We have a modest six-game slate in the NBA to start off the work week. The Vegas lines anticipate a lot of closely contested matchup with four of the games coming in with a favorite of four points or fewer. Only the Raptors and Rockets are significant favorites which could lead to some players getting a day off for rest or limited minutes as they are both playing in the second game of a back-to-back set. There is also one matchup with a massive total over 240 points with the Kings visiting the Wizards in a matchup of two up-tempo teams.
Note that some of the stats referenced in this article are my custom defense versus position (DvP) calculations that combine both season and last five games data along with blending similar position production allowed together.
Create DraftKings lineups using our DFS Lineup Optimizer tool 
One Stud
Bradley Beal (SG – WAS): $9,700 vs. SAC
It shouldn’t come as a big surprise that my “one stud” of the night is the best player playing in the Kings/Wizards game which features a sensational game environment for fantasy production. Paul George came in a close second, but as you’ll see further down the list, most of the best value comes at forward. So, I’m going with Beal who has exceeded 50 DraftKings points in four of his last five games while averaging 26.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 7.6 assists, and 2.2 steals during that stretch. He draws a plus matchup against the Kings who have allowed increased points (+7.1%) and rebounds (+2.2%) to SGs this season.
We have a modest six-game slate in the NBA to start off the work week. The Vegas lines anticipate a lot of closely contested matchup with four of the games coming in with a favorite of four points or fewer. Only the Raptors and Rockets are significant favorites which could lead to some players getting a day off for rest or limited minutes as they are both playing in the second game of a back-to-back set. There is also one matchup with a massive total over 240 points with the Kings visiting the Wizards in a matchup of two up-tempo teams.
Note that some of the stats referenced in this article are my custom defense versus position (DvP) calculations that combine both season and last five games data along with blending similar position production allowed together.
Create DraftKings lineups using our DFS Lineup Optimizer tool
One Stud
Bradley Beal (SG – WAS): $9,700 vs. SAC
It shouldn’t come as a big surprise that my “one stud” of the night is the best player playing in the Kings/Wizards game which features a sensational game environment for fantasy production. Paul George came in a close second, but as you’ll see further down the list, most of the best value comes at forward. So, I’m going with Beal who has exceeded 50 DraftKings points in four of his last five games while averaging 26.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 7.6 assists, and 2.2 steals during that stretch. He draws a plus matchup against the Kings who have allowed increased points (+7.1%) and rebounds (+2.2%) to SGs this season.
Core Plays
Donovan Mitchell (PG/SG – UTH): $8,400 vs. OKC
Mitchell gets a nice increase in usage and overall production when Ricky Rubio is out as he is expected to be on Monday night against the Thunder. In nine games with Rubio out this season, Mitchell has averaged 28.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 5.2 assists for 45.3 DK points per game. On top of that, he gets a favorable matchup at home against a Thunder squad that has allowed increased points (+6.6%) and rebounds (+5.7%) to SGs this year.
Bobby Portis (PF/C – WAS): $5,900 vs. SAC
Portis has topped 41 DK points in three of his last four games for the Wizards. He draws a great matchup and game environment on Monday against the Kings who have allowed increased points (+2.4%) and rebounds (+10.6%) to opposing big men this season. Meanwhile, Portis has a very reasonable salary and offers a little bit of positional flexibility. I’m also not against using Jabari Parker ($5,400) if you need to save a few bucks.
Tomas Satoransky (PG/SG – WAS): $5,800 vs. SAC
I’m doubling down on the Wizards’ backcourt by using Beal’s running mate Tomas Satoransky as well. He has been very solid since taking over for the injured John Wall this season and has even flashed some upside on occasion in good matchups. Satoransky gets one of those good matchups on Monday against the Kings who have allowed more points (+7.1%), rebounds (+11.4%), and steals (+12.3%) to PGs this season.
Willie Cauley-Stein (PF/C – SAC): $5,700 @ WAS
Now that we have loaded up on Wizards, it is time to take a look at the other side of the floor with the Kings. Willie Cauley-Stein put up big numbers against the Wizards in their previous matchup this season when he scored 17 points with 11 rebounds and seven assists for 45.3 DK points. He has also played fairly well recently averaging 12.8 points and 9.5 rebounds for 32.4 DK points over his last four outings. Meanwhile, the Wizards have given up increased production to centers in points (+15.2%), rebounds (+6.7%), and assists (+5.2%) this year.
Value Plays
Harrison Barnes (SF/PF – SAC): $5,200 @ WAS
Next up on the Kings’ train is Barnes. Barnes has seen his rebounding numbers increase with the absence of Marvin Bagley III with 8.4 board per game over his last five outings. He has tacked on 17.4 points during that stretch to produce 33 DK points a night which is well over six times value for his current salary. Barnes also lit up the Wizards in a previous meeting this season when he had 19 points and 13 rebounds for 45.3 DK points.
Nemanja Bjelica (PF – SAC): $4,200 @ WAS
The final stop on the Kings express is Bjelica. He has also rejoined the Kings rotation since the Bagley injury by playing at least 24 minutes in three straight games. During that stretch, he is averaging 8.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.0 assists for 27 DK points per game. As long as he keeps getting that many minutes, he remains undervalued in a great game environment. As you can see, I’m all about the Wizards/Kings game, so be sure to get a game stack or two for that matchup in GPPs.
Gordon Hayward (SF/PF – BOS): $4,600 @ LAC
Hayward has played at least 28 minutes in all three games of the Celtics current West Coast road trip. In those games, he is averaging 19.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.7 assists for 32.2 DK points per game. Hayward could also see a couple of extra minutes and a few extra shots if Jayson Tatum is unable to go against the Clippers on Monday.
Marcus Morris (SF/PF – BOS): $4,500 @ LAC
Morris has also been playing well on the current road trip, especially in the last two games where he is averaging 17.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists while playing about 30 minutes. He too would greatly benefit from Tatum sitting out. Morris had 15 points and six rebounds in a previous meeting with the Clippers. If Tatum plays, then I’d only go with one of the Celtics forwards, but if Tatum sits both could be used in the same lineup.
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Brad Richter is a Featured Writer and Correspondent at FantasyPros and a contributor at DailyOverlay. For more from Brad, you can view his archive or follow him @RotoPilot.
