This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
After a few weeks with larger-than-normal Monday slates, we're back down to seven games. It's limited the elite options at all positions, making it all the more important to hit on those high-priced studs. The top three of James Harden ($57), DeMarcus Cousins ($52) and Giannis Antetokounmpo ($51) will all likely have high ownership percentages, so try and shy away from them if you can in tournaments (unless you need an anchor). The problem is that the options in the $40-$50 price range may not provide the right amount of fantasy points to cash in tournaments. Your best bet is to anchor your lineup with one of the top three priced players and then pay down the rest of the way with high upside performers.
GUARDS
Kemba Walker, CHA at IND ($38): The last time Charlotte faced Indiana, Walker had plenty of success, finishing with 24 points, including five 3-pointers, and 10 assists for 48.9 fantasy points. The Pacers are allowing 115.2 points per game over their last six, and Walker offers a high ceiling and low floor at a relatively affordable price.
Wesley Matthews, DAL vs. DEN ($17): The Mavericks have been one of the more disappointing teams this season but a lone bright spot has been Matthews, who has scored in double figures in eight straight games and has hit at least four 3-pointers in seven of those games. Matthews isn't going to provide much secondary statistical coverage, but he's been Dallas' top scoring threat, shooting 46 percent from the field, including 51 percent from three, and averaging 15.6 attempts per game over his last five. Matthews is a much safer play than Will Barton ($25) and makes more sense for cash games compared to Lou Williams ($25), who has been hot lately, but can be streaky.
Guard to Avoid
Damian Lillard, POR at LAC ($43):The last time the Trail Blazers played at Staples Center against the Clippers, they were blown out of the water and Lillard barely got his feet wet. He finished with eight points in 27:47 of playing time for 7.7 fantasy points. The likelihood of that happening again is slim, but it's still eye opening and Portland hasn't exactly played inspired basketball on a three-game road losing streak. Lillard isn't a bad contrarian play for tournament use, but there are more appealing options in his price bracket.
FORWARDS
Paul George, IND vs. CHA ($37): With limited elite options at forward, George is a decent play for tournaments coming off a season-high 37 points against the Trail Blazers on Saturday. He's scored at or around his salary in terms of fantasy points in four of his past five games and is 8 for 14 from downtown in his past two. The Hornets' defense isn't nearly as imposing on the road, but that will still scare some owners away from using George.
Marvin Williams, CHA at IND ($15): Williams may not be the sexiest pick, but the Pacers have been killed on the glass this season. Indiana is allowing the third-most rebounds per game (46.3) and Williams could reach double digits if he sees the right amount of playing time. That's a bit unclear, but the power forward should play around 25-30 minutes, and a double-double of any sort would help him reach 2x his salary in fantasy points, making him a decent cheap option for tournaments.
Forward to Avoid
Otto Porter, WAS at MIA ($28): Porter had been a consistent-enough fantasy contributor to employ him on most nights in cash games, but he's fallen off in his past three games, combining for 26 points, nine rebounds and two assists while failing to reach 22.0 fantasy points. The Heat have lost five straight and are struggling a bit on defense, but they should get back on track at home after playing four of five on the road. Hassan Whiteside will make life difficult for Porter around the rim and his scoring just hasn't been there to trust him for this price.
CENTERS
Hassan Whiteside, MIA vs. WAS ($44): Speaking of Whiteside, the Wizards were unable to contain the center in a 114-111 loss on Nov. 19. Whiteside posted 18 points and 18 rebounds for 47.1 fantasy points on the road, and while he's put up numbers below his averages lately, he's bound to break out Monday. The one thing Whiteside needs to turn around is his scoring, as he has failed to reach double figures in three of six games. That could also be a testament to some tough matchups on the road. It may be tough to spend that much on Whiteside with some question marks looming, but he's the most appealing F/C with elite upside other than DeMarcus Cousins ($52).
Clint Capela, HOU vs. BKN ($23): Not trying to spend that much on center? Capela has a great matchup against the Nets, who are allowing the second-most rebounds per game (48.2) this season. Capela has at least nine rebounds in four of his past five games and has scored in double figures in six straight. Brooklyn should be no match for Houston at home on a six-game win streak, and even though this game projects to be a blowout, that should force the Nets to chuck up a lot of shots, which means more rebounds for Capela.
Center to Avoid
Jonas Valanciunas, TOR vs. MIL ($20): Valanciunas hasn't been that bad on the glass lately (10 rebounds in three straight games), but he still isn't reliable enough. He's scored fewer than 20 fantasy points in six of his past eight games and his price has plummeted. Usually that downward trend is something you want to avoid until Valanciunas shows signs of life. The Bucks are soft on the glass without a true center in the starting lineup, but that would only make Valanciunas an OK play for tournaments. The safe play is to avoid him and target either Nuggets center, Nikola Jokic ($19) or Jusuf Nurkic ($14).
