This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The All-Star break was a perfect time to step back and take a deep breath because we have a sprint for the next two months. Most teams have just 20-25 games remaining, and it feels like almost every team is still alive. That makes these games as critical as ever, and it should lead to some amazing slates. We certainly have one of those here, so let's kick things off with a former All-Star.
Guards
Kyrie Irving, BKN at MIL ($39)
Irving hasn't played much recently because of the vaccine issues in NY, but he will be running things for Brooklyn here. Playing without Ben Simmons, Kevin Durant and James Harden leaves a ton of usage on the table, with Kyrie posting a 32 percent usage rate with all of those guys off the floor. He's also averaging 1.3 Yahoo points per minute in those circumstances, an incredible rate from a player who could be looking at 35-40 minutes. Not to mention, Irving has at least 37 fantasy points in six of his last seven meetings with Milwaukee.
Brandon Goodwin, CLE vs. WAS ($11)
With Darius Garland, Caris LeVert, Rajon Rondo and Collin Sexton all sidelined, Goodwin has been handed the starting point guard job in Cleveland. If you look at the six games BG has played at least 24 minutes this season, he's averaging 28 Yahoo points per game. Those 24 minutes look like his floor with so many vital pieces missing, and he could be looking at a 40-minute role. The matchup with Washington is wonderful, too, with the Wizards ranked 21st in defensive efficiency rating.
Guard to Avoid
Coby White, CHI vs. MEM ($20)
White was incredible filling in when the Bulls were shorthanded, but he's impossible to trust with everyone fully healthy. The return of Zach LaVine is the thing that's really killed his value, sending White into a secondary role off the bench. It was already tough to compete with DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic for touches, but it's nearly impossible now. In the first game with all of those guys healthy, White had just 12 Yahoo points across 19 minutes of play. That won't get it done from someone in this price range, especially against a Top-10 Memphis defense.
Forwards
Pascal Siakam, TOR at ATL ($41)
Siakam has been one of the most reliable players in fantasy for two months now. The big man has at least 34 Yahoo points in 31 of his last 32 games, posting a 46-point average in that span. It's his role that's made him so consistent, playing 39 minutes a game while taking 18 shots a game in that stretch. The matchup with Atlanta is awesome, too, with the Hawks ranked 27th in defensive efficiency rating. In their two matchups this season, Siakam is averaging 47 fantasy points per game.
Deni Avdija, WAS at CLE ($15)
Washington has tried to piece things together without Bradley Beal, Spencer Dinwiddie and Kristaps Porzingis, leaving Avdija with the most extensive role of his career. Avdija has scored at least 21 Yahoo points in seven straight outings, averaging 28 fantasy points per game across 30 minutes a night in that span. That's all you can ask for from such an affordable player, and he's done that damage despite shooting below 43 percent from the field. He's had success against this stout Cleveland defense, too, averaging 22 Yahoo points across 23 minutes a night.
Forward to Avoid
Chris Boucher, TOR at ATL ($15)
Boucher is one of the most talented big men in the NBA, but he just doesn't have the role to make him fantasy relevant. He's played 23 or fewer minutes in 13 straight outings, averaging 20 Yahoo points per game across 19.7 minutes a night in that stretch. That's decent production from a $15 player but being capped off at 23 minutes makes him difficult to trust. His usage has been non-existent against Atlanta this season, too, attempting five total shots in their two meetings this season.
Centers
Nikola Jokic, DEN vs. SAC ($56)
We just said that Siakam is one of the most reliable options out there, but it's impossible to say Joker isn't at the top of the list. He's scored at least 40 Yahoo points in all but one game this season, leading the NBA with 57 fantasy points per game. That makes him an easy option on every slate, especially since he dropped 25 points, 12 rebounds, nine assists and four steals in this matchup on Thursday. That's far from surprising with Sacramento sitting 29th in both defensive efficiency and points allowed.
Bam Adebayo, MIA vs. SAS ($35)
Adebayo is my favorite player in the NBA, and he's truly coming into his own. He's scored at least 30 Yahoo points in all 17 games since returning from injury, generating a 43-point average in that span. We love that form in this matchup, with San Antonio sitting fourth in pace and 21st in total defense. They're also surrendering the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing centers, which is common for a team playing at such a blistering pace. Adebayo showed us that when he tallied 43 Yahoo points against this subpar Spurs defense three weeks ago.
Center to Avoid
Andre Drummond, BKN at MIL ($27)
Drummond looked to be in for a big role when he joined the Nets, but it seems like he will be capped at 20 minutes. He's actually played 19 or fewer minutes in the last two games, and it's going to be tough for him to surpass that with LaMarcus Aldridge, Nicolas Claxton, Blake Griffin and Day'Ron Sharpe all battling for center minutes. That's even more frightening here because Milwaukee plays a ton of small-ball, and it could limit Drummond even more. The blowout potential is the final nail in the coffin, though, with Brooklyn entering this matchup as a massive underdog.
