This article is part of our FantasyAces NBA series.
RotoWire aims to help you win on Fantasy Aces, as we break down a few value plays for Monday night that can help you build your lineups. There is value to be had, and identifying it will allow you to spend on top-tier players to round out your lineup.
On a night when the likes of Anthony Davis, Blake Griffin, Andre Drummond and Kawhi Leonard are in play, below are some selections that come in no higher than $4,750, leaving plenty of room to fit in some of the elite.
Guards
Raymond Felton, DAL at NYK ($3,800): An array of injuries continues to provide Felton with opportunity for ample playing time, and the veteran is largely taking advantage. He's tallied 40, 34 and 38 minutes, respectively, over his last three contests, and has scored at least 20 fantasy points in five straight. While his shooting has been somewhat inconsistent, Felton fills up the stat sheet in other categories, and he is coming off a double-double performance versus the Wizards on Sunday. His ability to fill in at multiple positions should keep him on the court again Monday, even with Chandler Parsons (rest) expected to play, as the Mavs find themselves thin in the backcourt, with J.J. Barea (ankle) and possibly Devin Harris (ribs) sidelined.
Wesley Matthews, DAL at NYK ($4:100)- Matthews' price has remained stagnant, yet he is increasingly showing signs of re-emerging as the player who averaged 16.4 and 15.9 points per game, respectively, over the last two seasons. The veteran guard exploded for 54.75 fantasy points Sunday versus the Wizards -- a performance that included an eye-popping 10 three-pointers -- and tallied 28.75 last Tuesday versus his former Portland teammates. He's also been logging heavy playing time, spending 36, 40, 34 and 41 minutes on the floor over the last four games, respectively. Monday, he draws a Knicks defense that is ranked in the bottom half of the league versus shooting guards, and is surrendering an average of 37.2 fantasy points to the position over the last 10 games.
Louis Williams, LAL at TOR ($4,100): The Lakers' shooting guard draws his former Raptors teammates on Monday, and the matchup comes on the heels of a three-game stretch in which Williams has played at least 31 minutes in each contest. As he's demonstrated in the past, he can usually cash in on that type of opportunity. Accordingly, Williams has tallied 32.50, 25.25 and 20.0 fantasy points over that span. With essentially a starter's allotment of playing time, a little extra motivation versus his old team, and a Raptors defense surrendering an average of 37.9 fantasy points to shooting guards over the last five, Williams should deliver solid value Monday.
Avery Bradley, BOS at NOP ($4,600): Bradley has been providing excellent production, particularly at a price that continues to hover in the mid-$4,000s. Bradley has played very well with Marcus Smart (leg) sidelined, tallying 12 consecutive double-digit scoring performances, with at least 35.25 fantasy points in four of his last 10 games. He's also posted between 24 and 28.75 fantasy points in four others during that span. The Pelicans' highly vulnerable defense versus shooting guards (38.9 fantasy points per game surrendered over the last 10) just adds to his appeal.
Forwards
Anthony Tolliver, DET at CHA ($3,300): There are quite a few values at forward, including some darts like minimum-priced Josh McRoberts, but Tolliver represents an appealing combination of a bargain-basement price tag and increasing opportunity. Starter Ersan Ilysova got into some foul trouble versus the Lakers on Sunday, allowing Tolliver to play 33 minutes and generate 25.25 fantasy points. While that type of playing time has not been the norm, Tolliver did receive 23 minutes in the Pistons' prior game, and posted a solid 21.75 fantasy points against the Bucks. Including those two games, he's played at least 20 minutes in six of his last eight, and has posted 21.0 fantasy points or better in four of them. Monday, he draws the Hornets' highly permeable defense versus power forwards (surrendering 48.6 fantasy points per game over the last five) that is further weakened by the absence of Al Jefferson (calf). He doesn't need to do much to pay off his $3,300 price, and can significantly open up opportunities elsewhere on your roster.
Al-Farouq Aminu, POR at MIL ($4,450): Aminu has turned out to be a solid third scoring option in Portland behind Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum, and a recent four-game stretch in which his production took a dive has helped keep his price very reasonable. The six-year veteran has bounced back nicely from that mini-slump over his last two games, posting 28.0 and 24.25 fantasy points, respectively. He also faces a Bucks defense Monday that has struggled against small forwards all season long, and that has yielded an average of 39.8 fantasy points to the position over the last 10.
Otto Porter, WAS at MIA ($4,300): Porter's price is exceedingly reasonable considering his ceiling, and the fact that he seems to be on the comeback trail from recent struggles. The Wizards' small forward has scored 22.75 and 32.75 fantasy points over his last two games, with the latter total the result of an impressive 15-point, 11-rebound double-double versus the Mavericks on Sunday. With Gerald Green likely starting at least one more game in place of Luol Deng (hamstring), Porter also has an opportunity for a matchup that should allow him to reach 5x-6x value.
Centers
Gorgui Dieng, MIN vs. LAC ($4,000): Despite starter and rookie standout Karl-Anthony Towns emerging from a recent slump, Timberwolves coach Sam Mitchell has readily conceded that Dieng's impressive play makes it difficult to keep him off the floor. That was apparent Saturday versus Portland, where Dieng received 24 minutes despite a solid 27-point performance from Towns. Dieng has posted double-digit scoring in five of his last six games -- including two double-doubles over that span -- and has scored at least 20.75 fantasy points in six of his last seven. With a matchup against a Clippers defense that has surrendered an average of a whopping 50.7 fantasy points to centers over the last five, Dieng figures to receive sufficient playing time to continue his multi-game trend of returning 5x-6x value.
Julius Randle, LAL at TOR ($4,750): Randle is the highest-priced of the recommendations Monday, but he still checks in at a palatable price, considering his production and potential. The Lakers' power forward is averaging 27.3 fantasy points per game for the season, and has scored over 30 fantasy points twice and over 40 once in his last six. He continues to fill out the stat sheet on a nightly basis, and faces a Raptors frontcourt that has been generous versus power forwards (48.7 fantasy points per game over the last five), particularly while Jonas Valanciunas (hand) has been sidelined.
