This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Tuesday's six-game slate is loaded with elite star power, such as Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook, LeBron James and James Harden. Fortunately, there is an abundant selection of solid mid-tier value, along with a couple excellent bargain-priced options that have the potential to pay off handsomely and likewise allow you to roster some of those superstars. Here's our look at Tuesday Yahoo Daily Fantasy Basketball.
GUARD
Elfrid Payton, ORL at DEN ($25) - There are three plays at guard Tuesday that have a particularly appealing combination of price and matchup, with two being high-usage reserves. Payton checks in as the starter of trio, and one who makes the cut for both his recent outstanding play and appealing matchup. Payton averages 27.3 fantasy points per game, totaling 29.1, 30.1 and 45.3 fantasy points over his last three, respectively. He also draws a Nuggets defense Tuesday that is ranked third worst in the league against point guards, surrendering 23.9 actual points per game to the position.
Darren Collison, UTA at SAC ($17) - Collison's price is not reflective of his recent production, with the former starter coming in at 20.7 or more fantasy points in his last five games, including 32.2 versus Houston two games ago. The playing time has also been there, with Collison tallying no less than 21 minutes in his last 11 games and playing in the high 20s most nights.
Rodney Stuckey, GSW at IND ($11) - Stuckey's price tag is simply too good to ignore. The veteran guard's production has been on a considerable upswing the last four games in particular, making the near-minimum cost to acquire him all the more surprising. The nine-year pro has posted 20.4, 29.0, 37.5 and 29.6 fantasy points over that span, totaling double-digit actual points during each game as well. Additionally, starter Monta Ellis (back) figures to be limited at a minimum Tuesday, potentially opening up even more opportunity for Stuckey.
Guard to Avoid:
Monta Ellis, GSW at IND ($25) - Ellis likely will play with some lingering soreness from a knee to the back that he took last Thursday. He also faces the fourth-stingiest defense versus shooting guards (18.1 actual points per game) in Golden State, and was clearly affected by the injury in last Saturday's s 14.2-fantasy point outing against Utah. Stuckey also serves as excellent insurance behind Ellis, meaning the latter could conceivably sit for long stretches if he struggles early in what should be a fast-paced game.
FORWARD
Gordon Hayward, UTA at SAC ($30) - Hayward was one of the players coach Quinn Snyder recently implored to step up in the absence of Rudy Gobert (knee), and the small forward has responded with a trio of performances netting respective totals of 37.2, 36 and 37 fantasy points. The six-year pro is averaging 29.7 fantasy points on the season overall, and with a matchup against Sacramento's third-worst defense in the league versus small forwards, he appears set to return solid value.
Thaddeus Young, HOU at BKN ($30) - Young comes into Tuesday off consecutive double-doubles, which have netted 30.2 and 39.8 fantasy points, respectively. Prior to that pair of games, Young had also been at 30.3 fantasy points or more in eight of 10, a number right in line with his robust 30.5 fantasy points average on the season. He has the matchup on his side Tuesday as well, as the Rockets rank as the second-worst defense against the power forward position, surrendering a generous 24.1 actual points a game.
Forward to Avoid:
Serge Ibaka, OKC at MEM ($29) - Ibaka's fantasy value generally takes a hit when Kevin Durant is healthy, yet his price remains fairly elevated despite the drop in production. He draws the stingiest defense against power forwards Tuesday to boot and is coming off two subpar outings, even though his most recent one was cut short at 19 minutes due to foul trouble.
CENTER
Nikola Vucevic, ORL at DEN ($28) - Vucevic was a bit of a letdown for fantasy owners Saturday versus a vulnerable Clippers defense, tallying only 24.5 fantasy points in a close loss. However, prior to that game, the Magic center had posted fantasy point totals of 31.0, 40.4 and 33.4, respectively. He'd also managed a 43.4-fantasy point performance two games prior to the inception of that stretch. He averages 31.1 fantasy points on the season and should receive little resistance from a Nuggets defense ranked third-worst against opposing centers (21.3 actual points per game surrendered).
Center to Avoid:
Mason Plumlee, POR at CLE ($23) - Plumlee's price isn't really the issue Tuesday, but his recent inconsistent production and matchup certainly are. He's had fantasy point totals in the teens in three of his last five games, and he's scored single-digit actual points in all three as well. He also draws a matchup against a Cavs' defense that surrenders an average of only 19.3 points and a league-low 11.3 rebounds a game to opposing centers, with the latter category normally serving as one of Plumlee's primary sources of fantasy scoring.
Get a FREE RotoWire 10-day trial (no credit card required) at RotoWire.com
