This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Although the NBA season officially tipped off Tuesday, the first full slate of the year is Wednesday. With 11 games to choose from, there are a lot of options to wade through in DFS. Don't worry, we've got you covered. Here are some players to either target or avoid as your create your entry.
GUARDS
Jrue Holiday, NO at HOU ($39): Injuries have been a problem for Holiday throughout his career, but he was able to stay healthy last year and play 81 games. He shot a stellar 49.4 percent from the field, helping propel him to a career-high 19 points per contest. Scoring wasn't his only contribution, either, with him also posting 4.5 rebounds, six assists and 1.5 steals a game. The Pelicans did add Elfrid Payton this summer, but don't be surprised if Holiday also handles the ball more with Rajon Rondo now on the Lakers. It also helps his cause that the Pelicans played at the fastest pace (101.6 possessions per game) in the league last year.
Nicolas Batum, CHA vs. MIL ($19): Speaking of players with a history of injuries, Batum was limited to 64 games last year. When he was healthy, he never seemed to mesh with Dwight Howard. Batum's 18.3 percent usage rate was his lowest mark across his three seasons with the Hornets. With Howard now out of the picture and Batum healthy, he could see an uptick in scoring. He's also averaged at least 4.8 rebounds and 5.5 assists in each of the last three seasons, giving him a relatively high floor at this price.
Guard to Avoid
Tyreke Evans, IND vs. MEM ($30): Evans was one of the more pleasant surprises in the league last year. He ended up playing a significant role for the Grizzlies when Mike Conley was lost for the season, resulting in him averaging 19.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.1 steals per contest. Not only did he average 31 minutes a game, but he also had a career-high 28.4 percent usage rate. Don't expect him to approach either of those marks this season. He should still have a significant role of the bench for the Pacers, but it might be best to pass on him Wednesday at this price.
FORWARDS
Taurean Prince, ATL at NY ($22): The Hawks are still in the early stages of a rebuilding process and are likely in line for plenty of losses this year. They'll be without both John Collins (ankle) and Dewayne Dedmon (ankle) in this game, making an already thin roster even worse. Prince averaged 19 points per game and had a 26.8 percent usage rate after the All-Star break last season, showing significant strides in his development. Expect the Hawks to lean on him heavily again in this contest.
Caris LeVert, BKN at DET ($17): The Nets are dealing with their own injury issues on their opening night with Allen Crabbe (ankle), DeMarre Carroll (ankle) and Shabazz Napier (hamstring) all ruled out against the Pistons. LeVert should see added playing time, which is great for his potential value considering he averaged 15.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and six assists across the nine games in which he played at least 30 minutes last year.
Forward to Avoid
Kevin Love, CLE at TOR ($30): With LeBron James now in LA, Love is the main man in Cleveland. He might not be able to return to the type of player that he was in his prime with the Timberwolves, but it's a good bet that he should see an increase of his 25.1 percent usage rate from last year. The problem for this game is that coach Tyronn Lue has already said Love's conditioning is not at 100 percent due to his recovery from left foot soreness and that he may only play in short spurts. There will be plenty of nights that you want to have Love in your lineup, but this might not be one of them.
CENTERS
Andre Drummond, DET vs. BKN ($47): Drummond was once a horrid free-throw shooter, but he made significant improvements by shooting 60.5 percent from the charity stripe last year. Since he was no longer as much of a liability in that area, it helped him average a career-high 34 minutes a game. He was a walking double-double with 15 points and 16 rebounds per contest while also providing 1.5 steals and 1.6 blocks. Jarrett Allen is a promising young player for the Nets, but don't expect him to slow down Drummond.
Enes Kanter, NY vs. ATL ($23): Kanter emerged from the Knicks' logjam at center last year to average a double-double (14.1 points and 11 rebounds) for the first time in his career. With Kyle O'Quinn, Joakim Noah and Willy Hernangomez all on other teams now, Kanter is going to have to shoulder a significant load down low this season. With all of the Hawks' injuries to their front line, Kanter could be in line for a great start.
Center to Avoid
Kyle O'Quinn, IND vs. MEM ($27): This pricing for O'Quinn is puzzling. Myles Turner is the starting center for the Pacers and O'Quinn will also have to compete with Domantas Sabonis for playing time off the bench. Playing only 18 minutes a game for the Knicks last year, he averaged just 7.1 points and 6.1 rebounds per contest. Priced four dollars cheaper, Kanter is a far better option than O'Quinn.
