This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
This is one of the last days the NBA has to compete with the NFL, as there are just four games on the schedule. With the Golden State-Orlando game being played early, Yahoo has opted to go with a three-game slate for the majority of tournaments. What's interesting about this six-team slate is the lack of talent in the player pool. In fact, five of the teams have 17 or fewer wins and there's no player above $44. That will make it tough to diversify lineups, but it will be key to do just that in order to put yourself in a better position to win.
GUARDS
Deron Williams, DAL vs. LAL ($21): Williams is he averaging over 27 fantasy points per game for the season, and he has surpassed 30 fantasy points four times in his last five games. That's solid production for a $21 player, and he should be able to add to those numbers against a Lakers defense that allows the sixth-most fantasy points to point guards this season.
Jordan Clarkson, LAL at DAL ($12): Clarkson has scored at least 19 fantasy points in five straight games, including at least 26 in three of the last four. With D'Angelo Russell (knee) out, Clarkson will get more minutes and more usage. This matchup is nothing to be scared of either, with Dallas having very little in terms of backcourt defense.
Guard to Avoid
Jose Calderon, LAL at DAL ($10): Many people will see Calderon as the starting point guard for the Lakers, but it's dangerous to fall for that trick. With Russell injured, Calderon will open eyes of fantasy owners as the projected starter, but he's really not the guy who benefits. In fact, Clarkson and Lou Williams will get more minutes, with Calderon just playing the opening minutes of the first and third quarters. This is just a case of not being fooled by the starting lineup and knowing rotations.
FORWARDS
Andrew Wiggins, MIN vs. DEN ($29): Wiggins is averaging 25 points per game this season against the Nuggets, who have really struggled guarding wings. That doesn't even take into account his ability to provide other statistics, which is just a bonus with that type of scoring in his favor. Denver simply has no one who can cover Wiggins, and he'll look to take advantage against team that allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to small forwards over their last 10 games.
Brandon Ingram, LAL at DAL ($10): The Lakers rookie has been slow to adjust to the NBA, but he's garnering some big minutes lately and providing pretty good value. With the lack of wing depth in Los Angeles, Ingram has been averaging 31 minutes per game over his last 32. It's not just the minutes, as he has scored at least 29 fantasy points in three of his last four games.
Forward to Avoid
Jared Sullinger, TOR vs. PHX ($18): In his first two games back from injury, Sullinger played 13 and 18 minutes, respectively, giving little reason to pay all the way up to $18. Sullinger hasn't done anything in his first two games back either, as he has just 20 combined fantasy points. With his limited ceiling and so many other options, Sullinger is just an easy player to scratch off the list.
CENTER
Nikola Jokic, DEN at MIN ($31): Jokic is $12 cheaper than Karl-Anthony Towns, but he's arguably been the better player recently. Not only does he have at least 37 fantasy points in 10 straight games, he's averaging 45 fantasy points per game over that span. That production level should be for $50 players, making Jokic's lower price a steal against a Timberwolves defense that ranks 23rd in defensive efficiency.
Center to Avoid
Jusuf Nurkic, DEN at MIN ($10): Nurkic is a young and talented center, but he simply doesn't have the role he needs to provide fantasy value. With Jokic emerging, Nurkic has lost nearly all of his minutes and is simply not getting the opportunities. In fact, he has scored seven or fewer fantasy points in four straight games, while playing just 35 minutes in total.
