This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
This week has been very good to me, and I'm ready to roll today. After large slates Friday and Saturday, we're down to just six games. We actually only have four making up the main slate beginning at 7 p.m. ET. I know many of you will be zoned into fantasy football because this is playoff week, but it's also an excellent time to throw down on some NBA. Without further ado, let's get into the premier plays.
Guards
Dejounte Murray, SAN vs. NOP ($42)
Murray is becoming one of my favorite players in the NBA. The youngster from Washington is a triple-double threat every night and is averaging 18.9 points, 8.4 rebounds, 8.5 assists and 1.9 steals. That has led to Dejounte scoring at least 37 Yahoo points in 18 of his last 21 games. That's a fantastic floor from anyone, particularly someone with a 48-point average during that span. All of that makes him impossible to fade against a putrid Pelicans defense, with New Orleans sitting 23rd in points allowed and 26th in defensive efficiency.
Dennis Smith Jr, POR vs. MIN ($19)
The Trail Blazers have been bit by the injury bug as hard as anyone as they try to cope without Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. It's definitely hurt their record, but it's skyrocketed DSJ's fantasy value. The former top-10 pick has been starting at point guard with those two out and has posted at least 28 Yahoo points in all three contests since receiving this role. Smith is also averaging over 35 Yahoo points over that stretch, an incredible total from someone at this value. The matchup with Minnesota might be the best part of this as the team ranks sixth in pace and 20th in total defense.
Guard to Avoid
Russell Westbrook, LAL vs. ORL ($37)
On a short slate like this, it's imperative to figure out which studs to fade. Westbrook is an easy choice because he simply hasn't been the same when LeBron James and Anthony Davis are both in the lineup. The return of King James has been the bigger hindrance having taken away a lot of rebounds and assists. That's evident of late, with Westbrook scoring 27 or fewer Yahoo points in three of his last four. That might be good for most players, but 27 fantasy points from someone this expensive won't cut it.
Forwards
Norman Powell, POR vs. MIN ($19)
We just talked about how Portland has been hurt without Lillard and McCollum, but it's forced Powell into the most significant role of his career. In the last two games without those two, Norm has a 32 percent usage rate. That's obviously a personal peak, and it's far from surprising when you see he's logged at least 43 minutes and taken at least 23 shots in both appearances. You don't see that sort of usage from many $40 players, let alone someone below $20. We also don't mind Minnesota surrenders the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing SFs.
Josh Hart, NOP at SAN ($19)
Hart never really gets the credit he deserves, but he's been in so many optimal lineups this season. It's his stat-stuffing that makes him so dangerous having averaged 11.4 points, 7.3 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.2 steals over the last 13 games. None of those pop off the page, but it's led to Hart producing at least 28 Yahoo points in 10 of those 13. Good luck finding that from anyone else in that salary range, especially with Hart stepping up in the absence of Zion Williamson. A stat-stuffer becomes even more enticing in a matchup like this, with San Antonio playing at the league's seventh-fastest pace.
Forward to Avoid
Carmelo Anthony, LAL vs. ORL ($17)
Melo was one of the surprises of the season when the Lakers were shorthanded through the first month, but he's no more than a role player with everyone back. That means he has to battle Westbrook, LeBron and AD for touches, making pretty much everyone on this roster off-limits. It has undoubtedly killed Anthony's fantasy production having scored 21 or fewer fantasy points in 19 of his last 21 en route to an 18-point average. All of that has seen his attempts drastically decline averaging just 7.3 shots across fewer than 22 minutes a night over his last six.
Centers
Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN at POR ($41)
KAT gets a lot of slack because of his defense and poor team-play, but he remains a fantasy monster. The big man has managed at least 26 Y! points in every game this season, dropping 34-plus in 21 of 25. He's also surpassed at least 48 eight times and has cracked 63 or more twice. That makes KAT worth it at pretty much any salary, but we believe he can go wild in a matchup with Portland. The Trail Blazers currently rank 25th in points allowed and 28th in defensive efficiency, with Towns totaling a 47-point average against them last year.
Jakob Poeltl, SAN vs. NOP ($23)
Poeltl has been in this article all season, which means we must be doing something right. Outside of his first contest back from the COVID list, he's been the model of consistency. In fact, Poeltl has posted at least 25 Yahoo points in 15 of the other 17 outings to provide a 34-point average. That's hard to overlook from a player at this value, particularly against an awful defense like the Pelicans. Not only does New Orleans enter with the underwhelming statistics we mentioned in the Murray write-up, but they also give up the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing centers.
Center to Avoid
Mo Bamba, ORL at LAL ($24)
Bamba's becoming one of the most volatile players in fantasy basketball. While the big man has scored 34 Y! points in three of his last five games, he also has 14 or fewer fantasy points in three of his last eight. That's a nightmarish floor from someone this expensive, especially since Bamba failed to crack double-digits in two of those. One of those duds seems way more likely in a matchup like this, with LA ranked 13th in defensive efficiency. They also have one of the biggest frontlines in the NBA, and it'll be tough for Bamba to do much if he has to match up with Anthony Davis.
