This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
With the College Football National Championship on Monday, NBA fans get a limited three-game slate. It's an interesting schedule though, as most of these teams have below average defenses. What's also interesting here is the abundance of superstars, as Russell Westbrook, Anthony Davis and Jimmy Butler are all on this small slate. With such few options available, it will be imperative to get at least two of these guys into your lineup, simply because you can't fall behind the rest of the field. The usage rate of these three players is just so absurd right now that their fantasy production is impossible to match.
Russell Westbrook, OKC at CHI ($12,400): I tend to get Westbrook into my lineup every time he plays, so he's impossible to avoid on a three-game slate. The numbers are eye-popping, as he's averaging nearly 60 fantasy points a game. The price simply doesn't matter at this point, as he's the only player in the league with a 50-point floor. This matchup is the icing on the cake though, as the Bulls are allowing the most fantasy points in the NBA to point guards across their last 10 games.
Derrick Rose, NYK vs. NOP ($6,200): Rose is not getting the credit he deserves for his impressive season and there's murmurs that he's one of the favorites for comeback player of the year. On the season, he's averaging 17.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game. That's nearly 30 fantasy points a game in itself, which makes him quite a bargain at $6,200, especially with that sort of production. I also like the matchup against New Orleans, as they are allowing the third most fantasy points to point guards this season.
Courtney Lee, NYK vs. NOP ($4,100): Lee has not provided great fantasy value this season, but the minutes he's getting at price makes him an intriguing option. The $4,100 shooting guard is averaging 34 minutes per game across his last four and that alone makes him valuable at a near-minimum price tag. What I also like is the fact that coach Jeff Hornacek said he wants Lee to shoot more, so he should be looking at double-digit shots as well. The final reason to like him is the matchup, with the Pelicans allowing the fourth most fantasy points to guards this season.
Jimmy Butler, CHI vs. OKC ($9,600): The man known as Jimmy Buckets has taken over the Bulls' offense recently, putting up some gaudy numbers. With Rajon Rondo benched and no legitimate point guard, Butler has averaged 34.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 2.5 steals a game across his last six. That's downright absurd production and it's clear the Bulls are comfortable letting him run the offense. While he is looking at the Andre Roberson treatment Monday, Butler will want to match Westbrook stat for stat, and these two could battle all night long.
Andrew Wiggins, MIN vs. DAL ($6,400): Wiggins has been a slight disappointment this season but appears to be turning things around. Not only has he scored at least 25 fantasy points in seven of his last eight games, he's shown the ability to go off for 40 fantasy points or more multiple times in that span. It's the usage that makes him so valuable, as he approaches 20 shots and 40 minutes almost every single time he takes the floor. I also love this matchup against Harrison Barnes, who has a defensive rating north of 110.
Taj Gibson, CHI vs. OKC ($4,700): While I don't necessarily believe Gibson will go off, he's one of few reliable, cheap power forwards on this slate. What makes him good is his floor, as he's averaging 24 fantasy points a game this season. While the matchup against Oklahoma City is tough, it will force Gibson to play more minutes against a tough frontline. Gibson is the second most likely power forward to record a double-double behind Anthony Davis and that makes him a great value, considering he's priced as the sixth highest power forward Monday.
Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN vs. DAL ($9,200): Towns is the only center above $6,000 and he makes for a nice, safe option to steady your lineup. While his efficiency numbers are far from impressive, Towns is still accruing statistics and posting elite fantasy production on a nightly basis. Not only has he scored at least 33 fantasy points in 14-straight games, he's providing elite assisting numbers for a center. That's what's especially encouraging, as he's a near guarantee for a double-double every time he takes the floor. This matchup is spectacular too, with Dallas' only legitimate center capped at 25 minutes per game (Andrew Bogut).
Steven Adams, OKC at CHI ($5,900): Adams is not the type of guy who's going to go off, but is probably the most reliable center outside of Towns. What makes him so valuable is the fact that the Thunder need to lean on him for big minutes against a strong Bulls frontcourt. His 30 minute-per-game average should only rise here, as Oklahoma City will need him to play big minutes against the Bulls' heavy frontline. Adams has been hot lately too, averaging 13.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.2 blocks across his last 17 games. That's over 30 fantasy points per contest, which is good value for a player below $6,000.
