This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
NBA DFS has never been for the faint of heart, and that's certainly the case now. You have to do hours of research every week to know who's suiting up with COVID running rampant throughout the league. It's forced dozens of players into protocols and they're going to keep coming. We've found plenty of value as a result, and it'll obviously be a significant theme in this article. Without further ado, let's kick things off with my favorite point guard on the slate...
Guards
Damian Lillard, POR at MEM ($38)
Honestly, I want to use Dame every day until CJ McCollum returns. The simple fact is, he represents the offense in Portland when McCollum is out. That's evident in Lillard's 38 percent usage rate with CJ off the floor while averaging 1.4 Yahoo points per minute. That was on full display Friday when he collected 43 points, four rebounds and eight assists. Lillard also did that damage despite only taking 19 shots, and we genuinely believe he's a candidate for 30 in this expanded role. Getting to face Memphis is favorable with the club ranked 20th in total defense. That's clear when you see Dame has posted at least 36 Y! points in each of his last nine meetings with the Grizzlies.
Gabe Vincent, MIA at DET ($16)
Miami has been trying to cope without Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro, but it's forced Vincent into the most prominent role of his career. Gabe has responded with some exquisite performances producing at least 31 Yahoo points in three of his last four contests. That's tough to find from such an affordable player, and we have to believe Vincent will remain a vital part of the offense with so many key players missing. The matchup with Detroit is the icing on the cake, with the Pistons sitting 22nd in both points allowed and defensive efficiency.
Guard to Avoid
Russell Westbrook, LAL at CHI ($34)
This is undoubtedly a risky fade, but you need a lot from Russ at this salary. The simple fact is, Westbrook has been playing more like a $30 player with LeBron James in the lineup. In fact, he hasn't scored more than 45 Y! points in nine straight outings while averaging 34 over that stretch. That might be good for most players, but not for someone at a premium. Facing Chicago makes it an even tougher sell, with the Bulls ranked Top-10 in points allowed and defensive efficiency.
Forwards
Harrison Barnes, SAC vs. SAS ($22)
It's unclear exactly how Sacramento's offense will look without De'Aaron Fox, Richaun Holmes, Marvin Bagley and Davion Mitchell, but we do know Harry B will be one of its focal points. We say that because he took 16 shots and played 36 minutes in the first game without all the aforementioned teammates. That led to Barnes tallying 20 points, four rebounds and four assists while taking on a lot more responsibility. That's the stud who scored at least 31 Yahoo points in each of his first 11 games, and he should continue to stuff the stat sheet with such a tremendous usage rate. Squaring off with San Antonio isn't too shabby either considering the Spurs sit seventh in pace and 24th in points allowed.
Kessler Edwards, BKN vs. DEN ($16)
The Brooklyn injury report keeps growing and they're expected to be without Kevin Durant, James Harden, DeAndre' Bembry, LaMarcus Aldridge, James Johnson, Joe Harris, Nicolas Claxton and Paul Millsap due to COVID protocols. That's forced some unknowns into huge roles, with Edwards being one of the stars. He's logged at least 32 minutes in all three contests since the breakout while averaging nearly 30 fantasy points. That makes Edwards an easy pick at this value because he's going to be forced into nearly 40 minutes yet again.
Forward to Avoid
Tobias Harris, PHI vs. NOP ($28)
Toby had a terrible bout with COVID, and recently said he still feels sick. It's really showing in his fantasy numbers having scored 38 or fewer fantasy points in 12 of his last 13 appearances. Getting 38 Y! is a lot, but that's pretty close to the minimum you'd need from someone at his value. Harris's average isn't pretty either with 29 Y! across his last eight outings. You need more from someone in this salary range, and this matchup has blowout potential written all over it with Philly entering the matchup as a 6.5-point favorite.
Centers
Nikola Jokic, DEN at BKN ($56)
There's so much value out there due to the COVID breakout that getting a star like Jokic into your lineup is imperative. He's the safest bet for 50 fantasy points and leads the league with 57 Yahoo! points per game. Jokic's floor might be the most appealing feature having produced at least 41 fantasy points in every contest this season. Not many players can even claim that as an average, and it's scary he's scored at least 55 Y! in six of his last seven Brooklyn has been solid defensively, but there's no way anyone on this roster can slow him down with the number of players they're missing.
Jakob Poeltl, SAS at SAC ($23)
Jakob has been in this article a lot, and it's easy to see why. Outside of one dud where he returned from a two-week COVID absence, he's been playing at a $30 level. In fact, Poeltl has managed at least 25 Y! in 15 of the other 19 games while posting a 36-point average. That makes it hard to believe he remains affordable, especially facing a Sacramento side ranking sixth in pace, 28th in defensive efficiency and 29th in points allowed. Not to mention, their three top centers are all in COVID protocols.
Center to Avoid
P.J. Washington, CHA at PHX ($20)
Washington has been fantastic filling in for all the Hornets' COVID absences. But now that everyone's back, P.J. is going to be tough to trust. We say that because he'll be back in a bench role, and he struggled in that role early this season. Washington failed to crack 26 Y! in each of his first nine games while averaging 19 across 19 minutes a night. Those are troubling averages, and it's hard to imagine him seeing more than 25 minutes with his teammates fully healthy. The matchup might be the scariest thing with Phoenix sitting Top-5 in nearly every defensive metric.
