This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
To say the final few weeks of the regular season are crazy would be a drastic understatement. We've already gotten a whiff of what it could look like, and it's only going to get more bizarre from here on out. The simple fact is, there are a ton of teams in rebuild mode and way too many players resting because of it. This slate could be even more wild than usual, with six teams playing the second half of a back-to-back set and five more playing the front end of one. That means 11 of the 20 teams in action could be affected, and it's clear that you guys need to keep an eye on the news reports on RotoWire to get all the updates you need!
Guards
Kevin Porter Jr, HOU vs. GS ($29)
It feels like just a matter of time before Porter is $35-40 on Yahoo. The reason for that is because he is this offense right now, filling in for the injured John Wall. He's actually got a 28 percent usage rate with Wall off the floor this season and had one of the most spectacular games of the year in his absence on Thursday. KPJ collected 50 points and 11 assists in that gem, en route to a ridiculous 70.5 Yahoo points. That makes it hard to believe that he's below $30, especially in a matchup like this. Golden State currently ranks second in pace while surrendering the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing point guards. KPJ will likely be in every lineup but rightfully so.
Coby White, CHI at ATL ($20)
White and KPJ are in the same boat. White has been regularly starting in the absence of Zach LaVine, posting a 26 percent usage rate with him off the floor this year. That increase in usage has led to the best stretch of his career, scoring at least 28 Y! points in eight of his last nine games, generating a 34-point average in that span. That's a fantastic total from a $20 player, and it's hard to understand why Yahoo is keeping him so cheap. The matchup is the jelly in the donut, with Atlanta sitting 23rd in defensive efficiency while surrendering the third-most fantasy points to opposing PGs.
Guard to Avoid
Jalen Brunson, DAL vs. WAS ($16)
Brunson has been struggling a bit recently, and it's scary that he's been doing that with players missing. Guys like Luka Doncic, Josh Richardson, Maxi Kleber and Dorian Finney-Smith have been in and out of the lineup, but they're all expected to suit up here. That means Brunson will have a hard time cracking 20-25 minutes, which is horrifying since he's averaging just 19 Y! points per game across his last five outings. He's also played 23 or fewer minutes in four of those, and that makes him impossible to trust despite the tasty matchup.
Forwards
Jimmy Butler, MIA at CLE ($43)
It was really tough to pick forwards on this slate, and that makes Butler all the more intriguing. We say that because he's the best bet for 40-plus fantasy points of any forward on this slate. Amazingly, Jimmy Buckets has at least 33 fantasy points in 39 of his last 40 games, averaging 22.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, 7.5 assists, and 2.1 steals per game in that span. That equates to a 48-point average on Yahoo, which is really all you can ask for at such a shallow position. The matchup is majestic, too, with Cleveland ranked 22nd in defensive efficiency ratings. When you're unsure at a particular position, just bet on the most consistent guy and find value elsewhere.
Joe Ingles, UTA vs. TOR ($23)
Utah has been trying to figure things out without Mike Conley and Donovan Mitchell, and the biggest thing they've learned is that Ingles can run this offense. He's actually been cruising all year as a starter, averaging 31 Yahoo points per game in his 21 starts this season. The simple fact is, Ingles should play 30-35 minutes and handle the ball on nearly every possession, making him impossible to avoid at this $23 tag. Toronto is far from terrifying, too, with the Raptors ranked 15th in total defense.
Forward to Avoid
Marcus Morris, LAC vs. DEN ($20)
Morris has been brilliant at times filling in for Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, but with both of them looking likely to play here, Morris is really tough to trust. Those two guys swallow up about half of the team's usage, and this most recent stretch has inflated Morris' price a bit too much. When both of those guys suit up, Morris is barely averaging 20 fantasy points per game. That's not enough from a $20 player, and it certainly worries us against a top-10 Denver defense. These teams actually played on April 1 when Kawhi and PG13 suited up, and Morris finished with just 14 Y! points if you needed any more incentive to stay away.
Centers
Isaiah Stewart, DET at CHA ($23)
Trying to figure out who will start in Detroit is a pain, but we've been blessed with an early injury report! Mason Plumlee and Jerami Grant have already been ruled out for this game, which means Stewart gets to start and feast in the frontcourt. In his eight starts this year, Beef Stew is averaging an absurd 38 Yahoo points per game. That's usually what you'd see from a $30 player, and it's clear that this random role has kept his price tag way too low. Going head-to-head with the Hornets is a nice little boost, too, with Charlotte surrendering the ninth-most fantasy points to opposing centers.
Moses Brown, OKC vs. IND ($15)
The Thunder are in full-on rebuild mode, and it's time for them to give this guy the role he deserves. After snatching down 18 rebounds on Thursday, Brown is averaging 9.8 points, 10.2 rebounds and 1.1 blocks over his last 27 games, starting in many of those. That equates to a 27-point average in that span, clearly a stupendous total from a $15 player. The upside is insane, too, scoring at least 29 fantasy points in 11 of those. Getting to face the Pacers is simply a bonus, with Indiana missing most of their frontcourt and surrendering the most fantasy points in the league to opposing centers.
Center to Avoid
Daniel Gafford, WAS at DAL ($15)
I'm sick of being hurt by Scott Brooks and his wacky rotations. You never really know who will play center minutes for the Wizards, with Gafford, Alex Len, and Robin Lopez all randomly splitting time. While we love Gafford the talent, his role is just way too volatile. He's played 16 or fewer minutes in five of his last eight games, which is actually north of his season average. He's definitely had some big games at this low price but let someone else take that risk.
