This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
We have eight games on the schedule Tuesday in the NBA, a few of which have the potential to be lopsided scores. That might make for a bit of a tricky slate. Let's try to make navigating the options a little easier by highlighting some players to target, as well as a few to avoid.
GUARDS
Jrue Holiday, NO at CLE ($28): Holiday looks safe to deploy as usual considering he's logged at least 32 minutes in each of his four games since returning from injury. He scored at least 37.7 Yahoo points in three of those contests and continues to provide value in multiple categories. Look for him to have another strong showing here since the Cavaliers have the second-worst defensive rating in the league.
Matisse Thybulle, PHI vs. GS ($10): The Sixers could receive some reinforcements for this game with Joel Embiid (finger) listed as questionable. He's been out for each of their last nine games. However, they will definitely be without Josh Richardson (hamstring). If Embiid plays, this has blowout written all over it, which could lead to added garbage time for Thybulle. If Embiid doesn't return, then Thybulle could receive even more playing time. While his scoring upside isn't that high, his defensive prowess has enabled him to score at least 24.7 Yahoo points in four of his last six games.
Guard to Avoid
Goran Dragic, MIA vs. BOS ($20): Outside of one big game against the Wizards, Dragic has been pretty quietly lately. In fact, he's scored 25.4 Yahoo points or fewer in eight of his last nine games. This isn't exactly a great matchup for him to get back on track with the Celtics sporting the fourth-best defensive rating in the league. Since Dragic isn't overly cheap, either, this might be the night to keep him out of your entry.
FORWARDS
Jerami Grant, DEN at MEM ($22): The Nuggets will remain thin up front with Paul Millsap (knee) and Mason Plumlee (foot) out. That should mean yet another start for Grant, who has averaged 15 points, 5.1 rebounds, one steal and 1.2 blocks across the last 10 games in that role. It should also help his cause here that the Grizzlies have played at the third-fastest pace.
Michael Porter Jr., DEN at MEM ($17): Porter recently dealt with a back injury, but was forced to miss just one game with the ailment. He's remained productive in his two games since returning, first recording 15 points, 10 rebounds and a steal against the Pelicans. He followed that up with 17 points and nine rebounds against the Rockets on Sunday. Both of those teams play at a fast pace like the Grizzlies do, which should set up Porter for another juicy stat line.
Forward to Avoid
Draymond Green, GS at PHI ($20): It's difficult to predict what we are going to get from Green on a nightly basis. His playing time has been all over the place and will likely remain inconsistent with the Warriors trying to give him some extra rest this season. He could see limited time on the floor if this game gets out of hand early, making him too risky to deploy in your lineup.
CENTERS
Nikola Jokic, DEN at MEM ($44): Millsap and Plumlee aren't the only players on the Nuggets who remain sidelined. Their biggest loss is that of Jamal Murray (ankle), who will miss his seventh-straight game. Jokic has tried to put the team on his back with Murray out, scoring at least 47.4 Yahoo points five times during that stretch. Facing a Grizzlies team that has allowed the fifth-most Yahoo points per game to opposing centers give Jokic an excellent opportunity to keep things rolling.
Larry Nance Jr., CLE vs. NO ($13): The key question surrounding this game is if Kevin Love will play. The Cavaliers just took the floor Monday and are looking to trade Love, so they might deem it best to give him the night off. If he does sit, Nance should be locked into your lineup at this cheap price. Even if Love does play, Nance is still a viable option considering he has scored at least 27 Yahoo points in five of his last six contests.
Center to Avoid
Thomas Bryant, WAS at MIL ($15): What are the Wizards doing with Bryant? He's played seven games since returning from injury, so you'd expect to see a gradual increase in his playing time. However, he's logged fewer than 20 minutes in six of those contests. It's hard to believe that the Wizards will continue to play him so little given their lack of talent, but until he starts to spend more time on the floor, he's someone to avoid.
