This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
There are only six games in the NBA on Tuesday, but the evening won't be short on drama with the Rockets facing the Raptors and the Warriors hosting the Celtics. There's also another opportunity to win some money on Yahoo. Let's dive into the slate and discuss some players to target and avoid as you work your way through the options.
GUARDS
Kyrie Irving, BOS at GS ($41): The Celtics recent slide has dropped them down to the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference. Things won't get any easier for them Tuesday on the road against the Warriors. On the bright, this is a great spot for Irving to thrive with the Warriors playing at the 10th-fastest pace (102 possessions per game) in the league. The last time these two teams met, Irving exploded for 56.2 Yahoo points.
Avery Bradley, MEM vs. POR ($16): Bradley has been battling a sore wrist, but he's listed as probable for this matchup. He's taken off since being dealt to the Grizzlies, scoring at least 26.1 Yahoo points in six of his last eight games. He even showed tremendous upside with at least 43.9 Yahoo points three times during that stretch. At this reasonable price, he makes for a great cost-effective option at guard.
Guard to Avoid
Terry Rozier, BOS at GS ($24): This price doesn't make a lot of sense for Rozier. The Celtics' backcourt is healthy right now, which puts a damper on his playing time. He's scored 19.9 Yahoo points or fewer in five straight games, so make sure to keep him out of your entry even though this should be a high-scoring affair.
FORWARDS
Otto Porter Jr., CHI at IND ($26): Porter is expected to be back in action after sitting out Sunday's game against the Hawks to rest. With the Bulls defeating the Hawks on Friday, it was likely a situation where they didn't want to possibly beat them twice in a row and potentially catch them in the standings. Porter has made a world of difference since joining the Bulls, scoring at least 30.4 Yahoo points in five of his last six games. The only time he didn't reach that threshold during that stretch was a game in which he only logged 14 minutes before departing with an injury.
Moe Harkless, POR at MEM ($15): Injuries have certainly taken their toll on Harkless this year. Luckily for the Blazers, he's finally healthy coming down the stretch. He's remained locked into the starting five and has scored at least 26.1 Yahoo points in each of his last six games. The Grizzlies are a tough defensive team, but Harkless might still be worth the risk in tournament play based on his recent run of success.
Forward to Avoid
Gordon Hayward, BOS at GS ($17): If there was ever a time when the Celtics could use Hayward to step up, this is it. During their recent stretch where they have lost four of five games, Hayward is averaging a meager 5.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists. He only logged 23 minutes a night during that stretch and isn't worth the risk in DFS until he starts receiving more consistent playing time.
CENTERS
Nikola Vucevic, ORL at PHI ($45): Having scored at least 50.1 Yahoo points in five of his last six games, Vucevic is usually one of the top center options regardless of matchups. He's extremely enticing for this game with both Joel Embiid (knee) and Boban Marjanovic (knee) out and Jonah Bolden (illness) and Amir Johnson (back) questionable. Add in the fact that the Sixers play at the seventh-fastest pace (102.9) and Vucevic is too good to pass up.
Robin Lopez, CHI at IND ($14): Lopez went from potential trade candidate, to potential buyout candidate, to someone the Bulls are rumored to possibly being interested in bringing back next year. That turnaround has a lot to do with Lopez's recent run of success. Since taking on extra playing time after Bobby Portis was traded, Lopez has averaged 16.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and two blocks across his last nine games.
Center to Avoid
Serge Ibaka, TOR vs. HOU ($16): When the Raptors first brought over Marc Gasol from the Grizzlies, Ibaka held onto the starting center job. He continued to churn out double-doubles, but it appears the Raptors were only buying time to let Gasol get acclimated with the team. Gasol has now started three of the last four games, forcing Ibaka to the bench. After scoring 19.7 Yahoo points or fewer in each of those three contests, it's hard to make a compelling argument to add Ibaka to your entry.
