This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
With the season one week old, we're finally able to start gaining a picture of the NBA as a whole. Determining which players will continue their scorching starts or which will cool down, as well as which slumping players will finally break out is key for setting your Yahoo Daily Fantasy Basketball lineup. Let's look at some players who have favorable matchups and playing time opportunities, and vice versa.
GUARD
Ty Lawson, HOU vs. ORL ($23) - Coming into the season, fantasy owners were not sure how Lawson and Patrick Beverley would split minutes at point guard. Through four games, it appears Lawson has the clear edge in playing time, playing a consistent 36.5 minutes per game to Beverley's 20.8. While still adjusting to his new teammates, Lawson has averaged a solid 10.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 1.3 steals in the early going this season. Coming off his best game as a Rocket, and first double-double, Lawson catches a quality matchup with an Orlando team giving up 106.3 points per game and playing the second night of a road doubleheader.
Matthew Dellavedova, CLE vs. NY ($14) - Last year's surprise Finals darling is a sneaky play at a bargain of a price. An already shallow backcourt missing Kyrie Irving and Iman Shumpert, will also be without J.R. Smith, who is out two games with a right knee bruise. After Smith left Monday's game, Dellavedova finished strong with an impressive 12 points, five boards, nine assists and one triple in 34 minutes. He also put up good numbers in the previous game with five points, five rebounds and 10 assists. He has a favorable matchup Wednesday against Sasha Vujacic, with Aaron Afflalo out again for the Knicks.
Guard to Avoid:
Bradley Beal, WAS vs. SA ($30) - Beal has played well to start the year, putting up 25.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.3 threes in 35 minutes per game. Unfortunately, he is running into a Spurs defense giving up a measly 89.5 points per game. Even worse, considering he has been the Wizards' best scorer, there is a good chance he draws Kawhi Leonard, who has shut down everyone in his path this season.
Others to Avoid: Isaiah Canaan ($19), C.J. McCollum ($30)
FORWARD
Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL vs. PHI ($30) - After missing the first game of the season due to a suspension, the Greek Freak has been on a tear in the three games since. Notably more aggressive than in previous seasons, Giannis has filled up the stat sheet with 22.7 points, 8.7 boards, 2.3 assists, 1.0 steals, 1.0 blocks and 1.0 three-pointers in 36 minutes per game. He draws a favorable matchup Wednesday against a Philadelphia team giving up 106 points per game. Already averaging 37.7 FPPG, look for Antetokounmpo to continue to outperform his price against the 76ers.
Markieff Morris, PHO vs. SAC ($25) - Phoenix draws a Sacramento team allowing an eye-popping 113.0 points per game, on the backend of a doubleheader. The Kings will also be without DeMarcus Cousins -- their best frontcourt defender -- who is out with an Achilles' tendon injury. Morris averages a respectable 12.8 points, 6.5 boards, 1.3 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.8 swats and 1.5 threes in 25 minutes. Morris is shooting an ugly 32.3 percent to start the year but is a career 44.7 percent shooter, which means he can be expected to improve. Look for that to happen in this encouraging matchup.
Forward to Avoid:
Al-Farouq Aminu, POR at UTA ($22) - Aminu has been a pleasant surprise to start the season. He's outperforming his $22 salary with 28.1 FPPG, but runs into a buzzsaw Wednesday known as the Utah defense. The Jazz are giving up a staggering 79.7 points per game, almost 10 points fewer than the next best defense. Aminu has been a great play early on, but look for his hot start to cool down considerably in this matchup.
Others to Avoid: Otto Porter ($20), LaMarcus Aldridge ($34)
CENTER
Al Horford, ATL vs BKN ($29) - Horford has stuffed the stat sheet early this season to the tune of 17.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.0 steals, 2.5 rejections and 1.3 triples in 33 minutes per game. The addition of the long ball this year has really added to his already stellar repertoire. The Hawks will play a winless Nets team giving up 105.3 points per game. There is no reason to expect Horford's 35.6 FPPG to dip any time soon, so don't miss your chance to grab him still at a price south of $30.
Center to Avoid:
Marcin Gortat, WAS vs. SA ($23) - Gortat has been quiet to start the year, only putting up 9.3 points, 7.3 boards and 1.0 blocks in 29 minutes per game. A matchup versus the Spurs' stingy frontcourt is not a recipe for a breakout game, either. At $23, there are plenty of other options available in more desirable situations than this Wizards big man.
Others to Avoid: Tim Duncan ($29), Mason Plumlee ($13)
