This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Guard
James Harden, HOU vs. PHI ($53): Many of the premium guards on this slate have tough matchups, so it's smart to pivot to someone reliable like Harden. Not only is he averaging over 46 fantasy points per game for the season, he currently ranks sixth in the NBA in usage. What really makes Harden an intriguing option are his numbers against the Sixers, as he averaged 42 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists and 1.5 steals in two games against them last season. Suffice to say, Philly struggles in guarding opposing point guards.
Jamal Murray, DEN at NYK ($11): Murray is coming off his best game of the season, as he recorded 39.7 fantasy points in a victory over the Nets on Sunday. That's the sort of upside this kid brings to the table, as he'll inevitably improve on his subpar season numbers. The matchup is hard to pass up too, considering the Knicks allow the third most fantasy points to opposing point guards this season. The price may be the best part about using Murray though, as he's just one dollar north of a minimum price tag.
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Guard to Avoid
Kyrie Irving, BOS vs. SAN ($44): Irving was expected to carry this team in the absence of Gordon Hayward, but he hasn't quite lived up to expectations. In fact, Irving is averaging less than 40 fantasy points per game, and he's yet to reach 50 fantasy points in any game. A 50-point fantasy game is right what you need from a $44 player, and that seems like a difficult task against this Spurs defense. In fact, San Antonio have ranked top three in total defense for three straight seasons.
Forward
Kristaps Porzingis, NYK vs. DEN ($40): Porzingis has taken his game to another level this season, as he's one of the leading scorers in the league. In fact, Porzingis has at least 46 fantasy points in four of his five games played. That sort of production should come easily against a defense like Denver's that allowed opposing big men to destroy them last season. The Nuggets actually ranked as one of the three worst defenses in the league last year, as they allowed over 50 fantasy points per game to opposing power forwards and centers.
Kelly Olynyk, MIA vs. MIN ($14): Ever since Hassan Whiteside started missing games, Olynyk has taken on a much bigger role. In fact, Olynyk has scored at least 32 fantasy points in three of his last four games, and Whiteside is expected to sit yet again here. That injury has made Olynyk the de facto go-to center, and he's producing big value in this price range. Minnesota are a team worth exploiting too, as they are allowing the most fantasy points in the league to opposing power forwards this season.
Forward to Avoid
Rudy Gay, SAN at BOS ($26): Gay is being priced like he was early on in his career, and it makes no sense with his current role. Not only is he coming off the bench for the Spurs, Gay has yet to play more than 26 minutes in any game. To put it simply, it's just too difficult for a player to reach value if his ceiling in minutes matches his price tag. Boston have been stifling opposing small forwards too, allowing just 28 fantasy points per game to them across their last five games.
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Center
Enes Kanter, NYK vs. DEN ($18): Kanter is a per-minute monster, as he continues to provide value in limited court time. In fact, Kanter is averaging over 30 fantasy points per game, despite playing less than 25 minutes per game. That minutes ceiling is scary, but the fact that he played 33 minutes in his most recent game is hopefully a sign of things to come. What's especially enticing here is the matchup though, with Denver allowing opposing power forwards and centers to obliterate them last season. At just $18, Kanter is the safest bet to reach that coveted 'two times salary' value level on Yahoo.
Center to Avoid
DeAndre Jordan, LAC vs. GS ($34): Golden State have been notorious for shutting down centers, and they've done just that to Jordan throughout his career. In fact, Jordan averaged just 11 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.0 blocks in four games against them last season. Those are terrible numbers from a $34 player, and his struggles should come as no surprise considering all the small ball that Golden State runs.
