This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The NBA kicks off this week with eight games on the schedule Monday. There aren't a ton of exciting matchups, but the game between the Nuggets and Rockets should be a fun one. We also have another opportunity to win some money on Yahoo, so here are some players to target and avoid as you work your way through the options.
GUARDS
James Harden, HOU vs. DEN ($58): It's hard to justify fading Harden at this point. The Rockets will once again be without Chris Paul (hamstring) and Eric Gordon (knee), leaving Harden with all of the shots that he can handle. He's scored at least 53.4 Yahoo points in 12 straight games, so not only does he have a high ceiling, but he has one of the highest floors of any player at any position.
Derrick White, SA at DET ($16): White has only averaged 23 minutes per game for the season, which hasn't left him with a ton of opportunities to be productive. However, the Spurs have been pleased with his play lately, which has allowed him to log at last 27 minutes in seven straight games. He's made the most of his expanded role, scoring at least 27.5 Yahoo points six times during that's stretch. Since he won't kill your budget, he's an intriguing option in tournament play.
Guard to Avoid
Terry Rozier, BOS vs. BKN ($21): Rozier was excellent filling in for Kyrie Irving (eye) the last two games, scoring 43.1 and 30.5 Yahoo points, respectively. His price jumped from $10 to $21, as a result. However, Irving is expected to return for this contest, which should slide Rozier back into a reserve role. At this price, Rozier likely won't play enough to provide value.
FORWARDS
Luka Doncic, DAL vs. LAL ($33): Doncic's last game Saturday against the Sixers is a great example of why he has such a high floor. He only scored 14 points, but he received plenty of opportunities with 16 shot attempts. Even though his shot was off, he chipped in eight rebounds, four assists and two steals, leading him to 35.6 Yahoo points. The Lakers play at the third-fastest pace (104.4 possessions per game) in the league, which should afford Doncic with plenty of opportunities to provide another stellar all-around stat line.
DeMarre Carroll, BKN at BOS ($13): Injuries continue to limit the Nets, who will likely be without Allen Crabbe (knee) and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (hip) again Monday. Across the first three games that both players missed, Carroll averaged 30.7 Yahoo points. The key was that he logged at least 27 minutes in each contest. With a relatively high minute's floor considering his price, Carroll is an intriguing option in tournament play.
Forward to Avoid
Juancho Hernangomez, DEN at HOU ($14): The party may be over for Hernangomez in terms of his fantasy value. He certainly stepped up and was very productive when the Nuggets were dealing with injuries, but they are the healthiest they have been in a while with Gary Harris and Paul Millsap back in action. Hernangomez hasn't logged more than 20 minutes or scored more than 14 Yahoo points in any of the three games since both players returned, so stay away from him when crafting your entry.
CENTERS
Jusuf Nurkic, POR vs. NY ($34): This is an exciting matchup. Nurkic is rolling right now, scoring at least 43.1 Yahoo points in five of his last six games. He scored at least 22 points in each of those five contests and finished with four double-doubles. The Knicks remain a mess up front and have allowed the most Yahoo points per game (58.3) to opposing centers across their last 10 games. Adding Nurkic won't kill your budget, either, making him an even more enticing option.
JaVale McGee, LAL at DAL ($18): The Lakers laid an egg against the Timberwolves on Sunday, losing 108-86. McGee only logged 16 minutes in the blowout loss and finished with 9.9 Yahoo points. He didn't exactly have a great matchup against Karl-Anthony Towns, who is destroying teams of late. Don't be surprised if McGee rebounds to have a nice performance Monday against a Mavericks team that has allowed the fifth-most Yahoo points per game (55.9) to opposing centers over their last 10 contests.
Center to Avoid
Enes Kanter, NY at POR ($20): Kanter has been overtaken by Luke Kornet in the starting five, but he's still scored at least 34.4 Yahoo points in back-to-back games. Trying to predict what the Knicks are going to do on a nightly basis isn't easy, so who knows how long Kanter will continue to come off of the bench. Regardless of what his role is Monday, this is not a great matchup against the Blazers, who have allowed the 10th-fewest Yahoo points per game (43.8) to opposing centers across their last 10 games.
