Monday features a nine-game slate starting at 7 p.m. ET.
Let’s dive into some of the top plays using the FantasyLabs Tools and metrics.
Also, don’t forget that for large-field tournaments, you can utilize our Lineup Optimizer to effortlessly create up to 150 lineups, or use our Lineup Builder if you like to hand-build your lineups.
Note: Projections and Leverages Scores/Ratings may change throughout the day after this article is posted. The NBA DFS landscape changes quickly. Consult the Player Models directly for any updates as we get closer to lock.
Point Guard
Stud
Dejounte Murray sat Saturday, but he likely got the “Pop Treatment” on the second of a back-to-back set. Murray should almost certainly be at full strength after a one-game absence, and he’s in an excellent spot tonight.
The matchup with Minnesota has a whopping 240 over/under, which is the highest on the slate, and Murray gets small positives in Opponent Plus/Minus and Pace Differential. The Wolves’ backcourt is a bit banged up at the moment with both Patrick Beverley and Jordan McLaughlin GTDs for Monday’s clash.
Value
Alex Caruso went for 11/1/4/4/1 in Saturday’s return after a 22-game layoff and played a healthy 29 minutes off the bench. It appears that there won’t be much of a ramp-up period for Chicago’s defensive-minded guard, so we can count on plenty of playing time tonight.
Unsurprisingly, the matchup with Sacramento has a healthy 236 over/under, and with Zach LaVine a GTD, expect a quality performance from the Bulls’ newly-healthy guard. It’s time for the “Carushow.”
Fast Break
Trae Young went off for 56/14/4 in his only prior matchup with the Blazers, and he gets Portland again tonight. Fresh off a 47-point game, Young is in a potential blow-up spot at a reasonable salary on both sites.
Darius Garland is quite underpriced given his recent stretch of play. Over the past five games, Garland has averaged 26.6 points, 11.8 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.6 steals.
Shooting Guard
Stud
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander gets a huge Opponent Plus/Minus and excellent Pace Differential in Monday’s clash with the Hornets, which features a 233 over/under.
Aside from a dud in the Thunder’s blowout loss to the Timberwolves, SGA hasn’t faltered of late. He’s scored at least 60 fantasy points in three of four, carrying a hefty load on both ends of the court. Josh Giddey is still out, Lu Dort is done and Kenrich Williams (knee) and Aaron Wiggins (illness) are GTDs against Charlotte, which only solidifies SGA’s massive upside and workload.
Value
Ayo Dosunmu remains a great value on tonight’s slate, and he may be the forgotten Bull with Caruso back in action.
Over his last six, the rookie has averaged 13.0 points, 5.0 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 2.4 stocks, making his mark on both ends of the court and operating as a key facilitator in the continued absence of Lonzo Ball.
Fast Break
D’Angelo Russell has averaged just 12.8 points on 34.5% shooting across his last five games while working through an ice-cold shooting streak. Encouragingly, he’s averaged 32.6 fantasy points in that span despite his offensive deficiencies. Patrick Beverley and Jordan McLaughlin are GTDs, and if both remain out, D’Lo should continue to see a bump in usage. He’s not a cash-game consideration, but he’s an excellent tournament play on the chance that he breaks out of his slump.
Small Forward
Stud
DeMar DeRozan went for 38 points, six rebounds and six assists in his prior matchup with the Kings this season and posted one of his best games of the 21-22 campaign. Like Dosunmu and Caruso, DeRozan is in an excellent spot to excel in a favorable matchup with an uptempo Sacramento team that’s lackluster on the defensive end.
Note: DeRozan is eligible at SG/SF on FanDuel and PF on DraftKings
Value
Jonathan Kuminga has scored double-digit points in five straight and averaged 17.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.6 triples and 1.4 assists in that span. The 19-year-old rookie has logged nearly 27 minutes per game over the last two weeks, and his role within Golden State’s rotation is steadily growing.
Note: Kuminga is eligible at SF on FanDuel and PF on DraftKings
Fast Break
Josh Hart is just $6,500 on FanDuel compared to a ridiculous $8,800 on DraftKings after scoring a career-best 44 points Saturday against the Wizards. It’s not wise to expect a repeat performance, but the steep discount can’t be ignored.
Power Forward
Stud
Pascal Siakam faces the Lakers tonight in what should be a highly advantageous matchup. Los Angeles just got blown out by 29 against the Suns on Sunday, and the team is 2-6 in the second of back-to-back sets.
Deandre Ayton just went for 23/16/2/1 against the Lakers and had one of his best games of the season, so we can turn to Siakam as a reliable frontcourt option. Siakam has averaged 27.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, 4.7 dimes, 1.5 triples and 1.0 steals across his last six contests. Chris Boucher is also a solid play if Fred VanVleet sits.
Value
Isaiah Roby fell flat in Sunday’s loss to the Grizzlies, but he averaged 15.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.4 stocks and 1.2 triples in the six games prior. He remains the Thunder’s clear No. 1 option at center with little competition for minutes, and he gets one of the best matchups available to centers vs. the Hornets.
Fast Break
With VanVleet questionable again tonight with a lingering knee injury, we could get some more “Point Scottie.” Scottie Barnes has averaged 16.6 points, 8.3 rebounds and 5.1 assists without FVV in the lineup, so keep an eye on the latter’s status as we get closer to tip-off.
Darius Bazley went for a season-high 29 points in his last game out, adding 10 rebounds, two dimes and two stocks for one of his best games of the season. Oklahoma City is still dealing with plenty of injuries, and Baz should play a vital role for the Thunder again on Monday. His low salary is too good a bargain to pass up.
Center
Stud
Nikola Vucevic isn’t nearly as high-priced as some of the other big-dollar centers on the slate, but he can provide huge fantasy numbers nonetheless.
At just $8,500 on DraftKings and $7,800 on FanDuel, Vooch is not only a stud but a value as well. He gets the best Opponent Plus/Minus among centers and a significant Pace Differential against the Kings. Sacramento has been abused by opposing centers all season, most recently surrendering 21 rebounds and four stocks to Hassan Whiteside in Saturday’s loss.
Value
Onyeka Okongwu went for 13/9/2/1 in his last game out and has scored at least 22 fantasy points in two of his previous three contests. Clint Capela remains the starter, but Capela’s and Okongwu’s share of minutes have become much more even as of late.
The Hawks are 14-point favorites against the tanking Blazers, which means we could see even more of Okongwu if Atlanta jumps out to an early lead. Okongwu doesn’t need a ton of playing time to provide value, as he averages 1.03 fantasy points per minute. He’s projected 18 minutes tonight, and at his bargain price, he’s worth a look in tournaments.
Fast Break
Whiteside went for 12/21/1/1/3 against the Kings on Saturday, and if Rudy Gobert (foot) is ruled out, Whiteside should garner another start. In eight starts for Utah this season, he’s averaged 11.5 points, 11.3 rebounds and 2.5 stocks.
Kevin Love and Evan Mobley may be in line for even more prominent roles than usual on Monday. Jarrett Allen remains out, while Lauri Markkanen and Dean Wade are on the injury report as game-time decisions.
