This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
After only three games yesterday, we're looking at 11 for today's card. Two of those are happening during the day, leaving us with nine for this night slate beginning at 6 p.m. ET. That's still a massive total for a Sunday, and it'll be an early night for those West Coasters. With that in mind, let's go ahead and get started.
Guards
James Harden, BKN at MIN ($50)
Harden wasn't playing at the beast level we've become accustomed to when Kevin Durant took 25 shots a game, but he's back to MVP Harden with KD sidelined for the next month. The Beard has scored at least 58 Yahoo! points in eight of his last 14 games while averaging 26.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, 10.8 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.9 blocks per game during that span. Those are obviously some of the best averages in the NBA, and it should continue against a 20th-ranked T'Wolves defense surrendering the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing SGs.
CJ McCollum, POR at TOR ($30)
One trick that has always worked in DFS is to play McCollum when Lillard is out. The simple fact is, CJ runs this offense whenever Dame is sidelined. In fact, he leads the Blazers with a 29.2 percent usage rate when Lillard is off the floor. That mark was actually higher in past years, with McCollum averaging nearly 40 fantasy points in these circumstances over the last two seasons. That makes him a great value in this salary range, especially with Toronto sitting 18th in defensive efficiency ratings.
Guard to Avoid
Jordan Poole, GSW vs. UTA ($16)
Poole was amazing when Klay Thompson was out, but he's not the same with Klay back in the lineup. Not only has that forced JP to the bench, but it's hurt his usage, shot attempts and minutes. If you look at the last six contests, Poole has come off the bench and is only averaging 14.4 Y!. That's a disastrous total, and it's clear there aren't enough crumbs with Thompson, Stephen Curry and Andrew Wiggins swallowing up so much usage. The matchup is also troubling against a top-5 Utah defense.
Forwards
Pascal Siakam, TOR vs. POR ($39)
Siakam doesn't get much notoriety from national media because he plays north of the border, but he's been one of the NBA's best players over the last month. The versatile forward has registered at least 36 Y! in 14 straight games while averaging 23.5 points, 8.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.9 steals per game over that stretch. That equates to a ridiculous 48-point average while running the Raptors offense. The best part of this might be the matchup with a putrid Portland defense ranking 25th in points allowed and 29th in defensive efficiency.
De'Andre Hunter, ATL at CHA ($15)
There was word Hunter couldn't even brush his teeth with a nagging wrist injury at the beginning of the season, but surgery has completely changed his game. He's scored at least 22 Y! in five of his six outings since returning with at least 29 fantasy points in four of his last five. That's tough to find from a sub-$20 player, and it's clear he's one of the focal points of the offense with Cam Reddish being shipped to New York. The matchup with the Hornets is the icing on the cake with the team sitting second in pace, 29th in points allowed and 25th in defensive efficiency. And De'Andre actually dropped at least 34 fantasy points in each of their two meetings last season.
Forward to Avoid
Franz Wagner, ORL vs. CHI ($22)
We love Wagner as a player, but he's starting to hit a bit of a rookie wall producing 27 or fewer fantasy points in nine of his last 12 games while posting fewer than 38 Y! in all of those. That means Wagner has a limited ceiling for a $22 player, which is no surprise with Orlando finally fully healthy. Cole Anthony was the one-two with Wagner before, but he's not the same with Wendell Carter Jr, Mo Bamba and Jalen Suggs all available. It's not like Chicago is an easy matchup ranked 14th in defensive efficiency.
Centers
Nikola Jokic, DEN vs. DET ($57)
If you're not using Jokic, what are you doing exactly? He's leading the NBA with nearly 60 Y! per game and at least 40 in all but one appearance this season. That absurd floor and average make him worth it at any salary, especially since The Joker is averaging 26.6 points, 13.6 rebounds, 9.8 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.9 blocks over his last nine. That doesn't even include the fact he's posted four straight triple-doubles coming into this matchup while posting a pristine 74-point average across the last three. A matchup with the Pistons is also favorable since they're ranked 24th in both points allowed and defensive efficiency.
Kevon Looney, GSW vs. UTA ($16)
Facing Utah is a horrible matchup for most, but it could be good for Looney. We say that because he's the only traditional center on the roster, which could force him into 30 minutes to oppose Rudy Gobert. A boost in playing time would be huge for someone in the best stretch of his career averaging 6.8 points, 11.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.9 blocks over his last eight outings. That's nearly 30 fantasy points per game, which is amazing since Looney usually logged only 24 minutes in that stretch. And in his last matchup with the Jazz, he laid down 26 Y! across 31 minutes.
Center to Avoid
Andre Drummond, PHI at SAS ($27)
Drummond has been expensive on Yahoo! all season, and it makes no sense why. The only justification is that they can keep him here in case Joel Embiid gets injured, but that still doesn't matter. Drum hasn't played more than 20 minutes in any game where Embiid has suited up while averaging 19 Y! across 15 minutes a night. That's a brilliant rate, but those are horrifying averages from a $27 player. San Antonio also represents a terrible matchup as they play a lot of small-ball, which would limit Drummond off the bench even more than usual.
