This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
With the matchup between the Nets and Wizards postponed, the NBA is left with five games Tuesday. Not only will COVID-19 limit several of the teams, but injuries will also play an important role. Among the big-name absences will be Luka Doncic (ankle), Jimmy Butler (back) and Anthony Davis (knee). The Lakers will be in an especially tough spot, playing without Davis against one of the best teams in the league in the Suns. Let's highlight some players to consider for your Yahoo lineups, as well as a few to potentially avoid.
GUARD
Jalen Brunson, DAL vs. MIN ($24): Doncic isn't the only player the Mavericks will miss in this game. Maxi Kleber, Reggie Bullock and Josh Green are in the health and safety protocols, in addition to Kristaps Porzingis (toe) being questionable. Brunson has already averaged 32 minutes in the last nine games, which has helped him average 15.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 5.9 assists. With the Mavericks' depth chart a shambles, he should remain one of their main contributors.
Kemba Walker, NY vs. DET ($12): Between injuries and an outbreak of COVID-19 on the team, the Knicks had no choice but to insert Walker back into the rotation when they played the Celtics on Saturday. He showed that he still has plenty left in the tank, posting 29 points, six rebounds and three assists in 37 minutes. With Immanuel Quickley (COVID-19), RJ Barrett (COVID-19), Derrick Rose (knee), Miles McBride (COVID-19) and Quentin Grimes (COVID-19) possibly out again, Walker could remain in a prominent role.
Guard to Avoid
Caris LeVert, IND at MIA ($23): LeVert has been all over the map lately. In his last five games, he scored at least 48.9 Yahoo points twice. However, he didn't top 29.6 Yahoo points in any of the three other games. Add his inconsistency to the Heat ranking inside the top 10 in the league in defensive rating and LeVert might not be worth the risk.
FORWARD
Julius Randle, NY vs. DET ($37): With COVID cases piling up for the Knicks, Randle has averaged 37 minutes and 19.3 shots in the last three games. For the season, he's averaged 35 minutes and 16.5 shots per game. His expanded role helped him score at least 37.2 Yahoo points in each of those three games. Expect him to continue to receive all of the shot attempts that he can handle in this contest.
Jaden McDaniels, MIN at DAL ($10): The Timberwolves are yet another team with COVID issues. Anthony Edwards, Jarred Vanderbilt and Taurean Prince will be out, leaving them extremely thin up front. McDaniels could play 30 minutes in this game, making him an appealing option in tournament play at the minimum salary.
Forward to Avoid
Mikal Bridges, PHO at LAL ($17): Playing time is not an issue for Bridges, considering he averages 34 minutes per game. However, he only has a 13.3 percent usage rate, which limits his scoring upside. He's never had a usage rate above 14.9 percent in any season of his career, so don't expect his role to dramatically change anytime soon.
CENTER
Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN at DAL ($40): Edwards being out leaves a big hole within the Timberwolves' scoring attack given that he's averaged 22.1 points per game. Towns has scored at least 24 points in both of the last two games with Edwards out, which helped him score 56.0 and 40.4 Yahoo points, respectively. Given the lack of size that the Mavericks should have up front, Towns could be in line for a big stat line.
DeAndre Jordan, LAL vs. PHO ($10): With Davis and Dwight Howard (COVID-19) out, the Lakers started Jordan against the Bulls on Sunday. He only played 21 minutes, posting nine points, seven rebounds and one block. The Lakers went really small down the stretch, playing LeBron James at the five for much of the fourth quarter. That might not be possible against Deandre Ayton, so Jordan could even log a few extra minutes.
Center to Avoid
Isaiah Stewart, DET at NY ($17): Stewart has improved on the glass, averaging 10.6 rebounds in his last eight games. The problem is his 13.6 percent usage rate contributed to him scoring fewer than 10 points five times during that stretch. It wouldn't be a surprise to see Jordan provide similar production, so Stewart might be best left out of your entry given his higher salary.
