This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
After a short three-game Monday slate, Tuesday brings a robust nine-game selection with the likes of DeMarcus Cousins, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo and James Harden in action. With so much to pay for up top, let's take a look at how best to strike a balance in your lineups:
GUARDS
John Wall, WAS vs. CHI ($49):James Harden ($61) is always a stellar play and draws an appealing matchup against the Hornets. However, Wall checks in significantly cheaper and also figures to be in a prime position to provide handsome returns. The Bulls will be on the second game of a back-to-back, fresh off a tussle with Russell Westbrook on Monday night. They also rank in the bottom 10 in rebounds (6.4), assists (9.2), steals (1.9), blocks (0.7) and three-pointers (2.3) allowed the point guards this season.
Ty Lawson, SAC vs. DET ($11): Lawson has bounced around between the starting five and the bench lately, and he has been largely consistent despite the nightly uncertainty in playing time. He has scored between 20.9 and 33.6 fantasy points in seven of his last nine games, which excellent returns on his near-minimum price. The Pistons also allow the ninth-most fantasy points per game (45.59) to point guards, along with the third-most rebounds (6.5) and fifth-most assists (9.1).
Guard to Avoid
Rajon Rondo, CHI at WAS ($17): Rondo could well see another DNP-coach's decision Tuesday, after having suffered that fate in the last three games. He's already making waves about wanting a trade due to the benchings, and his current situation naturally makes him a stay-away candidate.
FORWARDS
Kawhi Leonard, SA vs. MIL ($40): The big names above Leonard on the price scale – DeMarcus Cousins ($56), LeBron James ($53), Kevin Durant ($50) and Jimmy Butler ($44) – are all certainly appealing options, but I like Leonard as the perhaps the best fantasy-point-per-dollar value. Although he has scored fewer than 30.0 fantasy points twice in his last seven, he's also scored between 41.2 and 50.5 in the five other games during that stretch. With Giannis Antetokounmpo likely back Tuesday, the Bucks will keep matters competitive, which will should require Leonard to remain aggressive throughout. Meanwhile, the Bucks are surrendering the second-most fantasy points (42.97), the most points (23.6), second-most assists (4.0) and fifth-highest field-goal percentage (46.5) to small forwards, furthering Leonard's case.
Tim Hardaway, Jr., ATL at BKN ($11): Hardaway's price looks particularly out of whack, considering he's scored between 25.2 and 38.5 fantasy points in three of his last four games. His playing time figures to only go up now that Kyle Korver has been traded to the Cavs, which should give Hardaway plenty of opportunity to provide a solid return on his near-minimum price, especially against a Nets squad that's surrendering the fourth-most fantasy points (42.07), seventh-most points (22.3), fourth-most rebounds (5.9) and most steals (2.0) per game to shooting guards.
Forward to Avoid
Jabari Parker, MIL at SA ($34): Parker has rightfully earned plenty of accolades this season with his overall performance, but he checks in a bit on the overpriced side for a Tuesday matchup against the Spurs. San Antonio has been a black hole for the fantasy production of power forwards, as they've surrendered the second-fewest fantasy points (38.92) and rebounds (9.9) to the position, along with the second-lowest field-goal percentage (43.2). Antetokounmpo should also be back in the starting lineup after missing Sunday's game with an illness, which will reduce some of Parker's usage. While he'll undoubtedly generate his fair share of numbers, Parker will likely have a hard time justifying his price, particularly with LaMarcus Aldridge ($33), Julius Randle ($30), Otto Porter ($25) and Trevor Ariza ($25) all less expensive and in better matchups.
CENTERS
Dwight Howard, ATL at BKN ($29): Howard will be licking his chops for a matchup against a Brooklyn defense that has allowed the most fantasy points (53.59), second-most points (22.4), second-most assists (3.4) and second-most blocks (2.7) per game to the position this season. Meanwhile, Howard has been rattling off double-doubles with regularity, accomplishing the feat in nine of his last 10 games.
Timofey Mozgov, LAL vs. POR ($10): Teammate Tarik Black is also at minimum price but is battling a sore right ankle that limited him to just 12 minutes Sunday. With the ailment potentially restricting him again Tuesday, Mozgov could be in line for a productive outing, given that he'll face a Blazers defense that's given up the third-most fantasy points (50.29) per game to centers. Mozgov has flashed some nice upside for a minimum-priced player as well, scoring 30.8 fantasy points against the Magic on Sunday, and over 20 fantasy points on three other occasions over the previous seven games.
Center to Avoid
Tristan Thompson, CLE at UTA ($18): Thompson draws one of the tougher matchups in the league for centers in Rudy Gobert, and the fact the game is on the road certainly doesn't help his case. The Jazz have given up the third-fewest rebounds (13.2) per game to centers, along with the lowest field-goal percentage (45.6), with the former particularly relevant to Thompson's potential fantasy production. Thompson has also scored fewer than 20.0 fantasy points in two of the last four games, and Tuesday certainly looks like a spot for another underwhelming effort.
