This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Get ready for plenty of action in the NBA on Monday with nine games on the schedule. There are a lot of great matchups on tap, including the Pelicans facing the Raptors and the Jazz taking on the Grizzlies. Let's dive into the slate and examine some players to target and avoid while creating your Yahoo entry.
GUARDS
Klay Thompson, GS at LAC ($29): To no surprise, Stephen Curry (groin) has been ruled out for this contest. The Warriors aren't going to rush him back and shouldn't with so much of the season left to play. Thompson attempted 20 shots with Curry sidelined Saturday against the Nets and finished with 24 points. Expect him to have another high usage rate Monday, which gives him plenty of upside since the Clippers play at the eighth-fastest pace (103.5 possessions per game) in the league.
Derrick White, SA at SAC ($10): After missing the first nine games of the season due to a heel injury, White played only 16 minutes in his return Wednesday against the Heat. The Spurs were just taking a cautious approach with him in his first game back and didn't wait long to ramp up his minutes, putting him on the floor for 30 minutes Saturday against the Rockets. He immediately made an impact, scoring 14 points to go along with four rebounds, eight assists and two steals in that contest. At the minimum price, he's a great option against a Kings team that play at the second-fastest pace (107.4).
Guard to Avoid
J.J. Redick, PHI at MIA ($20): The Sixers will be shorthanded again Monday while they wait for their trade with the Timberwolves to go through. Redick scored 20 points Saturday against the Grizzlies after news of the trade broke and should be heavily involved offensively in this contest, as well. The problem is, he doesn't provide much in other categories, which has resulted in him scoring 24.4 Yahoo points or fewer in each of his last seven games. Considering he doesn't come at much of a discount, it might be best to avoid Redick for your entry.
FORWARDS
Kawhi Leonard, TOR vs. NO ($44): The Raptors haven't played since Saturday and, after Monday's contest, they don't play again until Wednesday. That means Leonard should be good to go for this matchup against the Pelicans, who play at the fourth-fastest pace (105.4). Even though he scored 24.9 Yahoo points in his last game against the Knicks, he only logged 23 minutes after the Raptors raced out to an early lead. This game should be more competitive, leaving Leonard with an opportunity to thrive.
Justin Holiday, CHI vs. DAL ($17): The Bulls are dealing with several key injuries, which has resulted in Holiday averaging a career-high 36 minutes a game. His 13.6 percent usage rate limits his offensive upside, but he's been excellent from behind the arc with 2.8 three-pointers per contest. That's not a stretch, either, considering he averaged 2.6 triples per game last season. After scoring at least 22.7 Yahoo points in six straight games, Holiday is a viable cost-effective option at forward.
Forward to Avoid
Otto Porter Jr., WAS vs. ORL ($20): Porter has struggled offensively, averaging 10.6 points per game and shooting just 44.7 percent from the field. He had shot at least 50.3 percent in both of the previous two seasons. His usage rate is a miniscule 15.4 percent and his playing time has decreased by three minutes per game compared to last year, which isn't exactly a recipe for success. With 18.1 Yahoo points or fewer in three of his last four games, Porter is a risky option.
CENTERS
Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN vs. BKN ($38): With Jimmy Butler now gone, it's Towns' time to shine again. Two seasons ago, when Butler was still in Chicago, Towns had a 27.5 percent usage rate. After the addition of Butler last year, it fell to 22.9 percent. He's only averaging 19.9 points per game so far this season, but expect that number to rise quickly. The Nets allow the fifth-most Yahoo points per game to opposing centers (52.2), so don't hesitate to pay up to get Towns into your lineup.
Montrezl Harrell, LAC vs. GS ($19): Whether Marcin Gortat or Boban Marjanovic has been starting for the Clippers, Harrell has been the center with the most value on the team. After scoring at least 29.4 Yahoo points in four straight games, his price is starting to climb. He's still not overly expensive, though, so now might be the time to take advantage while you still can. With all the small lineups the Warriors use, he should get the bulk of the minutes at center again in this contest.
Center to Avoid
Boban Marjanovic, LAC vs. GS ($16): In the right matchup, Marjanovic has tremendous upside. The problem is, this is not a good matchup. The Warriors play at a fast play and use a lot of small lineups, which certainly doesn't fit with Marjanovic's skillset. He already moved to the bench Saturday against the Bucks in what was another bad matchup against Brook Lopez and the Bucks, so don't be surprised if he doesn't play much against the Warriors, either.
