This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Tuesday brings a solid nine-game slate that includes most of the league's elite, including epic face-offs like James Harden against LeBron James plus Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant versus Damian Lillard. Anthony Davis, Kawhi Leonard and Carmelo Anthony round out a star-studded night, which means the right value plays are even more important, particularly for GPPs.
GUARD
Damian Lillard, POR vs. GSW ($46): There are lots of appealing choices in the upper echelon of point guards Tuesday, but the fourth-cheapest of those options, Lillard, just happens to be averaging the most fantasy points per game (52.3). As good as James Harden ($54) and Giannis Antetokounmpo ($50) have been, Lillard is notably priced below both, as well as the underachieving Stephen Curry ($53). As expected, his usage has been sky high (29.6 percent), and he's already put up a whopping 93 shot attempts through three games, with C.J. McCollum next highest at 60. Lillard averaged 36.5 fantasy points (on 25.3 shots) per game in four appearances against the Warriors last season, and given his role in the Blazers' offense and expected pace of play, we should see more of the same Tuesday.
Evan Fournier, ORL at PHI ($22): Fournier has scored 34.8 and 29.9 fantasy points in two of his first three games while playing the most minutes and taking the most shot attempts on the Magic. He's knocked down 51.6 percent of his two-pointers as well while leading the team in usage (23.4 percent). With the vulnerable Sixers on tap and a modest price, he makes for a value shooting guard that looks to be guaranteed the playing time to generate a solid return.
Guard to Avoid
Ricky Rubio, MIN vs. MEM ($31): Rubio heads into a matchup against the defensive-minded Grizzlies with a banged-up elbow, and he'd be considered overpriced even if fully healthy. He's managed a modest 18.8 and 18.7 fantasy points in his first two games, respectively, despite averaging over 30 minutes per game. Several more appealing and cost-effective options include Goran Dragic ($30), Jeff Teague ($28), D'Angelo Russell ($26) and Derrick Rose ($25).
FORWARD
Anthony Davis, NO vs. MIL ($53): There's plenty to like in the upper level at power forward, but Davis trumps them all. Despite a rather ordinary 29-fantasy point outing against the Spurs on Sunday, he's still averaging an eye-popping 67.4 fantasy points per game over the first three outings. He also draws an excellent matchup against the Bucks, who are giving up 15 rebounds per game to power forwards, tied for third-highest in the league, along with 46.20 fantasy points.
Marcus Morris, DET vs. NYK ($19): It's surprising to see Morris priced in the teens, considering he's scored over 30.0 fantasy points in two of his first three games. An uncharacteristic 4-for-16 shooting performance against the Bucks on Saturday may have brought his price down a tad, but Morris is still playing a boatload of minutes (team-high 97 through three games) and is contributing nicely across the stat sheet while taking a team-leading 47 shot attempts. The Knicks have also given up the second-most fantasy points per game to small forwards through their first pair of contests (51.24), furthering Morris' case.
Forward to Avoid
LaMarcus Aldridge, SAS vs. UTA ($36): Aldridge checks in as the fourth-highest priced forward on the slate despite tallying 22.5 and 21.7 fantasy points in his last two games, respectively. While he's been reasonably efficient, production much closer to what he managed in the opener (47.8 fantasy points) would warrant his current price, which is particularly high considering a matchup against the tough Jazz frontcourt.
CENTER
Andre Drummond, DET vs. NYK ($36): Drummond may have looked a bit out of sorts in the opener against the Raptors, but what we've seen in the subsequent pair of games have been trademark performances from the big man. He's hauled in 43 rebounds over that span and is averaging 16.0 points a game for the season. He sports the third-highest usage on the Pistons (26.4 percent) and the Knicks are also yielding a league-high 32.0 points to centers over their first three games.
Joel Embiid, PHI vs. ORL ($18): The minutes are the one concern with Embiid, but the Sixers have already announced that Jahlil Okafor will be rested Tuesday, which means the former should see decent run. He's proven capable of production in modest minutes anyhow, scoring 28.9 and 21.4 fantasy points over his first two games, respectively. The matchup is solid against the Magic, who have already surrendered a league-high 69.81 fantasy points and 27.50 rebounds to centers over their first two games, along with 26.0 actual points per contest.
Center to Avoid
Pau Gasol, SAS vs. UTA ($31): Gasol particularly alarmed fantasy owners over his first couple of games before coming back with a strong 20-point, 11-rebound double-double against the Heat on Sunday. However, the matchup Tuesday renders him an avoid candidate, as Rudy Gobert and the Jazz are allowing just 11.3 points per game to centers over their first three games. With a slow-pace game on tap, his brother Marc ($29), Myles Turner ($27) and Gobert ($25) all present as better options.
