This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Tuesday brings another six-game slate in the NBA highlighted by a matchup between the Nuggets and Warriors. Jimmy Butler will also face his former squad with the Sixers hosting the Timberwolves, which should be fun to watch. Let's try to add even more excitement to the evening by winning some money on Yahoo. Here are some players to target and avoid as you work your way through the options.
GUARDS
Russell Westbrook, OKC at ATL ($52): There are few players with as high of a floor as Westbrook. He's averaging a triple-double for the third-straight season and also provides plenty of value defensively by averaging 2.5 steals per game. The Hawks play at the fastest pace (105.5 possessions per game) in the league, so even if this game becomes a blowout, Westbrook should have enough opportunities early on to be extremely productive.
Dwyane Wade, MIA at MIL ($16): The Heat are short on playmakers with Goran Dragic (knee) out. Justise Winslow has done an excellent job filling in for Dragic in the starting five, leaving Wade as one of the better facilitator's on the Heat's second unit. His numbers might not stand out, but he's provided valuable all-around averages of 13.9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. That has propelled him to score at least 24.1 Yahoo points in seven of his last eight games. The Bucks play at the fifth-fastest pace (103.2), leaving the possibility for Wade to be even more productive. The last time these two teams met, Wade scored 30.1 Yahoo points.
Guard to Avoid
Kelly Oubre Jr., PHO at IND ($19): Oubre was one of the players on the Suns who stepped up in the absence of Devin Booker (back), scoring at least 48 Yahoo points in two of his last three games. With that kind of production, it's no surprise that his price has jumped up seven dollars during that stretch. However, Booker is expected to return Tuesday and play without limitations, dealing a significant blow to Oubre's upside.
FORWARDS
Kyle Kuzma, LAL vs. CHI ($30):LeBron James (groin) and Rajon Rondo (hand) are making progress on the injury front, but neither player will return to action for this contest. That's great news for Kuzma's potential in DFS. Even though he hasn't been a consistent source of production, he has scored at least 35.8 Yahoo points in five of his last eight games. The Bulls have allowed an average of 117.6 points during their seven-game losing streak, so look for the offensive-minded Kuzma to have a strong showing.
Omari Spellman, ATL vs. OKC ($11): The Hawks will likely be shorthanded up front Tuesday with Dewayne Dedmon (ankle) listed as doubtful. He didn't play Sunday against the Bucks, either, which actually opened up a spot for Spellman to start. Spellman didn't disappoint, scoring 13 points to go along with six rebounds and four blocks across 30 minutes. At near the minimum price, Spellman is an intriguing option in tournament play.
Forward to Avoid
Josh Jackson, PHO at IND ($23): Jackson has been starting with Booker out, so expect him return to his role with second unit for this contest. He's only averaging 9.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and two assists when he comes off the bench, leaving him with very limited upside. It also doesn't help his cause that he'll be playing against a Pacers team that allows second-fewest points per game (103.1) in the league.
CENTERS
Nikola Jokic, DEN vs. GS ($48): This should be a great matchup between the top two teams in the Western Conference. Jokic comes into this contest playing well and having scored at least 51.6 Yahoo points in seven of his last nine games. He has a career-high 27.1 percent usage rate, which leaves him with a tremendously high floor when you also factor in his contributions with rebounds and assists. Tuesday certainly isn't short on elite center options with Joel Embiid ($51) and Karl-Anthony Towns ($50) both set to take the floor. Jokic has as high of a ceiling as either of them do, so he might be the better choice here since he's a bit cheaper.
Wendell Carter Jr., CHI at LAL ($15): The Bulls come into this contest having played their last three games against the Blazer, Warriors and Jazz. None of those were great matchups for Carter, but he managed to score at least 26.8 Yahoo points in two of those games. The Lakers have allowed the seventh-most Yahoo points per game (50.5) to opposing centers, so if you don't want to pay up for one of the top centers, Carter is worth at least considering in tournament play.
Center to Avoid
Hassan Whiteside, MIA at MIL ($26): Whiteside is expected to return after missing Saturday's game due to an illness. However, this is not a good matchup for him against the Bucks. He's not really equipped to guard Brook Lopez on the perimeter and the Bucks allow the third-fewest Yahoo points per game (42.4) to opposing centers. The last time these two teams met, Whiteside scored just 27.1 Yahoo points. If you're looking for a mid-tier center option, it might be better to roll with Steven Adams ($26), who has a much more favorable matchup against the Hawks.
