This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
While this may be one of the least played slates of the year due to the circumstances, there are some things to like. Many people will be absent-minded when they fill their lineups, simply because of New Years and the fact that many eyes will be focused on football. That means the hardcore NBA fans will get their fill with these games, with many games expected to be close. Injuries are also a huge factor on this schedule, with four of the top-10 players dealing with different ailments.
GUARDS
C.J. McCollum, POR at MIN ($35): McCollum should be asked to take on a huge role in the absence of Damian Lillard. Everyone knows this team runs through Lillard and McCollum, so when Lillard is out, McCollum automatically becomes a top-10 fantasy option through sheer volume. In the last three games without Lillard, McCollum is averaging 26 points and five assists while taking 20 shots per game. Those numbers should only improve Sunday against a Minnesota team who ranks 27th in defensive efficiency.
Reggie Jackson, DET at MIA ($18): Jackson has seen an increase in playing time recently and now is the time to hop on him before his price inevitably rises. Not only has he played at least 30 minutes in four straight games, he's starting to find his form, scoring at least 27 fantasy points in four of his last five games. That's all about rhythm and it comes as no surprise with a streaky player like Jackson. The price is the best part, as the $18 price is more indicative of a role player rather than a starting point guard with Jackson's upside.
Guard to Avoid
Dennis Schroder, ATL vs. SAN ($29): Schroder is playing great right now, but San Antonio ranks in the top four in points allowed, defensive efficiency and slowest pace. All those factors limit the upside of anyone they face and it could frustrate a volatile player like Schroder. In addition, the blowout potential is a concern, as the Hawks are really struggling lately while the Spurs continue to dominate. While 30 fantasy points from Schroder isn't outlandish, he simply doesn't have enough upside Sunday.
FORWARDS
Paul George, IND vs. ORL ($37):Kawhi Leonard and Paul Millsap are the only other elite forward options and George is easily the best choice of the three. Not only is he the cheapest, he has fewer concerns. Millsap has to face an elite Spurs defense, while Leonard comes in questionable due to a stomach virus. George is in a great stretch too, as he has 88.4 fantasy points in his last two games combined.
Josh Richardson, MIA vs. DET ($12): Richardson has he scored at least 32 fantasy points in three consecutive games, averaging nearly 40 per game in that span. That's tough to find from a near minimum-priced player, and it makes Richardson a must use. Even if Goran Dragic plays, Richardson is still a guarantee for 30 minutes with how short of a rotation they run in Miami.
Forward to Avoid
Marcus Morris, DET at MIA ($18): Morris was a late scratch in the team's most recent loss, but word was that Morris was getting relegated to bench duties if he had played. Those rumors were confirmed and it comes as no surprise with his recent form. Morris has scored 19 or fewer fantasy points in six of his last seven games, while failing to crack 16 points five times in that stretch. This bench role should only hurt those numbers, as he'll surely see a decrease in minutes. If that's not enough incentive to fade him, the fact that Miami allows the fewest fantasy points per game to small forwards over the last 10 games should be.
CENTERS
Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN vs. POR ($43): Towns has been hot recently and there's no reason to believe he can't continue to go off in such a tasty matchup like this one. He has scored at least 41 fantasy points in seven of his last eight games, while averaging nearly 50 per game in that span. It's not just his form though, as he faces a Blazers defense that ranks last in defensive efficiency. In addition, they have allowed big men to destroy them all season, with very little in terms of frontcourt defense.
Mason Plumlee, POR at MIN ($23): Plumlee is averaging 13.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game over his last 10. He is averaging well over 30 fantasy points per game during that stretch, which is a great value for a $23 player. This matchup is fantastic too, with Minnesota ranking 27th in defensive efficiency.
Center to Avoid
Hassan Whiteside, MIA vs. DET ($45): Whiteside is in his worst stretch of the season and one has to wonder just how healthy he is. After saying he wasn't 100 percent last week, he had to leave the most recent game with an eye injury. These ailments show in his play too, as he has scored 25 or fewer fantasy points in three straight games. In addition, he has to square off against the top defender in the NBA based on defensive ratings in Andre Drummond.
