This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
This is one of those rare slates when there are games spread throughout the day. In these circumstances, I prefer to play it safely and take advantage of any injury question marks. Using players who are questionable or who could see limited minutes is not wise in a spread-out slate because there will be others who take that unnecessary risk. Put yourself ahead of the curve and take advantage of others vulnerabilities. In addition, there are a few elite defenses on this slate I want to avoid.
GUARDS
DeMar DeRozan, TOR vs. SAC ($39): DeRozan has gotten off to a historic start this season and it's nearly impossible to avoid him in DFS right now. Not only has he scored at least 32 points in every game this season, he's grabbed at least four rebounds in every game as well. If he can add some assisting and defensive numbers to the elite scoring, DeRozan could become a top fantasy option. We have to ride the hot hand though, as this may be the best matchup he's had all season. In fact, Sacramento ranked bottom-five in both pace and defense last season, and a scorer like DeRozan should have no problem.
J.J. Barea, DAL vs. MIL ($12): With Deron Williams very questionable to play, Barea makes for an intriguing option. He has been in and out of the starting lineup with Williams playing, and he'll surely be the starting point guard if Williams is out. It's not just the opportunity either, as Barea is producing whether he's starting or not, averaging nearly 30 fantasy points per game, which is ridiculous value for a near minimum-priced player. The matchup isn't scary either, with Milwaukee repping an average defense at best.
Guard to Avoid
Derrick Rose, NYK vs. UTA ($25): Many fantasy owners will want to pivot to Rose after his huge game on Friday, but this is the sort of matchup to avoid. Rose has to face a Utah defense that is one of the best in the league, and he hasn't scored over 28 fantasy points aside from his outburst against the Bulls in his most recent game. What really concerns me with Rose is the pace of this game. The Jazz have ranked bottom-three in pace over the last two seasons and that could really hurt a player like Rose, who thrives off his speed and getting to the bucket. Utah will make Rose beat them with his jumper and that's one of his few weaknesses.
FORWARDS
T.J. Warren, PHX at LAL ($20): Warren is one of the breakout players of the season and it's a wonder why his price is so low. He leads the Suns in scoring and is averaging just shy of 35 fantasy points per game, which is incredible production for a $20 player. In addition, the Suns square off against a Lakers defense that ranks as one of the worst in the league.
JaMychal Green, MEM vs. POR ($14): While Green hasn't been great this season, the opportunity is still there. He is averaging nearly 30 minutes per game and he's a double-double threat every time he takes the floor with that sort of opportunity. What's intriguing here is the fact that he faces off against a weak Portland frontcourt. At just $14, Green's floor is simply too high to pass on.
Forward to Avoid
Kristaps Porzingis, NYK vs. UTA ($33): Porzingis has struggled in his sophomore season, and it's the offseason acquisitions that have really hurt him. With Carmelo Anthony, Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah dominating the ball, there's simply not enough fantasy production to go around. The blowup potential is what's really disappeared, as he's failed to surpass 35 fantasy points in any game this season. The matchup is scary too, as he'll likely struggle against the best defensive frontcourt in the league.
CENTER
Tyson Chandler, PHX at LAL ($15): There's no better value in fantasy right now, as Chandler continues to have a price that's lagged behind his production. Alex Len is actually more expensive than Chandler, which makes little sense considering their roles. Chandler, who is the starter and playing far more minutes than Len, has grabbed double-digit boards in every game but one, including three times with 18. That sort of ceiling is almost impossible to find for a $15 player, and he gets to face a bad Lakers defense.
Center to Avoid
Greg Monroe, MIL at DAL ($22): Monroe is better than a $22 player and he's outperforming his price. With that said, this rotation is terrible for Monroe and it will inevitably bring down his numbers. Many people will want to use Monroe after his 16-point, 16-rebound line in his most recent game, but the minutes are a worry. In five games this season, he's played fewer than 18 minutes three times and has yet to play over 30. It really doesn't make sense why, but it makes his ceiling too low to trust. The matchup could hurt him as well, as the Mavericks tend to play small, thus reducing the usage of the Milwaukee big men.
