This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Tuesday brings a bit of an odd schedule. Not only are there just five games, but most of them have significant blowout potential. This could make for a tricky DFS slate. Let's try to help sort things out by highlighting some players to consider for your lineups, as well as a few to possibly avoid.
GUARDS
Paul George, LAC vs. SA ($39): George is off to an excellent start, averaging 25.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.7 steals a game. His assists average would be the highest mark of his career and his robust point totals have been aided by him shooting 50.8 percent from the field. While that number will likely decline as the season rolls along considering he hasn't shot above 44 percent in each of the last three seasons, his ability to contribute in multiple areas still makes him an appealing option.
Jamal Murray, DEN vs. MIN ($28): These two teams faced off Sunday and Murray exploded for 51 Yahoo points thanks to scoring 36 points on 20 shot attempts. The Timberwolves have been one of the worst defensive teams in the league, allowing an average of 119.5 points per contest. Add in Michael Porter Jr. (COVID-19) still being out and Murray will carry an extremely high scoring upside into this rematch.
Guard to Avoid
Lou Williams, LAC vs. SA ($18): Known for his ability to score in bunches off the bench, Williams is only averaging 9.3 points a night. His usage rate has plummeted to 20.4 percent after posting four straight seasons with a usage rate of at least 28.4 percent. He's also averaging just 21 minutes a game, which further compounds his low usage rate. Until we start to see signs of him returning to his old role, he's too risky.
FORWARDS
Otto Porter Jr., CHI at POR ($21): The question with Porter has never been his talent, it's been his ability to stay healthy. Luckily for the Bulls, he's been healthy out of the gate, which has resulted in him averaging 14.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, two assists and 1.1 steals. They are shorthanded right now with several players out because of COVID-19, including Lauri Markkanen. That should mean plenty of playing time for Porter, which is big since the Bulls have played at the second-fastest pace in the league.
Joe Harris, BKN vs. UTA ($15): We learned Monday that Kevin Durant will be out at least seven days because of his exposure to someone who tested positive for COVID-19. Already without Spencer Dinwiddie (knee), a once deep Nets team will be searching for players to step up and support Kyrie Irving. Enter Harris, who is lethal from behind the arc and is averaging 13.9 points and 4.1 rebounds to go along with 50.7 percent shooting from the field.
Forward to Avoid
Carmelo Anthony, POR vs. CHI ($17): After averaging 33 minutes a game last season, Anthony has averaged just 24 minutes through five games. With his lack of playing time, he didn't score more than 26.5 Yahoo points in any of those contests. There's no reason to believe that he'll play any more here with the Blazers mostly healthy.
CENTERS
Rudy Gobert, UTA at BKN ($34): Gobert has been very reliable this season, scoring at least 39.8 Yahoo points in five of six games. He didn't exactly flop in the game that he failed to reach that threshold, either, when he scored 30.3 Yahoo points Friday against the Clippers. At this reasonable salary, he's a top center target if you want to fade Nikola Jokic ($49).
Enes Kanter, POR vs. CHI ($12): Kanter destroyed the Warriors on Sunday, posting 24 points and 12 rebounds across only 24 minutes. He's been a key member of the Blazers' bench, averaging 12.5 points and 9.2 rebounds for the season. Even though he's going to hover around 20 minutes a night, he can still provide value at such a cheap salary.
Center to Avoid
Wendell Carter Jr., CHI at POR ($19): Concern is growing around Carter. He's scored fewer than 10 points in three of seven games and has only logged double-digit rebounds two times. His playing time has started to dwindle with him logging 25 minutes or fewer in three straight contests. Facing Jusuf Nurkic and Kanter is no easy task, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see Carter's struggles continue.
