This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Monday's slate of games will bring a lot of big-name options to the table, as well as solid value plays. With seven games total, there will be a variety of lineup combinations to choose from. We will look at players riding a hot streak, as well as those with favorable matchups.
GUARD
Jrue Holiday, NO vs. SAC ($33) - The Pelicans' backcourt has been decimated by injuries this season, resulting in Holiday likely getting a lot of opportunity to shine the rest of the way. Eric Gordon will join Tyreke Evans on the sideline for the remainder of the season, meaning Norris Cole and Holiday will need to carry a weight of the load. Holiday was on a minute restriction for a large portion of the season early on, but his play has really picked up since February. Since then, he has averaged 38.5 fantasy points over 11 games. He is posting 20.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, 8.3 dimes, 2.0 steals and 1.2 triples in 31.3 minutes per game over that time frame. Besides the likely increase in usage, Holiday will face a very advantageous matchup with the Kings, who allow the fourth-most fantasy points per game to point guards this season. They are also giving up a league-leading 109.3 points per game, so the game has a potential to be a shootout.
Rajon Rondo, SAC at NO ($39) - Rondo has been battling some nagging injuries recently, but appears relatively healthy finally heading into this one. This game could be high scoring, meaning Rondo has an opportunity to have one of his patented stat-sheet stuffing games. New Orleans allows the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing point guards in the league over its last 10 games, and given its shallow backcourt depth will likely not be getting better any time soon. Rondo should have every opportunity to run the show with a relatively healthy squad around, so expect him to benefit from a high scoring affair as well.
Guard to Avoid:
Deron Williams, DAL vs. LAC ($24) - There are a lot of solid point guard plays Monday, and Williams is a bit more of a risky one. He matches up against Chris Paul and a Clippers' team giving up the fifth fewest fantasy points to opposing point guards on the season. They also allow the eighth-fewest points overall. Williams will also be playing on the backend of a double-header, while the Clippers are coming into the evening fresh.
FORWARD
Nicolas Batum, CHA vs. MIN ($32) - Batum's play has really picked up in March, as he is averaging 36.8 fantasy points in the first three games of the month. He has contributed all over the stat sheet, posting 19.3 points, 6.7 boards, 5.0 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.7 blocks and 2.7 triples per game in 35.4 minutes per game over that time. Minnesota is giving up the sixth-most points in the league at 105.5 per game, and Batum should have ample opportunity to provide a solid statistical performance.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL at CHI ($38) - The Greek Freak has been on an absolute tear since the All-Star break. He has averaged 49 fantasy points per game the nine games since the break, and that does not include his massive performance against the Thunder on Sunday. If you include that game, he has scored 60 plus fantasy points in five of his last 10 games, including three in a row now. coach Jason Kidd has given Antetokounmpo much more freedom to bring the ball up, and be a decision maker with the ball. The result has been remarkable, as the the young star appears to be finally making the leap into what everyone knew he had the potential to become. He has recorded his first career three triple-doubles during this hot streak, and could potentially flirt with another one versus a depleted Bulls' roster. The main reason making him a good play Monday is that his price simply has not caught up with his stellar play yet. At only $38, the numbers Antetokounmpo has been putting up make him a pretty solid value play.
Forward to Avoid:
Paul George, IND vs. SA ($45) - While George has been playing very solid basketball as of late, his matchup Monday makes it not very wise to invest in his price. George will be defended by Kawhi Leonard, who is universally regarded as one of, if not the best, defenders in the league. The Spurs allow the fewest fantasy points to opposing small forwards as a result of Leonard's stingy defense. In their previous matchup this season, George only produced 22.9 fantasy points. In that outing, he put up a quiet seven points (1-14 FG, 1-5 3PT, 4-5 FT) seven rebounds, six assists and two steals in 35 minutes. The treacherous shooting performance can certainly be attributed to Leonard's lockdown defense. Somebody like Antetokounmpo, who is $7 cheaper than George, would seem like a much better play.
CENTER
Zach Randolph, MEM at CLE ($28) - Randolph is one of the last men standing in the Grizzlies depleted frontcourt. Since they lost Marc Gasol for the season, the Grizzlies have also lost Brandan Wright and Chris Andersen due to injuries. The team lost Andersen in Sunday's game versus the Suns, and his status heading into Monday's matchup is up in the air. The only other true center left on their roster is Ryan Hollins, meaning Randolph will be required to carry the load offensively in the frontcourt. The veteran big man is very capable of the task, and could be a value at only $28.
Center to Avoid
DeAndre Jordan, LAC at DAL ($35) - This will be Jordan's second trip to Dallas since his infamous offseason indecision. His first outing did not go too smoothly, as he only posted 22.2 fantasy points, 12 fewer than his season average per game. In that contest he posted only nine points (3-5 FG, 3-9 FT) 11 rebounds and one block in 27 minutes. He will face the same type of negative reaction from the crowd in this outing, and choosing him for your lineup will depend on how you think he will react to the situation. Based on his previous outing, I'm leaning on the side of him coming up short, much like some of his free throws.
