This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
POINT GUARDS:
Goran Dragic, MIA vs. WSH ($5,700): Dragic has been a major disappointment this season, but it's lowered his price enough to make him a good value. He started the season just shy of $7,000 and the drastic price drop has gone too far. The recent form and the matchup are what makes him most enticing. He gets to face a Washington team that is one of the highest-paced teams in the NBA. That's a perfect scenario for a player like Dragic, considering he plays better when the game is played in an up-tempo style. Dragic has also been averaging nearly 30 fantasy points over his last two games and it appears he's finally discovering his role in this Miami offense.
Michael Carter-Williams, MIL vs. POR ($5,500): Carter-Williams had some high hopes when Milwaukee traded for him, but he's been relegated to bench duties as of late. That along with his early season struggles has lowered his price, making him an interesting DFS option. The Bucks have had a gluttony of injuries in the frontcourt, leaving a void for Carter-Williams to fill. Over his last four games, he has played at least 27 minutes and averaged about 28 fantasy points per game. That's over 5X value on his price, which is a fantastic bargain. He should have no problem playing another 30-minutes here against one of the worst defending point guards in the NBA in Damian Lillard.
SHOOTING GUARD:
Wesley Matthews, DAL at NY ($4,800): I've been on this Wesley Matthews train for a couple weeks now and that paid huge dividends on Sunday night. Matthews had his best game of the season by far, tallying 36 points, six rebounds, five assists, one steal and one block en route to an incredible 54-point fantasy outing. That's well over 10X value, which is one of the best values you'll see all season. Because that game was just one night ago, FanDuel could not alter the price and we can capitalize once again on this dirt-cheap price tag. Matthews has also been averaging nearly 40 minutes a game over his last four games and that's impossible to find for a player below $5,000.
O.J. Mayo, MIL vs. POR ($4,100): Mayo actually got a start at point guard in Milwaukee's last game with the lack of frontcourt depth and he had one of his best games of the season. He scored a season-high 29 fantasy points and his production has been steadily rising as of late. That's the third time in his last five games that he has surpassed the 25-point fantasy threshold, which is a hell of a bargain for a $4,100 player. The minutes are what is most promising though, as he is averaging about 34 minutes a game over his last five games. The icing on the cake is that his opponent on Monday is the third worst defense in the NBA based on fantasy points allowed to shooting guards and that should only benefit a talented player like Mayo.
SMALL FORWARD:
Nicolas Batum, CHA vs. DET ($7,300): Batum really struggled last season because of a wrist issue, but it's clear he's back to full health this season. He has been fantastic and incredibly consistent in Charlotte. In fact, Batum has scored at least 39 fantasy points in six of his last 10 games. His role in this offense is unlike one he's ever had before, as he is asked to control the ball and handle the offense. That allows him to stuff the stat sheet and makes him as reliable as any small forward. Batum is also rebounding at one of the highest-rates of his career and Detroit allows the eighth most rebounds to small forwards this season.
Jae Crowder, BOS at NOP ($5,200): It's baffling that Crowder's price still isn't in the $6,000 range, but let's just continue to use him at this extremely reasonable price tag. Crowder is averaging 26 fantasy points over his last six games and averaging about 24 fantasy points for the season. The reliability is what is most impressive though, as he has cracked at least 21 fantasy points in all six of those games, while playing at least 30 minutes in five-straight. This matchup is a fantastic one as well, as he faces the worst defense in the NBA. There's almost no downside with this play and that makes him fantastic in GPP's, head-to-heads, and 50/50's.
POWER FORWARD:
Julius Randle, LAL at TOR ($6,200): Randle has been playing some great basketball recently and he appears to be coming into his own. Over his last nine games, Randle is averaging over 13 points and over 10 rebounds per game. He has also been averaging two combined blocks and steals per game, which is an extra four points on FanDuel. That's over 30 fantasy points a game with his assists included and that's a great number for a $6,200 player. This matchup is enticing as well, as he'll be squaring off against Luis Scola and one of the weakest frontcourts in the NBA.
Marvin Williams, CHA vs. DET ($5,000): Williams is far from a sexy pick in DFS, but he's been very reliable this season. He is averaging nearly 24 fantasy points a game and playing even more minutes recently. Since the injury to Al Jefferson, Williams has been asked to take more minutes and snatch more rebounds. In fact, Williams is averaging about 33 minutes a game over his last five games with a floor of 19 fantasy points. Finding a $5,000 player with a floor of 20 fantasy points is incredibly valuable and it becomes even better matched up against a player like Ersan Ilyasova.
CENTER:
Greg Monroe, MIL vs. POR ($7,700): Monroe has scored at least 30 fantasy points in eight of his last 10 games. Those two games would have easily been 30-plus fantasy points if he got a full complement of minutes due to the games getting out of hand. Monroe averaged about 40 fantasy points in his per-36 numbers and more often than not, he'll play 36 minutes. On Monday, he gets to face one of the worst frontcourts in the NBA in the Portland Trail Blazers. In fact, they rank dead-last in the NBA in fantasy points allowed to centers with over 50 fantasy points a game allowed. With less than 10 legitimate centers to use on this slate, getting a guaranteed 30-plus points from Monroe can pay major dividends at a shallow position.
