This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
With the All-Star break rapidly approaching, the NBA gets off to a busy start to the week with nine games on the schedule Monday. The evening will be highlighted by a matchup between the Blazers and Thunder. There are plenty of options across the price scale with so many games, so let's highlight some to target and avoid to hopefully create a winning Yahoo entry.
GUARDS
Dennis Smith Jr., NY at CLE ($26): Smith has taken over as the Knicks' primary offensive weapon, posting a 29.6 percent usage rate since joining the team. Add in his contributions with rebounds and assists and Smith has scored at least 34.8 Yahoo points in three straight games. The Cavaliers allow the ninth-most points per game (113.1) despite playing at the second-slowest pace (97.1 possessions per game), so look for Smith to keep things rolling in this contest.
Patrick Beverley, LAC at MIN ($18): The trade of Tobias Harris has Beverley lined up to remain in the starting five for the foreseeable future. That's huge for him considering he's averaged 11.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.3 steals across his last 12 starts. Both of these teams are in the top-12 in pace of play, leaving Beverley with the potential for another valuable all-around stat line.
Guard to Avoid
Shabazz Napier, BKN at TOR ($14): With injuries decimating their backcourt, the Nets had a stretch recently in which they really needed to rely on Napier. He came through with flying colors, but Caris LeVert and Allen Crabbe have since made their returns. After scoring 0.7 Yahoo points across 12 minutes Friday, Napier likely won't play enough Monday to warrant adding him to your entry.
FORWARDS
Paul George, OKC vs. POR ($51): George helped lead the Thunder to a comeback win over the Rockets on Saturday by scoring a robust 63.7 Yahoo points. He's now scored at least 50.7 Yahoo points in eight of his last nine games. He scored 66.6 Yahoo points the last time he faced the Blazers and has a tremendously high ceiling once again in their rematch.
Jabari Parker, WAS at DET ($21): Parker's revenge game against the Bulls on Saturday couldn't have gone much better. He was productive across the board with 20 points, five rebounds, six assists, one steal and two blocks. The key was that he logged 34 minutes, which was in part because Jeff Green (hip) didn't play in the second half. If Green can't play against the Pistons, Parker should again receive plenty of minutes. That makes him even more enticing since the Wizards play at the eight-fastest pace (102.4).
Forward to Avoid
Noah Vonleh, NY at CLE ($16): Vonleh's playing time has started to decline and he actually came off of the bench Saturday against the Raptors. That was the first time that he came off of the bench in a game since November. Even though this is a good matchup, his recent lack of minutes makes him an extremely risky option.
CENTERS
Andre Drummond, DET vs. WAS ($41): Drummond absolutely destroyed the Knicks on Friday with 67 Yahoo points across 33 minutes. He's been playing well, in general, with at least 50.6 Yahoo points in five of his last six games. The Wizards did bring in Parker and Bobby Portis at the trade deadline, but they still don't have a ton of size up front. This has the makings of another opportunity for Drummond to feast.
Dwight Powell, DAL at HOU ($14): Powell has remained a member of the Mavericks' second unit despite them trading away DeAndre Jordan and Harrison Barnes. The good news for Powell is that he's seen an increase in playing time, which has enabled him to score at least 25.6 Yahoo points in four of his last five games. With the Rockets lack of size up front, deploying Powell in tournament play at this cheap price could provide significant returns.
Center to Avoid
Brook Lopez, MIL at CHI ($20): Lopez hasn't exactly been struggling for the Bucks, but he's scored 29 Yahoo points or fewer in four of his last six games. With so many weapons around him, Lopez doesn't always receive a ton of scoring opportunities. For his size, he continues to provide little value on the boards by averaging just 4.2 rebounds a night. There is plenty of blowout potential for this game, which could leave Lopez with limited playing time. Buyer beware.
