This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
With the NFL Playoffs in full force, we get stuck with another short NBA slate. Despite there being seven games in total, there's are only four in the main DFS slate. With only eight teams in action, there are two teams to exploit, as the Nets and Lakers have struggled defensively all year. What's also interesting is the abundance of studs on the slate, as Russell Westbrook, James Harden and DeMarcus Cousins are all available options.
GUARDS
Reggie Jackson, DET at LAL ($26): Jackson was slow to recover from injury and find his form, but he's in the best stretch of his season now. Detroit has been blown out in their last two games, but prior to that, Jackson had been averaging well over 30 fantasy points per game over his previous seven. Those recent poor games have lowered Jackson's price, as $26 is a heck of a bargain for someone of his ability. The matchup is the best part of this play, as the Lakers have been the worst defense against point guards over the last two seasons.
Stanley Johnson, DET at LAL ($10): With Kentavious Caldwell-Pope expected to miss out due to a shoulder injury, Johnson should be asked to take on a bigger role. He's been doing just that recently, as he is averaging 28 minutes per game across his last four. Most of those came with KCP in the lineup too, so Johnson could see even more time with KCP out. This price is fantastic too, as Johnson is one of the only minimum priced players with 30-fantasy-point upside. If all of that isn't enough incentive, the matchup should be, as he faces a Lakers defense that ranks bottom-five in nearly every defensive category.
Guard to Avoid
Rajon Rondo, CHI at MEM ($17): Rondo has found himself back in the rotation, but he's still not playing enough to make him usable at this price. The best bench players in the league are those who can come off the pine and get buckets quickly. That's not the type of player Rondo is, as he has to distribute and run the offense. That's a concern against the Grizzlies, who are the best team in the league at slowing down offenses and limiting fantasy production. While Rondo has the ability to obliterate this price, the role is simply not there.
FORWARDS
Jimmy Butler, CHI at MEM ($44): This is a bit of a contrarian play with all those other studs on the schedule. What makes him intriguing is the fact that he's taken over the offense, as he's the de facto point guard with Rondo on the bench. Butler has been ridiculous since taking over that role too, averaging over 55 fantasy points per game over his last eight (aside from one dud he mostly sat out). While the matchup is tough, it should lower Butler's ownership percentage enough to make him an intriguing option. Not to mention, Dwyane Wade is sitting out this game, which should give Butler only more touches.
Ryan Anderson, HOU at BRK ($19): Anderson has been very inconsistent this season, but the Nets are easily the worst defense in the league. They especially struggle against power forwards, allowing the fourth-most fantasy points per game to the position this season.
Forward to Avoid
Rudy Gay, SAC vs. OKC ($29): Gay has been solid recently, but he has a tough matchup against Andre Roberson, who has established himself as one of the best defenders in the NBA, giving players like James Harden and C.J. McCollum fits this season. What makes Roberson so good is his ability to defend shots and Gay is particularly hard to trust in that circumstance, considering he is primarily a mid-range jump shooter with a low field-goal percentage.
CENTER
Andre Drummond, DET at LAL ($33): Drummond hasn't been quite as dominant as he was last season, but he should be able to abuse the weak Lakers frontcourt. Los Angeles allows the fifth-most fantasy points per game to centers this season and has allowed over 50 fantasy points per game to the position over the last five games. DeAndre Jordan just had 24 points and 22 rebounds against the Lakers on Saturday and Drummond is a better fantasy producer.
Center to Avoid
Zach Randolph, MEM vs. CHI ($20): Trying to find a center to avoid on this slate was very tough with so many good matchups, but Randolph's minutes are a concern given that he rarely surpasses 27. While he's been playing well, he could struggle against the Bulls, who have allowed the fewest fantasy points per game to power forwards over the last 10 games.
