This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Tuesday's six-game slate is packed with some pricey star power. We'll provide you with a solid array of appealing mid-tier selections and bargain plays that will give you the flexibility to roster the likes of James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry.
GUARD
Elfrid Payton, ORL vs. BKN ($17) - A recent demotion seems to have truly served as a wake-up call for Payton, who's scored 48.0, 28.9 and 34.6 fantasy points, respectively, over the last three games. He's even earned praise for his defensive work, and is back in the starting lineup. Payton will face a Nets defense that's gives up the ninth-most fantasy points per game (45.47) to opposing point guards, and Brooklyn is playing in the second game of a back-to-back set.
J.R. Smith, CLE vs. HOU ($17) -LeBron James will sit out for rest purposes, shifting over some more offensive responsibility to Smith in a favorable matchup versus the Rockets. Houston surrenders the sixth-most fantasy points (38.45), ninth-most points (21.11), second-most three-pointers made (2.9) and fourth-highest field-goal percentage (44.4) to opposing two-guards. Smith admittedly isn't a whole lot of fun to roster due to his intermittent disappearing acts, but he did tally 29.2 fantasy points in LeBron's previous rest day Mar. 16. For just $17 in what should be a fast-paced game, Smith is worthy of consideration.
Guard to Avoid:
Jimmy Butler, CHI at IND ($39) - Butler has readily admitted that his knee troubles aren't allowing him to be the player he was during a spectacular first half of the season, and his recent fantasy production bears this out. He has outings of 27.0, 29.8, 31.6 and 24.5 fantasy points over the last five games, totals that aren't commensurate to his still-lofty price tag. Despite what should be a favorable matchup, Klay Thompson ($34), Kyrie Irving ($31) and Butler's own teammate Derrick Rose ($26) all present as more favorable options.
FORWARD
Nicolas Batum, CHA at PHI ($29) - Batum has taken a considerable offensive load off Kemba Walker, which has netted some remarkable recent fantasy production. He's scored between 25.7 and 49.9 fantasy points over his last 10 games, a span that includes four games over 30 fantasy points and another four over 40. The sharpshooting swing man has drained multiple threes in seven of those games as well, as his shot has been finding the basket from all over the court. He'll draw an accommodating matchup Tuesday, as the Sixers check in surrendering the most points (21.1), third-most rebounds (7.6), third-most three-pointers (2.4) and third-highest field-goal percentage (45.7) to opposing threes.
Kevin Love, CLE vs. HOU ($28) - Love represents another appealing option on the Cavs, as the individual matchup, sub-$30 price, and LeBron James' absence provide an opportunity ripe for fantasy production. He has outings of 46.0 and 47.4 fantasy points within his last three games, and scored a whopping 49.1 fantasy points during James' last rest game on Mar. 16. He'll also draw the Rockets' notoriously porous power forward defense, which has surrendered the third-most fantasy points (46.83), second-most points (22.71), second-most three-pointers (1.7) and highest field-goal percentage (49.9) per game to opposing fours on the season.
Marvin Williams CHA at PHI ($18) - For those looking to save even further, Williams serves an excellent pivot with just as good a matchup as Love. The Sixers surrender the second-most fantasy points (47.34), fifth-most points (21.9), fourth-most rebounds (11.3) and seventh-highest field-goal percentage (48.0) to opposing power forwards. Following a three-game slump and another missed contest due to an ankle injury, Williams exploded for 39.1 fantasy points versus the Bucks' vulnerable frontcourt Saturday, and given his opposition Tuesday, he has a strong chance of returning excellent value once again.
Forward to Avoid:
Thaddeus Young, BKN at ORL ($31) - Young appears to be running out of steam as the campaign winds down, after a long season of banging down low. He's scored 15.1, 21.2 and 17.6 fantasy points, respectively, over his last three, totals that are considerably below his cost level. Young is also priced higher than several other appealing options at forward, a lengthy list that includes Kevin Love ($28), Tobias Harris ($25), Aaron Gordon ($24), Evan Fournier ($22), Trevor Ariza ($21), Robert Covington ($19) and Marvin Williams ($18).
CENTER
Enes Kanter, OKC at DET ($16) - Given his level of production and perpetually stagnant price, Kanter can be penciled in as a solid value play any time he's on the slate. He scored between 20.9 and 34.0 fantasy points in six straight games prior to Monday's contest against the Raptors, and the Pistons surrender the third-most points (21.7) and second-highest field-goal percentage (56.0) to opposing centers on the season.
Ian Mahinmi, IND vs. CHI ($13) - Mahinmi gets a mention as a near-minimum special that offers the potential for a handsome return in a favorable matchup. He's turned it on the last two games, scoring 33.0 and 38.2 fantasy points, respectively. Meanwhile, the Bulls give up the eighth-most fantasy points (48.73) and sixth-most rebounds (15.5) per game to centers on the season.
Center to Avoid:
Dwight Howard, HOU at CLE ($30) - Howard is overpriced in light of his recent production, not to mention that he'll draw one of the toughest matchups in the league for centers. The Cavs surrender the fewest fantasy points (42.31) and rebounds (12.4) per game to opposing fives, as well as the fourth-fewest points (19.0). Howard scored just 26.1, 11.5 and 24.0 fantasy points in his last three games.
