This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Tuesday might have officially been opening night in the NBA, but Wednesday brings our first big slate with 11 games on the schedule. With so many options to sift through, let's get right to it and discuss some players to target, and some to avoid, while creating your Yahoo entry.
GUARDS
Luka Doncic, DAL vs. WAS ($39): Doncic's rookie season was a smashing success with him averaging 21.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, six assists and 1.1 steals per game. His usage rate of 30.5 percent was also the highest on the Mavericks. While that number will likely decrease with Kristaps Porzingis now in the fold, this team is still built around Doncic. The Wizards don't have much talent to speak of outside of Bradley Beal, so look for Doncic to start things off with a juicy all-around stat line.
Tyler Herro, MIA vs. MEM ($12): After lighting up the Las Vegas Summer League, Herro carried over his success into the preseason. With the Heat desperately needing three-point shooting, look for Herro to immediately step into a prominent role despite his struggles on the defensive end. He should be even more involved in this contest with Dion Waiters serving his team-imposed suspension, making him a viable option in tournament play at near the minimum price.
Guard to Avoid
Dennis Smith Jr., NY at SA ($21): The Knicks were a mess last season in terms of their rotations. Things seem to be on the same track this year with coach David Fizdale still yet to name his starting point guard. Smith, Elfrid Payton and even Allonzo Trier are all options to start and it's unlikely that any of them approach 30 minutes a night. Add in the fact that the Knicks are facing a tough defensive foe in the Spurs and Smith is someone to stay away from.
FORWARDS
Jimmy Butler, MIA vs. MEM ($33): After playing with stars on both the Timberwolves and Sixers last season, Butler is now the undisputed alpha dog on the Heat. That role has suited him well in the past. Case in point, he averaged 23.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.9 steals as the leader of the Bulls during the 2016-17 season. He had a career-high 26.5 percent usage rate that season, a mark he will likely challenge with the Heat. Buckle up and enjoy the ride.
Robert Covington, MIN at BKN ($18): Covington's campaign was marred by injuries last season, leaving him to play in only 35 games. He did at least perform well across his 22 contest with the Timberwolves, averaging 14.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.3 steals and 1.1 blocks. He's locked in as their starting power forward, which could be key for this matchup with the Nets running out the likes of Taurean Prince and Rodions Kurucs at that position.
Forward to Avoid
Paul Millsap, DEN at POR ($22): The Nuggets had one of the deepest rosters in the league last season, which was one of the main reasons behind Millsap averaging just 27 minutes a night. That was the fewest minutes that he has averaged in a season since 2007-08 when he was still on the Jazz. The Nuggets are even deeper now with Michael Porter Jr. healthy and Jerami Grant brought over from the Thunder, leaving Millsap with limited upside.
CENTERS
Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN at BKN ($45): Make no mistake about it, Towns is the main man in Minnesota. After Butler was traded last year, Towns averaged 25.3 points, 12.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists per contest. Before the move, Towns was averaging 19.9 points, 10.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists. The Nets had issues defending opposing centers last year and the addition of DeAndre Jordan might not help much in that regard, making Towns one of the top players for this slate at any position.
Wendell Carter Jr., CHI at CHA ($17): In a season filled with injuries for the Bulls last year, Carter was no exception. He appeared in only 44 contests, but he played well when he was on the floor, averaging 10.3 points, seven rebounds and 1.3 blocks across only 25 minutes a game. Look for him to see an increase in playing time with only Luke Kornet and Daniel Gafford behind him at the five. If he can approach 30 minutes in this contest, there's no reason to believe he can't come away with a double-double and a block, or two.
Center to Avoid
Mitchell Robinson, NY at SA ($30): If the Knicks had one thing going for them last year, it was that they might have found their center of the future in Robinson. He stuffed the stat sheet when given the opportunity, averaging 12.6 points, 13 rebounds and 3.4 blocks across 10 games in which he logged at least 30 minutes. So what did they do to further his development during the offseason? Well, they jammed up their frontcourt by bringing in Julius Randle, Bobby Portis and Taj Gibson. It's difficult to envision Robinson consistently playing 30 minutes a night again with those players around him, especially in this contest since he is dealing with an ankle sprain.
