This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Happy New Year everyone! Let's start off 2019 with a winning night of DFS on Yahoo. There are five games in the NBA on Tuesday, so there aren't a ton of options to choose from. Nevertheless, here are some players to target and avoid as you create your entry.
GUARDS
De'Aaron Fox, SAC vs. POR ($35): Fox's price is on the rise, but for good reason. He's been a rock of late, scoring at least 43.4 Yahoo points in eight of his last nine games. The only time he didn't achieve that feat during that stretch was the fiasco against the Timberwolves were the Kings starters barely played. Since the Kings play at the second-fastest pace (105.3 possessions per game) in the league, Fox should continue to get plenty of opportunities to provide value Tuesday.
T.J. McConnell, PHI at LAC ($10): McConnell is only averaging 20 minutes per game for the season, but a big reason why that number is so low is because Markelle Fultz (shoulder) was playing a lot at the start of the year. Now that he is on the sidelines, McConnell has averaged 26 minutes across his last 13 contests. His stats don't jump off the page, but with at least 20.1 Yahoo points in eight of his last 10 contests, he could be worth considering in tournament play.
Guard to Avoid
Reggie Jackson, DET at MIL ($19): Jackson normally isn't an efficient offensive weapon and he's been even worse this year with his 39.3 percent shooting from the field. His assists are also down at 4.4 per game, which isn't that surprising considering how often Blake Griffin helps facilitate the offense. With 27.8 Yahoo points or fewer in eight of his last nine games, Jackson isn't very appealing at this price.
FORWARDS
Tobias Harris, LAC vs. PHI ($28): Harris is averaging 15.6 shot attempts per game this season, but he only averaged 11 shot attempts across his last three games. He doesn't provide much in the way of assists or defensive stats, so he needs to be more aggressive offensively if he's going to provide value in DFS. His price has decreased by three dollars due to his struggles, setting up a great opportunity to deploy him against a Sixers team that has very little talent at power forward. This also projects to be a high-scoring game between two teams in the top-eight in the league in pace of play.
Al-Farouq Aminu, POR at SAC ($12): Aminu isn't a flashy option, but he's scored at least 23.9 Yahoo points in five straight games. He was excellent on the boards during that stretch, averaging 8.6 rebounds per contest. The Blazers should have to play at a faster pace than usual to keep up with the Kings, making Aminu at least a threat to approach a double-double.
Forward to Avoid
Paul Millsap, DEN vs. NY ($22): The Nuggets received some much needed reinforcements Saturday when Millsap returned from his toe injury. They were cautious with Millsap in his return, playing him just 14 minutes. Until he's clear of any sort of minute's restriction, he's just too risky of an option at this price.
CENTERS
Jusuf Nurkic, POR at SAC ($28): Nurkic only scored 28.9 Yahoo points against the Sixers on Sunday, but that was because he only played 21 minutes in the Blazers' blowout win. Before that, he had scored at least 36 Yahoo points in four of his previous five contests. His price has increased five dollars since Sunday, but he's still a great option against the Kings, who allow the eighth-most Yahoo points per game (48.4) to opposing centers.
Luke Kornet, NY at DEN ($12): We are approaching the halfway mark of the NBA season and the Knicks still aren't set on their rotations. Kornet hasn't played much this season, but he's actually started their last two games. He took advantage of the opportunity, scoring 36.1 and 29.7 Yahoo points, respectively. Not only could Kornet start again Tuesday, but Enes Kanter (back) is listed as questionable. If he can't take the court, Kornet get receive a ton of playing time. Even if Kanter is able to give it a go, Kornet might be worth the risk in tournament play at this cheap price.
Center to Avoid
Willie Cauley-Stein, SAC vs. POR ($26): Cauley-Stein isn't exactly struggling right now with at least 31.4 Yahoo points in five of his last six games. He logged at least 32 minutes in each of those five contests and has been one of the key reasons for the Kings' improved play this year. However, this is a tough matchup against the Blazers, who allow the third-fewest Yahoo points per game (41.2) to opposing centers. Nurkic is only priced two dollars more, so rolling with Cauley-Stein instead of him isn't exactly advisable based on the matchup.
