This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
There are only three games in the NBA on Tuesday, leaving you with limited options to choose from for your Yahoo entry. A couple of games have blowout potential, as well, which might make this a tricky slate to navigate. Here are some players to target and avoid to hopefully end the night with some extra money in your pocket.
GUARDS
Trae Young, ATL at GS ($30): It's been an ugly start to the season for the Hawks, but at least Young is playing well. Their top rookie is not only averaging 18.5 points and 1.8 three-pointers per game, but he's done a good job of facilitating their offense by also averaging 8.2 assists. This game is likely to end in a blowout loss for the Hawks, but Young should still have enough opportunities to be productive since they play at the fastest pace (107.5 possessions per game) in the league.
Jordan Clarkson, CLE vs. CHA ($14): The Cavaliers are running out of healthy players. Clarkson is still not starting even with all of their injuries, but he's a key part of their second unit with a 27.9 percent usage rate. Although the Cavaliers have lost five straight games, Clarkson scored at least 24.8 Yahoo points in four games during that stretch. This is the other game of the night that could end up with a lopsided score, but Clarkson is still a viable option at this price.
Guard to Avoid
Kemba Walker, CHA at CLE ($40): Walker has tremendous upside with his 31.5 percent usage rate ranking inside the top-10 in the league. However, he's actually scored 38.6 Yahoo points or fewer in four of his last six games. One of those games was against these same Cavaliers when he scored 27 Yahoo points across 30 minutes. His playing time was limited in that game because the Hornets won by 32 points. With the potential for another runaway score in favor of the Hornets, Walker might not be one of the players to pay up for Tuesday.
FORWARDS
Taurean Prince, ATL at GS ($22): Prince is shooting just 41.6 percent from the field, but his career-high 25.1 percent usage rate has helped him average 15.3 points and 2.4 three-pointers. If the Hawks are going to have any hopes of keeping this game close, Prince is going to need one of his best offensive performance of the season. He's not just a scorer, though, chipping in five rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.3 steals a night. There's enough upside here to warrant considering him for your entry.
Miles Bridges, CHA at CLE ($10):Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (ankle) was injured in the second quarter Sunday against the Pistons and did not return. That helped Bridges play 24 minutes and score 22.6 Yahoo points. He logged 28 minutes in his previous game against the Sixers and again had a respectable performance with 23.3 Yahoo points. Across five games in which Bridges has played at least 20 minutes, he's averaging 10.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.4 three-pointers. He could reach that minutes threshold again Tuesday with Kidd-Gilchrist already ruled out, making him an intriguing tournament play at the minimum price.
Forward to Avoid
Nicolas Batum, CHA at CLE ($21): The departure of Dwight Howard left a hole in the Hornets offense, but Batum hasn't been one of the players who has filled that void. His 18.3 percent usage rate last year was his lowest during his tenure with the Hornets, but it's even worse this year at 14.1 percent. Not only is he averaging just 9.6 points per game, but his assists are way down, as well, at 3.8 per contest. Until he shows signs of being more involved offensively, it might be best to avoid him in DFS.
CENTERS
Nikola Jokic, DEN vs. HOU ($40): After a couple of disappointing performances against the Celtics and Grizzlies, Jokic has scored at least 39.2 Yahoo points in both of his last two games. It's hard to fault him for his struggles against the Celtics and Grizzlies since they are two of the best defenses in the league. Even with the Rockets getting off to a slow start, this matchup has the potential to be the closest game of the night. With Jokic's ability to contribute in multiple areas, he could be the one player you want to pay up for to get into your lineup.
Larry Nance Jr., CLE vs. CHA ($14): In what seemed like an odd move, the Cavaliers limited Nance's playing time even further after Larry Drew took over as their coach. However, as injuries continue to mount, they don't have much of a choice now. Nance started and plated 31 minutes Saturday against the Bulls, scoring 34.3 Yahoo points. With Cedi Osman (back) out again Tuesday, Nance could be in line for similar playing time.
Center to Avoid
Clint Capela, HOU at DEN ($29): This is more about Capela's price than anything else. He's not playing poorly, scoring at least 31.4 Yahoo points in all but two games this season. However, his ceiling is also somewhat limited with 37.9 Yahoo points or fewer in five straight contests. This is also not a great matchup against a Nuggets team that has allowed the second-fewest Yahoo points per game to opposing centers (39.6). He's not overly cheap, so it might be wise to roll with Jokic instead of Capela if you want to pay up at center.
