This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The NBA starts off the week with a fairly quiet schedule Monday since only 12 teams will be in action. We do have some fun matchups, though, including the Celtics hosting the Mavericks. We also have another opportunity to win some cash on Yahoo, so here are some players to target, and a few to avoid, when creating your entry.
GUARDS
Donovan Mitchell, UTA at GS ($30): Mitchell has been hot out of the gate by averaging 24.8 points per game. A career 43.7 percent shooter from the field and 35.3 percent from behind the arc, he's shooting 48.8 percent from the field and 42.9 percent on three-pointers this season. Now only that, but he's averaged 4.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.8 steals. With the Warriors allowing 121.1 points per game, this has the makings of a monster performance from Mitchell.
Alec Burks, GS vs. UTA ($14): The Warriors have been searching for offense since they lost Stephen Curry (hand). While D'Angelo Russell has certainly stepped up, they've received a much-needed boost from Burks, as well. Over their last three games, he's averaging 23 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, one steal and one block across 33 minutes a night. Although the Jazz are not an ideal matchup, Burks will likely receive enough playing time to still be able to provide value at this price.
Guard to Avoid
Patrick Beverley, LAC vs. TOR ($19): Beverley generally provides more value in real life than he does fantasy. He's an excellent defender, but he only has a 13.5 percent usage rate. As a result, he's scored 27.3 Yahoo points or fewer in all but one game this season. Since he doesn't come at much of a discount, it might be best to look elsewhere.
FORWARDS
Kawhi Leonard, LAC vs. TOR ($49): This will be Leonard's first time facing the Raptors since leading them to a championship last season. He's been as good as it gets with his new team, scoring at least 51.6 Yahoo points in five straight games. With Paul George (shoulder) still out, Leonard will continue to lead the Clippers' offense, leaving him with an extremely high floor.
Norman Powell, TOR at LAC ($10): With Kyle Lowry (finger) out at least two weeks, the Raptors are missing a vital part of their team. They turned to Powell to start in his place Sunday and he scored 28 Yahoo points across 26 minutes. He should continue to start moving forward, making him at least worth considering in tournament play at the minimum price.
Forward to Avoid
Jaren Jackson Jr., MEM at SA ($19): Jackson is one of the more promising young players in the league, although he isn't a consistent source for production yet. He's topped 30 Yahoo points in a game just one time this season and has scored fewer than 20 Yahoo points four times. Despite not being overly expensive, it's difficult to justify taking a chance on him in the road against the Spurs.
CENTERS
Rudy Gobert, UTA at GS ($30): Gobert is off to a strange start. He's been dominant on the boards by averaging 13 rebounds per game, which is nothing unusual. However, he's only averaging 10.9 points per game, which is five points per contest fewer than last season. His playing time has actually increased, but his usage rate checks in at a paltry 14.4 percent. To compound matters, he's only averaging 1.1 blocks. With all that being said, facing a porous defensive team in the Warriors who has major depth issues up front could lead to one of his best games in the early going.
Dwight Powell, DAL at BOS ($12): Powell laid an egg against the Knicks on Friday, producing one point and five rebounds across 27 minutes. He was moved to the bench for Saturday's matchup against the Grizzlies and responded with 11 points, seven rebounds, three assists, two steals and two bocks over 29 minutes. His playing time is likely secure whether he starts or comes off the bench, leaving him as an intriguing options against a Celtics team that is lacking talent up front.
Center to Avoid
Ivica Zubac, LAC vs. TOR ($13): Even though he starts, Zubac is only averaging 16 minutes a game. That already leaves him with limited upside, and on top of that, he has a tough matchup here against Marc Gasol. With Powell priced a dollar cheaper and likely to garner more playing time, rolling with Zubac would seem to be ill-advised.
