This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
There are only seven games in the NBA on Monday, but the evening won't be short on stars with the Warriors, Pelicans, Rockets, Thunder and Raptors all in action. In order to fit some of that top-tier talent into your Yahoo entry, you'll need to find the right mix with cheaper options that have upside. Here are some players to target and avoid as you work your way through the choices.
GUARDS
John Wall, WAS at NY ($39): Wall's 29 percent usage rate is almost exactly the same as his mark from last year, but he's been able to average 21.4 points per game on the strength of his 44.8 percent shooting from the field. His assists are down, but he still provides a ton of value in that category with 8.1 dimes a night. He's been a bit inconsistent, but with at least 50.5 Yahoo points in two of his last four games, his high ceiling is also very high.
Tim Frazier, NO vs. LAC ($12): The Pelicans didn't have a ton of depth heading into this year, but they're really being tested right now. Not only is Elfrid Payton (finger) still on the shelf, but E'Twaun Moore (calf) didn't play Sunday and might not return Monday, either. Frazier has been thrust into a prominent role, scoring at least 20.7 Yahoo points in each of his last three games. Both the Pelicans and the Clippers are in the top-eight in the league in pace of play, making Frazier a great option in tournament play at this cheap price.
Guard to Avoid
Andrew Wiggins, MIN vs. HOU ($18): Wiggins is in the midst of a significant slump, shooting 50-for-152 (32.9 percent) from the field across his last 10 games. His playing time hasn't been impacted and he has a 23.1 percent usage rate for the year, so this just appears to be a situation that he'll have to shoot his way out of. Expect him to turn things around, but taking a risk by adding him to your entry seems unnecessary with so many other quality options on the board Monday.
FORWARDS
Robert Covington, MIN vs. HOU ($27): If there's one thing you can count on, it's that Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau is going to run his starters into the ground. Robert Covington was already playing a lot when he was on the Sixers, but he's logging 36 minutes a game since being traded. Across nine games with his new squad, he's scored at least 32.2 Yahoo points six times. His price is climbing, but it's still reasonable enough based on his minute's floor.
Markieff Morris, WAS at NY ($19): Morris feasted against the Nets on Saturday, scoring 44.4 Yahoo points across 29 minutes. That marked the fifth time in the last six games that he's scored at least 32.5 Yahoo points. It's no coincidence that he logged at least 28 minutes in all five of those contests. With Dwight Howard (lower body) on the shelf, Morris should continue to have a clear path to playing time. That's significant for his value considering the Wizards play at the sixth-fastest pace (103.6 possessions per game) in the league.
Forward to Avoid
Kevin Durant, GS at ATL ($53): Durant shouldered the offensive load for the Warriors when Stephen Curry was out and put up some hefty stat lines. Curry made his return Saturday against the Pistons, which limited Durant to 49.7 Yahoo points. He had scored at least 62.1 Yahoo points in each of his previous four games. His upside isn't as high with Curry back in the fold and this game could get out of hand early, leading to Durant rest in the fourth quarter. At this lofty price, it might be best to spend your money elsewhere.
CENTERS
Anthony Davis, NO vs. LAC ($58): Davis fell two assists shy of a triple-double Sunday against the Hornets, finishing with a whopping 78.8 Yahoo points. His ability to contribute across the board leaves him with one of the highest floors of anyone in DFS, evident by the fact that's he's scored at least 52.4 Yahoo points in 13 straight games. The Clippers allow the fifth-most Yahoo points per game (52.8) to opposing centers, leaving Davis with a tremendous opportunity to shine in this game.
Tristan Thompson, CLE at BKN ($23): Thompson played well in two tough games against the Celtics and Raptors, scoring 35.4 and 48.3 Yahoo points, respectively. He posted a double-double in both contests and has now achieved that feat six times across his last seven games. The Nets allow the second-most Yahoo points per game (53.3) to opposing centers, making Thompson a great option if you can't make Davis work with your budget.
Center to Avoid
Jonas Valanciunas, TOR vs. DEN ($16): Valanciunas has played 18 minutes or fewer in four of his last five games, scoring no more than 18.8 Yahoo points in any of those contests. He's only averaging 19 minutes a game for the season, overall, as the Raptors continue to limit his playing time based on matchups. Since the Nuggets allow the fewest Yahoo points per game (37.3) to opposing centers, there isn't much appeal here with Valanciunas.
