This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
As the NBA prepares for a massive slate Monday, we only have two games on the schedule Sunday. The Yahoo slate starts early at 3:00 PM EST, so be sure to get your lineup in early. Here are some players who are worth targeting, as well as a few who might be best left alone.
GUARDS
Malcolm Brogdon, IND at DEN ($28): After a stretch in which Brogdon missed eight of nine games for the Pacers because of injury, he's been able to take the floor in each of their last three contests. Not only that, but he logged at least 31 minutes each time, averaging 18 points, 5.7 rebounds and 8.3 assists. He should once again carry a high floor into this contest.
Malik Beasley, DEN vs. IND ($10): With the Nuggets' stellar depth, playing time hasn't been easy to come by for Beasley. However, all that has changed with Jamal Murray (ankle) and Gary Harris (groin) out. Beasley still didn't start with them sidelined Thursday against the Warriors, but he logged 39 minutes and finished with 42.3 Yahoo points. A performance like that has likely earned him some added opportunities in this game, making him worth the risk at the minimum price.
Guard to Avoid
Goran Dragic, MIA at SA ($18): Speaking of teams with a lot of quality depth, the Heat also have a stellar roster. That has moved Dragic to a role off the bench this season, which he has actually taken to by averaging 15.4 points, 2.9 rebounds and five assists a game. However, he's gone cold recently, scoring 24.9 Yahoo points or fewer in eight of his last nine games. Since he's not overly cheap, it might be best to keep him out of your lineup.
FORWARDS
Will Barton, DEN vs. IND ($26): Barton has quietly put together a fantastic season. He's not just a strong scoring option considering he's also averaged 6.8 points, 3.7 assists and 1.1 steals a game. With that being said, look for the Nuggets to ask for more from him in the scoring column with Murray out. He certainly stepped up his game against the Warriors, scoring 31 points on 20 shot attempts. The last time we saw him take the floor against the Pacers, he cashed in with 14 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and a steal. Among the mid-tier priced options, he might be one of the safer ones on this slate.
Michael Porter Jr., DEN vs. IND ($15): We go from a safe option on the Nuggets to one of the riskiest ones in Porter. He shown significant upside when given opportunities, scoring at least 39.1 Yahoo points in back-to-back contests. The key is that he logged at least 28 minutes in both games, partly because Paul Millsap (knee) has been out. Millsap has already been ruled out against the Pacers, so if Porter sees similar playing time, he could far outproduce his price point.
Forward to Avoid
Derrick Jones Jr., MIA at SA ($13): The Heat have had their share of injuries this season and Jones has often stepped up to provide added production when needed. However, he's logged 25 minutes or fewer in each of their last four games, scoring 25.9 Yahoo points or fewer in each contest. If you want to take a chance on a cheap small forward, it might be best to spend the extra two dollars and roll with Porter, who has significantly more offensive potential.
CENTERS
Bam Adebayo, MIA at SA ($33): There was plenty of hype surrounding Adebayo heading into this season with him taking over the starting center job from Hassan Whiteside. To say that he has performed well would be an understatement considering his averages of 15.9 points, 10.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.2 blocks a game. The Spurs don't have a lot of size up front, which enabled Adebayo to score 46.1 Yahoo points against them Wednesday. Look for him to come through with another juicy all-around stat line in their rematch.
Myles Turner, IND at DEN ($22): With only two games on the schedule, viable cheap center options are difficult to find. Since we do have some appealing cheap guards and forwards, it might be best to just save there and spend up at center. However, if you do want to save a little at the five, Turner is at least worth considering. The Nuggets aren't exactly great at defending opposing centers, allowing the 13th-most Yahoo points per game to the position.
Center to Avoid
LaMarcus Aldridge, SA vs. MIA ($28): This is not a good matchup for Aldridge with the Heat allowing the second-fewest Yahoo points per game to opposing centers. When these two teams met earlier in the week, he was held to 18.5 Yahoo points. With Adebayo priced only five dollars higher, it's difficult to justify rolling with Aldridge at this spot.
