This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The NBA starts off the week in style with nine games on the schedule Monday. That leaves us with plenty of options to choose from on Yahoo, so let's get right to it and highlight some of the better players to target, as well as a few to avoid.
GUARDS
Fred VanVleet, TOR vs. MIN ($33): Kyle Lowry (neck) was unable to play Saturday against the Nets and is listed as questionable for this contest. If he sits again, VanVleet is going to receive all of the minutes that he can handle when you consider that Norman Powell (finger) is also out. However, even if Lowry does play, this is still a great spot to deploy VanVleet with the Timberwolves playing at the seventh-fastest pace in the league.
Jordan Poole, GS vs. MIA ($11): The Warriors didn't exactly have a lot of depth before the trade deadline, but they are really thin now after making a couple of moves. That's left Poole to log at least 23 minutes in back-to-back games, scoring 30.4 and 27.9 Yahoo points, respectively. With the likelihood that he receives more minutes again in this contest, he's worth a look in tournament play at near the minimum price.
Guard to Avoid
Ricky Rubio, PHO at LAL ($19): Rubio has gone into a funk, scoring 23.9 Yahoo points or fewer in six of his last nine games. This isn't a great matchup for him to get back on track with the Lakers sporting the fifth-best defensive rating in the league. The last time these two teams met in Los Angeles, Rubio was held to 26.5 Yahoo points. With so many other viable options during a busy slate, taking a chance on Rubio might not be wise.
FORWARDS
Khris Middleton, MIL vs. SAC ($34): The big news heading into this game is that Giannis Antetokounmpo (personal) is listed as questionable. The Bucks are cruising in the Eastern Conference and are playing a far inferior foe at home, so there probably isn't any need to rush Giannis to play in this game if he is dealing with something personal. If he sits, Middleton should see a dramatic increase in scoring opportunities. Even if Giannis does play, Middleton is worth considering since he has scored at least 44.6 Yahoo points in four of his last six games.
Duncan Robinson, MIA at GS ($12): It's possible that the Heat will once again be shorthanded for this game after Jimmy Butler (shoulder) and Tyler Herro (foot) have missed both of their last two games. With them sidelined, Robinson scored 32 and 32.7 Yahoo points, respectively. If Butler and Herro are out again, expect Robinson to see increased scoring opportunities. He's a lethal shooter from behind the arc, which makes him extremely dangerous in this game since the Warriors have allowed the second-highest three-point shooting percentage in the league.
Forward to Avoid
Dorian Finney-Smith, GS vs. UTA ($19): The Mavericks just faced three bad defensive teams in the Grizzlies, Wizards and Hornets, but Finney-Smith didn't score more than 21.2 Yahoo points in any of those games. Playing time is not the issue, it's his 12.8 percent usage rate. Now he'll face a Jazz team with the eighth-best defensive rating, which doesn't exactly bode well for him having a big night.
CENTERS
Christian Wood, DET vs. CHA ($24): Wood has seen his price increase by nine dollars since his last game Saturday. He scored 39.2 Yahoo points in that contest, which came on the heels of him scoring 47.9 Yahoo points against the Thunder on Friday. With Andre Drummond no longer in town, Wood is going to continue to receive added playing time down the stretch. Take advantage of him at this reasonable price while you still can.
Marquese Chriss, GS vs. MIA ($16): Wood isn't the only big man who has seen an increase in opportunities since the trade deadline. With the Warriors moving Omari Spellman, there are more minutes available for Chriss. He scored 47.3 Yahoo points across 27 minutes against the Lakers on Saturday, some of which can be attributed to Draymond Green also being out. Even though Green is expected to return for this matchup, Chriss could still provide value at such a cheap price.
Center to Avoid
Maxi Kleber, DAL vs. UTA ($15): Kristaps Porzingis sat out for rest Saturday against the Hornets, which gave Kleber an opportunity to start. He couldn't cash in, though, scoring 20.5 Yahoo points across 28 minutes. Expect him to return to a reserve role with Porzingis ready to take the floor. Add in a tough matchup against the Jazz and it doesn't make much sense to roll with Kleber in your entry.
