This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The Portland Trail Blazers are the only team enduring the tail-end of a back to back, so the rest of the teams on this five-game slate are rested and ready to go. While it isn't a long trip for Portland, it limits the recovery time for Damian Lillard (hamstring), so we will go on the assumption that he is doubtful and likely to miss his fifth straight game, leaving Shabazz Napier ($21) a likely bet to have another productive start.
As for the Over/Unders on Tuesday, the ATL/PHO matchup is clocking in at 218, while the SA/NY matchup will look to be a tough defensive battle with an O/U of 199.5.
LeBron James ($59) is the lone member of the $50-plus club on this slate with both Kristaps Porzingis ($45) and Blake Griffin ($45) the closest two players to that threshold. I'd expect James to give owners 50-60 YFP in this one, as Evan Turner and Al-Farouq Aminu won't give James too many problems at the wing. Porzingis is largely a fade for me due to the quality of the matchup, but Griffin has proven reliability in two straight matchups since his return from injury and should be a solid cash play against the Suns.
As usual, I will highlight two players at each position along with honorable mentions that hold equal weight in my predictions. We'll also look at one player to fade in each slot.
GUARDS
I'm electing to spend high here due to a significant drop-off beyond $26 on this slate.
Tyreke Evans, MEM at LAC ($35): Evans hammered the Clippers for 61.5 YFP last month and overall there's been little deviation for LA outside of Blake Griffin's return. While that's a significant bump, the likely absence of Austin Rivers will weaken LA's backcourt assault, leaving Evans as a probable candidate to post similar numbers.
Devin Booker, PHO vs. ATL ($35): The Hawks have a long travel day to face the Suns, and Booker's injury is no longer a factor. While Atlanta can play tough against opposing backcourts, they'll be overpowered at other positions. As Booker regains his shot, his assist totals have taken a slight uptick, so we should see slightly higher numbers there as Booker dishes the ball into Atlanta's weak interior.
Other guards to consider:C.J. McCollum, POR at CLE ($32); Kemba Walker, CHA at SAC ($32); Lou Williams, MEM at LAC ($32)
GUARD TO AVOID
Isaiah Thomas, CLE vs. POR ($33): Isaiah could come right in and have an excellent game, and that's great news for the Cavs, but not for DFS players already looking at $33 to play him. I think it's highly unlikely that Thomas will play nearly enough minutes to make value here, not to mention the fact that he's playing at full pace with a new team where he isn't the main attraction. This play will be just cute enough for some, but the wise should steer clear until there's evidence of a reliable floor and ceiling.
FORWARDS
Again, James and Griffin are the solid cash plays here, but here are some other options:
T.J. Warren, PHO vs ATL ($30): The pickings are slim on this slate in terms of reliability, but with the Hawks ranking 29th against opposing small forwards, Warren has a good opportunity to keep rolling, as he's averaged 27 points over his last two games. He's been known to grab double-digit boards in the right environment, so a double-double could certainly be in play.
Taurean Prince, ATL at PHO ($21): This is the other side of the aforementioned matchup, which I wouldn't normally recommend, but Prince actually comes in at a budget price and with Dennis Schroder coping with a quad injury, Prince could emerge as the Hawks' leading scorer. He posted a career-high 30 points two games ago against the Raptors, and though he's been known to be inconsistent, I'm ok with putting him in GPP formats.
Other forwards to consider:LaMarcus Aldridge, SA at NY ($37); Michael Beasley, NY vs. SAC ($15); Marquese Chriss, PHO vs. ATL ($14); Frank Kaminsky, CHA at SAC ($11)
FORWARD TO AVOID
Kawhi Leonard, SA at NY ($33): Leonard faces his toughest defense yet since returning from injury. Some may scoff at making the All-Star a fade, but meeting value for his price is what we are paying attention to here. A $33 price tag is simply too cost-prohibitive for Leonard at this juncture when you consider the number of minutes he's likely to play.
CENTERS
Kevin Love, CLE vs. POR ($35): This slate is so small it can kind of play itself, as the top plays at some positions are moderately affordable, and Love is a perfect example. Though these two teams have yet to meet, Portland ranks a pitiful 28th against opposing centers, and if Isaiah Thomas appears on Tuesday as advertised, Love should see a big chunk of those assists.
Dwight Howard, CHA at SAC ($32): When Howard finds the right spot, he's as dominant as ever under the basket, and a double-double candidate on any given night. Zach Randolph and Dwight Howard have dueled in the past and Howard has almost always bested him, and Willie Cauley-Stein and Kosta Koufos shouldn't fare much better.
Other centers to consider:Marc Gasol, MEM at LAC ($34)
CENTER TO AVOID
I actually have two to fade here:
Enes Kanter, NY vs. SAC ($27): After a slew of outstanding games, Kanter has hit the skids, and the Spurs were responsible for one of his poor games last week. The slow pace of this matchup coupled with Kanter's recent cold streak makes him a reasonable fade on Tuesday.
Greg Monroe, PHO vs. ATL ($16): If I had a nickel for the number of What's up with Greg Monroe emails I've gotten – well, I'd actually only have about 15 cents. Interim coach Jay Triano has made Monroe a healthy scratch so often it makes one think he may be headed out of town soon. Many players not following his troubles have been burned with DNP's from the once-productive center in the past two weeks, so consider this a warning to not be one of them. Tyson Chandler is the only viable option at center in Phoenix right now.
That's all for Tuesday. Be sure to give your lineups one last look before tip-off. It can mean the difference between a big score and a big goose-egg.
