This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Three of the four games available Monday appear to be lopsided affairs that remind you of those No. 1 vs. No. 16 games you're checking off in your brackets this week. The Spurs are riddled with injuries, the Grizzlies have lost 17 straight, and the Kings are, well, the Kings. The Heat –Trailblazers contest shapes up to be the only close game on the slate, as the other three could easily become blowouts.
While I'm sure to look at many targets in that matchup, we'll still need to take a closer look at what else is available, beginning with the elite players that come in at over $50. In three games against the Kings this season, Russell Westbrook ($56) pretty much hit his projected totals, so his floor is fairly dependable – although there is potential that he may be without Steven Adams tonight. If Adams doesn't go, Patrick Patterson ($10) becomes an excellent value play and is an able replacement, and I don't think Westbrook's totals will be affected much. The Kings are also on the tail end of a back-to-back, which only improve Westbrook's outlook, but also increases the possibility of a blowout.
The Bucks aren't all that great, but the Grizzlies are pitifully bad, so the potential for a blowout looms large every time Memphis takes the floor. Giannis Antetokounmpo ($51) and company are in a fight to hold on to a playoff spot and are eager to check off this easy game. I anticipate they'll keep firing on all cylinders until they close the deal. The Greek Freak should also see a reliable floor in the 40 YFP range, but he has the potential to go a lot higher.
Finally, James Harden ($51) and company will face a Spurs team that will be without leading playmaker LaMarcus Aldridge. Houston's frenetic pace will be slowed by the Spurs, and Harden is dealing with a sore knee that kept him out of action Sunday. The Rockets are also on the second game of a back-to-back. I can't recommend fading Harden with a straight face, but of the three elites on the slate, I like spending up on Harden the least. The slate is slim enough that you'll likely need Westbrook or Giannis to keep pace in cash lineups, and I think either player is a reliable anchor Monday, although I like Giannis slightly more when you consider the possibility of Westbrook getting some extra minutes of rest.
With those picks in mind, I'll now highlight two players along with one player to avoid at each position. Each spot will also have a small additional list of players that holds equal weight in my predictions. I'll endeavor to make one of my highlighted choices a deep value play on the slate.
GUARD
Chris Paul, HOU vs. SA ($32): Rather than hammer away at the obvious plays, the second-best playmakers for each team have had success against their Monday opponents, and Paul is a great example. This pick is bolstered by the fact that Harden's sore knee may hamper his potential, and Paul is supremely capable of doing most of the dirty work. Another second-best player that fits the same mould is C.J. McCollum ($26), who I like pivoting to from Damian Lillard. McCollum has fared much better against the Heat than his talented counterpart.
Corey Brewer, OKC vs. SAC ($10): Could this be a night where we see more of newly acquired Brewer? He saw 30 minutes in their last game and that's more than enough time to hit value at this price. If this game gets out of hand Westbrook and George may give way to others, but Brewer's experience might just keep him on the floor to help guide the younger talent.
Other guards to consider: Eric Bledsoe, MIL at MEM ($27); Ben McLemore, MEM vs. MIL ($15)
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GUARD TO AVOID
Bogdan Bogdanovic, SAC at OKC ($17): A cursory glance at the Serbian's production over the past two weeks shows a smattering of inconsistent performances, largely due to ice-cold shooting. To say that he's been streaky lately would be a gross understatement, and rostering Bogdanovic is essentially placing a $17 wager that he'll get hot tonight. You can carry less risk with Tyler Johnson ($15) or McLemore at a similar price.
FORWARD
Khris Middleton, MIL at MEM ($28): There isn't a whole lot to offer at this position Monday, so I'm going to take Middleton's two-game stint of consistent play against the Grizzlies, although Memphis has a surprisingly stalwart record against small forwards. If Giannis isn't your high-priced anchor this is a better play, but I don't have a strong objection to stacking them.
JaMychal Green, MEM vs. MIL ($21): I hate to endorse any Grizzly given the way they are playing, but the possibility of Jarrell Martin's absence will give Green a little bump, and if you look at the numbers, Green looks to be a far better play than a lot of other options you'll find Monday. I'm taking him over guys like Trevor Ariza or Josh Richardson.
Other forwards to consider: Kyle Anderson, SA at HOU ($19); Dillon Brooks, MEM vs.MIL ($13)
FORWARDS TO AVOID
Rudy Gay ($13) / Davis Bertans ($11), SA at HOU: One of these guys will go off with LaMarcus Aldridge out, and one of them will likely tank. When faced with a difficult call like this, I'll stay away from it completely in cash games and then take a stab at one of them in tournaments. I would field Gay as a risk/reward pick in GPPs as I think more people will flock to Bertans, but in cash I'll fade them both.
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CENTER
Clint Capela, SA at HOU ($26): Capela has had the edge over Pau Gasol in their previous two matchups, and though the Spurs will likely lean a bit more on their center with Aldridge out, I think his absence makes San Antonio's interior exploitable. The Rockets' solid defense will sniff that out, and Capela will throw out a reliable line on the offensive end.
Kelly Olynyk, MIA at POR ($13): While Bam Adebayo ($10) will draw the start for Hassan Whiteside (hip), the smart money is on Olynyk, who puts up decent lines even when Whiteside is playing. If Olynyk was a $20 play I'd be more inclined to take Bam's value, but with their similar pricing I'm taking the more reliable floor.
Other centers to consider: Jusuf Nurkic, POR vs. MIA ($21); John Henson, MIL at MEM ($10)
CENTER TO AVOID
Willie Cauley-Stein, SAC at OKC ($20): The youngster is just getting back on the floor after an injury, and even though Steven Adams may sit tonight, I think $20 is simply too high of a price to pay for the kind of production you'll see from Cauley-Stein on a regular basis. Guys like Henson and Olynyk and even Adebayo will likely give you more for less money.
