This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Another day, another slate that is impacted heavily by COVID-19. Among the six games that are scheduled Tuesday, one of them was supposed to feature the Bulls hosting a Raptors team that was hit hard by COVID-19 on Tuesday. Fred VanVleet, Scottie Barnes and Precious Achiuwa were all placed in the health and safety protocols, joining Pascal Siakam and Gary Trent Jr. The Raptors then revealed Wednesday morning that OG Anunoby had entered protocols. That was apparently the tipping point, as the league moved to postpone the contest, leaving us with five games on the slate.
Let's dig into the matchups and highlight some players to consider for your entries, as well as a few to possibly avoid.
GUARDS
Tyrese Haliburton, SAC vs. LAC ($29): The Kings recent COVID-19 outbreak has left them without several key players, including De'Aaron Fox and Davion Mitchell. That has opened up the door for more playing time for Haliburton, resulting in him logging at least 36 minutes in each of the last four games. He's taken full advantage of his opportunity, scoring a least 43.2 in all four of those matchups.
Bogdan Bogdanovic, ATL vs. ORL ($14): The one bit of positive news for the Hawks is that Bogdanovic is listed as probable after missing the last eight games with an ankle injury. Under normal circumstances, the Hawks would probably like to ease him back into action. However, with their roster in shambles, he could play significant minutes even coming off of the injury.
Guard to Avoid
Dennis Schroder, BOS vs. CLE ($19): With so many teams dealing with limited rosters, there are a lot of viable value-play options. That means it might not be necessary to take a chance on Schroder, who has scored 20.7 Yahoo points or fewer in four of his last five games. The Celtics will be missing some players up front, but their backcourt is in good shape, so Schroder shouldn't be forced into an expanded role.
FORWARDS
John Collins, ATL vs. ORL ($29): The Hawks are in the early stages of a COVID outbreak that has sent Trae Young, Clint Capela and Danilo Gallinari into the health and safety protocols. With Young out, that leaves a lot of shot attempts up for grabs. Collins already comes into this matchup on a hot streak, averaging 19.8 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists over his last six games. With all of the playing time and shot attempts that he can handle likely coming his way here, a 20-point, 10-rebound performance is not out of the question.
Cam Reddish, ATL vs. ORL ($10): Reddish has had a difficult time getting significant run this season, averaging just 22 minutes per game. With that being said, he's scored at least 21.1 Yahoo points in each of the last five games in which he has logged at least 25 minutes. A lack of playing time shouldn't be an issue here.
Forward to Avoid
Luguentz Dort, OKC vs. DEN ($20): Dort tends to either put forth a huge stat line, or a complete stinker. His last nine games are a perfect example of that. During that stretch, he scored at least 34.4 Yahoo points four times. However, he also scored 20.2 Yahoo points or fewer four times. He's too risky in a matchup against a Nuggets team that has played at the sixth-slowest pace in the league.
CENTERS
Nikola Jokic, DEN at OKC ($56): There aren't a ton of stars with high salaries available for this slate with so many of them in the health and safety protocols. One of the few men left standing is Jokic, who is averaging a whopping 56.6 Yahoo points per game. The potential for a blowout means his minutes could be limited in the fourth quarter, but with the Thunder's lack of size up front, Jokic could dominate this game.
Kevin Love, CLE at BOS ($17): The Cavaliers not having Mobley and Allen for this game leaves two massive holes for them up front. Love figures to get a ton of minutes in this matchup, especially with reserve Ed Davis also landing in the protocols. Love has averaged 12.2 points and 7.1 rebounds in just 20 minutes per game this season, so the potential for him to play 30 minutes, or more, makes him appealing if you want to fade Jokic.
Center to Avoid
Ivica Zubac, LAC at SAC ($20): There are a lot of viable center options that have cheap salaries. In addition to Love, there is Chris Boucher ($16) and Onyeka Okongwu ($10), who should also be forced into more playing time. Even Alperen Sengun ($15) could shine if Christian Wood (knee), who is listed as questionable, is out. Zubac has a higher salary than all of them and has scored fewer than 20 Yahoo points in three of his last five games, so it might be best to stay away from him.
