This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The NBA continues to drudge on Monday despite outbreaks of COVID-19 wreaking havoc on several teams. From a DFS perspective, that means we'll have some shallow depth charts to exploit. Let's discuss some of the better players to consider for your entry, as well as some to potentially avoid.
GUARDS
Luka Doncic, DAL vs. NO ($53): The Mavericks are one of several teams who are playing short-handed right now because of COVID-19. For this matchup, they will be without Josh Richardson, Jalen Brunson, and Dorian Finney-Smith. Maxi Kleber also reportedly tested positive, but there is some question about the results, so his status is uncertain. Doncic already has an extremely high ceiling based on his ability to contribute in so many areas, but with the team expected to ask him to carry them even more in this contest, it's difficult to resist adding him to your entry, even at this hefty salary.
Editor's note: Monday's game between the Pelicans and Mavericks has been postponed.
Tyrese Maxey, PHI at ATL ($15): It's almost easier to list who will be available for the Sixers in this game rather than list all of the players who will be out because of a combination of COVID-19 and injuries. They will be missing their top three guards in Ben Simmons, Seth Curry and Shake Milton, so Maxey is likely going to receive all of the minutes that he can handle. He exploded with expanded playing time Saturday, scoring 60.4 Yahoo points across 44 minutes.
Guard to Avoid
Dillon Brooks, MEM at CLE ($24): There's no question that Brooks is one of the top scoring options on the Grizzlies, which is evident by his 28.4 percent usage rate. The problem is that he's not very efficient, shooting just 39.7 percent from the field. Also, he's only averaged four rebounds and three assists, which limits his upside. With plenty of viable options across this eight-game slate, Brooks might not be worth his salary.
FORWARDS
De'Andre Hunter, ATL vs. PHI ($20): The Hawks aren't dealing with any COVID-19 issues, but injuries have hit them hard. The latest will send Bogdan Bogdanovic (knee) to the sidelines for multiple weeks. If there is a silver lining, it's that Hunter has stepped up, improving his field goal percentage by 10 percentage points compared to last season. That's contributed to him scoring at least 31.7 Yahoo points in five straight contests.
Danny Green, PHI at ATL ($11): The Sixers will have no choice but to play Green a lot in this matchup. When they were short-handed against the Nuggets on Saturday, he scored 28.1 Yahoo points over a season-high 36 minutes. Although his upside isn't off the charts, he has a relatively high floor given his cheap salary.
Forward to Avoid
Robert Covington, POR vs. TOR ($16): It's pretty incredible how limited Covington has been in the Blazers' offense. His usage rate is a minuscule 10 percent, which has left him to average 6.6 points. He's still chipping in rebounds and steals, but with so few scoring opportunities, taking a chance on him having a breakout performance is awfully risky.
CENTERS
Andre Drummond, CLE vs. MEM ($45): Drummond absolutely destroyed the Bucks on Saturday, posting 26 points, 24 rebounds and three assists across 41 minutes. The Cavaliers have been decimated at guard and will still be without Darius Garland (shoulder) for this game. Collin Sexton (ankle) is also listed as questionable after missing two straight. Even if Sexton does play, Drummond is going to be one of the focal points of their offense, so don't be surprised if he provides another monster stat line.
Chris Boucher, TOR at POR ($18): Make no mistake about it, rolling with Boucher is risky. He's really only someone to consider in tournament play. However, he's shown to have massive upside, scoring at least 40.5 points in a game four times. That included two contests with at least 50 Yahoo points. Aron Baynes seems to have fallen out of favor, so Boucher might see a few extra minutes against a Blazers team that has played at the seventh-fastest pace in the league.
Center to Avoid
Deandre Ayton, PHO at WAS ($26): This might seem like a great matchup for Ayton given that the Wizards are one of the worst defensive teams in the league. However, they might play small now with Thomas Bryant (knee) out for the season, rolling with Rui Hachimura or Davis Bertans more at center. Even if they turn to Moritz Wagner for added minutes, he's more of an outside shooter, which would pull Ayton away from the paint on the defensive end. This game also has significant blowout potential with Russell Westbrook (quadriceps) sidelined, so Ayton could spend added time on the bench in the fourth quarter. Add in Ayton scoring 29.7 Yahoo points or fewer in three of the last six games and he's shaping up to be a risky option.
