This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
There are only five games Thursday, but they include a lot of bad defenses and no great ones, which could result in higher fantasy scores than a typical five-game slate.
The Lakers, Timberwolves and Cavaliers are the three-worst defenses in the league over the past 10 games. The first two face each other in Minnesota, while the Cavaliers visit the average Bulls. The Clippers' and Suns' defenses have improved to average recently but their numbers since the All-Star break remain in the bottom third. Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers are the only team ranked in the top third defensively, both the break and over their last 10 games.
GUARD
Jimmy Butler, CHI vs. CLE ($48): There is always some hesitance starting a star wing against LeBron James, but that concern should be outweighed by the Cavaliers' dreadful play lately. Not only are they the third-worst per-possession defense over the last 10 games, and second-worst since the All-Star break, but they are unhealthy and overworked. Kyle Korver (foot) is out, Iman Shumpert (shoulder) may return Thursday after missing the last two games, Richard Jefferson (knee) missed practice Wednesday, J.R. Smith has not matched his early season production since returning from his thumb injury and ditto for Kevin Love and his knee injury. Regardless of how intimidating we expect the Cavaliers to be in May, the Cavaliers on Thursday are a fantasy-friendly opponent. Meanwhile, Butler has at least 44 fantasy points in six straight games.
Kris Dunn, Min vs. LAL ($10): Dunn has played at least 26 minutes only five times in 2017. He had at least 21.5 fantasy points in each, including one game of 41.1 and another of 32.9. Dunn has played at least 26 minutes in each of his past three games, and he saw 24 minutes in the game before this stretch. Additionally, the Lakers have been terrible recently, and they boast the fifth-fastest pace, in addition to the worst per-possession defense, over the past 10 games.
Other suggestions: Ish Smith, DET vs. BKN ($13); Rajon Rondo, CHI vs. CLE ($21)
Guard to Avoid
None. The guard corps Thursday is unusually strong. If you twisted my arm, I'd point to Kyrie Irving or Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, both of whom have struggled to produce profits recently, and both face Thursday's version of a tough matchup – though, on an normal night, those matchups would be classified as average. But even they have been not-terrible in their bad games, and have produced a few gems. There are usable guards at every price point.
FORWARD
T.J. Warren, PHO vs. LAC ($27): This is actually a bad matchup for Warren, but his price is so low that it doesn't matter. The Clippers have been the seventh-stingiest opponent against small forwards over their last five games, in part due to the strong defensive play of Luc Mbah a Moute. But Mbah a Moute has only played 19.4 minutes per game since the All-Star break, while Warren averages 35.4. Warren has scored at least 22 fantasy points in every game since the break, demonstrating his high floor, and he has at least 34 in five of his last six. Even if Warren is held below his recent average, he'd still be in line to profit.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, BKN at DET ($11): Hollis-Jefferson is on a bit of a run lately, with four straight games of at least 31 fantasy points. He has reached either double-digit points, rebounds or both in all four games. This follows a similar five-game streak of at least 17 fantasy points, during which he had two double-doubles. The Nets are 5-5 since the start of the earlier streak, and Hollis-Jefferson's improved play has helped spur their recent success.
Other suggestions: Larry Nance, LAL at MIN ($10); Nikola Mirotic, CHI vs. CLE ($15)
Forward to Avoid
Andrew Wiggins, MIN vs. LAL ($34): Though Wiggins has played relatively well lately, it hasn't translated into daily fantasy success at this price. Though he has scored at least 24 fantasy points in eight straight games, creating a respectable floor, he's only profited once during that stretch. Outside of that 36-point, 49.5-fantasy-point performance last week, he has not scored above 33 points in March. He's unlikely to kill a fantasy lineup, especially given the easy matchup against the Lakers, but he's also unlikely to guide you to victory. My complete lack of faith in the Suns' frontcourt is the only reason this section was not focused on Blake Griffin, whose recent production also leaves a lot to be desired.
CENTER
Brook Lopez, BKIN at DET ($29): Lopez is averaging 22.7 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.4 threes per game during the Nets current 5-5 run. Lopez, along with his team, is playing as well as he has all season. He's also scored at least 32 fantasy points in seven of the 10 games. The matchup against Andre Drummond hurts most centers, in part because of Drummond's excellent rebounding skills. But since Lopez is not a great rebounding center anyway, he has less to lose there. Lopez's skills from beyond the arc will also cause problems for Drummond, who fares better against players who allow him to stay closer to the basket.
Robin Lopez, CHI vs CLE ($10): The Cavaliers are playing with only one real center, Tristan Thompson. Though they are shorthanded at the position, Thompson has played 3.5 fewer minutes per game over his last five. Like the rest of the Cavaliers' roster, he is showing signs of wear and is not performing at his normal levels. On top of that, Lopez has had a log of excellent games lately, scoring at least 20 fantasy points in 10 of his last 16 games.
Other suggestions: DeAndre Jordan, LAC at PHO ($29)
Center to Avoid
Alan Williams, PHO vs. LAC ($20): Williams has frequently put up big profits in DFS since the All-Star break. Unfortunately, DeAndre Jordan is one of the worst matchups possible for Williams. Williams has not played Jordan or Rudy Gobert since the break, though one of Williams' worst games came against Marc Gasol. Williams' value comes from rebounding and scoring close to the basket, two areas Jordan is particularly well-suited to defend.
