This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The NBA starts off the week with a packed nine-game slate Monday. With so many options to sift through, let's get right to it and examine some players to target and avoid as you create your Yahoo lineup.
GUARDS
Russell Westbrook, OKC vs. NO ($55): Westbrook continues to lead the Thunder with a 33.4 percent usage rate that ranks fourth-highest in the NBA. With his ability to stuff the stat sheet across the board, he's scored at least 50.3 Yahoo points in five of his six games. Both the Thunder and the Pelicans are in the top-six in pace of play, leaving Westbrook with tremendous upside.
Jordan Clarkson, CLE at ORL ($11): The down side with Clarkson is that he's averaging only 22 minutes a game and doesn't provide many rebounds or assists. However, his 28.7 percent usage rate has helped him score at least 20.5 Yahoo points in seven of his last eight games. The Magic have allowed the fourth-most Yahoo points per game to opposing shooting guards (51.5), making Clarkson someone to consider at near the minimum price.
Guard to Avoid
Klay Thompson, GS vs. MEM ($26): There is no question that when Thompson is hot, he can put up points with the best of them. However, he's clearly the third scoring option for the Warriors behind Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant, who both have usage rates inside the top-20 in the league. With Thompson scoring 29 Yahoo points or fewer in all but two games this season, his upside isn't all that appealing at this price.
FORWARDS
Nikola Mirotic, NO at OKC ($34): To say Mirotic is thriving in his first full season with the Pelicans is an understatement. After bouncing in and out of the starting five with the Bulls, the Pelicans have committed to Mirotic as their starting power forward and he's rewarded them with 22.4 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.6 three-pointers per game. This could be a high-scoring game with both teams playing at such a fast pace, making Mirotic a great option to consider.
Jerami Grant, OKC vs. NO ($14): Grant has thoroughly out played Patrick Patterson this season, taking over Patterson's starting job just four games into the season. In five games as a starter, Grant has scored at least 21.5 Yahoo points in each contest. In the Thunder's decisive win against the Wizards on Friday, Grant posted a whopping 40.8 Yahoo points. Don't expect him to match that mark again Monday, but he's still a viable option if you want to save money at forward.
Forward to Avoid
Jaren Jackson Jr., MEM at GS ($21): Jackson had a few strong performances to start the season, but he's battled foul troubles of late. He's now logged 23 minutes or fewer in four straight, failing to score more than 18.7 Yahoo points in any of those contests. Trying to guard the Warriors isn't exactly going to help him avoid fouls, so stay away from Jackson when crafting your entry.
CENTERS
Wendell Carter Jr., CHI at NY ($22): Key injuries and poor finishes in close games have left the Bulls with a 2-8 record. They look well on their way to another high draft pick, but at least Carter has shown promising early returns. Not only is he averaging 11.1 points and 7.1 rebounds per game, but he's chipped in defensively with averages of 1.9 blocks and 0.8 steals. He's clearly going to get the lion's share of minutes at center for the Bulls moving forward.
Montrezl Harrell, LAC vs. MIN ($17):Marcin Gortat has really struggled out of the gate. With talented options in Harrell and Boban Marjanovic behind him, it's no surprise that the Clippers are already moving away from Gortat as a starter. Marjanovic started Friday against the Magic, scoring 24.2 Yahoo points across 23 minutes. Although he may start again Monday, don't sleep on Harrell. Harrell actually logged 25 minutes in that contest and was considerably more effective with 34.9 Yahoo points. Harrell might also be better suited to guard Karl-Anthony Towns, leaving him with the potential to play more minutes than Marjanovic once again.
Center to Avoid
Clint Capela, HOU at IND ($30): The Rockets have strung together a couple of wins after getting off to a horrific start, but they've also had to deal with Chris Paul being suspended for a stretch and James Harden being injured. Both players are finally back now, which somewhat lessons the load on Capela. This is not an ideal matchup against a Pacers team that has allowed the third-fewest Yahoo points per game to opposing centers (37.6), so this might not be the night that you want to pay up to get him into your lineup.
