This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Big injury news with DeMarcus Cousins (ankle) out Sunday could parlay into Monday, which means Anthony Davis may return to some of those monstrous outings he had earlier in the season. Davis will come in at $50 at the Jazz, which isn't exactly an enticing matchup, but his usage should skyrocket compared to after the trade. AD should be considered a stronger play in tournaments should Cousins sit again.
There could be a huge gap between the top small forwards on the six-game slate and the rest of the pack. LeBron James ($57) and Kawhi Leonard ($50) are the highest priced at the position, and if Gordon Hayward and Carmelo Anthony both sit, the next in terms of pricing would be Harrison Barnes at $26. That gap could mean extremely high ownership percentages for James and Leonard. It may be a wise idea to fade both in big tournaments and pick from the bottom of the barrel.
GUARDS
Mike Conley, MEM at SAC ($36): When the Grizzlies are in a good spot to win, Conley is in a good spot to produce. He's been underwhelming the past three games, all losses, but was stellar during a four-game winning streak prior to that, averaging 44.2 fantasy points per outing. Memphis was without Marc Gasol in Sunday's loss to the Warriors, and if the center sits again, Conley will be asked to do more on offense. The Kings are allowing the second-most fantasy points per game (48.31) to point guards over the past four weeks (13 games), and Conley has had at least 37.6 fantasy points in each of the past two games against Sacramento.
Buddy Hield, SAC vs. MEM ($13): Hield has strung together the three best games of his NBA career. He had a career-high 22 points, eight rebounds and seven assists (45.1 fantasy points) against the Warriors on Friday, and had 30-plus fantasy points in the two games prior to that. He's played over 30 minutes in seven of eight games and has a four-game steal streak. For the price, Hield is a no-brainer in cash games considering his gaudy points-per-dollar ratio during the hot streak. It also helps that Memphis wraps up a four-game road trip at Sacramento on the second night of a back-to-back.
Guard to Avoid
Seth Curry, DAL vs. OKC ($24): Curry has come back down to earth after tearing it up from January to the beginning of March. He's scored more than 20 points once in his past 10 games, failing to reach double figures in four of those contests. Curry is shooting 30.4 percent from 3-point range in his past five games and doesn't provide the type of secondary stat coverage for this price. The Mavericks' stagnant offense should be avoided at all costs on the short six-game slate.
FORWARDS
LaMarcus Aldridge, SA vs. CLE ($29): It's surprising Aldridge's price remains affordable despite his consistent play during the Spurs' four-game winning streak. He's scored over a point-per-dollar in each of those games and the Cavaliers' defense isn't nearly as imposing this late in the season. Aldridge managed 16 points, 12 rebounds and six assists (42.4 fantasy points) against Cleveland on Jan. 21, and each team is in must-win mode for playoff positioning. With the lowest standard deviation relative to pricing, Aldridge is a strong cash-game play.
Terrence Ross, ORL at TOR ($16): You may think this pick is merely because Ross is playing the Raptors for the first time since being traded, but it isn't (though that adds to his appeal). He's scored in double figures in four straight and has at least 25.0 fantasy points in each of his last three. With Carmelo Anthony and Gordon Hayward potentially sidelined, lineups will likely go heavy on LeBron James ($57) and Kawhi Leonard ($50) at small forward, which could make Ross an ideal play in all formats as long as he stays out of foul trouble.
Forward to Avoid
Kevin Love, CLE at SA ($38): Matchup against the Spurs aside, Love just doesn't have a high enough ceiling to make him viable. Since his 39-point outburst against the Wizards on Feb. 6, Love has gone eight straight without eclipsing 40 fantasy points. He's failed to his a 3-pointer and reach double-digit rebounds in three of seven games, the two categories where he makes his money in DFS. Love's salary is also way too high for consideration in 50/50 contests considering his floor is relatively low as well.
CENTERS
Rudy Gobert, UTA vs. NO ($32): The status of Hayward is unclear going into Monday's game against the Pelicans. With the Jazz's leading scorer struggling the past two games, Gobert stepped up by combining for 61 points on a ridiculous 23-of-28 shooting from the floor. He's gone five straight with double-digit rebounds and is averaging 4.2 blocks per game during that stretch. New Orleans could also be without DeMarcus Cousins, making life easier for Gobert in the paint. Normally a prime cash-game target, Gobert becomes attractive in GPPs given the higher ceiling.
Willy Hernangomez, NYK vs. DET ($16): Standard deviation suggests Hernangomez is a solid, cheap tournament filler. He has the second-highest SD (12.1) behind Cousins, who may not even play Monday. Hernangomez is coming off a career-high 24 points (44.1 fantasy points) in a loss at the Spurs on Saturday, playing 36 minutes with Anthony sidelined. If Melo sits again, expect Hernangomez to remain in the starting five and play upwards of 30 minutes again.
Center to Avoid
Nikola Vucevic, ORL at TOR ($30): Vucevic isn't a bad fade candidate given his expected ownership percentage and matchup. The Raptors have been incredibly stingy on defense during their five-game winning streak, allowing 91.2 points per contest. Toronto held Vucevic to a pedestrian stat line in their last meeting (18 points, five rebounds) and his high ceiling is what makes him such an appealing play. The center position is weak Monday, so if you aren't playing Gobert, it'd be best to spend on the cheap side.
