This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
While most eyes will be fixated on another big game in the NFL, we have a four-game slate in the NBA. All of the games start at 2 p.m. EST or earlier, so be sure to get your lineups in early. All four games look relatively even, so there shouldn't be a whole lot of issues in terms of avoiding blowout potential. There are numerous injury questions at forward, though, that need to be taken into consideration. Be sure to check on the status of players like Carmelo Anthony, Rudy Gay, Tobias Harris and Jae Crowder prior to tip off.
GUARD
Emmanuel Mudiay, DEN at NYK ($21) - Mudiay missed a few weeks due to an ankle injury last month, but he has played some great ball recently. Since returning from injury, Mudiay is averaging 12.5 points, 5.7 assists, 2.4 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game. That's about 24 fantasy points a game when you include his blocks and turnovers, which is a good value for his price. Mudiay has also surpassed 24 fantasy points in 10 of his last 15 games, playing some big minutes. In fact, Mudiay is averaging about 33 minutes a game across his last 11 games with the injury to Jameer Nelson. This is a great matchup as well, with a poor defender in Jose Calderon opposing him.
Langston Galloway, NYK vs. DEN ($12) - Galloway is in the midst of his best stretch of the season, and now is the time to use him. He becomes especially valuable if Carmelo Anthony misses this game, but he should have no problem providing value even if Melo returns. Galloway has scored at least 23 fantasy points in five of his last seven games, great value for a near minimum priced player. The minutes have been consistent as well, as he averaged more than 30 minutes a game in that seven-game span. The Nuggets have also allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to shooting guards this season.
Guard to Avoid:
Avery Bradley, BOS vs. SAC ($24) - Many will want to use Bradley because of the matchup and the fact that he hit a game-winner Friday, but he hasn't been performing lately. In his last five games, Bradley has scored more than 24 fantasy points once and has scored 17 or fewer twice in that span. That's a nightmare in a DFS lineup, and it makes him hard to trust. Hustle stats are killing him, as he is averaging about three rebounds, two assists and one steal per game in that span. A player like Bradley needs to do more of that if he wants to be a valuable fantasy asset.
FORWARD
Danilo Gallinari, DEN at NYK ($34) - There haven't been many better small forwards in recent weeks, and Gallinari's ability to get to the free-throw line is simply elite. Not only did Gallo go 18-for-18 from the free-throw line in the team's most recent win, he has been averaging more than 10 attempts per game across his last 17 games. Gallinari also averaged 24 points on 14 field-goal attempts a game in that span as well. That's usage at its finest and he should be leaned on heavily in a revenge game. This is always a big matchup for Gallinari, as he faces the team that traded him early in his career. The New York Knicks have also allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to small forwards in their last 10 games.
Tyler Zeller, BOS vs. SAC ($10) - You have to scroll pretty far down to find Zeller, but he's been a much bigger part of the Celtics' rotation recently. Over his last three games, Zeller is averaging just shy of 25 fantasy points a game. Sunday, he faces a Kings team that is easily the worst defense in the NBA. Finding a minimum priced player with 25-point potential is simply too good to pass up, especially in a matchup like this.
Forward to Avoid:
Omri Casspi, SAC at BOS ($26) - People may want to pivot to Casspi because Rudy Gay is likely to miss this game, but I would steer clear. Not only has his price been creeping too high, Casspi has also played poorly recently. Casspi has surpassed 25 fantasy points only twice in his last 15 games and has seen his usage and minutes decrease in that span. With DeMarcus Cousins and Rajon Rondo handling the ball so much, there's just not enough fantasy production to go around for players like Casspi. This is a tough matchup as well, with the Celtics ranking as one of the best defenses in the NBA based on efficiency.
CENTER
Nikola Jokic, DEN ay NYK ($13) - This price is downright shocking and it hasn't reacted to his recent play. The Serbian has played great ball since taking over the starting job. Jokic is averaging 14.4 points, 9.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.1 blocks in his last eight games. That marks six times with 35-plus fantasy points in an eight-game span, which is a ridiculous value for a $13 player. It's cliche to call someone a must-play, but this is one of the bargains of the season with his recent production and dirt-cheap price.
Center Avoid:
DeAndre Jordan, LAC at MIA ($33) - Jordan is one of the players I have used most this season, but this matchup scares me. Not only do the Heat play at a snail-like pace, they have a beast at center who can stop anyone. Hassan Whiteside leads the league in blocks, and that's who Jordan will face. Considering the pace as well, that means less rebounding opportunities for Jordan, who lives off of rebounds. Whiteside and Jordan are just going to cancel each other out on the offensive end, likely leaving Jordan with few points and limited opportunities at blocks. In fact, Miami ranks in the top eight in rebounds and blocks allowed to centers this season, and that's pretty much the only way Jordan can produce.
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