This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Tuesday brings a modest three-game slate that nevertheless packs some pretty solid star power. With DeMarcus Cousins, LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Karl-Anthony Towns in action, here's a look at how to best budget:
GUARDS
Kyrie Irving, CLE at MIN ($40): Irving has scored at least 30.0 fantasy points in 12 straight games, including a high of 67.4 during that stretch. He's scored between 27 and 29 points in the last three, and the Timberwolves have allowed 44.17 fantasy points per game to point guards, along with a bottom-10 figure of 9.0 assists per contest. Additionally, Irving has a 31.4 percent usage rate over the last five games, furthering his case.
Nick Young, LAL vs. SAC ($12):Ricky Rubio ($24) and Darren Collison ($17) are also highly viable options for those with the cash to spend, but Young checks in at a notable discount over both. He has scored between 26.5 and 39.9 fantasy points in three of his last four games, with the high end of that range coming on the strength of a 26-point explosion against the Bucks on Friday night. Young scored 24.1 fantasy points against the Kings already this season, and Sacramento allows the seventh-most fantasy points (40.98), second-most points (23.7) and fourth-highest field-goal percentage (45.3) to two-guards this season.
Guard to Avoid
Rajon Rondo, CHI vs. TOR ($11): Rondo has been hard to get a beat on, as he's scored between 8.0 and 19.6 fantasy points in four of the last six games, and then 23.2 to 31.2 fantasy points in the two other games during that span. He can certainly turn in his share of productive outings, but accurately pinpointing when is the issue. Injuries to other key Bulls don't necessarily guarantee anything either, as Rondo scored a modest 19.6 fantasy points on Sunday despite the absences of Jimmy Butler, Dwyane Wade, Paul Zipser and Nikola Mirotic.
FORWARD
DeMarcus Cousins, SAC at LAL ($57): Cousins rightfully doesn't come cheap, but his matchup Tuesday can't get any better. The Lakers have given up the most fantasy points per game (46.63) to power forwards, along with the most rebounds (13.1), most steals (1.9) and ninth-highest field-goal percentage (47.3) to the position. Cousins has scored between 43.7 and 58.9 fantasy points in the last five games, while sporting a massive 35.7 percent usage rate over that span. For those who need to save every dollar, LeBron James ($54) also makes for a very strong play with Kevin Love (knee) already ruled out for Tuesday.
Matt Barnes, SAC at LAL ($16):Andrew Wiggins ($33), Julius Randle ($24) and Gorgui Dieng ($19) are also appealing options relative to price, but Barnes checks in as the most inexpensive of the bunch and with a terrific matchup to boot. He is getting ample playing time despite coming off the bench, and he has scored between 21.2 and 35.8 fantasy points in eight consecutive games. The Lakers have been vulnerable to small forwards all season, surrendering the sixth-most fantasy points per game (40.61), third-most points (21.7) and highest field-goal percentage (48.7) to the position.
Forward to Avoid
Jimmy Butler, CHI vs. TOR ($46): Butler's name looks out of place in this category, but the designation comes Tuesday as a result of price and potential injury. Butler isn't even guaranteed to take the court with his heel injury, and he figures to be hampered by the ailment sufficiently if he does play.
CENTERS
Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN vs. CLE ($47): Towns has scored between 52.2 and 63.1 fantasy points in seven of the last 13 games, a testament to his considerable ceiling. Meanwhile, the Cavs have given up 45.02 fantasy points per game to centers, along with the fourth-most rebounds (15.4). Towns has 22 games with double-digit boards since Dec. 26, and boasts a 28.6 percent usage rate in the last eight.
Tristan Thompson, CLE at MIN ($14): For those need to go minimum price at center, Ivica Zubac presents as an appealing alternative. Thompson is a good value in his own right, scoring between 20.5 and 41.3 fantasy points in five of the last six games. He's hauled in double-digit rebounds in four of those contests and should be in line for extra opportunities with Kevin Love (knee) already out for Tuesday's game. The T-Wolves also give up the seventh-most points per game (21.5) and highest field-goal percentage (58.8) to centers.
Center to Avoid
Timofey Mozgov, LAL vs. SAC ($10): Mozgov's minutes typically don't exceed the teens, making his fantasy production fairly erratic. He's scored 3.7 and 11.7 fantasy points over the last two games, respectively, and 8.5 in another contest over the last five. Ivica Zubac ($10) has been outpacing Mozgov in minutes overall and generating more consistent production, making the veteran an avoid candidate.
