This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The NBA tips off the week in style Monday with 10 games on the schedule. That means we have a bevy of options to choose from in DFS. Here are some of the top players to consider for your Yahoo entries, as well as a few to possibly avoid.
GUARDS
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC at POR ($33): It doesn't get much better than facing the Blazers, who have the third-worst defensive rating in the league. Enter Gilgeous-Alexander, who has a 26.2 percent usage rate to go along with averages of 5.2 rebounds and 6.4 assists. At this reasonable salary, he's almost too good to pass up.
Kendrick Nunn, MIA at BKN ($21): The Heat will remain shorthanded for this game with Jimmy Butler (COVID-19) and Tyler Herro (neck) both out. They have missed each of the last five games, which has left Nunn with an expanded role. He's cashed in, averaging 21.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, four assists and 1.8 steals across his last four contests. Look for him to keep things rolling against a Nets team that has the sixth-worst defensive rating.
Guard to Avoid
LaMelo Ball, CHA at ORL ($27): After getting off to a surprisingly strong start to his career, Ball has come back down to Earth recently. He's scored 28 Yahoo points or fewer in four of the last five games, shooting just 39.5 percent from the field during that stretch. Also, he's still seeing limited playing time off the bench, which doesn't do him any favors. Facing a Magic team that has played at the eighth-slowest pace could leave him with another underwhelming stat line.
FORWARDS
Kristaps Porzingis, DAL vs. DEN ($33): Porzingis will be fresh for this matchup after sitting out Saturday for rest. He wasn't on any sort of a minutes limiting before getting that night off, logging at least 32 minutes in each of his previous four games. He hasn't showed many signs of rust, scoring at least 35.6 Yahoo points in all four of those contests. The Mavericks will once again be missing several players because of COVID-19, which should leave Porzingis with a high floor.
Jarred Vanderbilt, MIN at GS ($16): The Timberwolves have started Vanderbilt each of the last four games and he might not lose the job anytime soon. They clearly have a huge hole at power forward and their frontcourt is compromised even more right now with Karl-Anthony Towns (COVID-19) out. After scoring at least 29.8 Yahoo points in back-to-back games, Vanderbilt is an appealing option at such a cheap salary.
Forward to Avoid
Cedi Osman, CLE vs. LAL ($21): The Cavaliers were decimated by injuries at one point, which forced Osman to log a ton of minutes. Their situation has improved dramatically now with players returning from injury and the additions of Taurean Prince and Jarrett Allen via trade. That may have contributed to Osman playing a total of 47 minutes across their last two games. Add the potential for a reduced role to facing one of the best defensive teams in the league and Osman is risky.
CENTERS
Bam Adebayo, MIA at BKN ($38): The Nets probably aren't happy to see Adebayo on the schedule for consecutive games. He torched them on Saturday, scoring 41 points on his way to 62.5 Yahoo points. He's scored at least 20 points in a game six times this season and should continue to see added scoring opportunities Monday with the Heat missing two of their best offensive players. Recording 41 points again will be difficult, but he could still provide excellent production in this favorable matchup.
Isaiah Roby, OKC at POR ($11): There have been no indications that Al Horford (personal) will return anytime soon, so Roby should be looking at another start here. While starting each of the last five games, Roby scored at least 23.3 Yahoo points four times. If you're looking to allocate a significant portion of your budget for guards and forwards, rolling with Roby at center at near the minimum salary is a viable option.
Center to Avoid
Jarrett Allen, CLE vs. LAL ($23): The combination of Allen and Andre Drummond at center is not ideal from a fantasy perspective. Allen is coming off the bench for his new squad, which has contributed to him scoring 26.4 Yahoo points or fewer in back-to-back games. Since his salary doesn't come at much of a discount, it's difficult to justify taking a risk on Allen with so many other viable options for a 10-game slate.
