This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Tuesday's abbreviated four-game slate is short on top-tier star power, with many of the elite in action Monday. However, there are several appealing options in the mid-to-lower cost tiers that will allow you to comfortably spend up for the likes of Kyle Lowry and Andre Drummond. Here's our look at Tuesday Yahoo Daily Fantasy Basketball:
GUARD
Jameer Nelson, DEN vs. LAL ($14) - Starter Emmanuel Mudiay has already been ruled out for Tuesday's game with his ankle injury, providing an opportunity to nab Nelson again at near-minimum price. The veteran has been stellar in Mudiay's stead, tallying between 22.6 and 40.7 fantasy points over the last six games. While he's scored no more than 20 points in any of those contests, Nelson has drained at least one three-pointer in each, and also supplements his fantasy scoring with solid production in rebounds and assists. His matchup against the Lakers is the icing on the cake, as they are the sixth-worst unit against point guards with 23.2 points per game surrendered.
Lou Williams, LAL at DEN ($18) - Both the Lakers and Nuggets play questionable defense in the backcourt, making Williams a great play at his still-modest price. The veteran has been stellar during his recent stretch of starts, collecting 25.5 to 36.9 fantasy points in six of seven games. Denver also surrenders the eighth-most points to opposing shooting guards (21.7 per game).
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, DET at MIA ($21) - Caldwell-Pope checks in as a third value option, as his recent play and Dwyane Wade's defensive struggles make him a viable pivot at the position. Caldwell-Pope averages 24.7 fantasy points, posting 48.4, 27.6, 42.4 and 33.9 in his last four. Meanwhile, Wade has struggled against quality shooting guards lately, giving up 24, 30 and 20 points to Monta Ellis, DeMar DeRozan and C.J. McCollum, respectively, in three of the last six games.
Guard to Avoid:
Deron Williams, DAL at TOR ($28) -Kyle Lowry has been outstanding on defense this season, a key factor in the Raptors checking in as the third-stingiest unit against point guards (18.8 points per game surrendered). Williams has also struggled over his last three - managing 25.3, 15.5 and 23.2 fantasy points -- and is therefore priced above his recent production.
FORWARD
Will Barton, DEN vs. LAL ($27) – Danilo Gallinari is questionable for Tuesday with the sprained ankle that caused him to leave Sunday's game versus the Pelicans. Barton ended up playing 36 minutes as a result, posting a career-high 32 points with 10 rebounds and six assists. The performance netted a spectacular 55.5 fantasy points, and with a matchup against a Lakers defense that struggles to defend both shooting guards and small forwards, Barton will find himself in a favorable matchup regardless of whether he draws a start or is deployed in his typical high-usage reserve role.
Dirk Nowitzki DAL at TOR ($31) - Nowitzki sets up as a nice differentiation play at power forward from Chris Bosh in tournaments. The 18-year veteran is still going strong, and has posted 23.9 to 45.4 fantasy points in his last 13 games. His matchup is also sneaky-good, with the Raptors yielding a generous 21.6 points and 11.7 rebounds per game to opposing fours.
Forward to Avoid:
Nerlens Noel, PHI vs. MEM ($24) – Noel has been up-and-down this season and now runs into the stalwart Grizzlies frontcourt duo of Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph. Memphis checks in as the third-toughest defense against power forwards, giving up only 17.8 points per game. Noel has also posted mediocre fantasy point totals of 20.5, 25.5, 14.0 and 20.0, respectively, in four of his last five.
CENTER
Marc Gasol, MEM at PHI ($33) – The always-solid Gasol has been particularly explosive lately, managing 52.4, 31.1 and 48.4 fantasy points in three of his last four games. He's also had an eye-popping 67.6-fantasy point outing earlier this season versus the Pelicans, providing a glimpse of his virtually limitless ceiling. Jahlil Okafor has had an impressive rookie season but has only been average on defense, with the Sixers ranking in the bottom half of the league in points and rebounds allowed per game to opposing centers.
CENTER TO AVOID:
Jahlil Okafor, PHI vs. MEM ($30) - Okafor becomes an avoid candidate due to his elevated price and matchup. The standout first-rounder is still a work in progress, and showed that a tough frontcourt can get the best of him in his matchup against the Cavs on Sunday. Okafor only managed 17.6 fantasy points on 3 of 11 shooting against Cleveland's stalwart defense versus centers, and things don't get much better against a Grizzlies unit that is ranked in the top 5 in points surrendered per game (18.1) to opposing fives.
