This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The NBA tips off the week in style with nine games on the schedule Monday. With so many options to choose from, let's get right down to business and examine some players to target and avoid as you create your Yahoo entry.
GUARDS
Zach LaVine, CHI at DAL ($27): LaVine has looked like a different player in the Bulls first two games. After struggling to shoot 38.3 percent from the field last year, LaVine is shooting 57.5 percent thus far this season. While that mark will eventually regress over the course of the year, his 33 percent usage is going to give him plenty of offensive upside. With Lauri Markkanen (elbow) still on the sidelines, LaVine will continue to be the focal point of the Bulls' offense.
Bryn Forbes, SA at LAL ($10): The injury bug has bitten the Spurs in the early going, leaving them without their top two points guards in Dejounte Murray (knee) and Derrick White (heel). They prefer to bring Patty Mills off the bench, resulting in Forbes starting both of their first two games. He's done nothing to lose the job so far, scoring at least 21.6 Yahoo points in both games. His upside is limited, but he can still provide value at the minimum price against a Lakers team that has played at the fastest pace (112 possessions per game) in the league.
Guard to Avoid
Jaylen Brown, BOS vs. ORL ($20): With the Celtics fully healthy this year, it's no surprise that Brown has seen a decrease in production. After finishing with a 21.4 percent usage rate last year, he has an 18.3 percent usage rate through his first three games. He hasn't scored more than 19 Yahoo points in any of those contests, making it risky to pay this price to get him into your entry.
FORWARDS
Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL vs. NY ($53): Giannis is a monster. He couldn't be any hotter out of the gates, logging at least 25 points, 15 rebounds, five assists and one block in both of his games. Although he went 0-for-10 from behind the arc and has committed 14 turnovers, he can still stuff the stat sheet across the board even if he isn't making threes. To top it off, he has a crazy 39.5 percent usage rate. Don't expect the Knicks to be able to slow him down Monday.
Serge Ibaka, TOR vs. CHA ($18): The Raptors have been playing matchups when it comes to their front court, resulting in Jonas Valanciunas averaging just 18 minutes per contest. Ibaka, on the other hand, is averaging 29 minutes per game. He's taken advantage of the added minutes, averaging 15.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, one steal and 1.7 blocks per game. The Hornets have used a lot of small lineups in the early going, which should work in Ibaka's favor.
Forward to Avoid
Thaddeus Young, IND at MIN ($22): Young isn't off to a great start, averaging nine points, 3.7 rebounds and one steal across his first three games. He's only been getting 27 minutes per night and currently has what would be a career-low 14.6 percent usage rate, which certainly isn't doing him any favors. Considering he doesn't come at much of a discount, it might be best to keep Young out of your lineup.
CENTERS
Enes Kanter, NY at MIL ($27): Everything has lined up perfectly for Kanter. The Knicks are without their best player in Kristaps Porzingis (knee) and have thinned out their logjam at center by moving on from Joakim Noah, Kyle O'Quinn and Willy Hernangomez. Kanter is averaging 31 minutes per game this year, as a result, cashing that in for 20.7 points, 12 rebounds and 1.3 steals per contest. Don't count on him for many blocks, but it looks like he can roll out of bed and have the potential for a meaty double-double in every game -- at least until Porzingis returns, which won't be for a few more months, at the earliest.
JaVale McGee, LAL vs. SA ($13): The Lakers experiment with McGee as their starting center has worked so far. They're 0-2, but McGee has averaged 14.5 points, seven rebounds and four blocks in just 21 minutes per contest. Don't expect him to see a dramatic increase in playing time even with his initial success, but he's once again proven he doesn't need a lot of minutes to provide value.
Center to Avoid
Pau Gasol, SA at LAL ($17): Gasol continues to see his playing time decline in the later stages of his career, bottoming out at 20 minutes per contest this season. With so little playing time, he's only averaged 7.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and four assists a game. The Lakers like to use a lot of small lineups, so don't expect Gasol to see significant run in this game, either.
