This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
As customary, Tuesday brings us a compact five-game slate that concludes with what should be a high-scoring track meet between the Warriors and Rockets. In order to have a crack at rostering some of the elite from that contest, you'll need to capitalize on the solid value that permeates the rest of the schedule. We'll also give you a bonus selection from that contest to give you some exposure to the barrage of points that will be scored without breaking your bank.
Without further ado, here's our look at Tuesday Yahoo Daily Fantasy Basketball:
GUARD
Goran Dragic, MIA vs. SA ($20) - Although Miami undeniably has a tough chore ahead Tuesday against San Antonio's top-ranked defense, Dragic draws the path of least resistance in his individual matchup. The Spurs get increasingly tougher from the two-guard spot on down, but with Tony Parker showing signs of his age, point guard has been the one spot where opposing offenses have occasionally made inroads. Meanwhile, Dragic has really hit his stride in the Heat offense, tallying between 21.8 and 39.5 fantasy points in seven of his last nine. At this favorable price, he sets up as a cap-conscious play that figures to have the ball in his hands a substantial amount of the time.
Rodney Hood, UTA at DAL ($24) - Hood's price thankfully continues to lag behind his stellar production, giving you a nice savings with a potentially handsome return. Outside of a 10-fantasy point clunker versus the Nuggets on Feb. 3, Hood has been over 30 fantasy points in five out of his six most recent games. He's drained multiple threes in all of those outings as well, and draws a Mavs defense that's surrendered 37.18 fantasy points per game to shooting guards, putting them just outside the bottom 10 in the league.
Guard to Avoid:
Isaiah Thomas, BOS at MIL ($38) - Thomas' price and matchup are the issue Tuesday, as the Bucks have become a stay-away defense against point guards for DFS. Milwaukee ranks as the seventh-stingiest unit against the position in terms of actual points allowed (20.0) and sixth best in fantasy points surrendered (41.62). Thomas' recent production, while solid, doesn't quite merit spending up on him Tuesday.
FORWARD
Carmelo Anthony, NY vs. WAS ($43) -Jae Crowder ($24) would be an excellent cost-effective solution at small forward, if not for the fact that he still doesn't look quite right while battling an ankle ailment. Meanwhile, Anthony is right up there with Kawhi Leonard as the most expensive small forward on the slate, but his matchup and role still render him a premium selection. Although the Knicks will be playing their first game under interim coach Kurt Rambis, Anthony's role as offensive linchpin surely won't be affected. He's tallied between 35.7 and 50.0 fantasy points over the last five games, even while nursing a sore knee at times. Provided he's healthy enough to go, he'll have the added benefit of facing a Wizards defense that's giving up the most points (22.0), assists (4.2) and three-pointers (2.7) per game to opposing small forwards, not to mention the highest field-goal percentage (46.7).
Harrison Barnes, GS vs. HOU ($21) - Barnes could be a fantastic pick at small forward, as he draws a premium matchup in what should be the highest-scoring affair of the night, yet he'll likely go under-owned in tournaments. Barnes has been between 20.9 and 25.7 fantasy points in three of the last five, and draws a Rockets defense that gives up the most fantasy points (47.80) and fourth-most points (21.2) per game to his position.
Kristaps Porzingis, NY vs. WAS ($30) - Although Derrick Favors ($33) is a fine alternative in a matchup against Dirk Nowitzki, Porzingis gets the call at $3 cheaper against a Wizards frontcourt he should be able to win his fair share of battles against. He's hit a couple of bumps in the road during his rookie campaign, but seems to be back on track with 39.5 and 42.1 fantasy points in his last two. Washington surrenders a healthy 20.0 points and 11.4 rebounds per game to opposing fours, with the latter figure ranking them as the fifth-worst defensive unit in that category.
Forward to Avoid:
Chris Bosh, MIA vs. SA ($38) - Much like Thomas, Bosh has an unsavory combination of price and matchup that renders him an avoid candidate. He'll tangle with a Spurs frontcourt ranked fifth-stingiest in points allowed (19.9) and that's tied with the Heat for fewest rebounds (4.8) yielded per game to opposing fours on the season. Bosh has been between 25.4 and 30.2 fantasy points over the last five games, which would be decent production if he were priced about 30 percent cheaper. With appealing options like Favors ($33) and Porzingis ($30) at considerably lower price tags, it's best to steer clear of Bosh.
CENTER
Jared Sullinger, BOS at MIL ($19) - Sullinger's playing time is back on the upswing and his production has followed suit, meaning it's a good time to take advantage of his bargain-bin price. He's managed 25.1, 30.9 and 33.2 fantasy points over his last three, respectively, while tallying 23 and 24 minutes over his last two games. He'll draw a matchup ripe for fantasy production Tuesday, as Greg Monroe and the Bucks allow 47.32 fantasy points per game to opposing centers.
Center to Avoid:
Hassan Whiteside, MIA vs. SA ($31) - Whiteside will have to tussle with the same stalwart Spurs frontcourt as Bosh, and will very likely do so off the bench. He continues to nurse a sore left ankle and is currently even listed as a game-time call for Tuesday. Although coach Erik Spoelstra has indicated he expects Whiteside to play, the hulking center remains overpriced in light of his recent production, health, matchup and the very real possibility of limited playing time.
