This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
It's rare to give out a lineup that I'll be using, but that's the case with today's article. I actually inserted all my picks on FanDuel and it ironically left $100 on the table, so it's one that I'll have to play. There are three games in particular that are worth stacking, as the Bulls-Bucks, Kings-Pelicans and Hornets-T'Wolves games should all provide some great fantasy production. All of these games have totals north of 210 and they should all be relatively close with only one of those spreads higher than three points. Four out of the seven games on this schedule have spreads of seven points or higher, so beware of blowout potential in this slate as well.
Point Guards:
Kemba Walker, CHA vs. MIN ($8,700): Walker has been scorching hot recently and he could have a huge game in a quality matchup. Not only has Walker scored at least 44 fantasy points in three-straight games, he gets a matchup against a Wolves team that has allowed 100 or more in 19 of their last 20 games. Minnesota also ranks 25th in fantasy points allowed to point guards on the season and that becomes even scarier against a player like Walker. The only concern here is blowout potential, but even if that does happen, he should have no problem giving us 30-plus fantasy points in 30 minutes.
Norris Cole, NO vs. SAC ($5,100): Cole has quietly been a great value guard over recent weeks and this sort of matchup makes him extremely enticing. Not only do the Kings rank dead-last in total defense, they also play at the fastest pace in the NBA. If that's not enough incentive, Cole's recent play should be. Cole is averaging 28 fantasy points a game across his last five games and should get more minutes with injuries to Tyreke Evans and Eric Gordon. He is questionable coming into this matchup, so if he doesn't play, be sure to pivot to a player like Jrue Holiday in such a quality matchup.
Shooting Guards:
Nicolas Batum, CHA vs. MIN ($6,500): Much like Walker, Batum gets the fortune of playing the Timberwolves. What's even better about Batum is that Minnesota has allowed the most fantasy points in the NBA to shooting guards over their last 10 games. Over his last three games, Batum is averaging 35 fantasy points a game and has been regularly flirting with triple-doubles all season long. The downside is what makes Batum such a great pick though, as he rarely scores below 25 fantasy points and will almost never kill your lineup.
Wesley Matthews, DAL vs. LAC ($4,400): Matthews is in the midst of his best stretch of the season and his price simply hasn't risen enough. In fact, Matthews is averaging 14.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.0 steals per game across his last eight games. That's about 23 fantasy points a game, which is great value for a player below $5,000. What's most encouraging here are the minutes and attempts, as he is playing 34-plus minutes and taking more than six three-point attempts per game in that span. This could be a great matchup as well, with J.J. Redick not being known as a great defensive player.
Small Forwards:
Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL at CHI ($8,700): The man known as the "Greek Freak" has just been ridiculous recently and he's hard to fade at this point. Not only has he surpassed 30 fantasy points in 10-straight games, he has scored 60-plus three times in his last four. That's simply elite production and it couldn't be coming at a better time. On Monday, he faces a Chicago team that has allowed 100 or more points in a franchise record 16-straight games. With his current production, Antetokounmpo should be a five-figure player, so he's quite the bargain at his current $8,700 price in one of the best matchups of the day.
Mike Dunleavy, CHI vs. MIL ($3,800): Dunleavy is far from exciting, but he's the definition of a solid cheap option. The small forward is averaging 11.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists across his last seven games. That's about 20 fantasy points a game, which is good for a near minimum priced player. He's not necessarily a great tournament play with his limited upside, but there may not be a better cheap option for cash games to build a dominant lineup around. This is a very good matchup as well, with the Bucks ranking 24th in fantasy points allowed to small forwards on the season.
Power Forwards:
Jabari Parker, MIL at CHI ($6,000): Parker continues to be in my articles and he continues to provide great value. It's a wonder why is price hasn't skyrocketed, but it's worth taking advantage until these DFS sites take notice of his great play. Parker has scored at least 22 fantasy points in 10-straight games and has surpassed 31 fantasy points eight times in that stretch. This is obviously a great matchup as well, with Chicago playing terribly right now and allowing the most fantasy points in the NBA to power forwards over their last 10 games.
Gorgui Dieng, MIN at CHA ($6,000): The inconsistency of Dieng can be frustrating at times, but his upside is hard to match. Over his last 18 games, Dieng has surpassed 23 fantasy points in 16 of those and and has scored at least 28 fantasy points 14 times in that span. It's the role that has made him effective, as Dieng is now starting with Kevin Garnett sidelined. What's even more encouraging is that the Hornets rank in the bottom-10 in points, rebounds, assists and blocks allowed to power forwards on the season.
Center:
DeMarcus Cousins, SAC at NO ($10,700): I almost never recommend one of the highest-priced players, but this one is hard to pass up. Cousins has been living in the 50's in terms of fantasy points all season and he has 70-point upside in a matchup like this. He gets to face a Pelicans team that has been obliterated by centers all season, as they rank 29th in fantasy points allowed to centers on the season. What's even tastier is that Cousins is averaging 30.3 points, 15.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2.8 blocks a game across his last four games against the Pelicans.
