This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
There are two matchups that stand out on Monday's 11-game slate: the Warriors going to Denver to face the Nuggets, and the Pelicans going to Phoenix to take on the Suns. Each game should be incredibly high scoring, with the Warriors-Nuggets over/under offering plenty of stack appeal. This automatically puts Stephen Curry ($48), Kevin Durant ($51) and Draymond Green ($34) on the cash-game radar. But it also makes a lot of Denver's cheaper players appealing tournament plays. Will Barton ($20) and Gary Harris ($17) are both options that should get a boost. Target Eric Bledsoe ($39) and Devin Booker ($28) on the Suns, with Jrue Holiday ($33) the clear-cut option for New Orleans outside of Anthony Davis ($52).
GURDS
Damian Lillard, POR vs. ATL ($43): Lillard has scored at least 28 points and 44.7 fantasy points in three consecutive games. He's also done a nice job providing secondary stat coverage, with at least five rebounds and six assists in back-to-back outings. With 11 games on tap Monday, there's a higher volume of elite options at point guard, which could drive lineups away from Lillard. If so, it would make Dame a prime tournament option with a high ceiling against the Hawks.
Klay Thompson, GSW at DEN ($28): Thompson might be the chalk play of the night with the Warriors-Nuggets game sporting an insane over/under near 240. He has been shooting the lights out recently, hitting at least four 3-pointers in four straight while hitting 53.1 percent from distance in his past five. He's averaging 27.4 points in his last five, just shy of his price. You may want to fade Thompson in tournaments considering how high his ownership should be, but you risk losing out on what could be a huge night.
Guard to Avoid
Isaiah Thomas, BOS at DAL ($50): The book is out on Thomas and his price has suffered for it. The Celtics' floor general hasn't eclipsed 44.9 fantasy points since Feb. 1, and he has been held in check despite high point totals in three straight road games. At his current price, Thomas doesn't return enough value because of his lack of assists (6.3 per game) and rebounds (2.7). He's, at best, a contrarian cash-game play, but there are far better options for tournaments.
FORWARDS
Gordon Hayward, UTA vs. LAC ($35): Hayward has scored at least 30 points in four of his past five games, topping out at 36 in a loss to the Mavericks on Feb. 9. He's shot the ball much better from the field at home (50.3 percent), and the Clippers' defense has been poor recently, allowing at least 102 points in 11 straight. Hayward gives you some cap flexibility and offers a high floor for use in cash games.
Frank Kaminsky, CHA vs. PHI ($15): With Cody Zeller (quad) doubtful to play Monday, Kaminsky will get another boost in fantasy value. He had 20 points, eight rebounds and five assists (44.6 fantasy points) in 36 minutes Saturday against the Clippers in place of Zeller, his second game of at least 40 fantasy points in the past five, and third with 30-plus minutes. Kaminsky is almost a must-play in a soft matchup with a low salary and high ceiling.
Forward to Avoid
James Johnson, MIA vs. ORL ($26): There's no way Johnson keeps this up, right? Right. Prior to his recent three-game stretch of 20-plus points, Johnson had gone 14 straight without reaching that mark. He's seeing increased minutes with Dion Waiters out, but the shooting guard may return Monday, which could bump Johnson back down the chain. It also helps that the Magic held Johnson to 12 points in a little over 27 minutes earlier in the season.
CENTERS
Nikola Jokic, DEN vs. GSW ($41): The price seems a bit low for Jokic, who had 40 points, nine boards and five dimes (61.3 fantasy points) against the Knicks on Friday. As mentioned above, the Warriors-Nuggets over/under is astronomical and gives Jokic a higher ceiling than normal. He's a triple-double threat, and had 21 points, 13 rebounds and five assists (44.6 fantasy points) against Golden State on Jan. 2. Considering we know many lineups will be on elite players from the Warriors and Nuggets, Jokic should be a staple in cash games.
Greg Monroe, MIL vs. DET ($17): Monroe should be motivated against his former team and is coming off 17 points, eight boards and four assists (36.6 fantasy points) against the Pacers on Saturday. The Bucks are relying on Monroe more with Jabari Parker out for the season after tearing his ACL. In Detroit, Monroe had 14 points, five rebounds, six assists and two steals for 33.0 fantasy points on Dec. 28.
Center to Avoid
DeAndre Jordan, LAC at UTA ($27): With a tough matchup against the Jazz, don't expect much from Jordan on the offensive end. You rarely expect much on the offensive end regardless of the matchup with Jordan, who has scored in double figures once in his past seven games. Unless his rebounding numbers are around 15-20, Jordan has very little shot of returning value in tournaments, and the low over/under doesn't bode well for his prospects of scoring much.
