Monday’s nine-game NBA slate seems to be fairly injury free which is good for the players and teams but is bad for building DFS lineups. Of course, this is the NBA so things can change in a hurry as we approach tipoff, but for now, we are likely forced into a more balanced approach for our lineup construction to get players with a solid floor and some upside.

Note that some of the stats referenced in this article are my custom defense versus position (DvP) calculations that combines data from the season and last five games along with blending similar positions production allowed together.

Check out today’s NBA Sharpshooter from DraftKings

One Stud

Karl-Anthony Towns (C- MIN): $9,300 @ PHO
After the majority of this season with a salary in five-figures, Towns has seen his salary dip down to $9,300 for Monday’s tussle with the Suns, but I’m not really sure why. The Suns are a neutral matchup by my metrics for opposing big men and Towns put up 31 points and 17 rebounds on his way to 62.3 DraftKings points in a previous meeting with the Suns this year. Value could be hard to come by on this slate, so let’s start off with a value stud.

Core Plays

Paul George (SF/PF – LAC): $7,800 @ IND
There is talk that either Kawhi Leonard or George will sit out Monday’s matchup with the Pacers as the Clippers play the second game of a back-to-back. The early indication is that Leonard will sit which should open up some extra usage for George in a return to Indiana to face one of his former clubs. The Pacers have been good defending forward this season, but that is not going to deter me from rostering George at a very reasonable salary if Leonard gets a day off.