This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
After a quiet Monday, the NBA picks up the action with nine games Tuesday. Two of the best centers in the league take the court with Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets facing the Pistons, and Joel Embiid and the Sixers playing host to the Pelicans. The Lakers should also get back Anthony Davis (knee), who is probable for their matchup against the Nets. That game will be played in Brooklyn, which means Kyrie Irving will be sidelined. Another exciting matchup features Luka Doncic and the Mavericks against Stephen Curry and the Warriors.
Let's add to the excitement with a winning entry on Yahoo. Here are some players to consider for your entries, as well as a few to potentially avoid.
GUARD
Dejounte Murray, SA at HOU ($47): As if his overall numbers for the season weren't impressive enough, Murray has averaged 23.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, 9.6 assists and 1.9 steals in his last 11 games. During that stretch, he recorded three triple-doubles and narrowly missed three others. When he last faced the Rockets, he torched them for 69.5 Yahoo points. Given that they have the worst defensive rating in the league, another big stat line could be coming for Murray.
Patty Mills, BKN vs. LAL ($14): Irving sitting this game out means that the Nets will need more scoring from Mills. He's already having the best season of his career, averaging 13.5 points and 3.2 three-pointers in 31 minutes per game. At this cheap salary, he could be well worth the risk in tournament play.
Guard to Avoid
Dennis Schroder, BOS vs. SAC ($20): When the Celtics have been hit by injuries, Schroder has stepped up to provide added production. However, when they are healthy, his numbers have mostly been muted. Expect him to come off the bench Tuesday with the Celtics healthy, a role in which he has only averaged 11.1 points and 4.1 assists in 16 games.
FORWARD
Jayson Tatum, BOS vs. SAC ($41): Tatum dismantled the Wizards on Sunday, scoring 51 points on 18-for-28 shooting from the field. He drained nine three-pointers in that game, which broke a streak of three consecutive games for him without a triple. His 32.2 percent usage rate means that another valuable performance could be coming for him in this matchup, given that the Kings have the third-worst defensive rating.
Terence Davis, SAC at BOS ($19): This one will require some monitoring. De'Aaron Fox (ankle) is listed as questionable after sitting out Saturday against the Bucks. Davis stepped up in his absence, producing 22 points, seven rebounds and three assists. If Fox is out again, Davis is an excellent option. If he plays, though, Davis might not garner enough minutes to be worth rostering.
Forward to Avoid
Jae'Sean Tate, HOU vs. SA ($22): While Tate has mostly served in a starting role for the Rockets, he's only averaged 27 minutes per game. His usage rate of 20.0 percent is nothing to write home about, either. Combine that to his limited minutes and it's difficult to justify taking a chance on him during a nine-game slate that has plenty of more appealing options.
CENTER
Christian Wood, HOU vs. SA ($31): This has the potential to be a high-scoring matchup with both of these teams ranked inside the top 5 in the league in pace of play. The last time they met, they combined to score 252 points. Wood held up his end of the bargain in that game, posting 23 points, 11 rebounds, two steals and a block. With the Spurs also allowing the fifth-most rebounds per game, Wood could thrive in their rematch, as well.
Richaun Holmes, SAC at BOS ($17): It's been a rough season for Holmes, who has missed time with injuries and COVID-19. He's only averaged 26 minutes per game, which is three minutes fewer per game than he averaged last season. That said, the Kings might need him to play more in this game to battle with Robert Williams. If he can come closer to 30 minutes, he could at least threaten for a double-double, while also providing blocks upside. That's significant at his cheap salary.
Center to Avoid
Isaiah Stewart, DET vs. DEN ($16): The good news is that Stewart scored 18 points in 27 minutes when these two teams faced off Sunday. The bad news is, he only grabbed three rebounds on his way to 21.1 Yahoo points. The Nuggets have allowed the third-fewest rebounds per game, so Stewart could struggle in that department again.
