After a Thanksgiving weekend full of great basketball, we’re on to the new week with a fantastic, nine-game NBA slate on Monday. We have plenty of quality options to choose from in the Bulls vs. Hornets game (including the LaMelo/Lonzo showdown), so this article will favor players from that matchup.
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
Luka Doncic hasn’t missed a beat since returning to the Mavs’ lineup following a three-game absence. In those two contests, Doncic has posted 59 points, 19 assists, 13 rebounds, seven triples, and three combined blocks/steals across 78 minutes.
Doncic’s opponent, the Cavaliers, are narrowly behind only the Lakers for most fantasy points surrendered to point guards this season, making this an ideal matchup for the superstar point-forward. To sweeten Doncic’s appeal, the Cavs are a pace-up matchup for Dallas. Expect Luka to have his way with the smaller Cleveland backcourt.
Value
Gabe Vincent just posted his best game of the season, going for 20 points, five assists, two rebounds, and a steal across 30 minutes against the Bulls on Saturday.
He’s logged at least 25 minutes in three of his last five games and at least 13 points in four of his last five. With Tyler Herro and Jimmy Butler each questionable against the Nuggets tonight, Vincent could see another night of heavy playing time, making him a solid value on the slate.
Fast Break
Lonzo Ball has averaged 14.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 4.0 triples, and 3.4 combined blocks/steals over his last three games, and he’ll look to keep that momentum rolling tonight when he faces his brother LaMelo and the Hornets.
The younger Ball is fresh off a triple-double with 19 points, 13 assists, and 11 rebounds in his last outing, and he’s been outstanding all season, transitioning smoothly from Rookie of the Year to budding superstar. The matchup between the brothers boasts the highest over/under on the slate at a healthy 225.5, and both are firmly in play. Here’s to you, LaVar!
Shooting Guard
Stud
Dejounte Murray remains a stalwart in this section whenever he’s on the slate. The stat-stuffing young guard has posted at least 54 fantasy points in five of his last six games including two triple-doubles in that span.
He’s been particularly potent over his last three, averaging 23.0 points, 9.7 rebounds, 9.3 assists, and 2.7 steals in that span. He’s projected for just 2-4% ownership on DraftKings and 17-20% on FanDuel, giving him a 99% and 90% Leverage Rating, respectively.
Value
Over the last week, Terry Rozier finished as the No. 3 player in 9-cat leagues among players with multiple games played.
DFS scoring is obviously a bit different, but Rozier has been tremendous as a daily play, too. His heater has included 24.3 points, 4.0 assists, 3.0 rebounds, 3.0 steals, 1.0 blocks, and 4.0 triples per contest across his last three. His price is still very much in the mid-tier ($7,100 DraftKings, $6,800 FanDuel), and he should be considered a strong value on tonight’s slate in a highly-favorable game environment.
Fast Break
Darius Garland ($7,700 DraftKings, $7,200 FanDuel) remains reasonably priced, despite his strong play as of late. He’s logged two double-doubles over his last three games and scored at least 24 points in four of his last five. In that five-game span, Garland has averaged 23.6 points, 8.0 assists, 3.6 boards, 2.4 triples, and 1.4 steals. The matchup with Dallas is a positive one, despite the pace-down spot.
Small Forward
Stud
DeMar DeRozan is in the MVP conversation this season, and it’s no wonder he has such a lofty ceiling on tonight’s slate.
His 25.8 points per game are the second-most of his career, and he’s certainly contributed more than just offense this season. His 5.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists add to his fantasy value, and he should be in store for a productive performance tonight.
The Bulls/Hornets game sports the highest over/under on the slate at 225.5, and DeRozan has the highest Opponent Plus/Minus of any SF to go with a fantastic Pace Differential.
Value
Is Kevin Porter Jr. finally back? After a slow-as-molasses start to the season, he’s strung together two strong games in a row. Those games include his best of the season (23/12/8 against Charlotte) and a strong 14/6/9 line against Chicago the game prior. His turnovers remain a glaring weakness to his game, but KPJ’s huge upside has been on display as of late, making him an interesting play on the nine-game slate.
Note: Porter is eligible at SF on FanDuel and PG on DraftKings
Fast Break
Don’t look now, but Kelly Oubre has scored at least 21 points in three straight contests. In that span, KO has been a true knockout, averaging 23.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.0 combined blocks/steals. In what’s projected to be the night’s highest-scoring game, don’t count out Oubre and his highly-discounted price tag.
Power Forward
Stud
After some embarrassing performances in last season’s playoffs, Kristaps Porzingis has turned the corner and played brilliantly to start the 2021-22 season.
KP has been hot as of late, and in seven games since Nov. 12, he’s averaged 24.7 points, 8.6 boards, 2.6 dimes, 2.1 triples, 1.6 blocks, and 1.3 swipes. Keep rolling with the stretch-big in a matchup that gives him a positive Opponent Plus/Minus and a positive Pace Differential.
Value
With Mason Plumlee (calf) out tonight, P.J. Washington should be in line for another start when the Hornets face the Bulls. In his last game (also without Plumlee), Washington posted his best game of the season: 13 points, five rebounds, six assists, and two each of steals and blocks across 34 minutes. The minutes were a season-high, and though the game went to OT, it’s encouraging nonetheless.
Fast Break
It’s been a rocky start to the season for Christian Wood, but he’s fresh off his best game of the season and playing in a highly-favorable matchup. In 40 minutes against Charlotte, Wood erupted for 33 points, 16 rebounds, three assists, and two blocks. He’ll be firmly in play tonight as he looks to replicate that strong performance against the Thunder.
Center
Stud
Joel Embiid looked fresh in his first game back following a nine-game absence, rolling for 42 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a block against the Timberwolves.
Orlando presents a magnificent matchup for the Sixers’ big man, as Orlando’s frontcourt defense has been a sieve for fantasy points to opposing centers. Embiid should feast in a matchup that offers him a great Opponent Plus/Minus and a huge pace-up spot.
Value
Daniel Gafford has been huge over his last two contests. In his last game out, he posted his first double-double of the season against Dallas while swatting two shots. In the game prior against Oklahoma City, Gafford went for just seven points and eight boards but blocked a ridiculous eight shots. At just $4,700 on DraftKings and $5,300 on FanDuel, he makes a fine value, especially with positive Opponent Plus/Minus and Pace Differentials.
Fast Break
Jarrett Allen has been excellent across his last three games, averaging 21.3 points, 12.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.0 blocks while posting three straight double-doubles. The matchup with Dallas is one of the best available, as the Mavs have surrendered the third-most fantasy points to opposing centers.
