This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The NBA starts off the week with a bang with eight games on the schedule Monday.
The highlight of the night could be a matchup between the Sixers and Grizzlies in Philadelphia. Two familiar Eastern Conference foes will take the floor when the Celtics face off against the Heat. The Heat could be without Jimmy Butler (ankle), who is questionable after logging a combined 89 minutes Friday and Saturday.
Looking to bounce back from a loss to the Bulls on Sunday, the Trail Blazers will remain on the road when they face the Thunder, who will be without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (ankle) through the All-Star break.
Let's dig into the matchups and discuss some players to consider for your Yahoo lineups, as well as a few to possibly avoid.
GUARDS
CJ McCollum, POR at OKC ($30): McCollum has been busy with Damian Lillard (abdomen) out, averaging 36 minutes over the last seven games. He certainly made the most of it, averaging 22.4 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.7 assists during that stretch. Even with the emergence of Anfernee Simons, McCollum should remain one of the focal points of the Trail Blazers' offense.
Josh Giddey, OKC vs. POR ($25): The loss of Gilgeous-Alexander means that it's Giddey time in Oklahoma City. Over the three games that he's played in without Gilgeous-Alexander this season, he's averaged 17.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 10.0 assists and 1.7 steals. Add in this great matchup against a Trail Blazers team that has the second-worst defensive rating in the league and Giddey could provide excellent value.
Guard to Avoid
Marcus Smart, BOS vs. MIA ($20): It's been a quiet stretch for Smart, who has scored 27.6 Yahoo points or fewer in five of his last seven games. While he's a key member of the Celtics' defense, he's not all that involved on the offensive end with his 17.1 percent usage rate. Since Giddey's salary is only five dollars more, there's no need to even consider Smart.
FORWARDS
RJ Barrett, NY vs. SAC ($28): While the Knicks haven't exactly been playing well lately, Barrett might be playing his best basketball of the season. Over their last 15 games, he's averaged 22.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 0.9 steals. He shot 44.8 percent from the field and averaged 18.0 shots per game during that stretch. With no signs of his usage rate declining anytime soon, he could thrive against a Kings team that has the third-worst defensive rating.
Luguentz Dort, OKC vs. POR ($20): Giddey isn't the only player on the Thunder who stands to see his production increase with Gilgeous-Alexander out. Dort, who is already averaging career-highs in points (16.3) and three-pointers (2.4) per game, will now step in as arguably the team's top scoring option. Given this excellent matchup, rolling with both Giddey and Dort at their reasonable salaries is appealing.
Forward to Avoid
Kyle Anderson, MEM at PHI ($17): Anderson returned from the health and safety protocols to play Saturday against the Wizards. He resumed his limited role, logging 23 minutes off the bench. While he did haul in nine rebounds, he only scored four points, lowering his average to 8.1 points per game for the season. He should remain limited with the Grizzlies' excellent depth, so be sure to keep him out of your entry.
CENTERS
Domantas Sabonis, IND vs. LAC ($42): It sure looks like Sabonis is healthy. In his first game back from an ankle injury, he played 44 minutes and posted a triple-double. He only logged 29 minutes in a blowout loss to the Mavericks on Saturday, but he still finished with 21 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists. Don't be surprised if he destroys a Clippers team that has allowed the seventh-most rebounds per game in the league.
Trendon Watford, POR at OKC ($10): Watford is a risky option who should only be considered in tournament play. With that being said, the Blazers are thin up front with Larry Nance Jr. (knee) and Cody Zeller (knee) out. Watford has played at least 15 minutes in three straight games, and he scored at least 17.0 Yahoo points in each contest. If he can play around 20 minutes against a Thunder team that lacks size up front, he could provide value.
Center to Avoid
Clint Capela, ATL vs. TOR ($23): The center situation in Atlanta has become murky. When Capela recently missed time, it opened up a starting role for Onyeka Okongwu, who played extremely well in his absence. Capela is starting again now that he's healthy, but he hasn't played more than 26 minutes in any of the last five games. That left him to score 24.6 Yahoo points or fewer four times. It wouldn't be a surprise to see Okongwu continue to eat into some of Capela's playing time.
