This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Tuesday's slate presents seven games of NBA action with some exploitable matchups (SA at DAL, WAS at BKN) and some basement battles (PHO at SAC, LAL at NY). Before I go by position to target and exclude players, we'll take a quick look at our high-salary options.
Only LeBron James, CLE vs. ATL ($60) and Joel Embiid, PHI at MIN ($51) are in our normal $50-plus range, so we'll extend down a few rungs to include some plays in the high 40's. Ben Simmons, PHI at MIN ($49) looks to be the most attractive spend in that range, with Andre Drummond, DET vs. DEN ($48) playing a Denver team minus Nikola Jokic coming in a very close second.
Things get thin very quickly at center Tuesday, so my favorite spend-up is Drummond without question, especially since Embiid is a game-time decision. You could also make an argument for James at $60, but that high price will marginalize your other options, especially in cash. If I'm going for two of these, I would most likely go with a Simmons/Drummond combo for maximum value.
GUARDS
Bradley Beal, WAS at BKN ($36): With John Wall (knee) still sidelined, Washington's offensive attack will be helmed by Beal, who's averaged 26.2 points over the past five games. He's never been much of a contributor in other categories, but Brooklyn's poor rebounding may net him a few extra points to get him close to 40 YFP. I favor him as a cash anchor, but you could go with another guard with higher variance in GPPs.
J.J. Barea ($20) and Yogi Ferrell ($10), DAL vs. SA: With Dennis Smith Jr. (hip) out, these two will split the bulk of the minutes at point guard. I think most people will flock to Barea but for $10 less you have an excellent chance to get the same value with Ferrell, if not more. Ferrell is a strong play if you are spending up at three or more positions.
Other guards to consider:Jimmy Butler, MIN vs. PHI ($38), Will Barton, DEN at DET ($31), J.J. Redick, PHI at MIN, ($19)
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GUARD TO AVOID
Lonzo Ball, LAL at NY ($28):Jordan Clarkson should be starting. He's outplayed Ball in almost every game, but the billboards and posters are all Lonzo in LA, and there's considerable pressure to showcase him. Interestingly enough, this pressure seems to subside in the fourth quarter, where Ball has been noticeably absent in a number of contests. The Knicks are sneaky-good defensively, and the Lakers' lack of confidence in Ball's ability to close keeps the rookie off my radar Tuesday.
FORWARDS
Otto Porter, Jr., WAS at BKN ($31): Porter is another key cog in the Wizards' offensive machinery and he's firing on all cylinders while John Wall (knee) is out. To lessen variance, I don't favor a Beal/Porter tandem in this particular matchup but they are viable together in GPPs. Porter possess the ability to go off in several categories and if I had to choose one Wizard, it would likely be Otto.
Trey Lyles, DEN at DET ($10): Kenneth Faried has been generally underwhelming as a suitable replacement for Nikola Jokic (ankle), so coach Michael Malone is giving Trey Lyles an opportunity to show his stuff. He didn't disappoint as he went off for 32 YFP in 25 minutes on Sunday, and it's likely we'll see similar usage from him on Tuesday. I'm going to use him in GPP lineups, but he lacks cash stability.
Other forwards to consider:Kristaps Porzingis NY vs. LAL ($44), T.J. Warren, PHO at SAC ($30), Zach Randolph, SAC vs. PHO ($29)
FORWARD TO AVOID
Kawhi Leonard, DAL at SA ($48): Tempting, I know. I may be made a fool but as exciting as Leonard's return may be, it isn't going to be some fantasy maelstrom as advertised. The buzz about starting Leonard is a little overstated in my opinion. It may end up that he's not ready to go at all tonight. If you just want to look at the math, this kind of risk isn't worth $48.
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CENTERS
Drummond is still my play here, but if he doesn't fit, here are some more options.
Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN vs. PHI ($40): Towns is an excellent play if Joel Embiid (back) sits out. If he plays I'm not as high on him, as Towns has been owned by a host of big men at times this season and Embiid can get in anyone's head. If The Process sits, all systems go for Towns.
Julius Randle, LAL at NY ($18): Randle is the second-best option on this team behind Brandon Ingram, and unless you live in Los Angeles you probably don't give him much thought. I'm a consistent watcher of Lakers hoops and Randle has tangibles that are hard to calculate, but there's no question that it's incredibly difficult to guard him. We've yet to see him clash with the Knicks, but he's worth a shot in GPPs.
Other centers to consider: Pau Gasol, SA at DAL ($21), Greg Monroe, PHO at SAC ($16)
CENTER TO AVOID
Jahlil Okafor, BKN vs. WAS ($16): If you have a tendency to get a little cute with your lineups I already see you clicking on Okafor. Don't let his debut fool you – he may reap dividends eventually but has Okafor really given anyone evidence that he can contribute yet? No. Criminal trials can be won on circumstantial evidence, but not untested centers. Until I see production, I'm fading him in every format but if you're looking for a punt play, click away.
That's all for Tuesday. Always check your lineups before tip-off to avoid late scratches and injuries!
