This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The NBA starts off the week in style with 10 games on the schedule Monday. One of the more appealing matchups features the Wizards hosting the Hornets, two teams that have playoff aspirations in the Eastern Conference.
The same can be said when the Bulls host the Pacers. Nikola Vucevic (COVID-19) has been cleared to rejoin the team, but he still might not play given the need for him to work on his conditioning. After firing head coach Luke Walton on Sunday, the Kings will play their first game without him when they host the Sixers.
Let's try to narrow down the options in DFS by highlighting some players to consider for your Yahoo lineups, as well as a few to potentially avoid.
GUARDS
Bradley Beal, WAS vs. CHA ($37): The Hornets are an appealing team to deploy players against in DFS since they have played at the third-fastest pace and rank inside the bottom-10 in the league in defensive rating. Beal's scoring is down this season at 23.7 points per game, but his 33.3 percent usage rate is right in line with his the last two seasons. The problem has been him shooting just 42.8 percent from the field. This could be the matchup that he needs to break out of his funk. When these two teams met last week, he scored 42.1 Yahoo points and shot 9-for-20 from the field.
Patty Mills, BKN at CLE ($13): Not only will Joe Harris (ankle) miss his fourth straight game, but Bruce Brown (hamstring) has also been ruled out against the Cavaliers. Mills played at least 32 minutes in each of the first three games that Harris missed, including a game against these same Cavaliers in which he scored 26.9 Yahoo points. Playing time shouldn't be hard for him to come by in their rematch, either.
Guard to Avoid
Jrue Holiday, MIL vs. ORL ($29): This game has plenty of blowout potential. When these two teams met Saturday, Holiday scored 27.5 Yahoo points over 30 minutes in a nine-point win for the Bucks. There are several appealing options in this salary range, so taking a chance on the Magic keeping this close, and Holiday playing heavy minutes, might not be worth it.
FORWARDS
Josh Giddey, OKC at ATL ($24): Giddey can stuff the stat sheet in multiple categories, which helps make up for his modest 20.3 percent usage rate. In fact, he's scored at least 30.2 Yahoo points in four straight games. With the Hawks sporting the fourth-worst defensive rating, this could be a prime matchup to roll with Giddey.
Kevin Huerter, ATL vs. OKC ($11): Huerter didn't have a huge role to start the season, averaging only 21 minutes across his first 10 games. However, an injury to De'Andre Hunter (wrist) has opened up more playing time for him. He's averaged 31 minutes across the last six games, which he parlayed into averages of 13.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 2.7 three-pointers. At near the minimum salary, he could be worth taking a chance on in tournament play.
Forward to Avoid
Lauri Markkanen, CLE vs. BKN ($18): The Cavaliers are expected to receive some reinforcements for this game, which should include the return of Markkanen from a bout with COVID-19. However, he hasn't played in three weeks, so the Cavaliers could ease him back into action. When Kevin Love returned from his own battle with COVID-19, he logged only 21 minutes.
CENTERS
Jarrett Allen, CLE vs. BKN ($29): Allen has missed the last three games with a non-COVID illness, but he's not listed on the injury report for this matchup. With Evan Mobley (elbow) out, the Cavaliers badly need Allen up front. Don't be surprised if he torches the likes of Blake Griffin and LaMarcus Aldridge up front. He's already off to a fantastic start with averages of 14.2 points, 10.9 rebounds and 1.2 steals.
Daniel Gafford, WAS vs. CHA ($14): There has been a lot to like about the Hornets this season, but their rebounding prowess has been a sore spot. They have been dominated on the boards, allowing the third-most rebounds per game. They couldn't slow down Gafford when these two teams met last week, leaving him to finish with 40.3 Yahoo points over just 24 minutes. While that will be difficult for him to duplicate, he could still provide value.
Center to Avoid
Thaddeus Young, SA vs. PHO ($17): Young barely played to start the season, but took on a larger role when Jakob Poeltl (COVID-19) went down. Across seven games that Poeltl missed, Young averaged 11.9 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.6 steals across 24 minutes per game. However, when Poeltl made his return against the Timberwolves on Thursday, Young only logged four minutes. It looks like he's back to barely playing again.
