This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Tuesday's seven-game slate in the NBA is filled with injury issues. James Harden (hand) and Nikola Jokic (toe) are both questionable, while Bradley Beal (wrist) and Klay Thompson (rest) have already been ruled out. The Nuggets could really be in trouble against the Timberwolves if Jokic does not play, considering they are 1-4 in games he has missed this season. Even if Harden can't play for the Nets, they will at least have Kyrie Irving available as they're at Phoenix. Let's get down to business and highlight some players to consider for your Yahoo lineups, as well as a few to potentially avoid.
GUARD
Devin Booker, PHO vs. BKN ($39): Another noteworthy player out Tuesday is Deandre Ayton (ankle), who will miss his eighth consecutive game. In seven games without Ayton, Booker has averaged 31.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.4 steals per game. He averaged a whopping 27.7 shot attempts per game during that stretch, so if he continues with that hefty usage, he could dominate a Nets team that ranks in the bottom half of the league in defensive rating.
Jordan Poole, GS at SA ($17): This is already a great matchup for Poole given the Spurs have played at the fifth-fastest pace in the league. With Thompson out for rest, Poole should receive both added minutes and shot attempts. At this reasonable salary, he could be well worth the risk in tournament play.
Guard to Avoid
Coby White, CHI vs. ORL ($19): White has settled back into a reserve role for the Bulls, but with Lonzo Ball (knee) and Alex Caruso (wrist) out, he still needs to play a lot. The problem is he's been inconsistent from the field, which has often left him with some underwhelming stat lines. In the last six games, he's scored 21.9 Yahoo points or fewer three times. Poole has similar upside at a cheaper salary, so he might be the better option.
FORWARD
DeMar DeRozan, CHI vs. ORL ($39): If the Bulls are going to survive all of their injuries and remain among the top teams of the Eastern Conference, they are going to need stellar production from DeRozan. He has excellent numbers for the season and has been even better lately, averaging 31.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 6.3 assists in his last six games. That included a performance against these same Magic in which he torched them for 54.5 Yahoo points.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, WAS at MIL ($15): The Beal injury means that both Spencer Dinwiddie and Kyle Kuzma should take on expanded roles. Caldwell-Pope doesn't have nearly the upside that either of them do, but he also checks in with a significantly cheaper salary. Across a three-game stretch that Beal missed in the middle of January, Caldwell-Pope averaged 12.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game.
Forward to Avoid
Jerami Grant, DET vs. NO ($31): The rebuilding Pistons could move Grant at the trade deadline, so having him healthy is important. He's finally come off of the injury report and is set to play in his first game since Dec. 10. It wouldn't be a surprise to see him eased back into action, though, which makes him very risky at this salary.
CENTER
Jonas Valanciunas, NO at DET ($31): Valanciunas returned Monday after missing three games with a non-COVID illness. He didn't seem any worse for wear, posting 16 points and nine rebounds in 31 minutes in what was a tough matchup against the Cavaliers. This should be a much easier matchup for him given that the Pistons have allowed the third-most rebounds per game in the league.
Bismack Biyombo, PHO vs. BKN ($20): Booker isn't the only member of the Suns who has seen his production increase dramatically with Ayton out. Biyombo is playing a lot more and he's even worked his way into the starting five. Overall, he's averaged 14.1 points, 10.4 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in seven games without Ayton.
Center to Avoid
Kelly Olynyk, DET vs. NO ($20): After sitting out for two months with a knee injury, Olynyk only appeared in two games before landing in the health and safety protocols. He missed each of the last four games, but has been cleared to retake the floor. Given how infrequently he has played the last couple months, and the return of Grant, don't expect Olynyk to log a ton of minutes.
