This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Tuesday's six-game slate is a bit short on elite star power with the exception of LeBron James, but there is an abundant selection of solid mid-tier value, along with an outstanding minimum-priced play. A solid mix of all three creates a potentially explosive lineup. Here's a look our selection for Tuesday Yahoo Daily Fantasy Basketball.
GUARD
Mike Conley, MEM at NO ($29) - Conley offers excellent value relative to his price and recent production, particularly on an abbreviated six-game slate. After a considerably lackluster start to the season, the light seemingly went on for Conley in mid-November. Since Nov. 15, he's averaged 35.2 Yahoo fantasy points per game, posting nine consecutive double-digit scoring nights. Tuesday, he draws a Pelicans defense that is ranked last versus point guards, surrendering an average of 26.3 points per game to the position.
Robert Covington, LAL at PHI ($21) - Covington is in that highly coveted fantasy "sweet spot" where his price is lagging significantly behind recent production and ample opportunity. The Sixers small forward, listed at shooting guard on Yahoo, has posted superb fantasy point totals of 34.7, 30.2, 40.8, 60.9 and 35.4 his last five games. Covington is doing it by stuffing the sheet superbly, including racking up an astounding 24 steals in his last four games.
Guard to Avoid:
John Wall, WAS at CLE ($42) - Wall continues to be priced like a caliber of player that he has not consistently been this season. Additionally, he and the Wizards are mired in an offensive slump of epic proportions. Washington has scored 87 points or less in each of the last three games, while Wall has shot 30 percent (16 for 54) over that span. He's also committed 19 turnovers in the last four games and does not warrant being the second-highest priced point guard on any slate.
FORWARD
LeBron James, WAS at CLE ($47) - James is a selection Tuesday that one simply does not overthink. He averages 45.7 Yahoo fantasy points per game and is matched up against a Wizards defense that has been an absolute sieve versus small forwards this season, surrendering 25.7 points per game. He doesn't figure to encounter much resistance on his way to what should be an outstanding game, and figures to be worth every penny.
Julius Randle, LAL at PHI ($25) - Randle is developing before our very eyes, in what is essentially his rookie season. He's posted three double-doubles in three of his last five games, averaging a solid 29.46 fantasy points over that span. Tuesday's matchup favors him as well, as the Sixers have given up 23 points and 11.9 rebounds per game to power forwards, ranking third-worst in the league versus the position. At a fair mid-tier price, Randle offers great potential.
Forward to Avoid
Ryan Anderson, MEM at NO ($29) – Anderson has cooled off since a recent four-game stretch where he tallied 34.7 fantasy points or better. The veteran forward has only managed a pair of nine-point performances in his last two games, shooting an atrocious 19 percent (4 for 21) from the field over that span. He also likely will encounter some tough Grizzlies frontcourt defense Tuesday and is priced higher than more appealing options such as Thaddeus Young ($28).
CENTER
Gorgui Dieng, ORL at MIN ($10) - Dieng may offer the best point-per-dollar value on Tuesday's slate when all is said and done. The third-year pro has received ample playing time lately due to his superb pick-and-roll defense, averaging almost 27 minutes per game over his last four. He's also scored in double digits in three of his last four, posting double-doubles in two of those games, as well. His matchup versus a Magic defense that is simply average against centers doesn't hurt either, and Dieng should have little trouble paying off his minuscule price tag while opening up things considerably elsewhere on your roster.
Center to Avoid:
Karl-Anthony Towns, ORL at MIN ($32) - For many of the same reasons that Gorgui Dieng is such a great value play Tuesday, Towns is an avoid candidate as the second-highest priced center on the board. His playing time has slightly declined as a result of Dieng's defense and overall production when on the floor, and he's tallied single-digit points in three of his last four games. Paying $32 to roster a center that may only receive minutes in the mid-20s is simply not a wise move.
