Monday’s slate is a fairly busy one, with nine games on tap. Our Vegas Dashboard shows three of the matchups with an over/under of 219.5 or higher, while every game but one has a spread of five points or less. The recent influx of players placed in the COVID-19 health and safety protocols has opened up plenty of values to pair with the slate’s best building blocks in Trae Young and Nikola Jokic.
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
Trae Young has been on fire over the last two weeks and averaged 29.8 points, 10.0 assists, 5.1 rebounds, 3.3 triples, and 1.1 steals across his last nine games. He’s in an excellent spot to continue his heater against a shorthanded Rockets squad tonight.
Houston has surrendered the ninth-most fantasy points to opposing PGs this season, and Houston/Atlanta sports a robust 227.0 over/under, which is the highest on the slate. It’s a pace-up game for Young, as Houston is first in pace compared to Atlanta, which is 18th. The recent strong production coupled with excellent Opponent Plus/Minus and Pace Differential make Young the preferred stud to target on this nine-game slate.
Value
Gabe Vincent entered Miami’s starting lineup and went for eight points, eight assists, four rebounds and four steals against Chicago on Saturday.
In eight games with at least 25 minutes, he’s averaged 13.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.6 triples, 1.8 rebounds and 1.0 steals. Caleb Martin (protocols) is out again tonight, and Vincent should be in line for another start.
Fast Break
Kyle Lowry has averaged 19.0 points and 13.5 assists across his last two games, and he’ll look to keep the momentum going against the Cavs. Cleveland has surrendered the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing PGs this season, and Lowry is still reasonably priced on both sites.
Jalen Brunson will almost certainly be in the starting lineup tonight with Luka Doncic out due to an ankle injury. He started Sunday against the Thunder and went for 18 points, nine rebounds and three assists. In seven starts this season, Brunson has averaged 20.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, 6.3 assists, 3.4 triples and 1.0 steals.
Shooting Guard
Stud
Darius Garland is the Cavs’ starting point guard, but he gets shooting guard eligibility on both sites, making him the stud of the night at this position. Terry Rozier is available for return tonight, driving down the value of both he and Kelly Oubre, which is why we’re turning to Garland.
The third-year guard is averaging career-highs across the board with 19.0 points, 7.6 assists, 3.0 rebounds, 2.6 triples and 1.3 steals. He’s posted two straight double-doubles heading into tonight’s matchup with the Heat, and over his last two, Garland averaged 14.0 points, 12.5 dimes, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals.
Value
Armoni Brooks has averaged 17.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 3.7 triples across his last three games. With Kevin Porter Jr. (thigh) and Jalen Green (hamstring) out of action, Brooks has excelled in a larger role.
Houston/Atlanta has an excellent 227.0 over/under, and Atlanta has surrendered the ninth-most fantasy points and the sixth-most triples to opposing SGs this season. Expect Brooks to be a solid value on the slate thanks to his strong recent stretch of play.
Fast Break
Luke Kennard has picked up his scoring as of late, averaging 17.2 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.2 triples across his last six contests. With Paul Geoge (elbow) doubtful tonight, Kennard figures to make his second straight start. He’s a great value on both sites, but he carries more value on DraftKings, which awards bonus points for three-pointers.
Small Forward
Stud
Giannis Antetokounmpo is an obvious stud on any slate, so I’ll pivot to another option here. Scottie Barnes has averaged 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.7 triples, 1.7 steals and 1.7 blocks across his last seven games, and he’ll get a favorable draw with Sacramento tonight.
The matchup between the Raptors and Kings has a healthy 220.5 over/under, and there should be plenty of opportunities for the promising rookie to excel. Sacramento ranks fifth in pace and 27th in defensive rating, making this a friendly matchup for Barnes.
Value
Kyle Anderson went for 16 points, seven boards, four assists, three steals and a block across 31 minutes Saturday in place of the injured Jaren Jackson. JJJ is questionable tonight with knee soreness, and Anderson would be a tremendous value if the former is unable to go.
Across five games with at least 25 minutes played, Slow Mo averaged 11.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 2.0 combined blocks/steals. Check-in on Jackson’s status prior to lineup lock, and roll with Anderson if the former is sidelined.
Fast Break
Davon Reed went for two points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals in his first start Saturday in place of Will Barton (illness). Though Reed played just 16 minutes, he drew the start, and his salary is near the bottom of the barrel on both sites. He’s worth a flier in tournaments.
Garrison Mathews posted a dud against Memphis on Saturday, but he’s been fantastic across his last eight games (all starts). In that span, Mathews has averaged 17.0 points, 4.0 triples, 3.0 rebounds and 1.1 swipes across 34.3 minutes. He remains a solid, low-cost option.
Power Forward
Stud
Kristaps Porzingis has averaged 19.3 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.2 combined blocks/steals this season, and he’s got a tremendous matchup tonight as the slate’s featured stud.
Luka Doncic will be out tonight due to an ankle injury, and KP should operate as the team’s primary scorer. Charlotte/Dallas has a 219.5 over/under, and Charlotte ranks 30th in defensive rating and second in pace. Increased usage and positive Opponent Plus/Minus and Pace Differential make Porzingis a studly play on this evening’s slate.
Value
Chris Boucher has disappointed fantasy managers this season, though he’s been solid over his last three outings, averaging 13 points, seven boards and a block in that span. Boucher has started his last two games in place of Precious Achiuwa (shoulder, protocols), and he figures to be in the starting five tonight.
Boucher gets one of the most favorable matchups for opposing centers in Sacramento. The Kings have allowed the most rebounds and second-most fantasy points to opposing centers this season. Boucher had one of his best games of the season when he went 10/12/1 with two blocks and a steal across 23 minutes against Sacramento earlier this season.
Fast Break
Evan Mobley continues to be undervalued, especially as he’s averaged 14 points, 10.7 boards, and 3.3 combined blocks/steals across his last three contests. He pulled down a season-high 15 rebounds against Sacramento on Saturday.
Marvin Bagley got his first start of the season Saturday vs. Cleveland, and he’s seen his role expand significantly as of late. Over his last four games, Bagley has averaged 11.5 points and 8.5 boards while posting two double-doubles.
Center
Stud
Nikola Jokic has to be in this spot tonight, as there’s no other player who comes close to his stat-stuffing prowess. The Joker has been absolutely dominant over his last four contests, averaging 28.3 points, 13.3 rebounds, 11.0 rebounds and 2.3 combined blocks/steals while posting three triple-doubles.
He’s averaging career-highs in points (26.5), rebounds (13.5) and triples (1.7) to go with 7.2 assists and 2.0 combined blocks/steals, and he leads the NBA in triple-doubles with a whopping five in just 21 games. Tonight’s opponent, Washington, has been soft on opposing bigs, making Jokic that much more appealing.
Value
Alperen Sengun is hot off his best game of the season after he went 15/6/6 with three blocks and a steal across 23 minutes against Memphis on Saturday. Sengun has been underutilized to start the season, but if he can continue to see his playing time trend up, he could be a huge producer.
Sengun’s per-36 numbers are an eye-popping 18/9/5 with 2.2 steals and 1.4 blocks. Atlanta has surrendered the eighth-most steals to opposing centers, which bodes well for the rookie, who has excelled in swiping the ball. Atlanta/Houston sports a 227.0 over/under, and Sengun is a great tournament play tonight. The uncertainty surrounding his nightly minutes makes him a player to avoid in cash games.
Fast Break
With Deandre Ayton (illness) out Friday, JaVale McGee went off for his best game of the season. The efficient McGee went 21/15/2 with two swats across 26 minutes. Ayton is questionable tonight, and if he’s unable to go, McGee should be a popular option.
