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. Monday's nine-game slate is replete with value, and identifying it will allow you to spend on top-tier players to round out your lineup.
On a night where stars the likes of James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony are in play, below are some selections that come in no higher than $4,500, leaving plenty of room to fit in some of the elite.
Guards
Arron Afflalo, NYK vs. ORL ($4,300): Afflalo has scored 24.00, 33.25, 36.25 and 26.50 fantasy points in four of his last five games. He's scored double-digit actual points in all five games during that span, and while rookie sensation Kristaps Porzingis has been encountering a bit of a rookie wall, Afflalo has become Carmelo Anthony's most reliable source of support on the offensive side of the ball. He also draws an Magic defense that is ranked in the bottom 10 against shooting guards, surrendering 21.4 actual points per game to the position.
Kent Bazemore, ATL vs. POR ($4,250): Bazemore's recent production has considerably outpaced his pricing, a situation that is naturally worth capitalizing on. He's scored 39.25, 27.25, 21.75 and 26.50 fantasy points over his last four, respectively, in 33.8 minutes per game. Bazemore is averaging 14.6 actual points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists in nine games this month.
Garrett Temple, WAS vs. SAC ($3,700): Temple is a call based on a combination of recent performance, opportunity and a bargain-bin price tag. He's been admittedly hit-or-miss so far in the extended opportunities he's received in Bradley Beal's (lower leg) absence, but he is coming off a 34.75-fantasy point performance Saturday versus the Hornets that should earn him a good dose of minutes Monday. Temple, who scored 17.50 and 19.50 fantasy points in a pair of 28-minute outings earlier in December, draws a Kings defense Monday that ranks second-worst in the NBA versus shooting guards, surrendering 24.3 actual points per game to the position.
P.J. Hairston, CHA vs. HOU ($3,500): Hairston represents another opportunity to nab a starter in a plum matchup for a near-minimum price. Despite Trevor Ariza's reputation as a solid defender, the Rockets have been a sieve against opposing small forwards all season long, ranking as the third-most generous defense in average actual points allowed to the position (20.9). Meanwhile, Hairston has been returning 5x-6x value on his very modest price tag over his last three, netting 16.50, 17.00 and 19.50 fantasy points, respectively, in that span.
Forwards
Trevor Ariza, HOU vs. CHA ($4,500): While his suspect defense helps put Hairston in play Monday, Ariza's own offensive production and highly affordable price tag make him a great value in his own right. The veteran has scored at least 30.00 fantasy points in five of his last seven games, and just as important, has played between 33 and 42 minutes in his last four. He's scored at least 10 actual points during those contests and has drained multiple three-pointers in each, giving him additional site-specific appeal. He draws a favorable matchup on his end to boot, with Charlotte coming in as a bottom-10 defense against small forwards, giving up 19.7 actual points per game to the position.
Marvin Williams, CHA at HOU ($4250): The Rockets-Hornets value train continues with Williams, who has also been outperforming his very reasonable price tag. The power forward has scored 31.00 and 24.75 fantasy points over his last two games, while hauling in 19 boards over that span. That number is particularly relevant considering he'll be facing a Rockets defense that gives up 12.5 rebounds per game to opposing fours (second-worst in the league), while also surrendering a third-worst 23.8 actual points per game to the position. Williams has regularly returned 5x-7x value all season and his minutes are never in question, with the veteran power forward averaging 31 per game.
Omri Casspi, SAC at WAS ($4,250): Casspi has been maximizing his recent starting opportunities, with the veteran forward scoring between 25.50 and 37.50 fantasy points in four out of his last five games. He's notably averaged over 35 minutes per game during that span, and he is fresh off a double-double versus the Raptors on Sunday. Casspi contributes across all areas of the stat sheet, boasting averages of 15.0 actual points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game over his last five. He'll also match up against a Wizards defense that has been hopeless against small forwards this season, surrendering a league-worst 24.2 actual points per game to the position.
Centers
Gorgui Dieng, MIN at BOS ($4,150): The Timberwolves backup center has essentially been receiving a starter's allotment of minutes on many nights, as his outstanding defense and rebounding have kept him on the court. Coming into Sunday's contest versus the Nets, Dieng had impressively scored between 20.75 and 36.25 fantasy points in nine of his previous 10 games. He then exploded for a 20-point, 10-rebound performance over 36 minutes versus Brooklyn that netted 40.00 fantasy points. The third-year pro is averaging 29.0 minutes per game in 10 appearances this month and returning 5x-10x value on a regular basis, rendering him a cost-effective way to fill in the center position and pay up for the studs elsewhere.
Steven Adams, OKC at LAC ($3,800): Adams is always somewhat of an under-the-radar call, even as a value play, and he never seems to jump off the screen as a center option. However, he's demonstrated he can be a solid source of value when the matchup is right, and such a situation presents itself Monday. The Clippers come in as the worst defense against centers, giving up an average of 21.7 actual points and 15.2 rebounds to opposing fives. Meanwhile, Adams has tallied 23.25, 20.75 and 25.75 fantasy points, respectively, in his last three opportunities against suspect frontcourts (Atlanta, a Rudy Gobert-less Utah squad and Portland).
