This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Tuesday's six-game slate offers a host of appealing matchups across positions and price scale, along with a marquee matchup in the Rockets and Warriors. Let's dive in to see how to narrow things down on a slate with plenty of choices:
GUARDS
Damian Lillard, POR vs. DEN ($46):James Harden ($62) and Stephen Curry ($51) could be great plays against each other, while John Wall ($50) could hardly draw a more tempting matchup, though there is definite blowout risk in his game. The best combination of price and competitive matchup could be Lillard, who's averaged 36.3 points, 7.7 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game in three starts against the Nuggets this season. Denver has also given up the most fantasy points per game (54.0) to point guards on the season, including the second-most (63.2) over the last five, along with the second-most points (24.8), second-most assists (9.4) and third-highest field-goal percentage (44.9 percent) this season. Lillard has scored between 44.7 and 61.2 fantasy points over the last five, even though he's played only 29-31 minutes in the last three due to the Blazers being comfortably ahead.
Malcolm Brogdon, MIL at CHA ($17): Even on a relatively short slate, there's lots to like from the mid-tier on down at guard, including Dennis Schroder ($27), Tyler Ulis ($22), Lou Williams ($21), Tim Hardaway, Jr. ($20), Jordan Clarkson ($20) and the quintet of Sergio Rodriguez, Archie Goodwin, Nik Stauskas, Spencer Dinwiddie and Tony Snell at minimum price. However, Brogdon draws a strong matchup against a Hornets squad that's tied with the Nets for third-most fantasy points per game (45.2) allowed to shooting guards this season, and that ranks in the bottom five in several other categories against the position as well. Brodgon has scored between 20.2 and 32.3 fantasy points in the last five games and can contribute across the stat sheet, giving him an opportunity to provide solid return whether he's spends more time at point guard or the two on Tuesday.
Guard to Avoid
Rodney McGruder, MIA at DET ($10): While I typically shy away from making a min-priced player an avoid candidate (given that the risk is so low), McGruder has repeatedly shown to have limited upside and there are also a plethora of similar-priced candidates who have higher ceilings.
FORWARDS
Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL at CHA ($52):Paul George ($42) is also in a good matchup if you need the savings, but Antetokounmpo tallied 31 points (on 61.9 percent shooting), nine rebounds, five assists, one block and one steal against the Hornets in his one previous meeting against them this season. He should be in an even better position this time, as he's projected to be deployed at power forward, a matchup he should be able to win a majority of the time. Charlotte has surrendered the eighth-most fantasy points per game (46.2) this season to power forwards, including the fifth-most (48.9) over the last 10. They're particularly vulnerable in one of the areas that Antetokounmpo excels in, rebounds, as they've yielded the fourth-most boards per game (12.1) to the position.
Ersan Ilyasova, ATL vs. PHO ($19): There are plenty of plays in the mid-tier if you're able to spend up a little, including Robert Covington ($29), Otto Porter, Jr. ($27) and Danilo Gallinari ($25). Jon Leuer ($11) also makes for an excellent low-risk value play at just $1 away from minimum, but Ilyasova faces a Suns squad that's surrendered the fourth-most fantasy points per game (47.7) this season to power forwards, including the second-most over the last five (52.5). They've also yielded the most points (21.7) to the position, and Ilyasova has scored between 20.6 and 36.3 fantasy points over the last five games. He'll draw another start with Paul Millsap (knee) out, which should provide plenty of opportunity to reach value on his modest price.
Forward to Avoid
Marcus Morris, DET vs. MIA ($20): Morris has provided a modest 11.4 to 20.0 fantasy points in the last three and faces a Heat squad that's allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points per game (40.3) to small forwards this season, including an even stingier 37.2 over the last five. Morris has also struggled in this matchup this year, averaging a rather ordinary 10.7 points, 3.0 assists and 1.3 rebounds in 31 minutes per game over three appearances.
CENTERS
Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN at IND ($50): Towns is pricey but worth it Tuesday, having scored 55 fantasy points on the strength of 33 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two steals over 38 minutes in his one previous meeting against the Pacers this season. Outside of a down game against Portland on Sunday, he'd also scored between 43.2 and 51.6 fantasy points over the previous four while Indiana gives up the seventh-most fantasy points per game (58.7) to centers over the last five, along with the third-most rebounds (16.0) on the season.
Shawn Long, PHI at BKN ($10):Greg Monroe ($18), Richaun Holmes ($18), Marcin Gortat ($17) and Cody Zeller ($14) all present as appealing choices for those with a few extra dollars, but Long is an excellent mínimum-priced option given his recent play. The young forward has been a steady and productive part of the frontcourt rotation with Jahil Okafor (knee) injured, as he's scored between 20.2 and 30.9 fantasy points over his last three. Long has been putting his minutes to good use, as he's averaging 10 shot attempts per game and sporting an impressive 29.3 percent usage rate over that modest span. Additionally, the Nets have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game (50.2) and seventh-most points (21.6) to centers on the season.
Center to Avoid
Hassan Whiteside, MIA at DET ($37): Whiteside doesn't warrant this designation very often, but he's encountered some trouble in this matchup this season. The big man is averaging just 7.5 points per game in two meetings against the Pistons, though he's somewhat salvaged those outings by bringing in 10 rebounds per contest. However, those numbers are significantly below Whiteside's season averages, and Detroit yields the seventh-fewest fantasy points (45.7), fourth-fewest points (19.2) and fourth-fewest rebounds (13.2) to centers. There are several other candidates (Brook Lopez, Dwight Howard and Myles Turner to name just three) in better matchups and at notably lower prices.
