This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
If you're in search of some lopsided contests to invest in Monday, look no further than Bulls-76ers. Chicago is one of the best rebounding teams in the league, but it also surrenders the most boards per game to opponents. The 76ers remain the laughingstock of the NBA, but that doesn't mean they don't offer a couple of cheap big men like Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor, who should have an easy time reaching double-doubles.
If it's offense you're looking for, the Rockets-Nuggets slate is the way to go. Houston has been on fire lately, averaging 111.3 points per game over its last six. James Harden will be the chalk play of the day, but don't sleep on the Rockets' deep bench, which features players like Marcus Thornton ($13) and Terrence Jones ($21). The Nuggets also sport some nice options off the bench in Will Barton ($27), Nikola Jokic ($10) and even veteran point guard Jameer Nelson ($10).
GUARD
Ramon Sessions, WSH at MEM ($10) - The injury to Bradley Beal has granted Sessions increased playing time the last two games, and he's been pretty efficient, scoring a combined 31 points on 9-of-16 shooting from the field with a pair of three-pointers. The Grizzlies are one of the worst teams in terms of defensive efficiency and will be traveling from Miami for the second of a back-to-back. Obviously, the most appealing thing about Sessions is his price, which should make it easy for him to hit tournament value. If you're not sold on Sessions, Gary Neal is also another guard who will see more minutes but costs a bit more at $16.
Evan Fournier, ORL at BKN ($24) - Fournier is definitely a risky play Monday, as he's been very inconsistent in terms of minutes and production the last couple weeks. Fortunately the sharpshooter gets a nice matchup against the Nets, who have a hard time defending the three-point line, allowing opponents to hit 10.0 treys per game this season. Fournier is an appealing option in tournament formats considering his ownership percentage should be relatively low and his price won't handcuff your salary cap.
Guard to Avoid:
Chris Paul, LAC at DET ($43) - To me, CP3 is way too erratic to be investing this much salary in. He's posted a couple of huge fantasy performances in his last three games, but he's also had a couple off nights shooting the basketball and is reliant on big assist numbers. The Pistons allow teams to register only 20.7 assists per game, so Paul's chances are reaching double-digit dimes takes a bit of a hit. He's also gone five games without posting 20 or more points. When Eric Bledsoe is $3 less and Damian Lillard, John Wall and Kyle Lowry are only $3 more, it just doesn't make sense to roll CP3 out there.
FORWARD
Ersan Ilyasova, DET vs. LAC ($18) - He's has been hot from outside and the Clippers are poor on the glass, which should give Ilyasova a decent shot at a double-double. If that isn't enough for you, he's also filling up the stat sheet quite nicely, chipping in six assists and seven blocks in his last three games. Ilyasova has gone for more than 30 fantasy points in three of his last four games and is fairly priced, making him a high-floor option for cash-game lineups.
Danilo Gallinari, DEN vs. HOU ($28) - Gallo is really starting to find his stroke, hitting three three-pointers in three of his last four games. When he does pour in that many treys, it usually results in 20-plus points and 30-plus fantasy points. Both the Nuggets and Rockets play little defense, and Houston's offense has been on fire, which should keep the score high and force Denver to shoot its way out of a hole. Gallo is even doing a nice job on the glass, averaging 6.0 rebounds per game over his past five.
Forward to Avoid:
Paul George, IND vs. TOR ($51) - Conventional wisdom would tell you that going with George might be a strong play Monday, as he's going through a bit of a slump and is bound to bounce back. But like CP3, it's hard to invest this much salary in a superstar that hasn't been producing, particularly when there are other cheaper options that are safer plays. Blake Griffin will save you a few dollars and has been a double-double machine lately, plus he'll have an easier time against the Pistons than George will against the Raptors.
CENTER
Joakim Noah, CHI vs. PHI ($15) - Noah remains one of the best value plays at center in Yahoo DFS, especially in cash games. He has a great opportunity to come off the bench and post a nice stat line against the 76ers, who look more and more like a D-League team with each passing game. Noah has posted nine or more rebounds in six of his past seven games and six or more assists in four of those contests. His offensive numbers will never be great, but he is coming off one of his better games of the season with 10 points on 3-of-4 shooting from the field and four free throws made.
Center to Avoid:
Hassan Whiteside, MIA at ATL ($33) - Whiteside is dealing with an ankle injury that has clearly affected his play lately. His rebounding numbers have been below average the last five games at 7.6 per game, which won't cut it if you're committing that much salary cap at center. The Heat are also in action on back-to-back nights having to face the Grizzlies on Sunday, which will only slow Whiteside down even more.
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