This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Guard
Lou Williams, LAC vs. TOR ($31): With all the injuries the Clippers have suffered, Williams has taken over this team. In fact, he is leading the Clippers in shots, assists, minutes and usage since Blake Griffin was sidelined, and it doesn't look like Williams is going to slow down. It's showing in his fantasy production too, as he's scored at least 40 fantasy points in three straight games. He's playing a Toronto defense that is struggling with shooting guards right now as well, allowing the fifth most fantasy points to them across the last five games.
Shaun Livingston, GS vs. POR ($10): Stephen Curry is dealing with an ankle injury, so Livingston has found himself filling the role of starting point guard for the best offense in the league. In his first game in the starting five, Livingston tallied 16 fantasy points in 24 minutes of action, which is good value for a minimum-priced player. His workload should only rise, as he gives this team a good presence on both ends of the floor. Not to mention, he gets a good matchup here against a backcourt more known for their offense than their defense.
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Guard to Avoid
Eric Gordon, HOU vs. NO ($20): Gordon's role has fallen off a cliff since Chris Paul returned from injury, and he's not the same player he was in the first month of the season. In fact, Gordon has scored 17 or less fantasy points in six of his last nine games, while never surpassing 28 fantasy points in that span. That's a direct correlation with Paul's return, something which has just killed Gordon's usage and minutes. Until his salary drops below $20, he's simply unusable.
Forward
Kevin Durant, GS vs. POR ($52): Livingston isn't the only beneficiary of Curry's injury, as Durant has become the Warriors' go-to playmaker. He has 140.7 combined fantasy points across his last two games, and he's flirting with triple-doubles every night in the role. It's incredible Durant's price hasn't skyrocketed, as he is still only the fifth priciest player on the board. He's really destroyed the Trail Blazers in the past too, averaging 29.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 2.0 blocks in four games against them last season.
OG Anunoby, TOR at LAC ($10): This is simply a minutes play, as Anunoby has taken over starting small forward duties for Toronto. In fact, the rookie has played at least 24 minutes in three straight games, and it's clear the team is trusting the youngster to take on a bigger load. Those were his three highest minute totals of the season and it appears he's solidified himself as a regular for now. That sort of role for a minimum-priced player is hard to pass up, especially considering he faces a Clippers defense that allows the sixth most fantasy points to opposing small forwards.
Forward to Avoid
Lauri Markkanen, CHI vs. BOS ($27): The rookie has been incredibly impressive for the Bulls this season, but his upside is far too limited at this salary. Markannen has actually only cracked 40 fantasy points once all year, which is weak production for a $27 player. He's been especially poor recently, as he's only surpassed 30 fantasy points once in his last 11 games. All that pales in consideration when looking at the matchup, as Markannen faces the best defense in the NBA.
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Center
Al Horford, BOS at CHI ($29): There aren't many players as reliable as Horford, as he's scored at least 23 fantasy points in every game this season. What makes that production even sweeter is the fact that Horford is still priced south of $30, making him the safest bet to reach value on Yahoo. Horford's been doing work recently too, scoring at least 28 fantasy points in five of his last six games, not to mention the fact that Chicago allows the fifth most fantasy points to opposing centers.
Bam Adebayo, MIA at MEM ($12): Adebayo is a risky play given his lack of consistent minutes, but he should be used heavily in this matchup. With Hassan Whiteside sidelined, Miami is very thin at center, and Adebayo is the only guy on the roster who can match up with Marc Gasol. Adebayo has been much better since Whiteside's got injured too, averaging 20 fantasy points across his last six games. That's all you can ask for from a $12 player, and he will make for a nice complement to some expensive studs.
Center to Avoid
Jusuf Nurkic, POR at GS ($28): Golden State notoriously kills other centers' fantasy value, as they run more small ball than any other team in the league. That showed in Nukic's numbers against Golden State last year, as he averaged just 12 points and 4.5 rebounds against them in four games. What really makes him a difficult choice is the fact that he's also nicked up, as his status is up in the air while he deals with an ankle injury. Nurkic may be ruled out by the time this is published, but he's a bad pick even if he does suit up.
