This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
After a slow four-game slate Saturday, we have 10 games today. With that said, four of them are during the day, with six making up the night slate. What's fascinating about the night slate is there will be plenty of star power on display. There are seven players at $48 or higher, but it looks like three of them may be sitting. That means there's a lot of value to be had, so let's go ahead and get into it!
Guards
Dennis Schroder, LAL at PHX ($21)
LeBron James looks likely to sit here after suffering an ankle injury on Saturday, which that should force Schroder into some monster usage. He was already stepping up in the absence of Anthony Davis anyway by averaging over 31 Yahoo points across his last 10 outings. What makes that look even better is that Dennis the Menace carries a 27 percent usage rate with those two off the floor averaging 1.1 Yahoo points per minute.
Tomas Satoransky, CHI at DET ($13)
What is this valuation? Someone at Yahoo clearly doesn't realize Sato starts for the Bulls now. He's taken over point guard duties the last four games averaging 26 Yahoo points. That's right on par with his 25-point average as the starting point guard last year, and it makes it hard to believe he's still only $13. The best part of this play might be the matchup, with Detroit ranked 17th in defensive efficiency.
Guard to Avoid
Dennis Smith Jr, DET vs. CHI ($16)
DSJ was fantastic when he started for Delon Wright a few weeks back, but Smith is impossible to trust with Wright back and at full health. In 10 contests as the backup this season, Smith has failed to crack 19 Yahoo points in nine en route to a 13-point average. That's a horrendous total from a $16 player, and it's hard to understand how someone like Satoransky is at $13. The fact Smith just came off the COVID list makes him even riskier, with his low minutes likely being even more limited.
Forwards
Julius Randle, NYK vs. PHI ($46)
This will sound like a crazy statement, but Randle is essentially the Knicks' point guard right now. They're currently without Elfrid Payton, Immanuel Quickley, Austin Rivers, and Derrick Rose, leaving no true ball-handler on the roster. That has forced Randle into a huge role with a 29-percent usage rate over his last four games. That has allowed him to score at least 47 Yahoo points in all while dropping at least 57 in four of his last six. That's an amazing total and facing a Philly team without Joel Embiid isn't too worrisome with the Sixers also ranking sixth in pace.
Maxi Kleber, DAL at POR ($12)
Kleber has established a nice role as the Mavs' starting power forward, and it makes it hard to believe he's hovering around the minimum. The big man has played at least 28 minutes in eight straight outings while averaging over 23 Yahoo points. That's really all you can ask for from someone this reasonably valued, especially with Maxi dropping 30 fantasy points in this same matchup Friday. It's really not hard to go off against Portland's putrid defense with the Trail Blazers ranked 29th in defensive efficiency this season.
Forward to Avoid
Carmelo Anthony, POR vs. DAL ($21)
Melo was truly majestic when filling in for CJ McCollum over the last month, but it's hard to trust Anthony at this lofty salary now that CJ is back. With McCollum suiting up, Melo averages less than a fantasy-point-per-minute, which is even scarier considering his minutes decrease when he's in the lineup. That's been on full display when you see Melo has 22 or fewer fantasy points in the two since CJ's return, which is on par with his average when McCollum was healthy at the beginning of the season.
Centers
Montrezl Harrell, LAL at PHX ($25)
We already discussed how James and Davis could be sitting here, which might finally force Harrell into the starting lineup. That would already be a nice boost with him likely looking at 35-40 minutes and 15-20 shots. With those two off the floor this season, Trez has a team-leading 29 percent usage rate while averaging 1.34 Yahoo points per minute. That would equate to 47 fantasy points over 35 minutes of play, which would be a remarkable total from a $25 player. Harrell's been showing signs of that potential recently by scoring at least 38 fantasy points in five of his last six games. And it's not like Deandre Ayton is a great defensive stopper.
Dwight Howard, PHI at NYK ($18)
Howard was in this article on Saturday, and we're going right back to the well for all the same reasons. He has become the biggest beneficiary to Embiid being out of the lineup by scoring at least 21 fantasy points in six straight games. Howard's 30-point average over that stretch is even more impressive and it's really no surprise when you see he's averaging over 1.2 Yahoo points per minute with Embiid off the floor. The matchup might look tough on the surface, but we don't mind New York playing at the NBA's slowest pace to allow Dwight to pick up more defensive stats.
Center to Avoid
Deandre Ayton, PHX vs. LAL ($23)
Is something up with Ayton? He boasts all the talent in the world, but it's just not clicking right now. He's actually scored 29 or fewer fantasy points in five of his last seven games and has been losing lots of minutes to Dario Saric. That alone is a warning with DA averaging fewer than 25 minutes a night in that same span. The worst part of this might be the matchup with the Lakers coming in with the league's best defensive rating.
