This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Tuesday brings a robust 11-game slate, unusual for a night that usually features a modest amount of action. There's no shortage of stars on the docket, including DeMarcus Cousins, LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant. Let's look at who's worth top dollar and who can help you afford them:
GUARDS
Chris Paul, LAC vs. DEN ($43): The news that Blake Griffin will miss significant time with yet another injury is bad news for the Clippers, but it opens up considerable opportunity for Paul. During Griffin's extended absence last season, Paul sported a robust 28.1 percent usage rate, and more of the same can be expected beginning Tuesday. The matchup could hardly be better, as the Nuggets allow the third-most fantasy points (48.31) per game to point guards, while also ranking as a bottom-10 unit in points, rebounds, assists steals.
J.J. Redick, LAC vs. DEN ($15): Staying with Clippers who'll likely be increasing their offensive involvement in Griffin's absence, Redick checks in as an appealing play as well Tuesday. As porous as the Nuggets have been against point guards, they've been even worse against two-guards, allowing the most fantasy points (43.53) and points (25.2) per game to the position, along with the second-most assists (4.6). Redick saw a bump in usage to 22.6 percent last season during the three-plus months Griffin missed, and he could provide a solid return on his bargain price Tuesday.
Guard to Avoid
Sean Kilpatrick, BKN at TOR ($21): Although Kilpatrick has certainly rewarded those who've rostered him on numerous occasions this season, he's heading into the absolute toughest matchup for two-guards. Toronto has yielded a league-low 33.60 fantasy points and 17.5 points per game to the position, and just a 42.2 shooting percentage. A number of cheaper options, including Eric Gordon ($20), Patrick Beverley ($20), Elfrid Payton ($19) and Emmanuel Mudiay ($18), are in better positions to produce.
FORWARDS
DeMarcus Cousins, SAC vs. POR ($53): There are plenty of appealing forwards across the pricing scale, and you would be hard-pressed to go wrong by clicking on the likes of Anthony Davis ($57) and LeBron James ($53) in the upper tier. However, Cousins has the highest upside matchup, considering how inept the Blazers have been against power forwards this season. Portland has yielded the most fantasy points (48.81), points (23.7) and blocks (1.9) per game to the position, along with the second-most three-pointers (2.0) and second-highest shooting percentage (50.2). Cousins has had a couple of "down" games by his standards recently, but his floor has been 34.3 fantasy points during that stretch, still a solid return. Meanwhile, his ceiling has consistently been in excess of 60 fantasy points, making him an excellent option for either cash or tournaments.
Marvin Williams, CHA vs. LAL ($15): Williams has scored 23.7 and 32.2 fantasy points over the last two games, respectively, as his shot has started to fall with more consistency. He's tallied a 52.8 percent success rate from the field over the last four, and 47.1 percent from three-point range over that stretch. Meanwhile, the Lakers are not much better than the Blazers against power forwards, as they've allowed the third-most fantasy points (46.47) per game to the position, and check in as a bottom-10 defense in every other category against fours as well.
Forward to Avoid
Danilo Gallinari, DEN at LAC ($24): Gallinari is one of the league's streakier shooters, and he could have a hard time developing a hot hand against a Clippers squad that's given up the seventh-fewest fantasy points (36.96) per game to small forwards. We've seen him post fantasy-point totals in the teens on multiple occasions, and he's likely to struggle Tuesday.
CENTERS
Joel Embiid, PHI vs. NO ($31): Embiid busted out of a mini-slump in spectacular fashion against the Nets on Sunday, exploding for 33 points ad 10 rebounds that helped net 54.5 fantasy points. He'll be in prime position for an encore Tuesday, as the Pelicans allow the most rebounds (17.1) and assists (4.0) per game to centers, along with 47.4 fantasy points. Embiid's ceiling could potentially be even higher than what he flashed Sunday, making him a bargain at his price.
Kosta Koufos, SAC vs. POR ($10): Koufos makes for a highly viable minimum-priced play for those needing to save some cash to spend up elsewhere. He's been more involved on the offensive end lately, and has scored between 22.9 and 39.6 fantasy points in three of his last four. Meanwhile, Portland gives up the seventh-most fantasy points (49.42) and most points (22.8) per game to the position.
Center to Avoid
Nerlens Noel, PHI vs. NO ($22): Noel seems to be the odd big-man out in Philadelphia, and he's made his displeasure clear to Sixers brass. In turn, the team has admitted they're currently evaluating whether Noel is a good fit for their roster, which could well be a harbinger of a trip out of town. He's only played 18 minutes this season, and his status is simply too much in the air to make a $22 investment.
