Finding cheap value options on Monday’s eight-game NBA slate could be a challenge unless some news breaks during the day. As of Monday morning, my lineup construction is shaping up with a more balanced approach, even though there are a variety of high-priced studs that pique my interest. So, you all know the drill by now if you have been playing NBA DFS for any length of time, watch the injury news leading up to tipoff to unlock some value options and be ready to pivot from your initial build as needed.
Note that some of the stats referenced in this article are my custom DvP calculations that combine both season and last five games data along with blending similar positions production allowed together.
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One Stud
Russell Westbrook (PG – OKC): $11,200 vs. CHI
Depending on injury news potentially opening up more value on Monday’s slate it may be difficult to fit in Westbrook or any of the other high-priced options such as James Harden, Giannis Antetokounmpo or Karl-Anthony Towns. Westbrook would be my top option as he destroyed the Bulls in their previous meeting putting up 24 points, 17 rebounds and 13 assists on his way to 73.25 DK points. My only hesitation with Westbrook is the blowout potential with the Thunder as a double-digit favorite.
Finding cheap value options on Monday’s eight-game NBA slate could be a challenge unless some news breaks during the day. As of Monday morning, my lineup construction is shaping up with a more balanced approach, even though there are a variety of high-priced studs that pique my interest. So, you all know the drill by now if you have been playing NBA DFS for any length of time, watch the injury news leading up to tipoff to unlock some value options and be ready to pivot from your initial build as needed.
Note that some of the stats referenced in this article are my custom DvP calculations that combine both season and last five games data along with blending similar positions production allowed together.
Create Optimal DraftKings lineups using our DFS Lineup Optimizer tool
One Stud
Russell Westbrook (PG – OKC): $11,200 vs. CHI
Depending on injury news potentially opening up more value on Monday’s slate it may be difficult to fit in Westbrook or any of the other high-priced options such as James Harden, Giannis Antetokounmpo or Karl-Anthony Towns. Westbrook would be my top option as he destroyed the Bulls in their previous meeting putting up 24 points, 17 rebounds and 13 assists on his way to 73.25 DK points. My only hesitation with Westbrook is the blowout potential with the Thunder as a double-digit favorite.
Core Plays
Blake Griffin (PF/C – DET): $9,000 vs. MIL
Griffin may end up being my defacto “one stud” on Monday if more value doesn’t open up. Griffin has been very consistent recently with at least 46 DK points in five straight games while averaging 30.0 points, 8.4 rebounds and 5.0 assists during that stretch. He also reached 46 DK points in a previous meeting with the Bucks this season when he scored 31 points with seven rebounds and four assists. Griffin also gives you some flexibility by being able to slide him over to center if needed.
De’Aaron Fox (PG – SAC): $7,300 @ MIN
Fox has been putting up some big numbers recently. He has scored at least 25 points in four of his last six games while reaching at least 46 DK points in those four outings. Fox is averaging 36 DK points in two previous meeting with the Timberwolves while putting up 14.5 points and 9.0 assists in those matchups. The Timberwolves allow increased production in rebounds (+11.8%) and assists (+11.1%) to PGs this season.
Enes Kanter (C – NYK): $6,700 vs. PHO
Next up is a pair of Knicks in their home matchup against the Suns. The Suns have struggled to defend opposing big men this season allowing increased production across the board in points, rebounds, assists and steals. Kanter has three double-doubles in his last five games and comes in with a very reasonable salary given his matchup.
Kevin Knox (SF/PF – NYK): $5,700 vs. PHO
The rookie out of Kentucky, Knox, has seen a bump in his minutes over the last four games with at least 33 in each outing. The extra playing time has translated into increased production as he is averaging 20.0 points and 7.3 rebounds in those four games. He’ll look to keep his recent playing time and success going at home against the Suns in what should be a competitive game with one of the higher Vegas totals on the slate.
Value Plays
Reggie Jackson (PG/SG – DET): $5,200 vs. MIL
Finding options to fit into the SG slot on DraftKings is a challenge on Monday. You’ll probably either need to go big with Harden ($10,900) or Devin Booker ($8,500) or look to go as cheap as possible while still getting a player with a solid floor. I think Reggie fits that description as he has posted at least 21 DK points in five of his last six games and put up 33.25 DK points in a previous meeting with the Bucks. He has also been more productive at home this year averaging almost five more DK points per game in Detroit where he will be on Monday.
Brook Lopez (C – MIL): $5,100 @ DET
Lopez should log plenty of minutes to help defend Andre Drummond and the Pistons on Monday. Lopez could also take advantage of the matchup on the offensive end by pulling Drummond out on the perimeter. Lopez hit a pair of three-pointers in their previous meeting and is been jacking up the three-ball over his last four games going 14-of-35 (40 percent). Lopez has scored at least 23 DK points in nine straight games.
Dario Saric (PF – MIN): $4,900 vs. SAC
Saric has played at least 31 minutes in three straight games and should see similar court time on Monday against the Kings, assuming Taj Gibson remains out. In those last three games, Saric is averaging 15.3 points and 8.3 rebounds per game for 31.4 DK points per outing. The Timberwolves/Kings matchup comes in with the highest Vegas total on the slate, while the Kings also give up increased production to PFs in points (+4.6%) and rebounds (+8.0%).
Nemanja Bjelica (SF/PF – SAC): $4,400 @ MIN
On the other side of the ball, Nemanja Bjelica returns to Minnesota where he played the first three seasons of his career. Bjelica gets increased minutes with Marvin Bagley out as he played 35 minutes in his last game while putting up a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. He has also had success against his former club this season averaging 19.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks for 35.9 DK points a game in two previous meetings.
Brad Richter is a correspondent at FantasyPros and a contributor at DailyOverlay and GoingFor2. For more from Brad, you can view his archive or follow him @RotoPilot.