This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The NBA brings six games to the table Tuesday, including an exciting matchup between the Grizzlies and Warriors. Both teams will be shorthanded, though, with Dillon Brooks (ankle) out for the Grizzlies and Draymond Green (calf) out for the Warriors. Klay Thompson will play his first road game after scoring 17 points in 20 minutes in his season debut Sunday. The Bulls, who had their nine-game winning streak snapped Sunday, will look to start a new streak when they play host to the Pistons, who are playing the second game of a back-to-back set. Let's get down to business and highlight some players to consider for your Yahoo lineups, as well as a few to potentially avoid.
GUARD
Fred VanVleet, TOR vs. PHO ($40): VanVleet is locked in. Over his last eight games, he's averaged 30.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 7.6 assists, 2.0 steals and 5.9 three-pointers per game. He shot 47.1 percent from the field during that stretch, including 45.6 percent from behind the arc. While he likely won't keep up with that kind of efficiency, he is shooting a career-high 44.2 percent from the field overall. What also gives him a high floor is his whopping 38 minutes per game.
Coby White, CHI vs. DET ($18): White fills a key role for the Bulls, providing three-point shooting off the bench. The Bulls are playing shorthanded, so even coming off the bench, he's averaged 31 minutes in the last three games. That helped him score at least 24.4 Yahoo points twice. Added playing time could be coming in a potential blowout, making him an intriguing option.
Guard to Avoid
Jordan Poole, GS at MEM ($19): The return of Thompson means that Poole is now locked into a role off the bench. He logged just 24 minutes in Thompson's debut, which contributed to him only scoring 21.4 Yahoo points. With fewer minutes and shot attempts likely to remain in his future, it's difficult to make a case for deploying him in DFS.
FORWARD
Anthony Edwards, MIN at NO ($34): It's been another rough season for the Pelicans, who have the seventh-worst defensive rating in the league. Enter Edwards, who is averaging 22.2 points per game and has a 27.4 percent usage rate. He's had plenty of success against the Pelicans across their first three meetings this season, averaging 21.7 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists.
Jae Crowder, PHO at TOR ($13): Crowder looked rusty after missing six games while in the health and safety protocols, scoring just three points in 26 minutes Saturday against the Heat. The Suns likely will need him to play more in this game, though, with Cameron Johnson (ankle) already being ruled out. With the high likelihood that Crowder tops 30 minutes in this game, he could be worth taking a chance on.
Forward to Avoid
Aaron Gordon, DEN at LAC ($17): Gordon has gone quiet, scoring 20.1 Yahoo points or fewer in three consecutive games. He logged at least 31 minutes in two of those games, so a lack of playing time wasn't the issue. With his usage rate sitting at 18.5 percent, his upside should remain limited, even with his steady playing time.
CENTER
Nikola Jokic, DEN at LAC ($56): Jokic is a nightmare matchup for the Clippers. They are not a good team on the glass, allowing the seventh-most rebounds per game. The last time he faced them, he hauled in 22 rebounds on his way to 72.4 Yahoo points. While his salary will do a number on your budget, he could still be worth it.
Kevon Looney, GS at MEM ($12): Looney stepped up with Green missing just about all of Sunday's game against the Cavaliers, recording six points, 18 rebounds, three assists and four steals in 29 minutes. Although he only averages 20 minutes per game, he's still recorded 6.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. With the potential for added playing time, he's worth considering at near the minimum salary.
Center to Avoid
JaVale McGee, PHO at TOR ($16): McGee barely saw the floor in his return from COVID-19, logging six minutes against the Heat on Saturday. Bismack Biyombo and Jalen Smith both played well in his absence, so the Suns are suddenly looking at a bit of a logjam at the backup center spot behind Deandre Ayton. That should put a significant cap on McGee's playing time.
