This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Tuesday's modest four-game slate features two of most dynamic (and expensive) fantasy options in Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis, along with a second tier of solid stars. Here's a look at who's worth the investment and who's best to steer clear of on Tuesday's short slate:
GUARDS
Russell Westbrook, OKC at LAL ($56): Westbrook is a clear-cut top choice at guard Tuesday against a Lakers team that's allowed 44.24 fantasy points per game to point guards, as well as 20.8 points and a league-worst 9.5 assists. That last figure will particularly spell trouble against Westbrook, who's scored over 60 fantasy points thanks to triple-doubles in each of his last two games, while also scoring at least 50.9 fantasy points in each of his last seven.
Jrue Holiday, NO at ATL ($24): Holiday has looked spectacular in his first two games of the season, scoring 37.4 and 38.4 fantasy points, respectively. He's already put up 31 shot attempts and is sporting a usage rate of 33.2 percent, while playing just under 30 minutes in his most recent game. He should see another uptick against the Hawks, with the possibility of a start also in play. Meanwhile, Atlanta has given up 44.62 fantasy points, 22.2 points and 8.7 assists per game to point guards.
Guard to Avoid
Dennis Schroder, ATL vs. NO ($25): Schroder bottomed out at 4.9 fantasy points Sunday against the Knicks, but he also tallied just 19.5 on Friday versus the Hornets. He also figures to see a heavy dose of stingy Jrue Holiday defense Tuesday, which could well extend his current struggles. Although he's generally been solid this season, Schroder is a tad overpriced, considering Derrick Rose ($25), Rajon Rondo ($25) and Holiday ($24) are the same price or cheaper and in better matchups.
FORWARDS
Anthony Davis, NO at ATL ($55): Davis has 68.8 and 65.2 fantasy points over his last two games, respectively, on the strength of a pair of 38-point efforts. He should be able to exploit his three-inch height advantage on Paul Millsap consistently Tuesday, despite the surprisingly solid defense that the latter has played this season.
Kristaps Porzingis, NY vs. POR ($31): Porzingis is bargain-priced relative to both recent production and matchup. He's scored between 32.7 and 52.4 fantasy points over his last five games, including two double-doubles. He'll now face off against a Blazers defense that's surrendered the second-most fantasy points (49.23), as well as the most points (23.0), rebounds (13.2) and blocks (2.1) per game to power forwards this season.
Forward to Avoid
Luol Deng, LAL vs. OKC ($14): Deng's price isn't an issue, but his production has not been dependable. He's scored fewer than 20 fantasy points in all but three games this season, including as few as 7.8 against the Pelicans on Nov. 12. Deng's playing time has also been relatively curtailed, as he's averaging a modest 24.6 minutes per game.
CENTERS
Dwight Howard, ATL vs. NO ($35): Howard has been absolutely dominant on the boards, rattling off five straight double-doubles, as well as double-digit rebounds in 10 consecutive games. He's scored over 40 fantasy points in three of his last seven games and draws a Pelicans defense that's tied with the Cavs in allowing the most rebounds per game (16.5) to centers this season, making it highly likely that he extends his stretch of stellar fantasy production.
Mason Plumlee, POR at NY ($19): Plumlee has an appealing price for a player who's scored between 25.1 and 35.9 fantasy points over the last six games. The big man has been filling out the stat sheet nicely, averaging 5.5 assists over his last four games in addition to his scoring and rebounding contributions. The Knicks allow the third-most fantasy points per game to centers (48.85) as well, rendering Plumlee one of the better values on the slate.
Center to Avoid
Steven Adams, OKC at LAL ($21): Adams has scored between 15.6 and 18.7 fantasy points in three of his last four games and has been inconsistent on offense all season, making him a tad overpriced Tuesday, particularly against a Lakers defense that's been much improved against centers this season thanks to Timofey Mozgov down low.
