The NBA starts April with a six-game slate this Monday. The 12 teams in action provide a solid player pool for Monday’s DFS fantasy basketball slate. The Nets, Hornets and Bulls are finishing back-to-back games after playing on Sunday but none of the teams in action Monday play again on Tuesday.
With just two weeks left in the regular season, it’s crunch time for teams in playoff races. Some teams who are comfortably in or completely out of the race are getting their players some rest, though, so be sure to keep a close eye on injury and availability updates throughout the day. As news breaks, always be sure to refresh the NBA Models for the latest updates and adjustments.
Let’s dive into some of the top plays on the slate using the FantasyLabs tools and projections.
Also, don’t forget that for large-field tournaments, you can utilize our Lineup Optimizer to effortlessly create up to 300 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 NBA Player Models directly for any updates as we get closer to lock.
NBA DFS Point Guard Picks
Stud
Since the All-Star Break, Dejounte Murray has been one of the most impressive players in the NBA. He has been forced to step into a larger role with Trae Young (finger) out, and he has stepped up with huge numbers. On Monday, he and the Hawks face the Bulls in Chicago, and he brings the highest median, ceiling, and floor projection of all point guards on the slate.
Murray has averaged 1.40 DraftKings points per minute in 37.6 minutes per game since the All-Star Break, with a 30.3% usage rate and 39.2% assist rate. He had a double-double of 20 points and 12 assists in Saturday’s loss to the Bucks after going off for 44 points on Thursday against the Celtics. He has exceeded salary-based expectations in five of his last six games with four double-doubles and at least 19 points and seven assists in each contest.
The Bulls have been a good matchup for point guards this season, and the Hawks have the third-highest implied team total on the board. Murray should again be a strong centerpiece to build around with heavy usage, although his salary has risen to the level where he isn’t quite as great of a value option as he was earlier in his impressive run.
Value
The best value at point guard on Monday’s slate comes from CJ McCollum, who has the highest Projected Plus/Minus and Pts/Sal at the position. Like Murray, he has stepped up while filling a larger role after an injury to a teammate.
The Pelicans will be without Brandon Ingram (knee), for a sixth straight game, and McCollum has exceeded salary-based expectations in each of his last five games. He has scored at least 23 points in each of those games while producing 1.16 DraftKings points per minute in 37.6 minutes per game with a 29.7% usage rate. For comparison, McCollum’s season usage rate is 24.7%.
McCollum and the Pelicans are in one of the most interesting matchups of the night as they host the Suns. Coming into the matchup, the Pelicans are sixth in the Western Conference, clinging to the final spot above the Play-In Tournament with the Kings and Suns just two games behind them.
Fast Break
Tyrese Haliburton is in the top four of ceiling, median and floor projection at point guard as the Pacers welcome the Nets. His point production has been a little inconsistent lately, but he always brings good upside with his streaky shooting in what should be a high-scoring game. Cade Cunningham (knee) could also be a good pay-up play if he plays through his questionable tag.
Coming off the bench for the Magic, Cole Anthony has been productive lately and has the second-highest Projected Plus/Minus of point guards on Monday’s slate. He has scored double-digit points in five of his last six games, exceeding salary-based expectations in four of those contests and averaging 1.34 DraftKings points per minute in 22.8 minutes per game.
The Grizzlies have their typically long injury report on Monday, including Desmond Bane (back, out), so there will be plenty of work available at point guard for Memphis in their favorable matchup with the Pistons in Detroit. Jordan Goodwin had a double-double on Saturday with 16 points and 11 rebounds and has the third-highest Projected Plus/Minus of point guards on Monday’s slate. His teammate Scotty Pippen Jr. should also get more work and bring a higher ceiling since he has been starting over Goodwin lately. Goodwin has been good when available, but he is running out of eligibility on his two-way contract, so be sure to confirm his availability before tip-off.
Don’t forget to check out our NBA SimLabs Lineup Generator to create advanced DFS lineups using the power of simulation:
NBA DFS Shooting Guard Picks
Stud
The Nets have let Cam Thomas run the show since his return from a six-game absence early in March. Thomas has the best value ratings in the top tier of shooting guards on Monday, with the third-highest median and floor projection and only the fifth-highest salary. He has the third-highest Projected Plus/Minus at the position.
In his 11 games since returning from injury, Thomas has averaged 26.8 points in 36.4 minutes per game. He has produced 1.14 DraftKings points per minute with a team-high 30.6% usage rate. He had 30 points and six assists on Sunday in a loss to the Lakers and exceeded salary-based expectations in seven of his last 10 contests.
Thomas has been a dynamic scorer when given the opportunity in the past, and interim coach Kevin Ollie is giving him plenty of chances to prove he’s the star the team should build around in the future. In this fast-paced game in Indiana, Thomas has the potential to post another big game.
Value
The Grizzlies remain short-handed but did get Luke Kennard back in action on Saturday after he was away from the team for five games due to a personal matter. Kennard stepped right back into the starting lineup and played 30 minutes, and he has the highest Projected Plus/Minus of all shooting guards on Monday’s slate in a favorable spot against the Pistons.
Kennard has started each of his last seven games, averaging 13.0 points, 5.1 assists, and 27.4 minutes per game while producing 0.97 DraftKings points per minute. His outside shooting gives him good upside, and the Grizzlies are always looking for scoring anywhere they can get it. Kennard started his NBA career with three seasons in Detroit and will look for a nice homecoming on Monday night.
Fast Break
Devin Booker brings the highest median, ceiling and floor projections of all shooting guards in the Suns’ big game in the Big Easy. Booker has scored under 20 points in each of Phoenix’s last two games but had 30+ in each of their three games before that. His streaky production makes him a little higher risk than other elite plays, but his ceiling remains extremely high.
The Celtics finish their road trip with a stop in Charlotte, and they listed Jaylen Brown (hand) as questionable for the contest. If Brown sits, Derrick White would be a great fill-in option. Over the last month, White has averaged 1.11 DraftKings points per minute with an 18.1% usage rate, but with Brown off the floor, he has produced 1.22 DraftKings points, and his usage has jumped to 26.4%.
The best bargain play at shooting guard is Rayan Rupert, whose salary is only $3,800. He has the highest Projected Plus/Minus of all shooting guards with salaries under $5,000 after exceeding salary-based expectations in three straight games. Rupert is a second-round pick of the Blazers, who has started alongside fellow rookie Scoot Henderson for the last four games while Anfernee Simons (knee) has been out.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
Maybe it’s the Duke connection, but for whatever reason, Jayson Tatum always seems to post monster games against the Hornets. Tatum has the highest median, ceiling, and floor projections of all small forwards and power forwards on Monday’s slate, even with Brown in the projections, and he will get even more work if Brown or Kristaps Porzingis (hamstring, questionable) sits out.
In his career, Tatum has averaged 27.0 points per game in his 22 matchups with the Hornets, his highest average against any team in the NBA. He had 45 points and 13 rebounds when he visited Charlotte earlier this season and over 30 points in each of his games in Charlotte last year, including a 51-point outburst.
Tatum comes into this matchup with good momentum as well. Over the last month, Tatum has averaged 1.34 DraftKings points per minute in 36.1 minutes per game. He fell just one rebound short of a double-double in his last contest and scored at least 23 points for the 10th straight game. Over the last month, he has 1.36 DraftKings points per minute with Brown off the floor, 1.40 DraftKings points with Porzingis off the floor, and 1.39 DraftKings points per minute with both off the floor. This feels like a showcase spot for Tatum, especially if his fellow starters end up getting the night off.
Value
He’s not a bargain play, to be sure, but Pascal Siakam has the second-highest Projected Plus/Minus at small forward, and he’s too hot to pass up, including in one of my spots this Monday. Forward is a crowded place with Spicy P, Taco Jay, and Zion Williamson, and sliding Siakam into a value spot isn’t far-fetched at all, given how much he has exceeded salary-based expectations lately. He has the second-highest Projected Plus/Minus of all small forwards and all power forwards on Monday in the Pacers matchup with the Nets.
Siakam has exceeded salary-based expectations in seven of his last 10 games with an average Plus/Minus of 7.0 DraftKings points per game. Over that stretch, he has produced 1.45 DraftKings points per minute in 31.5 minutes per game. He leads the team with a 29.6% usage rate over that stretch and has posted six double-doubles.
He did face the Nets once during that stretch and only needed 28 minutes to post 28 points, 11 boards and over 50 DraftKings points. If Cam Thomas can help Brooklyn stay more competitive in this rematch, Siakam could post an even bigger number if he gets his normal minutes.
Fast Break
While those are both expensive plays, there are good, cheaper options available at small forward as well. Bogdan Bogdanovic has the highest Projected Plus/Minus at the position and is a solid value play even though he is on the road against the Bulls. Most of his best games have come at home, but he’s coming off an impressive 38-point, 10-rebound game on Saturday against the Bucks, so he clearly provides a high ceiling.
Without Brandon Ingram in the lineup, Trey Murphy III has started five straight games for the Pelicans, averaging 0.93 DraftKings points per minute in 35.4 minutes per game. He has been a little boom-or-bust with some streaky shooting but has also shown a high ceiling when he gets his offense going.
If you really want to go cheap at small forward, Rupert or Davis Bertans are plays under $4,000 with good Projected Plus/Minus. You can also check out Tosan Evbuomwan, who has played over 28 minutes in five of his last six games, averaging 0.55 DraftKings points per minute but playing a robust 27.8 minutes per game.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
Zion Williamson has the highest Projected Plus/Minus of all power forwards on the slate and the second-highest median, ceiling, and floor projection at power forward, behind only Tatum. Like the rest of his teammates discussed above, he’s had to pick up some extra work with Ingram out, and he’ll need to step up again in this matchup against the Suns.
Zion had 25 points and nine rebounds against the Celtics on Saturday and has scored at least 25 points in four straight games since a miserable four-point performance on the second night of a back-to-back against the Heat. Zion dropped at least 25 points in nine of his last 11 games, exceeding salary-based expectations in over half of those games and producing 1.29 DraftKings points per minute in 34.5 minutes per game.
Our projections have Zion with 31.5% usage in 35.2 minutes on Monday, and with that kind of workload, he should be able to deliver a huge stat line.
Value
It has been a strange season for Grant Williams, who left the Celtics to join the Mavericks as a free agent but was then traded to Charlotte at the Trade Deadline. Williams’ role with the Hornets has fluctuated since his arrival as the team tries different combinations, but he has usually found a way to contribute from a fantasy perspective. On Monday’s slate, he has the third-highest Projected Plus/Minus of all power forwards, behind just Zion and Siakam.
He’ll be taking on his former team, the Celtics, after scoring 12+ points in four straight games and exceeding salary-based expectations in each of those four contests. In his last nine games, he averaged 0.91 DraftKings points per minute while playing 28.0 minutes per game with a 23.1% usage rate.
Despite coming off the bench lately, his role has been consistent enough to make him a strong bargain value play, with his salary still under $4,500 in this potential revenge game.
Fast Break
The Magic continue to lean heavily on second-year forward Paolo Banchero as they come down the stretch. Over the last month, Banchero has a 28.6% usage rate and has produced 1.18 DraftKings points per minute. He had a ceiling game with a triple-double just over a week ago against the Pelicans and almost had another one on Friday against the Grizzlies, producing 13 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists but only playing 31 minutes in a blowout. With more work on Monday in a favorable matchup against the Trail Blazers, Banchero has the third-highest ceiling projection of all power forwards on the slate.
Trendon Watford has been getting more work off the bench for the Nets lately, and he is a strong bargain option with his salary still under $4,000. He has scored double-digit points in four straight games, exceeding salary-based expectations by at least 9.0 DraftKings points in each of those four games. He played a season-high 29 minutes on Saturday against the Lakers and had 15 points and eight rebounds.
Memphis is also again a good place to go value shopping at power forward. Lamar Stevens and Jake LaRavia both have good Projected Plus/Minus against Detroit, with LaRavia’s ceiling and salary a little higher. LaRavia has scored double-digit points in six of his last seven games and should continue to get more work if Santi Aldama (illness, questionable) is out again.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
It’s not a great slate for elite centers, but Jalen Duren is a very nice play to consider with a high ceiling against the Grizzlies. Duren has been in and out of the Pistons lineup as they play out the string on their disappointing season, but when he has played, he has usually put up big numbers. He does not have an injury designation for Monday’s matchup with Memphis and has the second-highest ceiling projection of all centers on the slate behind only Porzingis, who is questionable.
Duren has seven double-doubles over his last eight games, including each of his last two games since returning from a three-game absence due to back spasms. After easing his way back in against the Timberwolves, he looked back to full strength on Friday in Washington. He powered the Pistons to a win with 20 points on a super-efficient 9-of-11 shooting while adding 17 rebounds, three blocks, and three steals in 35 minutes.
Against a banged-up Memphis front line, Duren has a similar ceiling on Monday, which is enough to make him a strong play to build around as a pay-up center as long as there are no surprises on the injury report leading up to tip-off.
Value
The Pelicans have been rotating their centers more than usual lately, playing Jonas Valanciunas more against teams with traditional centers and Larry Nance Jr. more against teams with small-ball lineups. Valanciunas should be the preferred option in Monday’s matchup against the Suns, and he has the highest Projected Plus/Minus of all players on the slate since his minutes projection is 23.9.
Valanciunas had a nice double-double with 17 points and 10 boards in the Pelicans’ win over the Bucks last week but only played 10 minutes against the Thunder and 15 against the Celtics in two disappointing showings. His inconsistent minutes do make him a little more risky, but he has still delivered when he’s on the floor, making him the best value play, especially for GPP lineups where his “boom-or-bust” production is more palatable.
Fast Break
Clint Capela has exceeded salary-based expectations in nine of his last 12 games, averaging an impressive 1.33 DraftKings points per minute. He seems to fit in nicely with Murray running the Hawks’ offense and posted five straight double-doubles before finishing with 10 points and eight rebounds on Saturday against the Bucks. Capela’s salary is still fairly affordable at $6,200, and he brings both a high ceiling and good consistency, making him a strong fit for more balanced cash lineups.
Brandon Clarke made his season debut for Memphis last Wednesday. After working his way back from a major Achilles injury, he played 21 minutes and finished with six points, five boards, an assist, and a steal. He exceeded salary-based expectations again on Saturday by finishing with 13 points, four rebounds, three assists, and a block against the Magic on Saturday in 20 minutes. While he will likely remain on a minutes limit for a while, his salary of just $4,000 still makes him a solid value play against the Pistons.
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