This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Basketball series.
Monday brings eight games in the NBA, which include plenty of potential playoff teams in action. That leaves us with several stars available in DFS. Let's examine some players to target across the salary scale, as well as a few to potentially avoid.
GUARDS
Caris LeVert, IND at WAS ($36): Despite only playing 27 minutes in a blowout win over the Thunder on Saturday, LeVert recorded 25 points, six assists and two blocks. That came on the heels of him scoring 36 points across 36 minutes against the Nets on Thursday. If Malcolm Brogdon (hamstring) were to remain out, he could thrive against a Wizards team that has played at the fastest pace in the league.
De'Anthony Melton, MEM vs. NY ($12): With Grayson Allen (hand) out the last two games, Melton has scored 20.5 and 32.7 Yahoo points, respectively. Although he didn't score much across those two games, he chipped in six blocks and two steals. If Allen were to remain out, Melton could be worth considering in tournament play at such a cheap salary when you factor in his ability to rack up defensive stats.
Guard to Avoid
Eric Bledsoe, NO vs. GS ($17): Bledsoe is still capable of the occasional breakout performance, but he's mostly struggled, scoring 25.1 Yahoo points or fewer in five of his last seven games. For the season, he's only averaging 23.1 Yahoo points per game. Add in him facing a Warriors team that has the sixth-best defensive rating and there's not much to get excited about here.
FORWARDS
Domantas Sabonis, IND at WAS ($43): Talk about making an immediate impact. After sitting out six straight games with a back injury, Sabonis steamrolled the Thunder on Saturday, finishing with 26 points, 19 rebounds and 14 assists across 29 minutes. With Myles Turner (foot) still out, the Pacers will continue to rely on Sabonis for even more production up front.
Doug McDermott, IND at WAS ($11): On top of Turner being out and Brogdon being questionable, Jeremy Lamb (knee) is also questionable. McDermott has taken advantage of the Pacers' depleted depth chart of late, averaging 18.6 points and 1.8 three-pointers over the last five games. If Brogdon and Lamb remain out, McDermott could provide value at near the minimum salary.
Forward to Avoid
Aaron Gordon, DEN at LAL ($16): The trade to the Nuggets has been disastrous for Gordon's fantasy value. Across 19 games with his new squad, he's averaged just 10.8 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists. He's actually shown improved efficiency from the field, but his usage rate has plummeted to 17.2 percent. On top of that, he's averaging three fewer minutes per game.
CENTERS
Joel Embiid, PHI at CHI ($50): This one will require some monitoring given that the Sixers just played Sunday. If Embiid takes the floor Monday, he could dominate a Bulls team that has allowed the most Yahoo points per game to opposing centers. If they do decide to give him the night off for rest, then Dwight Howard ($11) could be someone to consider in his place.
Isaiah Stewart, DET vs. ORL ($26): The tanking Pistons are at it again, ruling out Mason Plumlee for his third straight game. Whenever Plumlee rests, Stewart replaces him in the starting lineup. Stewart has thrived in that role, averaging 13.3 points, 10.4 rebounds and 2.2 blocks across nine games. His salary is climbing, but he still could provide value if he reaches that type of production again.
Center to Avoid
Enes Kanter, POR at ATL ($19): This is another center situation that may require some monitoring leading up to tip off. The Blazers did just play Sunday, so there is a chance that Jusuf Nurkic could sit out for rest. However, he did play both games of a back-to-back set last week, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see him play Monday, as well. If he takes the floor, then Kanter could once again be looking a limited playing time. In a reduced role, Kanter has scored 22.0 Yahoo points or fewer in six of his last seven games.
