This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The NBA follows up a busy weekend with seven games on the schedule Monday. The highlight of the night will be the Pelicans taking on the Celtics. Both teams are off to a slow start and will be looking to earn a win to get themselves back over .500. We've also got another opportunity to win some money on Yahoo, so here are some options to target and avoid as you create your entry.
GUARDS
Bradley Beal, WAS vs. HOU ($32): Beal continues to be a reliable scoring option for the Wizards with 21.2 points and 2.3 three-pointers per contest. His value comes from much more than just his offensive ability, though, with averages of 4.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks per contest. He gets a ton of playing time for a team that plays at the sixth-fastest pace (104 possessions per game) in the league, so expect Beal to have a high floor again Monday.
Jordan Clarkson, CLE vs. MIN ($15): Clarkson is doing his best to fill the massive offensive void left by the injury to Kevin Love (toe). His usage rate is all the way up to 29.2 percent, helping him average a career-high 16.1 points per game. Don't count on him to contribute much in other areas, but Clarkson has scored at least 24.8 Yahoo points in six of his last eight contests, leaving him with some upside at this price.
Guard to Avoid
Darren Collison, IND at UTA ($15): The Pacers continue to start Collison, but his playing time is down to 27 minutes a game. They don't count on him to score much, leaving him with a career-low 16.8 percent usage rate. His assists are also down at 4.2 per contest, which has resulted in him scoring 17 Yahoo points or fewer in three of his last five games. Even though he's not overly expensive, Collison's role leaves him with little appeal.
FORWARDS
Kevin Durant, GS vs. ORL ($53): Durant continues to shoulder the scoring load with Stephen Curry (groin) out, which has helped him to score at least 51.3 Yahoo points in each of his last four games. He's also been a monster on the boards, grabbing at least 10 rebounds in three of those contests. That's been particularly important with Draymond Green (toe) also out. Curry will be sidelined again Monday and Green might not return, either, setting up Durant with a tremendously high ceiling.
Jeff Green, WAS vs. HOU ($11): Green only attempted five shots across 21 minutes Saturday against the Pelicans, leading to just 13.8 Yahoo points. He had been playing well heading into that game with at least 20.2 Yahoo points in seven of his previous eight contests. The Rockets use a lot of small lineups, so don't be surprised if Green spends a little more time on the floor Monday, making him a viable option in tournament play.
Forward to Avoid
Nicolas Batum, CHA vs. MIL ($19): It's hard to get excited about what Batum brings to the table. His usage rate is all the way down to 14.5 percent and he hasn't been as much of a facilitator with 3.7 assists per contest. The Bucks play at a fast pace, but they have also allowed the 10th-fewest points per game (109.9). Until Batum starts taking more shots or increasing his assists, it's hard to justify paying this much to get him into your lineup.
CENTERS
Clint Capela, HOU at WAS ($34): Capela was rolling heading into Saturday's game against the Cavaliers having scored at least 56 Yahoo points in three straight games. He couldn't reach that threshold again, but he didn't exactly struggle with 38.5 Yahoo points. If Dwight Howard (lower body) is unable to return, the Wizards are going to have a really hard time slowing down Capela. Even if Howard is able to take the floor, Capela is still a great option at this reasonable price.
Tristan Thompson, CLE vs. MIN ($23): Thompson might not be a flashy player, but he's a monster on the glass. He's averaging a double-double (11.1 points and 11.4 rebounds per game) for the first time in his career and is getting plenty of playing time with Love on the sidelines. The Timberwolves allow the eighth-most Yahoo points per game (50.3) to opposing centers, leaving Thompson with another great opportunity for a productive night.
Center to Avoid
Wendell Carter Jr., CHI vs. SA ($18): After a string of three straight double-doubles, Carter has grabbed less than 10 rebounds in seven of his last eight games. His scoring numbers as down, as well, which has led him to score 24 Yahoo points or fewer in five of his last six contests. The Bulls see him as an important part of their future, but until he can start to produce on a more consistent basis, it might be best to avoid him for your entry.
