This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Tuesday offers up a five-game slate where only two players sit atop the player pool with a $50-plus price tag. As usual, I'll take a moment to discuss them, then move on to players to target and avoid at each position.
LeBron James ($59) travels back home after an impressive outing against the Sixers and will complete a back-to-back against the Heat. Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo ($58) visits a newly-emboldened Kings team that knocked off the Warriors on Monday night. With Giannis coming off a day of rest and the Kings proving to be more of a challenge lately, I'll give the nod to Giannis as my high-priced pick of the night. You'll most likely need to start James or Giannis to keep pace in cash lineups and GPP contests.
GUARDS
Goran Dragic, MIA at CLE ($28): The Heat are on a three-game win streak and Cleveland's frontcourt is struggling on both sides of the court. While this is their first meeting, Dragic put up 18.5 points and five assists across four contests against the Cavs last season. If Dragic is successful dishing the ball inside, his assist total should put him well into 30-plus YFP territory.
Donovan Mitchell, UTA vs. DEN ($27): The well-rested Jazz have won three of their last four home games and Mitchell's impressive rookie campaign is a key factor in their ongoing success. Mitchell has demonstrated the ability to deliver a balanced stat line contributing in multiple categories. His last five contests have been no exception, as he's averaged 14.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 5.4 assists over that span.
Other guards to consider:Bradley Beal, WAS at MIN ($38), Eric Bledsoe, MIL at SAC ($32)
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GUARD TO AVOID
Tim Frazier, WAS at MIN ($12): While the savvy fantasy player may look to target Frazier with John Wall (knee) out, Frazier's first start wasn't particularly impressive, with the bulk of Washington's offensive attack flowing through Bradley Beal. With such a cheap price he might reach value, but he's someone I'd only consider in a GPP lineup, as his floor is currently too low to justify utilizing in cash.
FORWARDS
Otto Porter, WAS at MIN ($32): While his production has been all over the place, Porter is capable of high ceilings that can make or break your lineup. He's swung from 51 YFP to 15 YFP and points in between over the past five games, but Bradley Beal will need some help shouldering this offense. I expect Porter to pitch in with something on the higher end of that deviation Tuesday night.
Andrew Wiggins, MIN vs. WAS ($27): Wiggins is as safe as they come in a cash lineup, and with the Wizards ranking 29th against his position, expect Wiggins to churn out his fourth straight 30-plus YFP game Tuesday. An uptick in rebounds should help contribute to his cause.
Other forwards to consider:T.J. Warren, PHO at CHI ($33), Lauri Markkanen, CHI vs. PHO ($25), Derrick Favors, UTA vs. DEN ($28), Zach Randolph, SAC vs. MIL ($19)
FORWARD TO AVOID
Khris Middleton, MIL at SAC ($36): His price is perfectly reasonable when Giannis is out, but the Greek Freak is back and Middleton's numbers will slide back to his season averages. I think he'll perform just fine, but his current price is a little high to justify ownership, as his return to Earth merited only 20.9 YFP in Antetokounmpo's return on Saturday.
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CENTERS
I am showcasing two of the most expensive options at center on this slate due to the lack of quality options on the low end of the pool. While you can reach for budget picks here you'll run the risk of low floors for a lot of them. The only budget center I could recommend with confidence is Robin Lopez ($19) against the Suns due to the uncertainty at that position in Phoenix.
Nikola Jokic, DEN at UTA ($45): If Rudy Gobert (knee) was suiting up, I'd be a lot less confident about this pick, but since he's out for a while I don't see how Derrick Favors can line up against Jokic in this contest. The defensive stats for Utah inside are deceiving as they are looking at the entire season, and the Gobert-less Jazz are marginalized without him. Aside from a clunker against the Lakers where he was ejected in the second quarter, he's consistently been good for 35-plus YFP in each contest.
Hassan Whiteside, MIA at CLE ($39): Cleveland's struggles inside are well-documented, but they actually defend decently against the five, allowing an average of 16.1 points and 10.1 rebounds against centers this season. That may seem high, but that actually ranks them seventh in the league in that category. Nevertheless, Whiteside's size and speed will take advantage of the Cavs' poor offensive rebounding percentage and put up a respectable total.
Other centers to consider:Robin Lopez, CHI vs. PHO ($19), Willie Cauley-Stein, SAC at MIL ($16)
CENTER TO AVOID
Marcin Gortat, WAS at MIN ($21): Gortat's stats have been in a steady tailspin over the past four games, and it seems that John Wall's absence is hindering the big man's ability to get open consistently. His rebounding is another story, but Karl-Anthony Towns should keep his numbers down there as well. As long as Wall is out, temper your expectations with Gortat.
