This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
After a busy Monday, the NBA takes a step back Tuesday with only two games on the schedule. Up first will be a battle between the Knicks and Timberwolves in New York. They enter with nearly identical records, with the Knicks being 22-22 and the Timberwolves sitting at 21-22.
The second game of the evening will be the Pistons taking on the Warriors. Stephen Curry (hand) did not play Sunday against the Timberwolves, but he is expected to return for this matchup. While we don't have many options to choose from, here are some players to consider for your Yahoo lineups, as well as a few to possibly avoid.
GUARDS
D'Angelo Russell, MIN at NY ($29): The Timberwolves routed the Warriors on Sunday, which contributed to Russell playing only 22 minutes. He scored just 29.6 Yahoo points, as a result. That snapped a streak of four straight games with at least 35.2 Yahoo points. He's been an excellent facilitator this season, averaging a career-high 7.1 assists to go along with his averages of 18.6 points per game. As long as this game stays close, Russell has an excellent opportunity to be productive.
Cory Joseph, DET at GS ($11): Joseph has been a valuable member of the Pistons' second unit, averaging 8.0 points, 2.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. He scored 21 points against the Suns on Sunday, and has scored at least 20.5 Yahoo points in four of his last five games. At near the minimum salary, he could be worth the risk.
Guard to Avoid
Klay Thompson, GS at DET ($16): The Warriors are happy to have Thompson back, but they are bringing him along slowly. He's not playing both games of back-to-back sets and he hasn't logged more than 23 minutes in a game yet. While his salary won't destroy your budget, his upside is still limited enough to possibly make him someone to avoid.
FORWARDS
Julius Randle, NY at MIN ($35): Randle has seen his efficiency take a hit this season with him only shooting 41.6 percent from the field. Still, it's tough to complain about a guy who is averaging 19.1 points, 10.1 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game. With his high floor, he's one of the safer options at the forward position.
Jonathan Kuminga, GS vs. DET ($12): Draymond Green (calf) remains out for the Warriors, leaving added minutes available up front. Kuminga has logged at least 26 minutes in back-to-back games, scoring 45.1 and 26.9 Yahoo points, respectively. Add in a matchup against one of the worst teams in the league and Kuminga could be a viable tournament option,
Forward to Avoid
Hamidou Diallo, DET at GS ($21): Diallo had a three-game stretch in which he played a ton because of a COVID-19 outbreak on the Pistons. However, with them now healthy, he's only averaged 26 minutes across their last eight games. That left him with mediocre averages of 11.8 points and 6.1 rebounds. Expect him to remain in a limited role.
CENTERS
Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN at NY ($41): It's not difficult to make a case for deploying Towns in DFS whenever the Timberwolves are in action. He can stuff the stat sheet across the board, evident by his averages of 24.6 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks per game. Add in the limited options for this slate and a case can be made for building your entire entry around him.
Trey Lyles, DET at GS ($17): Lyles has been productive, scoring at least 28.2 Yahoo points in four of his last five games. Kelly Olynyk (knee) is close to making a return, and when he does, he will likely eat into Lyles' playing time. However, he won't play in this game, meaning Lyles is someone to target if you want to fade Towns.
Center to Avoid
Isaiah Stewart, DET at GS ($16): Stewart's lack of progress this season has to be disappointing for the Pistons. Last season, he averaged 7.9 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks across just 21 minutes per game. In 25 minutes per game this season, he's posted similar averages of 7.6 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocks. Unless he's going to play more on a consistent basis, it's difficult to have any faith in him for DFS purposes.
