This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
The pickings are slim for Monday, with only three games to comb through to find the ideal combinations for a winning lineup. The fewer the games, the more likely that you'll find a lot of duplicate lineups, so hitting pay dirt with a low-ownership candidate is paramount.At the time of publication, we only have two of the three Over/Under lines confirmed, but the game with the most fireworks will almost certainly be the Cavs/Bucks game at 217. LeBron James will face off against Giannis Antetokounmpo, and both players have either hit or exceeded projections in their previous two matchups. I give a slight nod to Antetokounmpo at $60 purely from a defensive standpoint, as the Bucks have kept forwards largely in check, while Cleveland has giving up around seven rebounds per game to players in the four, which is Giannis' wheelhouse. There's little doubt that they'll both have great games, but I think Giannis is the better pick.
Elsewhere in the high-salary area, it's hard to fade DeMarcus Cousins at $58 with such slim pickings at the center position, and he is my number one high-spend pick on the slate. For cash, I'm likely to try to find a way to shove Giannis/James and Cousins in the same lineup, and as you'll see below, there's some places to reach down at other positions to afford them.
GUARDS
Eric Bledsoe, MIL at CLE ($28): While my instinct was to pick Bradley Beal first here, Beal is proportionally higher on Yahoo than other sites. While he might be a go for me elsewhere, I think Bledsoe will get similar value against Cleveland for $10 less. Also, in two games versus Cleveland, he's torched them for an average of 51.05 YFP per game. Look for Bledsoe's assists to be the difference maker among other point guards on Tuesday.
J.J. Redick, PHI vs. SAC ($19): Although he failed to meet expectations against the Bulls last night, his playing time over the past week is hovering around 40 minutes per game and in the past week he's averaging 19 points per game along with some decent assist totals. Redick has been running wild for the Sixers, and I expect a bounce-back game from him in Philly.
Other guards to consider: John Wall, WAS vs. NO ($41); Bradley Beal WAS vs. NO ($38); E'Twaun Moore, NO at WAS ($16)
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GUARD TO AVOID
Jose Calderon, CLE at MIL ($11): Calderon will likely draw the start with Dwyane Wade out, but don't expect much from Calderon. He's only come through with one decent game when he started, and has done even less when he comes off the bench. Even at $11, I don't see him beating value.
FORWARDS
Khris Middleton, MIL vs. CLE ($32): Middleton continues to be a stable anchor for any cash lineup on any slate he's playing in, and the same holds true against the Cavs. He also lit up the Cavs in their last matchup, and has met or exceeded projections in his past five games. While Cleveland double-teams Giannis, Middleton will stuff his stat line.
Robert Covington, PHI vs. SAC ($25): Covington's minutes have crept back up to regular levels since his injury but his salary hasn't adjusted to where it should be yet. The biggest plus in Covington's column will be his rebounding ability in this matchup, and he should be good for a 40 YFP game.
EXTRA SELECTION: Mike Scott, WAS vs. NO ($10): Keep an eye on Otto Porter's status later on Tuesday, but Scott has been the main guy filling in with Porter sidelined. Scott went off against Cleveland and the Clippers with Porter out, so while you may see Markieff Morris draw the start if Porter sits, Scott is who you should target.
Other forwards to consider: Zach Randolph, NO at WAS ($30); Dario Saric, PHI vs. SAC ($21); Kelly Oubre, Jr. ($15)
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CENTERS
Cousins outshines anyone else you could find on this slate, and you could even go with Anthony Davis above any of these, but there are a couple of bargains to target.
Willie-Cauley Stein, SAC at PHI ($18): While he's still coming off the bench, the game script for the Kings has had Randolph and Skal Labissiere starting, then Cauley-Stein coming in while Randolph switches to the four and Labissiere sits. Kosta Koufos could bungle that plan to some degree, so I'm limiting Cauley-Stein's exposure to GPPs.
Other centers to consider: Kevin Love, CLE at MIL ($34); John Henson MIL vs. CLE ($13)
CENTER TO AVOID: Marcin Gortat, WAS vs. NO ($18): Gortat has yet to face the twin towers yet, and I think it'll be a long night for Gortat trying to contend with Cousins and Davis. The Wizards' big man hasn't exactly been lighting up the boards anyway, and he's a bit too expensive for what he's been able to offer.
Keep an eye on late scratches and game-time decisions, especially Otto Porter. His status could have wide-ranging consequences on this small slate!
