This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
A couple of big names who may not play highlight Monday's seven-game slate. LeBron James only has strep throat, so his odds of playing are pretty high, but if he doesn't the Cavs could be a tough spot. Cleveland would be without James and Kevin Love, leaving Kyrie Irving to have to go hero mode against the Bucks, who would become an appealing team to stack. Kevin Durant's hand contusion seems a bit more worrisome, though the All-Star could probably play if the game was more important. With that said, the Warriors should use caution with Durant, and if he's ruled out against the 76ers, look to Klay Thompson and Steph Curry to step up and mimic some of their performances from last season.
GUARDS
Jeff Teague, IND at HOU ($32): Teague isn't a sexy pick but that only makes him more appealing for tournaments. He's only managed to score more than 30 fantasy points once in his past six games, though he did have two double-digit assist outings. Teague's fantasy upside is reliant on scoring. If he doesn't post around 15-20 points, then it's hard for him to return value, particularly in tournaments. But the good thing is he should have no trouble filling up the scoresheet against the Rockets, who allow 108.2 points per game. Teague had 17 points and 15 assists (46.1 fantasy points) against Houston on Jan. 29.
Buddy Hield, SAC vs. MIN ($16): Since being acquired by the Kings in the DeMarcus Cousins trade, Hield has combined for 31 points on 11-of-20 from the field (3-of-8 from distance). Hield played 26 minutes off the bench in each of his two games with Sacramento, so expect that trend to continue against the T-Wolves, who are allowing opponents to shoot 36.1 percent from 3-point range. He isn't going to light up Minnesota, but can be used as a lineup filler for cash games.
Guard to Avoid
Dion Waiters, MIA at DAL ($25): The weather on Waiters Island has been pretty good lately, but that could change against the Mavericks, who allow the fourth-fewest points per game in the league (100.0). Waiters has struggled mightily on the road, averaging 13.2 points per game while shooting 31.4 percent from 3-point range in 18 appearances. Dallas limited Waiters to 12 points, three rebounds and three assists for 17.6 fantasy points on Jan. 19.
FORWARDS
Carmelo Anthony, NYK vs. TOR ($38):LeBron James is more likely to play Monday, but it's unclear if Kevin Durant will go for the Warriors. That takes at least one elite forward option off the market, which should drive ownership percentages up on some of the more affordable small forwards. Anthony is coming off 37 points in a win against the 76ers on Saturday and has taken 25 field goal attempts in the past two games with Kristaps Porzingis injured. Melo is averaging 24.5 points (48.6 percent from the field) in two games against the Raptors this season.
Michael Beasley, MIL at CLE ($14): Don't look now but Beasley is kind of relevant again. The former No. 2 overall pick has stepped up for the Bucks with Jabari Parker out for the season, solidifying his spot in the starting lineup. He's scored at least 22 points in two of the last four games, plus he had 17 points in 25 minutes against the Cavs earlier this season.
Forward to Avoid
Draymond Green, GS at PHI ($36): Green may be the most overpriced forward on Monday's slate. He hasn't hit double-digit points in six straight games, and normally that wouldn't matter as much, but he's also not filling up the stat sheet at all. Green hasn't sniffed a triple-double since his 11-rebound, 10-assist, 10-steal performance on Feb. 10. Even if Durant doesn't play, it's hard to envision Green returning value in cash games, and he's only a fringe contrarian pick for tournaments.
CENTERS
Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN at SAC ($47): Towns is the only center priced over $40, which will likely drive his ownership percentage above normal, but you're going to hard pressed to find another player with as much value. He has at least 24 points and 18 rebounds in each of his past three games, and has even boosted his assist numbers, dishing out at least three dimes in four of five. Additionally, he has 20 points, 13 rebounds and five assists (42.6 fantasy points) against the Kings on Dec. 23.
Jahlil Okafor, PHI vs. GS ($12): The 76ers finally caved and dealt Nerlens Noel, which gave Okafor the starting center position with Joel Embiid out. Okafor had a season-high 28 points with 10 rebounds for 41.5 fantasy points against the Knicks on Saturday. The Warriors aren't the Knicks, but the game script should work in Okafor's favor. Either Golden State will run away from Philadelphia with Durant in the lineup, or the 76ers keep things interesting with Durant out. Okafor has a high ceiling for a player priced so low, making him a perfect tournament bargain.
Center to Avoid
Al Horford, BOS vs. ATL ($25): Horford has been an easy player to fade with the majority of the Celtics' offense coming from Isaiah Thomas. He has gone three straight games with fewer than 10 points and eight straight without reaching double-digit rebounds. Horford has one game of more than 30 fantasy points during that stretch, which virtually kills any type of value he'd return in a tournament. The options at center are thin, but that only puts more emphasis on finding a bargain, rather than overpaying for Horford.
