This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
There are plenty of big injuries to monitor ahead of Monday's eight-game slate. The most notable is whether Kawhi Leonard (concussion) will go for the Spurs against the Hawks at home. Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge (heart) sat out San Antonio's previous game, which saw plenty of value plays emerge, most notably Davis Bertans ($10), Bryn Forbes ($10) and Jonathon Simmons ($10).
Should the Jazz be without center Rudy Gobert (leg; $32), then expect Jeff Withey ($10) to get another start. He wasn't very productive (two points, five rebounds, two steals) in 22:44 against the Thunder on Saturday, but the opportunity alone makes him worth a flyer in tournaments.
The Hornets may get Frank Kaminsky ($26) back from a shoulder injury versus the Bulls, which would impact Cody Zeller ($14). Kaminsky, if he plays, would be an intriguing under-the-radar play considering his production prior to being injured.
GUARDS
Ricky Rubio, MIN vs. WAS ($32): It's hard to find a more consistent guard in Yahoo DFS than Rubio, who has gone eight straight games with at least 31.1 fantasy points. His offense has come around the past three games, combining for 54 points during that stretch. The Wizards enter Monday on a five-game winning streak in which they've allowed 120 points per game, while the T-Wolves' offense could use a wake-up call and the game script plays well into Rubio's ability to distribute the ball.
Delon Wright, TOR vs. DAL ($10): The Mavericks are a miserable matchup for point guards, but Wright could provide extreme tournament value if Cory Joseph plays like he did last game against the Heat. Joseph saw just 22:14 to Wright's 25:11 against Miami, and the latter finished with 13 points, three assists and three steals for 25.1 fantasy points. Dallas has been outplaying Toronto recently, so if this game gets out of reach for the Raptors, that would bode well for Wright's prospects of seeing 20-plus minutes again.
Guard to Avoid
DeMar DeRozan, TOR vs. DAL ($46): Maybe if DeRozan was under $40 he'd be worth a flyer as a contrarian play in tournaments, but he's failed to score over 20 points in three of his past four games, which has resulted in an average of 30 fantasy points per game during that stretch. DeRozan rarely hits 3-pointers, and his secondary stat coverage (rebounds, assists) don't provide enough points to push him above his price range. Even if DeRozan reaches a point per dollar, that doesn't give you a high enough ceiling in tournaments.
FORWARDS
Jimmy Butler, CHI at CHA ($48): The Bulls have lost five in a row and Butler is pissed off. He's also coming off one of his worst games of the season, scoring five points with seven rebounds for 21.4 fantasy points in a 100-80 loss to the Celtics on Sunday. However, he is averaging 39 points, eight rebounds and five assists per game in two starts against the Hornets this season, including a 52-point outburst (81.9 fantasy points) in their previous meeting. A lot of lineups will shy away from Butler if Kawhi Leonard ($49) is out for the Spurs, making him ideal for tournaments with his high ceiling.
Marvin Williams, CHA vs. CHI ($20): Should the Bulls slip up again, expect Williams to continue his torrid pace. He scored a season-high 27 points while recording his fourth double-double in the past five games (36.38 fantasy points per game in that stretch) last time out, and he's playing well above his salary, which would make him ideal for tournaments (though his ownership will be high). That said, Williams is more of a cash-game play in a strong matchup against the Bulls.
Forward to Avoid
Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL at MEM ($52): This is a tough call, but there are a lot of factors going against the Greak Freak on Monday. The Grizzlies are holding power forwards to 40.89 fantasy points per game this season (second-fewest in the NBA), and Antetokounmpo has reached a point-per-dollar return in just one of his past nine games. Memphis takes care of the ball, so Giannis may not get extra points from steals, and the Grizz are sixth in the league in opponent rebounds per game (42.3). With few elite options, it also may not be a bad idea to fade Antetokounmpo.
CENTERS
Nikola Jokic, DEN vs. LAL ($48): Rarely does Jokic make you regret using him in DFS. Since returning from an illness, Jokic has back-to-back double-doubles, with a combined 41 points and 24 rebounds, and he's added nine assists, six steals and a pair of 3-pointers. Jokic has gone six straight games with a double-double, and torched the Lakers at Staples Center on Jan. 17 for 29 points and 15 rebounds (53.0 fantasy points). His standard deviation (15.0) may be the highest of any player Monday, but Jokic has been consistent enough to make him a strong cash-game play.
Pau Gasol, SA vs. ATL ($21): As mentioned above, there's a chance Kawhi Leonard sits out, and LaMarcus Aldridge is already ruled out to undergo further tests on his heart. That should allow Gasol to get 20-plus minutes for the third straight game. Without their two leading scorers, the Spurs will need to rely on Gasol for added offense, and if he doesn't get those touches, they'll likely translate into assists. Gasol has a low price and high potential output against the Hawks, who have a thin front court outside of Dwight Howard and Paul Millsap.
Center to Avoid
Rudy Gobert, UTA vs. LAC ($32): There's a chance Gobert doesn't play at all because of a leg injury, but if he does go in this game, don't expect his usual production. He hadn't missed a game all season until Saturday, so it's concerning that Gobert is running out of steam now. He could be on a minutes restriction with the Jazz more worried about his health for the playoffs, which would stunt his value in tournaments. The Clippers play at a higher pace than the Jazz, and Gobert only had 10 points and 14 boards (30.3 fantasy points) against the Clippers on Feb. 13.
