This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Guard
James Harden, HOU at OKC ($51): Harden is the clear-cut favorite for MVP right now, and he's collecting fantasy points with ease. What adds to his upside is the fact that Chris Paul is expected to miss this game, as Harden's been posting absurd numbers in his absence. In fact, he has at least 68 fantasy points in back-to-back games, and he's averaging close to 60 fantasy points in outings that Paul has missed. It's the usage rate and shots that makes Harden so good with his backcourt mate out, as he's involved in nearly every bucket that this Rockets offense will get.
Jordan Clarkson, LAL vs. MIN ($16): With Lonzo Ball expected to miss this game due to a shoulder issue, Clarkson should get a rare start. That's 37 minutes at the point guard position missing and a usage hog like Clarkson will love to soak up the majority of that role. In fact, he leads this team with a 27.7 usage rate, as he runs the offense when he's in the game. This expanded role comes in a fantastic matchup too, as he faces a Minnesota Timberwolves defense that ranks 24th in defensive efficiency.
[Join the free NBA Yahoo Cup. $25K in total prizes with weekly winners]
Guard to Avoid
John Wall, WSH at BOS ($37): This price is actually pretty low for someone of Wall's potential, but he's struggling too much right now to use him. Since he returned from an injury six games ago, Wall has yet to surpass 42 fantasy points while averaging just 32.6 fantasy points per game in that span. That's terrible for a $37 player, and Wall is still trying to re-discover his game. What really makes him off-limits is the matchup though, as he faces a Boston Celtics defense that ranks first in defensive efficiency.
Forward
Kevin Durant, GS vs. CLE ($51): Durant has been a beast in the absence of Stephen Curry, as he's running the best offense in the NBA. In fact, Durant is averaging over 58 fantasy points across his last eight games, despite scoring just 36 in his most recent outing. It's a spectacular matchup too, with Cleveland sitting 26th in defensive efficiency. The fact that it's a Christmas Day Finals rematch just adds to Durant's appeal, as he should play heavy minutes and see more usage than ever in a showcase game like this.
Kyle Kuzma, LAL vs. MIN ($24): With Ball and Brook Lopez (ankle) both out, Kuzma should see a huge bump in usage here. What makes that bump all the more attractive is just how hot the rookie is right now, as he's scored at least 26 fantasy points in seven straight games. The upside has been incredible in that span too, and he's averaging 38.7 fantasy points in those seven games. Those numbers should only rise, as Lopez and Ball are usually players who need the ball in their hands. The icing on the cake is the matchup, given Minnesota's aforementioned defensive efficiency.
Forward to Avoid
Otto Porter, WSH at BOS ($26): Porter is in quite the slump right now, and his price hasn't dropped enough to match his current level of play. Not only has he failed to crack 31 fantasy points in eight of his last nine games, he's averaging just 24 fantasy points per game in that span. It's the matchup that really makes Porter a tough sell, as he faces a Boston defense who allow the fewest fantasy points in the league to opposing small forwards.
[Join a Yahoo Daily Fantasy Basketball contest or league today]
Center
Al Horford, BOS vs. WSH ($26): Horford is also in a minor slump right now, but it's lowered his price to an incredible number. In fact, he is averaging 34 fantasy points per game for the season, which is amazing production from a $26 player. Horford has been very reliable despite the recent struggles too, as he's only scored less than 23 fantasy points only twice all season long. A 23-point floor for a $27 player is just unheard of and it comes in a solid matchup against a struggling Wizards team.
Julius Randle, LAL vs. MIN ($16): Randle is yet another Laker who should benefit from all of their injuries, as he'll likely pick up some center minutes in the absence of Lopez. Randle's actually been playing some great ball since Lopez went down, scoring at least 21 fantasy points in seven of his last eight games. If you take out one dud against the Rockets, Randle is actually averaging over 26 fantasy points per game in that span. He gets a tasty matchup here too, as he'll face a Timberwolves defense who allow the third most fantasy points in the league to opposing centers.
Center to Avoid
Clint Capela, HOU at OKC ($26): The matchup and injury status of Capela (heel) make him a hard player to trust, even on one of the strangest slates of the season. One thing to consider is that all of these games are spread out throughout the day, so taking a risk on someone who is questionable is a big no-no. Especially considering that Houston play at 8 pm ET, you likely won't know Capela's status until two games are already over. Even if he does suit up, he'll have to face a Thunder defense that ranks second in defensive efficiency, while having one of the best defensive centers in the league in Steven Adams.
