This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
With only four games tipping off on this slate, our options constrict considerably. Especially with your cash games, it's going to be the soundest strategy to spend up on at least one position in order to keep pace, and it will definitely be necessary to pick the RIGHT high salary player in tournaments.
While I'll be highlighting options that allow you to achieve this with other value options, the marquee matchup of OKC vs. MIL is the home of every $40-50 player on the slate. Between Westbrook, Giannis, and George, Antetokounmpo ($59) is the obvious go-to here if you consider Westbrook and George stealing each other's value. Tonight, I'm building my lineup around that certainty.
GUARDS
Devin Booker, PHO at BKN ($36): Tonight is his 21st birthday, so while I definitely wouldn't want to start him tomorrow, these kind of game usually deliver a little more oomph. He will have to contend with D'Angelo Russell and a motley crew of twos, he's the safest mid-range player here.
Darren Collison, IND @SAC ($22): This pick is not a knock on George Hill, but I think Collison will bounce back from a bad eight-point performance against the Spurs. This figured to be a much better matchup, and he should be an assist machine.
Other guards to consider: D'Angelo Russell, BKN at PHO ($32), Victor Oladipo, IND vs. SAC ($31)
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GUARD TO AVOID
George Hill, SAC at IND ($19): There's a reason why he's dipped to $19. Hill got a day of rest Sunday but I think it may have been less about rest and more about giving him a day to watch the action and figure out why he's basically tanked every game since a 37-point opening. Until fortunes change for Hill, I'm staying away.
FORWARDS
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, BKN at PHO ($17): A great value pick on this slate. DeMarre Carroll could be a scratch tonight, which should give Hollis-Jefferson more opportunity that he has already. The Nets are streaky and fun to watch, and this game already has a high Vegas O/U.
Trevor Booker, BKN @ PHO ($14): If it isn't already apparent, forwards are where you can spend down on Tuesday. There are so many good values here, but I tend gravitate back to this juicy matchup in Phoenix. To be frank, I like whoever starts for Phoenix as well, but Booker is a tremendous value at $14.
Other forwards to consider:Khris Middleton, MIL at OKC ($30), Tobias Harris DET at LAL ($24)
FORWARD TO AVOID
Kyle Kuzma, LAL vs. DET ($15): While Kuzma practiced with a hip injury, I'd give him a pass this week. Coach Luke Walton has been overworking him, and they may just end up severely limiting his minutes on Halloween night.
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CENTERS
Andre Drummond, DET at LAL ($34): It's hard to argue with Drummond's superior output in the past two weeks. The Lakers miss a lot of shots, Drummond is a double-digit rebound lock. Need I say more? If you can afford him by spending low at forward, take him.
Steven Adams, OKC at MIL ($20): Often the overlooked target in OKC, a quick look at Adams' start to the season tells you he is a value at $20 and my budget pick at center. Greg Monroe is out, and John Hanson will go toe-to-toe with Adams, and it's obvious who I like here.
Other centers to consider: Willie Cauley Stein, SAC at IND ($20)
CENTER TO AVOID
John Henson, MIL vs. OKC: See above. Henson will likely draw the start but Thon Maker will steal some minutes so while looking a replacement players for value is a sound strategy, this matchup is not the best place to implement it.
