This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Tuesday's abbreviated four-game slate doesn't offer many truly elite options, but does boast several instances of solid value across the price spectrum. The appeal of many of these options is further enhanced by some attractive matchups that are prime for exploiting.
GUARD
Rajon Rondo, SAC at DAL ($41) - Rondo hit the ground running in a Kings uniform this season and, except for some rare hiccups, has never really let up. He's been as prolific as ever with assists but has taken his aggression on offense up several notches as well. He's scored 32.0 to 44.2 fantasy points in four of his last five games and draws a Mavericks defense that ranks as a bottom-10 unit against point guards in scoring allowed (22.0 points per game).
Lou Williams, LAL vs. GS ($20) - Williams has been particularly dependable since taking over starting shooting-guard duty 15 games ago, but he has truly had a hot hand the last three games. He's tallied 30.3, 35.3 and 49.4 fantasy points, respectively, over that span, yet continues to be priced very reasonably. Typically scoring-dependent for fantasy production, Williams has also surprisingly rounded out the stat sheet, averaging 5.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists during those contests. The veteran sharpshooter should be firing away from the onset against the Warriors on Tuesday, furthering his appeal as a low-risk, low-cost option.
Guard to Avoid:
Khris Middleton, MIL at CHI ($29) - Middleton cooled off Saturday after back-to-back performances with more than 30 points, but he doesn't qualify as an avoid candidate on that basis alone. What does dampen his prospects Tuesday is a matchup versus Jimmy Butler, who's spearheaded a Bulls defense that ranks as the stingiest against opposing twos, yielding a paltry 15.6 points per game, a full two points per night less than the Spurs.
FORWARD
Wesley Matthews, DAL vs. SAC ($19) - Matthews is listed as a small forward, but it's a matchup at his actual position, shooting guard, that heightens his appeal Tuesday. The Kings' bottom-five defense versus shooting guards surrenders 23.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game to the position. While he's been inconsistent with his scoring while recovering from offseason Achilles' tendon surgery, there are signs that the veteran shooting guard may be coming around. He's scored 20.3 to 31.3 fantasy points over his last four games and now has seven consecutive double-digit scoring performances. He's impressively drained 16 three-point buckets over that span as well, and he doesn't need to blow out the scoreboard to pay of a modest price.
Paul Millsap, ATL vs. NY ($40) - The steady Millsap has taken his play to another level the last four games, a span that included a 44.8-fantasy point performance against this same Knicks squad on Sunday. The Hawks' power forward tallied 48.4, 43.4 and 53.1 fantasy points in the other three games and has supplemented his scoring with solid rebound, assist and steal numbers. He'll take a second crack at standout rookie Kristaps Porzingis in a matchup he didn't have too much trouble with two nights ago, and runs $8 cheaper than Draymond Green, whose game carries blowout risk.
Forward to Avoid:
Rudy Gay, SAC at DAL ($32) - Gay's inclusion in this spot is a combination of his fairly hefty price tag and a tough matchup versus a Mavericks defense that's been the seventh best against small forwards this season (17.9 points allowed per game). He'll also be on the second half of a back-to-back and is $2 more than Giannis Antetokounmpo, who will draw a highly vulnerable Bulls defense against opposing threes.
CENTER
Zaza Pachulia, DAL vs. SAC ($22) – Pachulia has been the epitome of consistency , yet remains priced significantly cheaper than his current level of production. He's scored 31.8 to 33.9 fantasy points over the last five games, posting double-digit rebounds in three of those. The veteran has also become a reliable scoring option for Dallas, totaling double-digit points in five straight. Tuesday, he'll draw a Kings squad on the second game of a back-to-back (with the first game against the Thunder) that surrenders a sixth-worst 15.7 rebounds per game to centers.
Center to Avoid:
Al Horford, ATL vs. NY ($29) - Horford was stymied by Robin Lopez's stalwart defense Sunday and could be in for another tough night on Tuesday. His price is also higher than two other centers who are in better matchups, Greg Monroe ($28 vs. MIL) and Zaza Pachulia ($22 VS. SAC).
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