This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
There are only four games in the NBA on Tuesday, but one of them has significant playoff implications with the Warriors facing the Nuggets. The Warriors could take a two game lead for the top seed in the Western Conference with a win. The evening also brings another opportunity to win some cash on Yahoo, so let's highlight some players to target and avoid while you create your entry.
GUARDS
James Harden, HOU at SAC ($59): The Rockets still have something left to play for since they are tied for the third seed in the West with the Blazers. That's kept Harden from resting, making him one of the few superstars that we've been able to count on down the stretch. These two teams just played each other Saturday when Harden finished with 50 points and a triple-double. With the Kings playing at the second-fastest pace (104 possessions per game) in the league, Harden has the potential for another monstrous stat line.
Derrick White, SA vs. ATL ($17): White isn't playing well right now, leaving him to score 18.2 Yahoo points or fewer in four of his last six games. Extending that out even further, he's shooting 37 percent from the field across his last 11 contests. That's helped lower his price tag considerably for this favorable matchup against a Hawks team that plays at the fastest pace (104.5). White exploded for 54.7 Yahoo points when these two teams met earlier this month and is someone to strongly consider for their rematch.
Guard to Avoid
Klay Thompson, GS vs. DEN ($28): When Thompson is feeling it, he can put up plenty of points in a hurry. However, his other contributions can be limited since he is averaging just 3.9 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. With averages of 1.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists across his last five contests, he's scored 28.4 Yahoo points or fewer each time. If you want to take advantage of Harden's juicy matchup, it might not make sense to also allocate this much of your budget for Thompson based on his recent struggles.
FORWARDS
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, LAL at OKC ($18): Caldwell-Pope was once again one of the offensive leaders for the Lakers on Sunday against the Hornets, scoring 19 points on 16 shot attempts. His production outside of the scoring column isn't always great, but he's still managed to score at least 28.4 Yahoo points in four of his last seven games. Both of these teams are inside the top-five in the league in pace of play, so Caldwell-Pope should once again be left with plenty of opportunities to be productive.
DeAndre' Bembry, ATL at SA ($11): The injury report isn't pretty for the Hawks on Tuesday. Dewayne Dedmon (ankle) and Omari Spellman (ankle) are out while John Collins (rest) and Taurean Prince (foot) are also not expected to play. Bembry played 22 minutes with Prince on the sidelines against the Bucks on Sunday and cashed in with 38.7 Yahoo points. His scoring upside isn't off the charts, but he can provide enough contributions across the board to provide value at near the minimum price.
Forward to Avoid
Jerami Grant, OKC vs. LAL ($19): With all of the injuries that the Lakers are dealing with right now, they could easily get blown out on the road against a Thunder team that still has plenty left to play for. If the Thunder do race out to a big lead, it wouldn't be surprising to see Grant receive some extra time on the bench in the second half. He already has limited upside having scored 23.6 Yahoo points or fewer in four of his last five games, so paying this much to add him to your entry could be a mistake.
CENTERS
Clint Capela, HOU at SAC ($30): Like Harden, Capela also thrived against the Kings on Saturday with 48.5 Yahoo points. He's heating up as the playoffs approach, scoring at least 41.2 Yahoo points in three straight contests. The Kings allow the fifth-most Yahoo points per game (42.9) to opposing centers, leaving Capela with a favorable opportunity to continue his recent run of success.
Alex Len, ATL at SA ($10): With Dedmon out for the rest of the season, Len has a clear path to significant playing time. He started and logged 27 minutes against the Bucks on Sunday and came away with 27.2 Yahoo points. Across 26 starts this season, he's played well by averaging 12.2 points, 6.4 rebounds and one block. With so few viable cheap center options for this limited slate, Len could be a steal at the minimum price.
Center to Avoid
Willie Cauley-Stein, SAC vs. HOU ($20): The Rockets completely shut down Cauley-Stein when they last met, leaving him to score 14.9 Yahoo points across 24 minutes. Across three total games versus the Rockets this season, he's only averaged four points and six rebounds. The Rockets have allowed the fifth-fewest Yahoo points per game (38) to opposing centers, overall, so it's hard to get too excited about Cauley-Stein's prospects of providing value.
