This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Let's take a moment quickly to appreciate the evolution of James Harden, as the Rockets All-Star is on pace to have an historic fantasy season. Harden hadn't averaged more than 7.5 assists per game in a season during his career, but he is dishing out 13.0 per game this season. Not only that, his rebounding is up and he's somehow become more efficient on offense. Harden has scored at least 50 fantasy points in his past six games and has eclipsed that mark in seven of nine contests.
In case you were concerned Harden might not keep up his torrid pace, the Rockets play the Sixers at home Monday, and of the three-highest priced players (Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis are each $55), Harden is easily the most likely to post huge numbers. His exposure will always be high, but Harden is as sure a thing as we've seen in DFS contests in a while and it's hard to imagine building a lineup without him.
GUARDS
Chris Paul, LAC vs. BKN ($47): Now that Harden has been represented in this piece, your next best option at point guard may be Paul against an awful Nets defense. CP3 is a nice option if you're looking for a bit of salary cap relief from Harden and Westbrook. The Clippers are on a six-game win streak largely in part to Paul's play, as he is averaging 19.0 points, 8.5 assists, 5.6 rebounds, 2.7 steals and just over two 3-pointers per game. The Clippers may run the Nets out of Staples Center but it's hard to maintain long winning streaks in the NBA, particularly playing three games in four days. Paul should have no trouble picking apart Jeremy Lin on defense and finding Blake Griffin down low for easy buckets.
Eric Gordon, HOU vs. PHI ($22): If you're looking for more of a contrarian option to replace Harden, Gordon isn't a bad play. He is coming off a 27-point performance (41.5 fantasy points) against the Spurs, and the Sixers don't play defense like San Antonio. Even after being demoted to the bench, Gordon has played fewer than 30 minutes just once in nine games this season, and with Harden becoming more of a distributor, he should get more open looks from deep. The Rockets' offense has scored fewer than 100 points in two of nine games, so the chances of a blowout against Philadelphia coupled with a high number of points bodes well for most of Houston's roster.
Guard to Avoid
Mike Conley, MEM at UTA ($29): The Jazz have proven to be one of the tougher defensive matchups in the league, allowing 93.1 points per game, good for second-best behind the Lakers (91.9). To make matters worse for Conley, the Grizzlies are 27th in the NBA in scoring at 97.0 points per game, including 93.3 on the road. Conley has been more reliant on scoring for fantasy points, averaging just 6.3 assists per game and only having two double-doubles this season. For the same price, you can select Avery Bradley, someone who has been much more consistent and has a better matchup against the Pelicans.
FORWARDS
Carmelo Anthony, NY vs. DAL ($39): Melo had been struggling to find his scoring touch until he dropped a season-high 31 points in a loss to the Raptors on Saturday. He's only scored more than 40 fantasy points three times this season, but usually when Melo has a good game he builds off that performance, something that shouldn't be hard against the Mavericks, who are 2-6 and just got torched by Kevin Durant and the Warriors. The Knicks aren't the same team as Golden State, but Anthony is a dynamic scorer who will give them matchup problems. If Melo can hit the glass more than he has this season, that would also give him a boost.
Trevor Booker, BKN at LAC ($18): Booker may have a tough draw against the Clippers at home, but he's outperforming his salary and would be a solid consideration for cash games and tournaments. He has scored at least 34.1 fantasy points in three of his past four games and has three double-doubles this season. Booker is leading the Nets in rebounding with 8.9 per game and is even clogging up passing lanes with at least three steals in four of his past six. It may not be the most attractive pick, but Booker should have no trouble providing value given his low salary.
Forward to Avoid
Kawhi Leonard, SA vs. MIA ($48): It's always tough going against the elite options, but Leonard hasn't been playing like one lately. He's scored more than 31.3 fantasy points just once in his past four games, but he is still priced highest among forwards Monday. The Heat are a dreadful offensive team but can still play defense, allowing the fifth-fewest points in the NBA at 98.5 per game. Leonard hasn't been providing great peripheral coverage either; he has six rebounds and an assist in the past two games while combining for 37 points. Relying on scoring is always tough in DFS and that's the type of player Leonard is right now. Shy away from him Monday and go with cheaper options like Griffin ($41) or Gordon Hayward ($34).
CENTERS
Nikola Vucevic, ORL at IND ($30): When a team is playing the Pacers, it's usually a good idea to target players on that team. That's the case Monday with the Magic, who draw the matchup against one of the league's worst defenses. The Pacers were recently clowned by Joel Embiid, who scored 25 points in 25 minutes. Vucevic will look to bounce back after a poor performance against Rudy Gobert and the Jazz, perhaps a stat line similar to the one his posted on the T-Wolves the game before (24 points, 14 rebounds, six assists).
Joakim Noah, NY vs. DAL ($19): Noah has started to rebound like his old self, ripping down 28 boards over his past two games combined. The Knicks play a reeling Mavericks team at home and it's encouraging that Noah was able to play almost 33 minutes in a loss to the Raptors on Saturday. Noah is a bit of a wildcard, as you don't know what to expect on a nightly basis, but considering his low salary and upside to get big rebound and assist numbers at center makes up for his lack of offense.
Center to Avoid
Marc Gasol, MEM at UTA ($29): The "Gobert Effect" is when a center has to match up against Rudy Gobert, as they are in store for a down night in fantasy. Gasol is unfortunately next in line to face Gobert and the Jazz, though it's tough to fade him considering his recent production. Again, the Grizzlies' offensive struggles are well documented and all signs point towards an offensive struggle in Utah on Monday, something that you'll want to avoid if you're planning on winning any of your contests.
