This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
GUARD
Kemba Walker, CHA at MIN ($27) - Walker demonstrated he can still light up the scoreboard when he scored a season-high 27 points Saturday against the Spurs in a good matchup against Tony Parker. Walker draws an equally inviting showdown with Ricky Rubio on Tuesday. The Timberwolves offer the right recipe of poor defense versus point guards (23.5 points allowed per game, seventh most in NBA) and a fast-paced offense that will provide Walker with extra opportunities. The veteran guard is somewhat quietly averaging an impressive 31.5 fantasy points per game, despite not receiving anywhere near the pub of some of his flashier point-guard brethren.
Kyle Lowry, TOR vs. NY ($36) - Lowry is a solid, albeit slightly pricier, option. He is a quality GPP alternative to the considerably more expensive and likely higher-owned John Wall ($42) and Russell Westbrook ($52).
NOTE: Ramon Sessions ($10) and Gary Neal ($10) become value plays Tuesday if Bradley Beal (shoulder bruise) does not play against the Thunder. Matthew Dellavedova ($16) and Trey Burke ($15) are reserves who usually receive starter's minutes and are bargains at their prices.
Eric Gordon, NO vs. DAL ($25) - The winless Pelicans are growing increasingly desperate, Anthony Davis hasn't consistently been himself, New Orleans is at home against a fast-paced offense and Gordon's shot has been hot the last three games as he's drained 47 percent, including 12 three-pointers. These factors, and a reasonable price, make Gordon a solid value.
Guards to Avoid:
D'Angelo Russell, LAL at MIA ($16) - Russell draws a tough road matchup against a Heat team that is tops in the NBA at defending point guards, yielding a miserly 16.3 points per game to the position. The cards are stacked against the rookie Tuesday against a suffocating backcourt manned by veterans Goran Dragic and Dwyane Wade.
Russell Westbrook, OKC at WAS ($53) - While it feels counterintuitive to even contemplate, buyer beware on Westbrook on Tuesday. The Thunder square off against a Wizards defense that excelled against point guards, ranking fourth in points allowed to the position. The combination of Westbrook's high price and the tough matchup warrants passing on the superstar.
FORWARD
Kevin Durant, OKC at WAS ($47) - The logic on potentially avoiding Westbrook dovetails into the reasoning behind targeting Durant. As proficient as the Wizards are at defending both backcourt positions, they rank last against small forwards, getting decimated to the tune of 26.3 points, 8.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game. Kent Bazemore just posted a season-high 25 points on 67 percent shooting against Washington on Saturday, while Jae Crowder totaled a double-double against the Wizards the night prior. With the Wizards' defensive strengths potentially funneling the action toward the frontcourt, the stage appears set for Durant.
Kristaps Porzingis, NYK at TOR ($24) - Strong power forward options abound Tuesday, but Porzingis might represent the optimal combination of upside and value. The Raptors struggle to defend fours, surrendering 22.9 points and 11.4 rebounds per game to the position. Meanwhile, the dynamic 20-year-old has posted double-doubles in three of his last four games. The 7-foot-3 rookie has even drained a bucket from beyond the arc in each of his last four games, providing the potential for extra scoring not typically associated with his position.
Forwards to Avoid:
Kevin Love, CLE vs. UTA ($33) - Love is a terrific option most nights, as he is often priced a tier below the elite at the position and yet offers a considerably high ceiling. Love is also coming off a huge double-double against an overmatched Pacers frontcourt Sunday, when he totaled 22 points and 19 rebounds. However, Tuesday's date with the frontcourt duo of Rudy Gobert and Derrick Favors makes that irrelevant. The Jazz are typically a black hole for offenses, surrendering 14.4 points per game on average to power forwards and an equally minuscule 85 points per game to opponents. Love tends to thrive against finesse types, finding less success against physical big men. Considering his matchup, all signs point to your $33 being better budgeted elsewhere.
Luis Scola, TOR vs. NYK ($13) - Scola should be avoided due to his matchup versus Kristaps Porzingis, and the fact that he is not typically a factor offensively for the Raptors to begin with.
CENTER
Hassan Whiteside, MIA vs. LAL ($30) - Whiteside's appeal stems from the combination of his ever-present potential for a double-double and the Lakers' general ineffectiveness in the frontcourt. Los Angeles surrenders 21.7 points per game to centers, while Whiteside has already posted a pair of 40-plus fantasy point outings and another where he totaled a massive 51.5 fantasy points. His ability to exploit favorable matchups such as Tuesday's, as well as his tendency to round out the stat sheet with an outstanding four to six blocks per game, make him a terrific play on his home court.
Jonas Valanciunas, TOR vs. NYK ($23)- For those wishing to save a few bucks and differentiate from pricier and likely popular selections like Greg Monroe ($34), Rudy Gobert ($30) and Hassan Whiteside ($30), Valanciunas could be a sneaky value play against a Knicks squad that ranks fifth worst against centers. Valanciunas has also scored in double digits in four of his last five games, while hauling in double-digit boards in two of the last three.
Center to Avoid:
Timofey Mozgov, CLE vs. UTA ($18) - Mozgov draws the short straw Tuesday with a matchup against the Stifle Tower and the Jazz's No. 1-ranked defense. The sixth-year center normally provides modest offensive production, and even his typical numbers likely will be hard to come by against Utah. Despite being reasonably priced, Mozgov is in a classic avoid situation.
