This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
As the NBA prepares for a night off Tuesday, there is a packed schedule Monday consisting of 11 games. With so many options to wade through, let's get right to it and discuss some players to target, and a few to avoid, while creating your Yahoo entry.
GUARDS
D'Angelo Russell, GS vs. MIN ($32): If the Warriors can stay in a game, that usually means Russell is going to have a big night. They've done just that lately, which has allowed Russell to score at least 41.1 Yahoo points in three of their last five contests. This is an excellent matchup with the Timberwolves playing at the fourth-fastest pace in the league, which is something he already took advantage of once this season when he scored 82.3 Yahoo points in their first meeting. Yes, you read that correctly. Since he won't destroy your budget, either, he's an extremely appealing option for their rematch.
Ish Smith, WAS at NY ($15): When talking about the Wizards, it almost feels like it would be easier to say who they will have available for this game rather than rattle off the litany of players that they will be without. One of the big absences that will impact Smith is Isaiah Thomas, who will be serving the first game of his suspension for confronting a fan. Smith has played well when starting, averaging 11.1 points, 2.6 rebounds and 5.7 assists across 10 games.
Guard to Avoid
Markelle Fultz, ORL vs. CHI ($19): Fultz has a limited offensive ceiling, which is partly why he has scored 27.8 Yahoo points or fewer in seven of his last eight games. It also doesn't help his cause that the Magic have played at the fourth-slowest pace. To compound matters, the Bulls have allowed third-fewest Yahoo points per game to opposing point guards thanks to Kris Dunn. On a night with so many other viable options, avoiding Fultz could be wise.
FORWARDS
Brandon Ingram, NO at POR ($39): As far as players with a high floor, Ingram is right up there. He's become the focal point of the Pelicans, posting a 29.3 percent usage rate and averaging 25.3 points per game. He's provided value in other areas, as well, which has enabled him to average 41 Yahoo points per game. Both the Pelicans and the Blazers are inside the top-11 in the league in pace of play and struggle on the defensive end, so this could be a high-scoring affair in which Ingram thrives.
Damion Lee, GS vs. MIN ($10): The Warriors continue to change up their starting five and rotations, most recently moving Lee into the starting five. He's logged at least 34 minutes in two of his three starts, scoring at least 27.5 Yahoo points in both of those contests. With the potential for this being a fast-paced, high-scoring game, taking a chance on a player like Lee, who has an expanding role and checks in at the minimum price, could be key in building your entry.
Forward to Avoid
Jabari Parker, ATL at CLE ($19): Parker was thrust into a starting role when John Collins was suspended and played very well at first. His production has started to slow, which may be why he was brought off the bench in each of the Hawks' last two games. He only logged 15 minutes against the Nets on Saturday, scoring five points in the process. Now with Collins set to return from his suspension for this matchup with the Cavaliers, don't expect Parker to all of a sudden jump back into heavy playing time.
CENTERS
Hassan Whiteside, POR vs. NO ($40): Whiteside has posted some crazy stat lines lately, scoring at least 52 Yahoo points in five of his last 11 games. He's had a high floor, in general, during that stretch having scored at least 41.9 Yahoo points nine times. The Blazers don't really have anyone to push him for playing time and they deploy a lot of small lineups based on their lack of options at power forward, which should enable Whiteside to continue to control the glass moving forward.
Ian Mahinmi, WAS at NY ($10): Things can't get much worse for the Wizards up front. Now with Davis Bertans (quadriceps) ruled out for this matchup, they are left with Mahinmi, Admiral Schofield and Anzejs Pasecniks up front. Yikes. If there is one thing that the Knicks have, it's size at power forward and center. Mahinmi has already scored at least 25.1 Yahoo points in two of his last three games, so with likely all of the playing time that he can handle coming his way here, he could provide plenty of value at such a cheap price.
Center to Avoid
Derrick Favors, NO at POR ($16): After being out for 13 straight games, the Pelicans eased Favors back into action. He logged 21 minutes or fewer in each of his first four games back, but was increased to 27 minutes against the Warriors on Friday. As encouraging as that was, head coach Alvin Gentry said they would like to keep him between 25 and 27 minutes a game moving forward. An argument can be made that Mahinmi has similar upside based on the Wizards' injury situation, so it might be best to save the extra six dollars and roll with him over Favors if you want to go a cheaper route at center.
