This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Get ready for a wild day of basketball with 12 games on the schedule Monday. Things tip off at 12:30 PM ET when the Celtics host the Pelicans. The Nets will also be in action when they take on the Cavaliers in Cleveland. That means Kyrie Irving will be available, but unfortunately for them, it was learned Sunday that Kevin Durant (knee) is going to miss at least the next four weeks. The shorthanded Bulls will also be in action when they take on the Grizzlies in Memphis. The final game of the slate will feature the Jazz taking on the struggling Lakers. Six games will make up the main slate on Yahoo, so let's highlight some players from them to consider for your Yahoo lineups, as well as a few to possibly avoid.
GUARDS
Tyler Herro, MIA vs. TOR ($29): Herro has scored at least 49.3 Yahoo points in two of his last six games, but he scored no more than 27.9 Yahoo points in any of the four other games during that stretch, so he hasn't exactly played consistently well. With that being said, the Heat will be shorthanded for this matchup with Kyle Lowry (personal) out. That could lead to more ball-handling responsibilities for Herro, who is already averaging a career-high 4.1 assists per game.
Grayson Allen, MIL at ATL ($11): Allen has been locked in across two games since returning from the health and safety protocols, shooting 12-for-21 from the field, including 6-for-13 from behind the arc. The Bucks could use more scoring from him with Jrue Holiday (ankle) set to miss his six straight game. That could lead to a productive night against a Hawks team that has the third-worst defensive rating in the league.
Guard to Avoid
Russell Westbrook, LAL vs. UTA ($37): After a stretch in which he had four straight games with a triple-double, Westbrook has gone cold. Since then, he has averaged 13.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists over six games. He shot an ugly 32.2 percent from the field during that stretch, which is concerning since he faced some bad defensive teams in the Kings (twice) and Hawks. Given the Jazz's defensive prowess, this is not an ideal matchup for him to break out of his slump.
FORWARDS
Khris Middleton, MIL at ATL ($34): Middleton enters this matchup having scored at least 40.3 Yahoo points in four straight games. With Holiday out, he averaged 8.0 assists per game during that stretch. Given the Hawks aforementioned defensive woes, Middleton could continue to have significant success.
De'Andre Hunter, ATL vs. MIL ($13): Hunter has played three games since returning from a wrist injury, the last two of which he served as a starter. He logged exactly 30 minutes in both contests, scoring 31.0 and 17.6 Yahoo points, respectively. He's a dangerous three-point shooter who could receive additional shot attempts with Bogdan Bogdanovic (knee) out, making him someone to at least consider in tournament play.
Forward to Avoid
Scottie Barnes, TOR at MIA ($25): After missing two of the last three games with a knee injury, Barnes is not on the injury report for this game. However, with the Raptors improved health up front, Barnes has started to see his production decline. Across the last six games in which he has played, he's scored 21.4 Yahoo points or fewer four times.
CENTERS
Rudy Gobert, UTA at LAL ($39): Gobert certainly didn't look rusty in his return from COVID-19 on Sunday. He helped the Jazz dominate the Nuggets, posting 18 points, 19 rebounds and two blocks across 35 minutes. The Lakers don't have much talent at center, often deploying small lineups that have seen LeBron James spend time at the five. Trying small lineups against Gobert could prove to be disastrous for them, but beneficial for those who deploy Gobert in DFS.
JaVale McGee, PHO at SA ($13): An ankle sprain against the Pistons on Sunday limited Deandre Ayton to only eight minutes. McGee stepped up in his absence, posting 20 points and six rebounds across 15 minutes. It's difficult to envision Ayton making such a quick return, so added playing time could be coming for McGee.
Center to Avoid
Omer Yurtseven, MIA at TOR ($24): Yurtseven has been stellar for the Heat, averaging 13.6 points, 13.9 rebounds and 3.0 assists across the last 10 games as a starter. The reason he might be someone to avoid is certainly not because of his production. The problem is, Bam Adebayo (thumb) could make his return for this game. Adebayo has averaged at least 33 minutes in each of the last three seasons, so once he does return, Yurtseven should return to a limited role.
