This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The first Monday of 2017 brings eight NBA games, with a few that should be high scoring. That'll provide a healthy amount of stacking options, including the Hornets against the Bulls, Jazz against the Nets, Wizards or Rockets (take your pick) and two California teams at home: Warriors vs. Nuggets and Clippers vs. Suns.
If you're looking for a cheaper stack, the Jazz have you covered. Try Derrick Favors, Rodney Hood and Shelvin Mack, who are all under $20 and could have above-average games against Brooklyn. The Clippers also offer affordable stacks with a great matchup; Austin Rivers ($12) and Jamal Crawford ($15) could see big minutes and output if Chris Paul is out against Phoenix.
GUARDS
Stephen Curry, GSW vs. DEN ($42): Curry hasn't been lighting the world on fire like he did last season, but he should have no problem scoring against the Nuggets, who are allowing the fifth-most fantasy points (47.37) per game to point guards in the past 13 games. The last time Curry played Denver, he dropped 33 points with six assists and five rebounds for 51.0 fantasy points. The Nuggets haven't allowed fewer than 100 points since Dec. 8, and expect Curry and the Warriors to exploit their inability to defend from beyond the arc. It also helps that Curry is a rare contrarian play with four higher-priced elite guards on the slate.
Rodney Hood, UTA at BKN ($18): Hood is starting to find his shot, going 12 of 22 from the field and seven of 13 from three-point range in his past two games (33 points combined). The Nets are allowing the second-most fantasy points (42.98) to shooting guards this season, and the Wizards were able to shoot 56.6 percent from the field and 50.0 percent (11-22) from downtown against Brooklyn on Dec. 30. Hood's price has dropped below $20, making him a nice tournament play with a high ceiling against the Nets.
Guard to Avoid
Dwyane Wade, CHI vs. CHA ($28): The Bulls' struggles have continued and it hasn't helped Wade's fantasy value. To make matters worse, the Hornets limited Wade to 12 points (26.4 fantasy points) in a loss on Dec. 23 and are allowing fewer than 40 fantasy points per game to shooting guards this season. Wade doesn't really have much value in tournaments because he doesn't offer much boom and is more likely to bust against Charlotte on Monday.
FORWARDS
Kevin Love, PF, CLE vs. NO ($40): With Kyrie Irving sidelined this weekend and his status in doubt for Monday, the Cavaliers are going to need more out of Love, who has been more consistent lately. Love had 28 points and 10 rebounds (40.0 fantasy points) against the Hornets on Friday and has four games of at least 50 fantasy points in his past nine contests. The Pelicans are allowing the fifth-most fantasy points per game (44.91) to power forwards this season, so Love is a solid cash-game play considering he'll cost a bit less than some of the other elite options at forward.
Joe Ingles, UTA at BKN ($12): The Jazz may have one of the worst offenses in the NBA, but they should be able to put up at least 100 points against the Nets. This will have a positive effect on the entire lineup and Ingles should be able to hit tournament value given he plays over 20 minutes. Prior to the last two games, Ingles had gone four straight with at least 21.9 fantasy points. In a not-so-surprising development, the Nets are also terrible at defending the small forward position, allowing the most fantasy points per game (43.45) to them this season.
Forward to Avoid
Carmelo Anthony, NYK vs. ORL ($35): Melo is nursing a sore knee, the same one that he had surgery on during the 2014-15 season, and there's a chance he plays through it anyway against the Magic on Monday. If Melo does give it a go, don't expect much from him with the Knicks clearly more concerned about his long-term health. He's failed to reach the 20-point mark in three of his past five games and the Knicks could divert to more of a Derrick Rose-centered offensive attack with Kristaps Porzingis also hurt. Melo is too risky a play outside of tournaments, and even then he's a long shot to return value.
CENTER
DeAndre Jordan, LAC vs. PHO ($27): If there's any team that can make Jordan look like an offensive wizard it's the Suns. Earlier in the season, Jordan threw up 19 points, his fourth highest mark of the season, with 11 rebounds for 40.2 fantasy points against Phoenix. That was with Blake Griffin healthy, so it's safe to assume Jordan may get more touches than he did back in October. The Clippers are also riding a six-game losing streak, which they'll want to end at home against the Suns. This game could get ugly, but that shouldn't prevent Jordan from hitting a point-per-dollar value.
Bismack Biyombo, ORL at NYK ($15): Prior to last game, Biyombo had gone nine straight games with at least 19.3 fantasy points, and had a high of 29.2 during that stretch. He's long since taken the starting center job in Orlando from Nikola Vucevic and the bump in minutes has led to a bump in production. The Knicks are allowing the most fantasy points (56.02) per game over their past 12 to centers and Biyombo will likely avoid having to deal with the 7-foot-3 Porzingis. Biyombo is a high-upside tournament play who has added value in cash games as a safe bet to outperform his salary.
Center to Avoid
Nikola Jokic, DEN at GSW ($30): Speaking of Nikola's, Jokic has seen his salary skyrocket over the course of the season. He's now among the top three highest-priced centers for Monday's slate and is a player to fade against the Warriors on the road. For one, he hasn't been nearly as effective away from Pepsi Center (11.9 points and 7.1 rebounds per game). Secondly, he had just four points and three rebounds in 18:29 in a loss to the Warriors on Nov. 10. Jokic is also a risky play, especially in cash games, considering his higher price and tendency to bust with fewer than 30 fantasy points in four of his past eight games.
