FanDuel NBA: Monday Value Plays

After a small slate on Sunday, we get an 11-game schedule here that I absolutely love. One strange thing about my picks is the fact that they are all on the road. There's really no explanation for that, other than it seems every bad defense is playing at home. That's further encouraging, as there should be plenty of close games, with 10 of the 11 spreads being within six points.

John Wall, WSH at BRK ($9,300): With plenty of elite point guards on this slate, Wall makes for a great option at an affordable price. Wall is actually $3,300 less than Russell Westbrook and I believe he has a similar sort of upside in this matchup. Brooklyn currently ranks dead-last in points allowed, pace and fantasy points allowed to point guards. Wall's been balling out lately too, as he has at least 41 fantasy points in eight of his last nine games.

Bradley Beal, WSH at BRK ($6,900): Beal has actually been the go-to offensive player in Washington recently and his price doesn't show his improved play. In fact, Beal is averaging 28.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 0.9 steals per game across his last seven games. The usage is what I like most though, as he's averaging 20 shots game in over 38 minutes of action. The matchup is can't miss too, with Brooklyn ranking at the bottom of every defensive statistic.

Andrew Harrison, MEM at NOP ($4,300): Harrison has filled in as the starting point guard for Memphis and he's been a nice value for DFS. With Mike Conley injured, Harrison has started the last three games and played at least 30 minutes in each. He's been productive in that span too, averaging over 26 fantasy points a game. That's over 6X value and he should be able to duplicate that in a matchup against a New Orleans defense that ranks 22nd in fantasy points allowed to point guards.

Gordon Hayward, UTA at LAL ($7,900): There aren't many small forwards playing like Hayward right now and it's his role that's made him so valuable. With George Hill and Derrick Favors both nicked up, Hayward has taken over ball-handling duties and leads the team in shots. He has actually scored at least 36 fantasy points in six straight games while averaging over 35 minutes during that span. It's his ability to stuff the stat sheet that makes him so reliable though, as he's dished out seven assists and grabbed at least even boards in at least two of those games. The matchup is the icing, as he faces a Lakers team that ranks 28th in defensive efficiency.

Jae Crowder, BOS at HOU ($5,200): While Crowder hasn't been putting up elite fantasy production, there's reason to believe he's about to get hot. The biggest reason is the fact that his minutes restriction has been pulled, as he should be ready for 30-plus minutes on a nightly basis. What is especially enticing here is the matchup, as he should be leaned on heavily to cover James Harden. That could lead to a plethora of defensive statistics given Harden's turnover issues and Crowder's elite ability to record steals.

Troy Williams, MEM at LAL ($3,800): Much like Harrison, Williams has taken on more responsibility thanks to the Grizzlies' injury woes. He's taken over the starting small forward role and playing very solidly in his stead. In fact, Williams has scored at least 16 fantasy points in all six of his games and is averaging over 30 minutes a game in that span as well. He really hasn't played as well as he could either, as he's shooting under 33 percent from the field across his last four games. His ability to provide steals and other peripheral statistics make him extremely reliable and he's a fantastic value at a near-minimum price.

Al Horford, BOS at HOU ($7,500): Horford has been inconsistent recently, but the last time I recommended him, he went off for 55 fantasy points on Friday. That performance showed what makes him so good, as he stuffed the stat sheet, while carrying his team to a much needed win. His ability to provide elite peripheral statistics make him especially enticing in this matchup, as the Rockets are one of the easiest team to accumulate stats against. This price is affordable as well, as his floor appears to be 5X value.

Marc Gasol, MEM at NOP ($7,300): Gasol is the final piece of our Memphis stack and he's taken on more responsibility in this offense than anyone. Since Conley went down, the Grizzlies have chosen to run their offense through Gasol and it's given him great fantasy value. In fact, he has 83.5 fantasy points across his last two games, while providing just five rebounds in that span. That rebounding total may look scary on the surface, but it just tells me that he has even more upside, with the capability to grab double-digit rebounds and approach 10 assists. The matchup may be the best part of this play though, as he faces an inept Pelicans defense.

Jusuf Nurkic, DEN at PHI ($4,300): There's nothing about Nurkic's recent form that makes him attractive here, but the Nuggets simply need to get something out of their frontcourt. With Nikola Jokic expected to sit here, Nurkic should be leaned on heavily to cover the talented Joel Embiid. There's no other player on this Nuggets roster who could man up with Embiid aside from Nurkic and he could see 25-plus minutes in that circumstance. He's not a complete dud either, as he's shown the capability to blow up when given the minutes. The Sixers have allowed the third most fantasy points to centers this year, too.