This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
After a week full of strange slates in the midst of the holiday season, we're back to normal with a fat 11-game schedule. The rash of injuries over the last week or so have been incredible, so it's as important as ever to monitor injury reports and lineups prior to game time. These are the situations where value will present itself and one of the keys to DFS is to capitalize on these injury fill-ins.
Points Guard:
Elfrid Payton, ORL vs. NOP ($6,500): Payton has been a reliable player this season, and he's got a fantastic matchup Monday. He has scored at least 27 fantasy points in eight of his last 10 games, with the other two being a blowout and an early exit due to an injury. He now faces a New Orleans team that is ranked as the worst defense in the NBA. The Pelicans also rank 25th in fantasy points allowed to point guards this season.
Ish Smith, PHI at UTA ($4,500): Smith was buried on the depth chart in New Orleans, but he's now the starting point guard in Philadelphia. He's in a situation where the Sixers need to lean on him, and he should have a high usage rate with plenty of minutes. The matchup is not good, but he's a must use every day until his price creeps up closer to $6,000.
Shooting Guard:
Klay Thompson, GSW vs. SAC ($7,200): Thompson gets to face the Kings, who are one of the highest-paced teams with a horrible defense. In fact, Sacramento has allowed the second-most three-pointers by shooting guards this season. That's what a player like Thompson thrives on, and he should have a big scoring night.
Rodney Hood, UTA vs. PHI ($4,500): The Jazz just had a huge blow in their last game, as they lost shooting guard Alec Burks to a serious injury. The only good news that comes out of that is that it opens up minutes and shots for Hood. He is already averaging 30 minutes per game, but that number should rise with the Burks injury. Hood has also hit 5x value in three of his last four games and it's a good bet that he does that again Monday. Utah faces off against a Philly team that has allowed the third-most fantasy points to shooting guards over their last five games.
Small Forward:
Chandler Parsons, DAL vs. MIL ($4,500): Parsons had a terrible start to the season while recovering from knee surgery, but he's turning it on lately. Parsons has surpassed 32 fantasy points in three of his last four games, as he continues to be a play-maker on the second unit. Look for him to continue his recent form and provide great value against a Bucks team that ranks 26th in fantasy points allowed to small forwards this season.
Kelly Oubre, WSH vs. LAC ($3,700): Oubre has taken over as the starting small forward with the injury to Bradley Beal, and he has scored at least 16 fantasy points in five-straight games, averaging just shy of 30 minutes per game in that span. Those are absurd numbers for a minimum priced player and that's nearly what Oubre is. His upside is limited, but he's one of the best bets on the slate to reach the needed 5x value.
Power Forward:
Chris Bosh, MIA vs. BRK ($7,400): Bosh's price is still a bit deflated thanks to a recent slide, but he's back in All-Star form right now. He has surpassed 38 fantasy points in five of his last nine games and is scorching-hot over his last four. In fact, Bosh is averaging 26 points, seven rebounds, three assists and a steal per game over that span. That's about 40 fantasy points, which is a great return on investment. What's even better is that he faces a Brooklyn team that ranks last in fantasy points allowed to power forwards over the last five games.
Nerlens Noel, PHI at UTA ($5,800): Noel has had a lackluster season, but his role should increase due to the injury to Jahlil Okafor. His price was well above $7,000 earlier in the season and that's indicative of the value he can provide. Noel is averaging 28 fantasy points per game over his last four and that's because he is controlling the post and the rebounding. Without Okafor, Noel is asked to do more and thus provides more fantasy production. He now faces a weak Jazz offense that benefits a player like Noel, as it opens up more opportunities for blocks, steals and rebounds.
Center:
Nikola Vucevic, ORL vs. NO ($8,000): Not many big men have been as reliable as Vucevic and none of them have the matchup he has Monday. He faces a Pelicans defense that ranks 28th in fantasy points allowed to centers this season, and he is averaging just shy of 42 fantasy points per game over his last five. The minutes are what's most encouraging though, as Vucevic hasn't played fewer than 34 in any of his last five games.
