This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
It wasn't easy, but the NBA made it through the regular season. COVID-19 is still a concern, but at least our DFS slates won't be littered with players resting anymore. Yahoo has combined Tuesday's and Wednesday's play-in tournament games to form a DFS slate, so let's discuss some players to target, as well as a few to potentially avoid.
GUARDS
Russell Westbrook, WAS at BOS ($60): Getting out of Houston returned Westbrook to being a dominant fantasy force. He averaged 22.2 points, 11.5 rebounds and 11.7 assists, marking the fourth time that he has averaged a triple-double during his career. While facing the Celtics and Kemba Walker is not an easy task, Westbrook still has one of the highest floors of anyone on this slate with his ability to contribute in so many different areas.
Dillon Brooks, MEM vs. SA ($19): Brooks is not an efficient scorer, having shot 41.9 percent or lower from the field in each of the last three seasons. However, he's been one of the focal points of the Grizzlies' offense, which allowed him to average 17.2 points and 1.9 three-pointers. He even started to help out more in other areas down the stretch, averaging 3.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.1 steals over his final seven games. At this reasonable salary, he's at least worth considering.
Guard to Avoid
Dennis Schroder, LAL vs. GS ($23): Luckily for the Lakers, Schroder was able to return before the end of the regular season after a stint in the league's health and safety protocols. He has been a key addition for them this season, stepping up his game when LeBron James and Anthony Davis were injured. However, with both players healthy, Schroder could see a decline in scoring opportunities moving forward.
FORWARDS
Domantas Sabonis, IND vs. CHA ($50): Sabonis was a stat-stuffing machine after returning from a back injury. Across his final nine games, he averaged 23.0 points, 14.1 rebounds, 10.7 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.1 three-pointers. With Myles Turner (toe) still on the shelf, look for Sabonis to dominate the underwhelming Hornets' center duo of Cody Zeller and Bismack Biyombo.
Juan Toscano-Anderson, GS at LAL ($15): Toscano-Anderson doesn't grab a lot of headlines playing alongside the likes of Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. However, he's become an important part of the Warriors bench, even though he doesn't score a ton. Over his final 13 games, he averaged 7.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.2 steals. That should at least put him on your radar considering his cheap salary.
Forward to Avoid
Kyle Kuzma, LAL vs. GS ($19): While Kuzma can go off on any given night, it's tough for him to provide consist production with so many talented players around him. He's scored 28.6 Yahoo points or fewer in five of his last seven games and failed score at least 10 Yahoo points two times during that stretch. It wouldn't be a surprise to see him provide limited production in this game with the Lakers' health situation finally improving.
CENTERS
Robert Williams, BOS vs. WAS ($21): Williams (toe) missed the final four games of the regular season, but he should return for this contest since he is listed as probable. If he does indeed play, he could dominate the glass against a Wizards team that has allowed the seventh-most rebounds per game in the league. If he ends up sitting out, you could then pivot to Tristan Thompson ($14), who would likely shoulder the bulk of the playing time at center.
Daniel Gafford, WAS at BOS ($13): The Wizards have yet to unleash Gafford. He has been sharing minutes with Alex Len and Robin Lopez, which can sometimes leave him with muted production. However, he's scored at least 25.3 Yahoo points in two of his last three games, so if you want to roll with both Westbrook and Sabonis at their expensive salaries, taking a chance on Gafford at center isn't a crazy idea.
Center to Avoid
Andre Drummond, LAL vs. GS ($22): This game could go one of two ways for Drummond. He could dominate a Warriors team that allowed the third-most rebounds pert game in the league because of their lack of size up front. However, since they don't have a ton of size, the Lakers could play Davis more at the five, which would limit Drummond's minutes. It might be best to avoid Drummond based on the risk that comes with rostering him, especially in cash games.
