This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
With only one game Monday (Trail Blazers at Timberwolves), the contests are combined with Tuesday's 10-game slate. The best advice would be to target safer picks Monday, including Ricky Rubio ($37) and Damian Lillard ($48). The rest of the players going Monday may need to take the back seat to players Tuesday.
GUARDS
DeMar DeRozan, TOR at IND ($42): DeRozan was already ranked fifth in the NBA in usage rating at 32.7, but since Kyle Lowry was injured back in February, DeRozan has easily the highest usage behind Russell Westbrook and James Harden. He's scored at least 40 points in three of his past seven games, and has even hit six 3-pointers in that span. One of those 40-point performances was against the Pacers, which is the Raptors opponent again Tuesday. DeRozan is more of a cash-game play with a higher floor and lower ceiling than top shooting guard Jimmy Butler ($48).
Rajon Rondo, CHI at NYK ($23): At this point, there's no way to avoid playing Rondo in DFS. He's an incredibly appealing cash-game play, scoring at least 40 fantasy points in three straight games. His low cost and high ceiling also make him a viable tournament pick, though expect high ownership percentages. The Knicks will be shorthanded on offense without Derrick Rose and with Carmelo Anthony nursing a sore knee, and the Bulls are fighting for seeding in the East.
Guard to Avoid
Bradley Beal, WAS vs. CHA ($32): Beal has a tough matchup against Nicolas Batum and the Hornets, despite playing at home, where Beal shoots the ball well. His price has dipped down to where he could return value, but in this spot he really isn't too appealing unless he throws up a lopsided scoring total. He scored 27 points in back-to-back games before dropping 20 on Sunday, but Beal hasn't eclipsed 40 fantasy points, which would be the only reason to employ him. Sure, you'd be alright with 30-40 fantasy points, but only if Beal's price was significantly lower. There are better options both above and below Beal's price range.
FORWARD
Paul George, IND vs. TOR ($42): Of the elite options at forward, George offers the best mix of affordable price and high ceiling. LeBron James ($57) is the highest priced forward on the combined slate, but he will be on the second of a back-to-back and may sit or play limited minutes. Kawhi Leonard ($50) has a tough matchup and Giannis Antetokounmpo ($51) is also on a back-to-back. George, on the other hand, posted 44.3 fantasy points against Toronto on Friday, scoring 28 points with nine rebounds and three assists. He should also see a lower ownership percentage than all three forwards mentioned above.
Nikola Mirotic, CHI at NYK ($17): Mirotic has come back down to earth the past two games after scoring 28 points in back-to-back outings, but he still finished with 30.3 fantasy points despite just eight points, nine rebounds and five assists Saturday against the Hawks, though he was a bit worse Friday against the Pelicans. Mirotic has hit 24 3-pointers in his past six games after draining 18 in his previous 10. Expect his ownership percentage to level out a bit after the big performances (and since the Knicks are decent at defending the three).
Forward to Avoid
LeBron James, CLE vs. ORL ($57): James put the Cavaliers on his back for a second straight win, a double-overtime 135-130 victory over the Pacers on Sunday. But with Cleveland coming back Tuesday at home against the lowly Magic, there's a chance the Cavs opt to rest or limit the minutes of their Big Three, especially after James played 52 minutes against Indiana. Of course, every game is under a microscope for Cleveland with the East race so tight, but the Cavs' most important game is Wednesday against the Celtics. This could make Orlando more of a trap game, which could result in low fantasy totals for LeBron and Co. Steer clear of him as the highest price forward for the combined slate.
CENTER
Nikola Jokic, DEN at NO ($46): With the combined slate and the Nuggets playing Sunday, there wasn't any time for Yahoo to bump up Jokic's salary in time, so he'll enter a juicy matchup against the Pelicans priced well below $50. Jokic was solid despite having to deal with Hassan Whiteside and the Heat on Sunday, finishing with 19 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists for 44.5 fantasy points.
Enes Kanter, OKC vs. MIL ($17): Kanter is usually a solid value pick contributing off the bench for the Thunder. Though he was underwhelming against the Hornets on Sunday (nine points, one rebound), expect him to have a better showing against a shallow Bucks front court. Prior to a rough stretch at the end of March, Kanter had gone 14 straight games scoring in double figures, so the consistency is there. He offers a high floor given his price and every now and then is capable of exploding for big value in tournaments.
Center to Avoid
Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN vs. POR ($51): The Trail Blazers-T-Wolves matchup is the only game Monday, but it is combined into a dual contest with Tuesday's heavy slate. This creates an interesting dilemma, as Towns is clearly one of the more valuable players in DFS night in and night out. But it's risky to roll with him Monday when the majority of the points will be had Tuesday. If Towns lays an egg, or doesn't hit a high number of fantasy points, he could cripple your expected return heading into Tuesday. It may be best to focus on players going Tuesday, rather than roll with Towns.
