This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The NBA starts off the week with nine games on the schedule Monday. One of the highlight games will be a battle of the Ball brothers when Lonzo and the Bulls host LaMelo and the Hornets. The Heat will host the Nuggets in another potentially exciting game, although Nikola Jokic (wrist) is listed as questionable and could miss his fifth straight game.
There are some underwhelming matchups on the card, as well, including the Rockets hosting the Thunder. Let's highlight some players to consider for your Yahoo lineups, as well as a few to potentially avoid.
GUARDS
Darius Garland, CLE at DAL ($27): The absence of Collin Sexton (knee) has forced Garland to take on a more prominent role. For the season, he's averaged 18.7 points and 15.6 shot attempts per game. However, since Sexton went down, he's averaged 21.9 points and 19.4 shot attempts across nine games. That's helped him score at least 44.5 Yahoo points in three of the last five games.
Kevin Porter Jr., HOU vs. OKC ($22): Porter hasn't exactly had a great season, averaging 4.3 turnovers per game and shooting just 37.0 percent from the field. However, he's coming off of his best performance yet, posting 23 points, eight rebounds and 12 assists across 42 minutes against the Hornets. Jalen Green (hamstring) didn't play in that contest, and with him out for a least a week, Porter should take on an expanded role. It also helps his cause that the Rockets have played at the fastest pace in the league.
Guard to Avoid
Spencer Dinwiddie, WAS at SA ($22): As Dinwiddie recovers from his torn ACL from last season, he continues to sit out one half of back-to-back sets. He didn't play Saturday against the Mavericks, but he's been struggling for a little while now, averaging just 9.3 points and 4.3 assists over his last four games. With Porter checking in at the same salary, it might be best to wait for Dinwiddie to show signs of coming out of his slump.
FORWARDS
DeMar DeRozan, CHI vs. CHA ($38): The resurgent Bulls have leaned heavily on DeRozan, propelling him to an average of 25.8 points per game and a 30.3 percent usage rate. He's thrived in other areas, as well, averaging 5.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game. With the Hornets playing at the third-fastest pace and having the seventh-worst defensive rating in the league, DeRozan enters this matchup with a high floor.
Gordon Hayward, CHA at CHI ($22): Hayward has somewhat flown under the radar with LaMelo Ball playing so well and the emergence of Miles Bridges. His numbers are mostly down across the board, but he's still scored at least 31.0 Yahoo points in five of his last six games. That should at least put him on your radar at this reasonable salary.
Forward to Avoid
Caris LeVert, IND at MIN ($22): LeVert has logged 27 minutes or fewer in five of the last six games, some of which can be attributed to the Pacers playing in lopsided games. However, he's also dealt with some injuries issues that have resulted in the Pacers being cautious with his playing time. The Pacers just played Sunday, so there is some concern regarding how many minutes LeVert will actually play in this contest.
CENTERS
Christian Wood, HOU vs. OKC ($30): Wood dominated the undersized Hornets on Saturday, posting 33 points, 16 rebounds, three assists and two blocks. He has hauled in at least 10 rebounds in four of the last five games and is averaging a career-high 11.3 rebounds for the season. That could spell doom for the Thunder, who have allowed the ninth-most rebounds per game in the league.
P.J. Washington, CHA at CHI ($16): With Bridges playing so well and the addition of Mason Plumlee, Washington has only averaged 21 minutes per game. However, Plumlee missed both of the last the last two games with a calf injury, which meant Washington moved back into the starting five. In those two games, he scored 23.7 and 38.0 Yahoo points, respectively. Plumlee has already been ruled out for this game, so look for Washington to start again.
Center to Avoid
Andre Drummond, PHI vs. ORL ($27): Joel Embiid certainly didn't look limited in his return from COVID-19 on Saturday. He played a whopping 45 minutes against the Timberwolves, recording 42 points and 14 rebounds along the way. Drummond returned to his limited role off the bench, posting two points and three rebounds across 13 minutes. His salary still reflects the production he was providing when Embiid was out, so with Embiid healthy, stay far, far away from Drummond.
