This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Another heavy slate means another plethora of elite guards to choose from. James Harden should get the edge over Russell Westbrook (each $62) considering the matchups (Bucks for Harden, Jazz for Westbrook). Again, try to look to Giannis Antetokounmpo as the top option among guards with a lower price and an equally as appealing game script against the Rockets. With a handful of the top defenses playing (Spurs, Clippers, Jazz) try to avoid those potentially lopsided matchups and focus on high over/unders.
GUARDS
Kyrie Irving, CLE at NO ($39): Irving is coming off a 29-point, nine-assist performance (49.6 fantasy points) against the Spurs in a loss Saturday. He has at least 26 points in three of four games, and has gone nine straight with at least one steal. There are plenty of elite guard options, which will help drive Irving's ownership percentage down. He's an excellent cash game and tournament play against the Pelicans, who are allowing the fourth-most fantasy points per game (46.43) to point guards this season.
Dion Waiters, MIA vs. GSW ($14): Like Irving, Waiters is suiting up after tying his career high with 33 points Saturday against the Bucks. After going four straight without reaching double figures in points, Waiters has scored at least 10 in four consecutive games. He's very reliant on big scoring numbers for fantasy points, but he'll have ample opportunity to throw up shots against the Warriors should the Heat fall behind early. Waiters could score a lot in garbage time making him a solid tournament play.
Guard to Avoid
Russell Westbrook, OKC at UTA ($62): Last week Westbrook was in this same spot against the Clippers and things seemed to work out OK. He was held to 24 points, five rebounds and four assists against a tough defense on the road. Same formula here, with the Thunder heading to Utah to play the Jazz's top-ranked defense. It's always risky fading Westbrook, but with plenty of options available on the nine-game slate, it'd be wise to do so Monday. He's only had over a point-per-dollar return in two of his past six games.
FORWARDS
Kawhi Leonard, SA at BKN ($44): Riding the hot hand is becoming a trend for Monday as Leonard just threw a career-high 41 points on the Cavaliers in Saturday's win. He's posted over 50 fantasy points in each of the past three games, all wins. Those streaks are likely to continue against the Nets, who are allowing the most fantasy points per game (45.14) to small forwards this season.
Jon Leuer, DET vs. SAC ($17): After missing five games because of a knee injury, Leuer returned off the bench in Saturday's win against the Wizards, leading the Pistons reserves with 10 points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks in 24:31. Detroit's offense is playing much better lately, scoring at least 113 points in two straight wins at home, while the Kings have allowed at least 102 points in each of five straight losses.
Forward to Avoid
Kristaps Porzingis, NYK at IND ($31): Porzingis' nagging injuries are clearly affecting his production, as he has failed to score more than 25 fantasy points in four straight games. Chances are he's working off some rust after missing games because of an Achilles injury, but even if Porzingis returns to form against the Pacers his ceiling isn't very high. Carmelo Anthony's recent stretch is also discouraging for Porzingis; Melo is averaging 18.4 field-goal attempts per game this month and has scored at least 30 points in three of four.
CENTERS
Rudy Gobert, UTA vs. OKC ($29): If you can believe it, Gobert has an insane 30-game streak of hitting double digits rebounds. He hasn't gotten a double-double in each of those games, but he has in four straight, including 27 and 25 against the Mavericks last Friday. The Jazz are more known for their defense than offense, but Utah has come around to score over 100 points in each of six straight wins.
Marcin Gortat, WAS at CHA ($21): Gortat's price has almost fallen below $20. He's failed to reach 30 fantasy points in eight straight, but expect him to put that to a stop against the Hornets, who are allowing the third-most fantasy points (50.08) per game to centers this season. Charlotte was just torched by Brook Lopez (24 points), and Gortat is a solid tournament lineup filler with contrarian value and a cheap salary.
Center to Avoid
Brook Lopez, BKN vs. SA ($25): Speak of the Devil, it's Lopez! Except you should probably steer clear of the Nets center Monday. Lopez has actually been on a tear lately, but that should come to an end against the Spurs, who are stingy against centers. San Antonio limited Lopez to 14 points, five assists and five rebounds on Dec. 10, and should go up big on Brooklyn early, forcing the Nets to shoot themselves out of a hole. This would take touches away from Lopez, which obviously isn't good for his fantasy value.
