We’ve got eight games to choose from on a busy Monday night in the NBA. Let’s dive into some of the top plays on the slate 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
Despite LeBron James’ current absence, Russell Westbrook hasn’t been a productive play as of late, but he’s still got the highest ceiling of any PG on tonight’s slate.
Over his past four, Brodie has commanded better than 30% usage and logged at least 34 minutes in three games. James is out again tonight, and the Hornets-Lakers game has the highest over/under on the slate at 226.5.
Value
Terry Rozier isn’t a guy I’m comfortable playing in cash games due to his erratic production, but his ceiling is too juicy to ignore at his current price of $5,300 on FanDuel. I’m not as bullish on him at $6,400 on DraftKings, but the upside is still there.
He’s gone for at least 34 fantasy points in two of his last four, and he can put up points in bunches when he gets hot from three. The game environment with LA is quite friendly, making Rozier a tremendous value on FanDuel and a more expensive pivot on DraftKings.
Fast Break
Luka Doncic has been virtually unplayable at his lofty salary this season, and that remains the case tonight. It’s difficult to stomach paying five figures for a guy who has outscored his projections just three times in nine games. He’s a tournament option if you’re entering multiple lineups and want some exposure, but I wouldn’t play him in a single-entry tournament.
Stephen Curry hasn’t been a great option as of late, failing to hit or exceed his projections in five of his past six games. Curry’s scoring has dipped, but Golden State has lost one game all season. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. That means we may see less of Curry putting the team on his back and more of a well-balanced team approach moving forward. That’s great for Golden State but bad for Curry’s DFS outlook.
Shooting Guard
Stud
James Harden got off to a slow start this season, but he’s started to right the ship over the last week. Harden has racked up two triple-doubles in his last four games and averaged 20.5 points, 10.0 boards, 9.0 dimes, and 1.5 combined blocks/steals over his last two.
Tonight, he’ll face a Bulls team ranked ninth in Offensive Efficiency (108.9) in a game with just a 1.5-point spread. Translation: Harden will be needed to keep his hot streak rolling and deliver plenty of points, rebounds, and assists.
Note: Harden is only eligible at SG on FanDuel
Value
Malik Beasley has averaged 15.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.0 steals across his past four games. D’Angelo Russell has missed two of those and is questionable tonight, but even if D-Lo returns, Beasley is still an interesting value against the Grizzlies at just $4,600 on FanDuel and DraftKings.
Fast Break
Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan continue to be high-ceiling guys on every slate because of their insane usage and production. Over the past two games, LaVine has commanded a 37% Usage Rate, while DeRozan has commanded a 31.2% usage rate.
On the season, the pair have combined for three games with at least 30% usage each and five games in which both scored at least 25 points. You don’t need to choose which of these dynamic pair to play on a given slate, as both are typically strong options that can be played together confidently.
Small Forward
Stud
Jimmy Butler has posted back-to-back duds, and as a result, his price has dipped to $9,300 on DraftKings and $9,700 on FanDuel. Prior to his poor showings against the Celtics and Jazz, Butler had five straight games with at least 47 fantasy points, including three with at least 50. He totaled just one steal over his two-game dry spell, and that’s likely to be rectified tonight.
Value
Kelly Oubre played his most minutes and had his best game in a week Sunday as he went 16/4/2/1/1 in 28 minutes off the bench in the absence of P.J. Washington (elbow). Washington is out again tonight, and Oubre should be in play as a strong value ($4,400 on DraftKings, and $4,700 on FanDuel) against the Lakers in what projects to be a high-scoring affair.
Fast Break
Harrison Barnes and Miles Bridges remain two of the safest plays in the NBA thanks to heavy minutes and wildly productive campaigns. Barnes has played at least 35 minutes in every game this season, failed to top 35 fantasy points just once, posted three double-doubles, and posted at least 40 fantasy points three times.
In his last nine games, Bridges has failed to top 40 fantasy points only twice and played no fewer than 34 minutes in every contest. Both Barnes and Bridges are priced in the mid-tier ($7,000 – $8,300) on FanDuel and DraftKings and will likely be staples in many cash lineups this evening.
Power Forward
Stud
Kevin Durant is a near-lock for 45 fantasy points, as he’s hit that mark in seven of nine games this season, including three games with at least 50.
On the season, Durant is averaging 28.6 points (his most since his final season with OKC in 2015-16) and a career-high 8.6 rebounds to go with 5.4 dimes and 1.5 combined blocks/steals. His elite scoring will be needed tonight against the lethal duo of LaVine and DeRozan.
Value
Jeff Green logged 20 minutes Saturday, and with Michael Porter (back) out tonight, he should see his minutes and usage trend upward. Porter left Saturday’s win over Houston early, and Green posted eight points, three rebounds, one assist, and a block across 20 minutes.
That’s not huge production, but Green is the minimum salary on DraftKings ($3,000) and near-minimum on FanDuel ($3,700). He’s certainly worth a look in tournaments tonight.
Fast Break
Aaron Gordon has been a little light on the scoring front over his last two games, but he’s swatted two shots in each of those contests. On the season, Gordon is playing just over 29 minutes per contest, and he should see an increase in usage with MPJ out of action. He’s a little pricier than the aforementioned Green, but Gordon has double-double upside and a steady stream of minutes.
Center
Stud
Julius Randle has picked up right where he left off after earning Most Improved Player honors in a monster 2020-21 campaign. His numbers this season have been mostly identical except for strong improvements in his defensive numbers.
Randle has been especially hot as of late, averaging 23.0 points, 11.0 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.7 combined blocks/steals over his last three. Randle scored at least 60 fantasy points in two of his first three games of the season, showing just how lofty his ceiling truly is.
Value
Andre Drummond should be a chalky option tonight with news that Joel Embiid will be out due to health and safety protocols.
Because Embiid’s absence was announced so late, Drummond is priced at a steep discount ($5,700 DraftKings, $5,500 FanDuel) and represents a huge value and massive ceiling. In his only start this season, Drummond amassed 14 points, 15 boards, seven dimes, five steals, and a block with no turnovers in 34 minutes (season-high).
Our models project him to play 27.3 minutes tonight, and at 1.35 fantasy points per minute, Drummond should be in store for a monster game. With Embiid slated to miss more games beyond tonight, this is likely the lowest Drummond will be priced for the foreseeable future. Take advantage while you can!
Fast Break
Frank Kaminsky and JaVale McGee make interesting fliers in GPPs tonight, as both should see a substantial boost in production with Deandre Ayton out. McGee will likely still play under 20 minutes, while Kaminsky is the biggest benefactor.
In two games without Ayton this season, Kaminsky has averaged 16.5 points, 4.5 boards, 3.5 dimes, and 3.0 combined blocks/steals across 20 minutes per contest.
Pictured above: Andre Drummond #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers
Photo Credit: Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images
