This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The NBA kicks off the week in style Monday with nine games on the schedule. With the Celtics, Jazz and Magic among the teams in action, we could see a few low scoring contests. Let's dive into the matchups and highlight some players to target, as well as a few to avoid, while creating your Yahoo entry.
GUARDS
Devin Booker, PHO vs. MIN ($35): Booker has been all over the place lately with regards to his scoring contributions. Across his last 10 games, he's scored 19 points or fewer four times. However, he's also scored at least 30 points four times. The good news is that he provides a lot of value in other areas, as well, so he's been able to score at least 34.8 Yahoo points seven times during that stretch. He scored 61.9 Yahoo points the last time these two teams met and could be in for another big night with the Timberwolves playing at the fourth-fastest pace in the league.
Terrence Ross, ORL at MIL ($13): Ross comes into this contest having scored at least 27.1 Yahoo points in three of his last four games. The Magic have asked him to provide added offense with Nikola Vucevic (ankle) out and he has obliged by averaging 16 points and 2.4 three-pointers a game. He'll need to score in bunches if the Magic are going to hang the Bucks, so look for him to receive plenty of opportunities to provide value.
Guard to Avoid
Dennis Schroder, OKC at UTA ($19): Schroder has been the driving force behind the Thunder's second unit, averaging 16.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.5 three-pointers a game. He receives no shortage of playing time, either, with his average of 29 minutes a night. While his playing time will likely be there in this contest, this is a bad matchup against a Jazz team that has allowed the ninth-fewest points per game in the league. The last time these two teams met, Schroder was held to 14.2 Yahoo points.
FORWARDS
Paul George, LAC at IND ($36): The Clippers just played Sunday, which means Kawhi Leonard will be held out of action Monday night. That should leave George to run the show, who only played 26 minutes in their decisive victory over the Wizards. In four games without Leonard, George has averaged 27.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists. He won't destroy your budget at this price, making him an extremely appealing option.
Joe Ingles, UTA vs. OKC ($14): The Jazz will once again be without Mike Conley (hamstring), who is set to miss this third straight game. Ingles has started both games in his place, but his first game was a dud when he scored 8.9 Yahoo points against the Lakers. He took advantage of a much more favorable matchup against the Grizzlies on Saturday by scoring 37.2 Yahoo points. That's the type of ceiling that he has with Conley out, making him worth a look in tournament play at such a cheap price.
Forward to Avoid
Kevin Love, CLE at BOS ($22): Things seem to be coming apart for the Cavaliers. There are reports of dissent in the locker room and they are getting blown out on what seems like a nightly basis. With so many lopsided scores, Love has logged 25 minutes or fewer in five of his last seven games. As a result, he scored 19.8 Yahoo points or fewer in all five of those contests. This has the makings of another blowout on the road against a terrific Celtics team, which makes Love awfully risky.
CENTERS
Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN at PHO ($48): The Lakers mostly held Towns in check Sunday, limiting him to 36.8 Yahoo points across 36 minutes. Not only did he score just 19 points, but he had an uncharacteristically-low four rebounds. The Lakers are one of the best defensive teams in the league, so don't read too much into Towns' lackluster stat line. This is a great opportunity for him to bounce back against a Suns team that he scored 55.4 Yahoo points against earlier this season.
Richaun Holmes, SAC at HOU ($25): With the news that Marvin Bagley (thumb) is once again out Monday, Holmes is locked into significant minutes up front. He has recorded a double-double in three of his last five games and fell a rebound shy of one in each of his other two outings during that stretch. He's also provided value on the defensive end with a least one steal in 10 straight games. The Rockets don't have a lot of size up front outside of Clint Capela, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see Holmes at least threaten for a double-double here.
Center to Avoid
Wendell Carter Jr., CHI vs. TOR ($22): I couldn't put Carter in this spot fast enough. While he's largely played well this season, foul trouble has often created playing time issues for him. As a result, he's only averaging 28.6 Yahoo points a night. Now he has to face Marc Gasol and a Raptors team that has allowed the fewest Yahoo points per game to opposing centers. I rest my case.
