defense against centers in actual points allowed (17.8 per game) and as the top-ranked unit in amount of rebounds surrendered (10.5 per game). With several other cost-effective centers such as Bismack Biyombo ($14) and Roy Hibbert ($16) in better matchups and typically receiving more minutes, Adams can be steered clear of.
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