This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The NBA usually brings it for the Christmas Day slate and this season is no different. While injuries might not make either the Warriors or Pelicans ideal teams to play on such a grand stage anymore, we still have plenty of exciting matchups, including the Lakers and Clippers facing off. We also have an opportunity to play Yahoo DFS, so let's try to add one more present under the tree in the form of a winning entry.
GUARDS
Kyle Lowry, TOR vs. BOS ($32): The Raptors depth chart is a shell of itself right now. They are currently missing both of their starters up front in Pascal Siakam (groin) and Marc Gasol (hamstring), as well as their sixth-man Norman Powell (shoulder). That leaves Lowry to try and keep things afloat and he's responded by averaging 27 points, seven rebounds and 9.5 assists across the last four games. Even though the Celtics are a tough defensive team, Lowry has a high enough floor to make him a great option at this mid-tier price.
Alec Burks, GS vs. HOU ($17): Burks has turned into a very important player for the Warriors. Whether he starts or comes off the bench, he's provided excellent production in both roles. He's come off the bench in seven of his last nine games, but he's still averaged 17.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, four assists and two steals during that stretch. The key is he averaged 30 minutes a night. With the Rockets playing at the third-fastest pace in the league, Burks should receive plenty of opportunities to provide value.
Guard to Avoid
Lonzo Ball, NO at DEN ($15): The beginning of Ball's tenure with the Pelicans hasn't been great. He now finds himself coming off the bench, which puts a cap on his upside. Not only is he coming off the bench, but he's logged 23 minutes or fewer in five of his last seven games. The Nuggets already play at the slowest pace in the league, so his reduced playing time is only going to complicate matters.
FORWARDS
Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL at PHI ($50): There has been no slowing down Giannis, who has scored at least 52.2 Yahoo points in six of his last seven games. He recorded a triple-double in just 26 minutes against the Knicks on Saturday and fell one assist shy of posting another one Sunday against the Pacers. The Sixers have a lot of size to clog the paint, but Giannis' upside is still off the charts for this contest.
Damion Lee, GS vs. HOU ($10): With so many marquee teams in action, this slate is obviously loaded with top-tier options. If you're looking for a cheap player to help balance out your budget, look no further than Lee. He's moved into the starting lineup for the Warriors and enters this contest having scored at least 24.6 Yahoo points in four of his last five games. With the Rockets playing at such a fast pace, this is a favorable spot for him to at least reach that threshold once again.
Forward to Avoid
Al Horford, PHI vs. MIL ($23): It almost feels like the Sixers added Horford to try and slow down Giannis' drives to the rim. He's an excellent defensive big man who forms a scary duo with Joel Embiid. With that being said, he's not one of the primary scoring options on the team, which has contributed to him scoring 29.3 Yahoo points or fewer in six of his last nine games. Since he's not overly cheap, it might be wise to use your funds elsewhere.
CENTERS
Serge Ibaka, TOR vs. BOS ($19): While having Ibaka as the primary big off the bench might have seemed like a luxury that most teams would envy to have, he's pressed into a huge role now with Siakam and Gasol out. He's responded to the challenge by scoring at least 36.8 Yahoo points in three of the last four games. The Celtics don't have great options at the center spot, making Ibaka even more appealing at such a reasonable price.
Derrick Favors, NO at DEN ($14): If there is a weak part of the Nuggets' defense, it's at the center spot. They have allowed the 10th-most Yahoo points per game to the position, which should immediately put Favors on your radar. He logged an encouraging 30 minutes against the Blazers on Monday and he has scored at least 28.5 Yahoo points in back-to-back contests. While I do think Favors can provide value, I'd also rather just pay the extra five dollars to deploy Ibaka and his significantly higher upside.
Center to Avoid
Willie Cauley-Stein, GS vs. HOU ($16): Cauley-Stein has been a serviceable center for the Warriors, but that doesn't mean he's a great option in DFS. He's scored 27.4 Yahoo points or fewer in seven of his last 10 games, so that's not exactly anything to get excited about. To complicate matters, this is a tough matchup against a Rockets teams that has allowed the fourth-fewest Yahoo points to opposing centers. Pay the extra three dollars and go with Ibaka.
