This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Tuesday brings a seven-game slate that includes a few teams playing the second game of a back-to-back set. We'll need to monitor for news about players potentially resting, but as things currently stand, here are some options to consider in DFS, as well as a few to possibly avoid.
GUARDS
James Harden, BKN at DET ($50): For the second time this season, Kevin Durant has been placed in the health and safety protocols. The Nets don't have much depth, as it is, so they'll need to rely even more heavily on Harden until Durant returns. This matchup brings a great opportunity for Harden to provide a juicy stat line given that the Pistons have the 11th-worst defensive rating in the league.
Cole Anthony, ORL at POR ($20): Speaking of teams that don't have much depth right now, the Magic have been decimated by injuries. They will be without Aaron Gordon, (ankle), Markelle Fultz (knee) and Evan Fournier (back) for this game, which means they will need even more production from Anthony. He's already scored at least 32.1 Yahoo points in back-to-back games and will now face a Blazers team that has the second-worst defensive rating.
Guard to Avoid
Kemba Walker, BOS at UTA ($24): Walker has had a rough season in the efficiency department, shooting just 35.7 percent from the field. If there is a positive note, it's that he's logged at least 30 minutes in three straight games, so he hasn't been all that limited by his early knee issues. Still, this is not a great spot for him to break out of his shooting slump considering the Jazz have the third-best defensive rating.
FORWARDS
Jerami Grant, DET vs. BKN ($30): The trade of Derrick Rose means even more shot attempts are likely coming for Grant, who is already averaging a career-high 24 points per game. Not only has he been proficient in the scoring column, but he's also averaging career highs in rebounds (5.6) and assists (3.0). The Nets have played at the fourth-fastest pace in the league, which should afford Grant with plenty of opportunities to stuff the stat sheet.
Juan Toscano-Anderson, GS at SA ($14): Injuries at the center position have forced the Warriors to play small, moving Draymond Green to the five. That has allowed Toscano-Anderson to start each of the last three games. While he hasn't provided eye-popping numbers, he did score at least 22 Yahoo points in each of those contests.
Forward to Avoid
Carmelo Anthony, POR vs. ORL ($17): Although C.J. McCollum (foot) and Jusuf Nurkic (wrist) are still out, the Blazers are actually the healthiest that they have been in awhile with Damian Lillard, Robert Covington and Derrick Jones all back in action. That means Anthony should resume his role on the bench after starting three of the last seven games. He logged fewer than 20 minutes in three of the games that he was a part of the second unit and should continue to receive limited playing time moving forward.
CENTERS
Nikola Vucevic, ORL at POR ($44): It might seem like a disappointment that Vucevic only produced 17 points and eight rebounds in his last game Saturday versus the Bulls. However, he only played 24 minutes because of the lopsided score. The key stat is despite the limited playing time, he attempted 17 shots. That came on the heels of him jacking up 29 shots across 37 minutes in his prior game. With the Magic missing so many key players, expect Vucevic to shoot at will in this game.
Jakob Poeltl, SA vs. GS ($16): These two teams just played Monday and Poeltl exploited the Warriors lack of size up front, posting 14 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks across 30 minutes. He's started and played at least 29 minutes in each of the last three games with LaMarcus Aldridge (hip) out, a role he could be in for a while given Aldridge's uncertain prognosis. If you want to fade Vucevic, Poeltl is someone to consider.
Center to Avoid
Mitchell Robinson, NY at MIA ($19): Robinson has struggled, scoring 22.9 Yahoo points or fewer in six of his last eight games. Now he has to face Bam Adebayo, who is one of the best defensive centers in the league. After taking into account Poeltl's lesser salary, taking a chance on Robinson bucking his recent trend in a bad matchup isn't necessary.
