This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Tuesday's modest four-game slate features most of its star power in a potential Thunder-Rockets shootout. We'll provide a solid array of appealing mid-tier selections and bargain plays that will give you the flexibility to roster the likes of James Harden, Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant.
GUARD
Goran Dragic, MIA at NO ($28) - Despite a bit of a stiff neck and minor elbow issue, Dragic is expected to take the court Tuesday in a favorable matchup. The Pelicans have given up the sixth-most points (23.52) per game to point guards this season, and reside just outside the bottom 10 in fantasy points allowed per contest (44.38) to the position. Meanwhile, the Heat point guard is one of several players to step up in the extended absence of Chris Bosh (blood clots), scoring 32.4 to 46.6 fantasy points in eight of the last 10.
Ray McCallum, MEM at LAL ($10) - McCallum merits a mention as a minimum-priced special with the potential to provide a handsome return. He was impressive in his first Grizzlies start Saturday, totaling 23.9 fantasy points versus the Clippers. Fortunately for McCallum and those looking for a bargain, the Lakers check in as the second-most generous unit against point guards in both fantasy points (47.49) and points (24.68) allowed per game.
Tony Allen, MEM at LAL ($12) - A case could probably be made for giving serious consideration to four-fifths of the Memphis starting five against the Lakers, and Allen is certainly one of those players, given his reasonable price. Since returning from an eight-game absence due to a knee injury, he has scored 21.0 to 44.9 fantasy points in five of his last eight. He'll have a chance to continue his recent stretch of strong play Tuesday, considering his matchup against a Lakers defense that surrenders the most fantasy points (42.10) and points (23.70) to opposing shooting guards.
Guard to Avoid:
Jrue Holiday, NO vs. MIA ($39) - Holiday is usually a fine enough play, but it's his price and matchup that edge him into the avoid category Tuesday. Even without Anthony Davis and potentially Ryan Anderson on Tuesday, Holiday might not return sufficient value on his considerably elevated price. He only managed 36.9 fantasy points Sunday despite the absences of both Davis and Anderson, a total that doesn't warrant his cost and that's lower than what would have been expected with more offensive responsibility on his shoulders. The Heat also sport one of the toughest defensive units in the league, and Goran Dragic and Dwyane Wade figure to provide plenty of resistance.
FORWARD
Bojan Bogdanovic, BKN vs. CHA ($17) - Despite exploding for 55.6 and 39.1 fantasy points in two of the last three games, Bogdanovic remains reasonably priced. He's been filling out the stat sheet impressively, and has tallied multiple three-pointers in each of the last three contests. He'll draw one of the best matchups for small forwards Tuesday, as the Hornets surrender the second-most fantasy points (41.05) and second-most three-pointers (2.5) per game to the position.
Marvin Williams, CHA at BKN ($22) - Williams could go under-owned in tournaments considering his lackluster effort in his last two games, but he draws a prime matchup Tuesday and remains reasonably priced. The Nets have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points (45.75), fifth-most points (21.85) and most three-pointers (1.8) to power forwards per game this season, and Williams is one of the best perimeter-shooting big men in the league. He also had scored 25.5 to 45.8 fantasy points in the five games before his last two clunkers and remains an important part of the Hornets attack.
Forward to Avoid:
Serge Ibaka, OKC vs. HOU ($21) - Although it's admittedly a bit uncommon to suggest avoiding a power forward versus the Rockets, Ibaka has proven that he simply cannot be trusted. This has held true even in appealing matchups, as evidenced by his respective totals of 20.4 and 14.8 fantasy points against the Celtics and Pacers, respectively, in his last two games. With Marvin Williams ($22) only a dollar higher, and JaMychal Green ($17) at a better price and capable of generating similar or better production, Ibaka can be steered clear of.
CENTER
Enes Kanter, OKC vs. HOU ($18) – While there's certainly a couple of appealing options near the top of the pricing scale at center, Kanter's potential fantasy-point-per-dollar return could well turn out to be the best of the night. He scored 30.4 to 36.9 fantasy points in a recent four-game stretch, totaling 28.0 fantasy points on the strength of a 15-point, 10-rebound double-double against the Pacers on Saturday. He's also managed to return outstanding value despite playing no more than 28 minutes in any of those games, and he'll have the benefit of what should be a fast-paced game versus the Rockets.
Center to Avoid:
Al Jefferson, CHA at BKN ($19) - Jefferson's playing time can't be trusted, as he's received less than 20 minutes in three of his last four games while Cody Zeller continues to draw starts and outpace him by a notable margin. Jefferson has also posted lackluster totals of 14.8, 21.1, 23.7 and 14.2 fantasy points, respectively, in four of his last five games.
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