This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
There are plenty of players to choose from on Monday's 11-game slate, but be weary of some big injury concerns. We already know Blake Griffin isn't playing after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery last week. The Clippers have given Luc Richard Mbah a Moute ($10) an extended look in the starting lineup, and while he hasn't done much with the playing time, he is worth employing in a large tournament.
The other major injury is to Damian Lillard ($43), who is doubtful to play because of an ankle injury. If Lillard doesn't go, C.J. McCollum ($32) becomes an intriguing target, as he would be in line for big minutes and would be the Trail Blazers No. 1 scoring option. This could mean a few things: 1) There's a chance McCollum is locked down on defense by the Raptors, usually taking advantage of Lillard's presence to get open looks, or 2) without Lillard in the lineup, McCollum takes off and his high volume of shots leads to a huge performance. He's worth risking in either contest format.
GUARDS
James Harden, HOU vs. PHO ($59): It was only five nights ago when Harden had 27 points, 14 assists and five rebounds on the road against the Suns for 56.5 fantasy points. Phoenix has consistently offered the best fantasy matchup this season and Harden should get the nod again Monday. He has gone nine straight games with a double-double or triple-double. He's shooting a higher percentage at home (45.2 vs. 42.8 on the road), which should increase his scoring from Dec. 21 against the Suns.
Deron Williams, DAL at NO ($21): There's no reason for the Mavericks to rest Williams after three days off. The veteran point guard has had at least 30.5 fantasy points in four of five games and New Orleans has allowed the most points to point guards in the past week (four games). The Mavericks were able to shoot the ball well from distance the last time they played the Pelicans (10-for-27), and while D-Will struggled in that game, he should experience better luck this time around.
Guard to Avoid
Chris Paul, LAC vs. DEN ($46): Paul is a little banged up and it'd be wise to shy away from him even in a great matchup against the Nuggets at home. Paul will likely give it a go, but even if he does the Clippers should be able to take care of business at home and that would likely end the point guard's night early. It also helps that Paul hasn't been up to par, at least by his standards, as he hasn't reach a point per dollar in four of his past five games and there are plenty of appealing guards on this 11-game slate in the $30-40 range.
FORWARDS
DeMarcus Cousins, SAC vs. PHI ($54): If you're looking to fade Harden because his ownership percentage will be too high, Boogie, while still high, won't be as bad a pill to swallow. He's been lights out at home and gets the 76ers on a couple days rest. Not only has Cousins been great at home (32.3 PPG, 11.8 RPG) he's just as good with a few days to think about who he's about to dismantle on offense, averaging 30.0 points and 13.5 rebounds per game while shooting 71.4 percent from 3-point range on 2+ days rest. Philadelphia hasn't been able to defend the power forward position the past three games and that trend should continue against Cousins and the Kings.
T.J. Warren, PHO vs. HOU ($23): The Suns will have their hands full with Harden and the Rockets, but that bodes well for the overall game script: high scoring. Warren has had back-to-back games of 19 points and five rebounds (29.75 fantasy points per game), and one of those performances was at home against Houston, so we know Warren can be worth it in the matchup. His minutes are a concern, but given his past two games he should be able to play around 30, which makes him a decent lineup filler for both cash games and tournaments.
Forward to Avoid
Serge Ibaka, ORL vs. MEM ($29): Ibaka has at least 37.0 fantasy points in four of his past five games, including at least 40 in two. A lot of cash game lineups will likely ride his hot streak considering his affordable price, but the matchup is too scary against the Grizzlies, who are allowing the fifth-fewest fantasy points to power forwards this season (39.98).
CENTERS
Andre Drummond, DET vs. CLE ($33): Conventional wisdom would say fade most Pistons against the Cavaliers, but Cleveland is coming into Monday in a trap-game situation. They're riding the high of beating the Warriors on Christmas and could come in flatter than usual against Detroit. This could open up the door for Drummond to have a big rebounding day. He managed eight points and 10 rebounds in his last game against the Cavaliers on the road, but Drummond is another big man who does more damage at home, averaging 14.5 points and 15.0 rebounds per game in 14 appearances at the Palace this season.
Tristan Thompson, CLE at DET ($18): With conventional wisdom in mind, it would make sense to take advantage of a good center matchup when the Cavs take on the Pistons. Detroit is allowing 56.88 fantasy points per game to centers in its past three games. The past three times Thompson has played the second of a back-to-back he's reached double-digit rebounds, so the game on Christmas shouldn't hinder his performance Monday. It's always a good call in cash games to roll with a center who is averaging 5.4 more fantasy points per game than his salary.
Center to Avoid
Marcin Gortat, WAS vs. MIL ($23): Gortat is usually a solid cash-game play, but the Bucks did a good job of shutting him down (eight points, six rebounds) three days ago in Milwaukee. Now the Wizards and Gortat head back to D.C. looking for a much better performance, but they may not be able to find one. Gortat needs to be more reliable to trust him in anything but a big GPP, and he's had four games that were below average in his past nine, which aren't great odds.
