FanDuel NBA: Monday Value Plays

After a great weekend of family and football, the NBA is back in full swing. For this particular slate, we have a seven-game schedule with some fascinating matchups. There are two games I want to key in on, as the SAC-WSH and OKC-NYK matchups look especially enticing. All four of these teams have sub-par defenses and they all play at a fast pace. In addition, they should both be close games, with neither spread above four points. Identifying the proper players in these games and formulating the perfect stack could lead to a huge cash.

Russell Westbrook, OKC at NYK ($12,200): This price is getting pretty out of hand, but it's impossible to avoid Westbrook right now. Not only is Westbrook flirting with triple-doubles on a nightly basis, he's putting up the best DFS production I've ever seen. In fact, Westbrook has surpassed 42 fantasy points in every game this season aside from one. He's actually averaging nearly 60 fantasy points a game for the season and that sort of production is uncanny. The matchup is spectacular as well, with the Knicks playing some of the worst defense in the NBA.

Bradley Beal, WSH vs. SAC ($6,300): Beal has been one of those players that hasn't quite lived up to potential throughout his career, but he's starting to ball out recently. In fact, Beal has at least 27 fantasy points in five straight games and has reached 43-plus in three of those. He has always been an elite scorer, but the fact that he has at least five assists in four of those games shows that he's becoming more of a focal point of the Washington offense as well. The shots are still there too, as he is averaging over 21 across his last four games. The icing on the cake here is the matchup, as he faces a bad Sacramento defense.

Kyle Korver, ATL at GS ($3,700): Korver has been quiet this season but has been better recently, as he's scored at least 22 fantasy points in four of his last seven games, despite putting up a couple of duds in that span. The reason for upside Monday is the matchup, as he faces an uptempo Warriors defense that allows the seventh most fantasy points to shooting guards. The minimum price tag is what I like most though, as he has a very low floor at such a bargain rate.

Kristaps Porzingis, NYK vs. OKC ($7,200): Porzingis is finally starting to get the usage he deserves, as he's taken at least 15 shots in 12 straight games. It's evident through his scoring as well, as he is scoring over 23 points a game in that span. The more important part about his recent form is his rebounding, as he is averaging 8.4 rebounds across his last seven games, and once he starts producing the blocks that he's capable of in addition to those scoring and rebounding numbers, he'll finally reach his full potential. The matchup is one of the best parts of this play though, as he faces a Thunder team with very little at the power forward position.

Otto Porter, WSH vs. SAC ($6,300): Porter is finally starting to live up to his draft stock, as he's been one of the most reliable small forwards this season. Not only has he scored 23 or more fantasy points in 10 of his last 11 games, he's shown the ability to drop 40-plus. His rebounding skills and defensive statistics make him even more valuable, as he's averaging over eight rebounds and two steals in his last six games. The matchup is a great one too, with Sacramento allowing the third most steals to small forwards.

DeMarre Carroll, TOR vs. PHI ($4,200): Carroll is just starting to get his feet underneath him after dealing with an injury for the first few weeks. Carroll is actually averaging over 28 minutes per game across his last three and his scored at least 14 points in all of those. Carroll is averaging 27 fantasy points a game in that three-game stretch and that's over 6X value at his near-minimum price tag. At just $4,200, Carroll is especially intriguing in this matchup, with Philadelphia allowing the third most fantasy points to small forwards this season. Carroll is probably a better bet in cash games than tournaments, but he's one of the best bets on the board to exceed 5X value.

DeMarcus Cousins, SAC at WSH ($10,000): Much like Westbrook, Cousins has been ridiculous recently. Not only has he surpassed 51 fantasy points in six of his last seven games, he's cracked 45 fantasy points in nine of his last 10. That sort of production is hard to pass up on and it's surprising his price is only at $10,000 with his current form. If that's not enough incentive, the matchup should be — Washington currently ranks 21st in defensive efficiency.

Marc Gasol, MEM vs. CHA ($7,000): Gasol has been streaky recently, but he should be able to produce in this sort of matchup. The only weakness in the Hornets defense is at the center position, as they have allowed the sixth most fantasy points to centers this season. Gasol has had some great games recently too, as he has surpassed 39 fantasy points in three of his last four. It's his role that's making him most valuable though, as he is one of few centers in the league that gets to run the offense through the center position. That has led to 21 assists across his last four games and if he can just add solid rebounding, scoring and defense to those numbers, he'll become an elite option.

Jahlil Okafor, PHI at TOR ($4,300): Okafor hasn't given us a whole lot of reason to use him, but there's some signs of encouragement. The biggest reason for his recommendation Monday is his role, as he should see extra minutes with Joel Embiid resting. Having Embiid out of the lineup takes a top-five usage guy out of the rotation, thus giving Okafor more shots and rebounds. In addition, the Sixers have supposedly pulled his minutes limit, as he is averaging over 25 minutes across his last three games. He's been productive lately too, scoring at least 22 fantasy points in three of his last four.