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
Hot off a big triple-double in Saturday’s win over New Orleans, Dejounte Murray is in a prime position to go off again tonight when the Spurs travel across the state to face the Rockets.
He’s averaged a healthy 23.3 points, 10.7 assists, 7.3 rebounds, 3.3 steals and 2.0 triples in three prior matchups with the interstate rival. Unsurprisingly, tonight’s matchup has the highest over/under on the slate at 236.5, and Murray gets a strong Opponent Plus/Minus.
If you’re looking for a deal, he’s $11,000 on DraftKings but a full $1,000 cheaper on FanDuel, good for a 95% Bargain Rating. Make sure to have some healthy exposure to Murray tonight in cash games and tournaments.
Value
Don’t look now, but Theo Maledon has scored at least 20 points in two straight and averaged over 35 fantasy points in that span. The second-year man has led Oklahoma City in scoring in both contests, and he’s set up nicely for another strong performance tonight.
Not only does he have a tremendous matchup with Portland, but he should also be in the starting lineup again with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander already ruled out. Maledon’s salary is sub-$5K on both sites, making him a tremendous value.
Fast Break
Davion Mitchell has averaged over 40 fantasy points per game over his last three, stepping up in a big way for De’Aaron Fox just as he did when Fox missed time leading up to the trade deadline. Fox will be out again tonight, and somehow Off-Night is just $6,500 on FanDuel. He’s a bit more expensive at $7,400 on DraftKings but not off-limits by any means.
Jordan Poole has scored at least 20 points and 32 fantasy points in 13 straight contests. At this point, you know exactly what you’re going to get from him, but you could get even more than usual with Klay Thompson expected to sit. Poole is $8,100 on DraftKings and $7,800 on FanDuel, and you can fire him up confidently in cash games and tournaments.
Shooting Guard
Stud
The Grizzlies are a ridiculous 17-2 this season without superstar Ja Morant, and a big reason for that success is second-year man Desmond Bane. Much like Bane terrorized the people of Gotham in The Dark Knight Rises, Desmond has terrorized opposing defenses with Morant sidelined.
In those 19 games, Bane has averaged 19.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 3.3 triples and 1.3 steals. He’s been phenomenal over his last four games, averaging 41.3 fantasy points while scoring at least 20 in each contest. He’s just $7,900 on DraftKings and $7,700 on FanDuel, making him an appealing pivot from more expensive options like DeMar DeRozan or Darius Garland.
Value
Bane’s teammate De’Anthony Melton has been equally impressive over his last four games, averaging 20.5 points, 5.3 triples, 5.0 rebounds and 29.0 fantasy points. Melton should be able to rack up fantasy points against a depleted Warriors squad, especially while he’s so hot from beyond the arc.
Fast Break
Jalen Green has turned things around significantly post-All-Star break, scoring over 18 points a game at a much more efficient rate. He scored at least 23 points in back-to-back games and will look to extend that streak in tonight’s Lone Star showdown with the Spurs.
Caris LeVert had his minute restriction lifted and played 36 minutes in Saturday’s loss to the Bulls. He’s a 92% Bargain Rating on FanDuel but makes a strong play on both sites due to his depressed salary.
Jaylen Brown should be a very popular option if Jayson Tatum is ruled out. Brown has averaged 32.5 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.8 dimes and 2.8 triples in four games without Tatum this season, so eat the chalk.
Small Forward
Stud
Man has it been a week for the Heat. The team has lost four straight, dropped out of the East’s No. 1 seed, and Jimmy Butler was seen screaming at coach Erik Spoelstra and veteran leader Udonis Haslem on the sidelines. It’s a new week, and Miami is desperate for a win, so we’re going back to the well with Butler.
Jimmy Buckets gets an excellent Opponent Plus/Minus and Pace Differential against Sacramento, and we should expect a bounce-back after his dud against the Nets on Saturday. At just $8,300 on DraftKings and $8,000 on FanDuel, his salary is low enough to fit into the lineup with multiple other studs.
Value
Kyle Anderson could return immense value tonight at just $4,500 on DraftKings and $4,400 on FanDuel. Jaren Jackson Jr. is questionable due to right thigh soreness, and Brandon Clarke is questionable due to a hip injury.
If both sit, it could be Slow-Mo time in a favorable matchup with Golden State that offers a solid Opponent Plus/Minus. Keep an eye on the injury report ahead of tip-off.
Fast Break
CJ Elleby has posted at least 25 fantasy points in three of his last four contests, and there’s a good chance he makes it four of five tonight. Trendon Watford is out after suffering a leg injury Saturday, while Justise Winslow and Josh Hart join him as forwards who will be sidelined tonight. Elleby is $4,600 on DraftKings and $4,100 on FanDuel.
Power Forward
Stud
There’s no doubt we’re rolling with Spicy P tonight! Boston’s league-best defense will be without Robert Williams, and they will likely be missing Al Horford, as well. Tatum is also a GTD, leaving the Celtics’ frontcourt mighty thin.
Pascal Siakam has balled out over the last two weeks, posting at least 46 fantasy points in six of his last nine contests while making a major impact on both ends of the court. He’s $9,300 on DraftKings but only $8,600 on FanDuel, where he’s a no-brainer play in any contest. He would have likely been recommended due to his recent heater, but the fact that Boston’s frontcourt will be so depleted makes him a lock.
Value
With Al Horford doubtful and Robert Williams ruled out, Grant Williams should be in the starting lineup tonight, and he’s just $4,400 on DraftKings and $4,200 on FanDuel.
Tatum is a GTD due to knee soreness on the second of Boston’s back-to-back set, and G-Will is projected to play 33 minutes in our NBA Models. He’s played that many minutes just seven times all season and averaged 12.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.7 triples and 1.6 stocks in those games, good for 25.1 fantasy points.
Fast Break
Drew Eubanks is literally the last man standing in Portland’s frontcourt after Watford sustained a nasty leg injury in Saturday’s loss to the Rockets. Greg Brown is a GTD, so we should see a ton of Eubanks in a favorable matchup with the Thunder. He’s $7,100 on DraftKings but just $6,300 on FanDuel, and he makes a fine play on each site.
Note: Eubanks is eligible at C on DraftKings and PF/C on FanDuel
Center
Stud
You already know that Nikola Jokic is the stud with the highest ceiling on any slate, so rather than bore you here, I’ll highlight another option who should have a studly performance of his own.
Bam Adebayo gets one of the best possible matchups for centers tonight when he faces a Kings team that has allowed the second-most fantasy points to the position this season. Much like Miami on its current four-game losing streak, Adebayo’s performances have been less than stellar as of late. That’s driven his salary down to just $8,000 on DraftKings and $8,100 on FanDuel, making him a bonafide stud and incredible value.
Value
You can’t get too much lower in price than Daniel Theis, who’s just $3,700 on DraftKings and $3,800 on FanDuel, and he should see plenty of work for the depleted Celtics’ frontcourt.
Theis should see plenty of action as Boston’s starting center in a fantasy-friendly matchup with Toronto. He’s averaged a solid 0.85 fantasy points per minute this season, and our model projects him to see 27 minutes tonight. At this near-minimum salary, we’re just looking for 20-25 points to hit 5-7x value, and he’s got a very clear path to make that happen.
Fast Break
Alperen Sengun has averaged a robust 1.14 fantasy points per minute this season, and he’s finally starting to see more playing time. The rookie has logged at least 21 minutes in seven straight and put up a career-high 27 points in Saturday’s win over Portland. He’s $5,900 on both sites and worth a look in tournaments.
