This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Monday isn't the busiest of nights with just seven games in the NBA. There are a few contests with blowout potential, which could makes things a little tricky in DFS. Keeping that in mind, here are some players to target and avoid for your Yahoo entry.
GUARDS
Brandon Ingram, LAL vs. LAC ($30): Lost in the Lakers' struggles has been the improved play of Ingram. He's become one of their most reliable contributors, scoring at least 31.9 Yahoo points in six straight games. It certainly helped his cause that he logged at least 38 minutes in five of those contests. Both the Lakers and the Clippers are inside the top-nine in the league in pace of play, so Ingram should have plenty of opportunities to provide value once again.
Derrick White, SA vs. DEN ($18): White continues to get more comfortable after missing some time with a heel injury and has logged at least 29 minutes in back-to-back games. He's not an overwhelming offensive option, but he averaged 14.5 points, seven rebounds, three assists, two steals and 1.5 blocks across those two contests. His ability to contribute in multiple areas makes him an extremely appealing option at this price.
Guard to Avoid
Spencer Dinwiddie, BKN vs. DAL ($20): It's been slow going for Dinwiddie, who has scored 22 Yahoo points or fewer in both games since returning from injury. The Nets are sporting a healthy roster right now, which should prevent Dinwiddie from logging a ton of minutes. Since he doesn't come at much of a discount, buyer beware.
FORWARDS
Joe Ingles, UTA vs. NO ($21): The Jazz have been banged up at point guard lately, which has helped Ingles contribute at least six assists in five straight games. The added boosts in dimes has helped him score at least 32.6 Yahoo points in all five of those contests. Ricky Rubio is back, but he won't have much depth behind him with Dante Exum (ankle) and Raul Neto (hamstring) still on the shelf. Add in the fact that the Pelicans play at the fifth-fastest pace (103.5 possessions per game) and Ingles has an excellent chance to continue his recent run of success.
Cheick Diallo, NO at UTA ($17):Anthony Davis (illness) is questionable for this contest, so don't be surprised if he sits out based on the Pelicans lack of desire to play him down the stretch. He's missed two of their last five games already and logged exactly 21 minutes in each of the other three contests. His lack of minutes has left Diallo with an expanded role, which he has cashed in for averages of 12.7 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.3 steals across his last six games.
Forward to Avoid
Kevin Knox, NY at SAC ($15): The majority of Knox's contributions come from the scoring column, which is scary considering he's shooting 35.8 percent from the field. He has the ability to post the occasional strong performance, but he's largely struggled with 19.5 Yahoo points or fewer in five of his last seven games. Even though he's not expensive, he's not the player to take a chance on if you're looking to save money in tournament play.
CENTERS
Rudy Gobert, UTA vs. NO ($34): Gobert has been one of the most reliable big men in the league this season, but he posted a dud Saturday against the Bucks by scoring 19.3 Yahoo points across just 20 minutes. He had scored at least 33.7 Yahoo points in each of his previous 21 games, so don't read too much into one bad performance. With the up-tempo pace at which the Pelicans play and the possibility of Davis not taking the floor at all, look for Gobert to have a valuable bounce back performance.
Kelly Olynyk, MIA vs. ATL ($17): Olynyk has seen a dramatic increase in value since moving into the starting five, averaging 16.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists and one steal across his last eight games. It's helped his cause that Hassan Whiteside (hip), who is listed as questionable for Monday, has been out the last three games. Even if Whiteside does take the floor, this is a prime spot to deploy Olynyk against a Hawks team that plays at the second-fastest pace (104.4).
Center to Avoid
Brook Lopez, MIL at PHO ($21): Lopez is actually playing really well right now and has scored at least 35.5 Yahoo points in four of his last five games. However, this game has blowout written all over it, which could limit Lopez's playing time. There are also a ton of great cheaper center options available for this slate, including Olynyk, Willie Cauley-Stein ($20) and Dwight Powell ($16), so it might be better to take the added savings and stay away from Lopez.
