This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
For this Monday slate, we have an 11-game schedule with some interesting matchups. There are games like the Jazz-Bulls, Cavs-Pacers, and Pistons-Nets matchups which are expected to be low-scoring and then there are matchups between the Thunder-Wizards and Bucks-Kings which should be high-scoring. That makes for good options in the backcourt in those higher-paced games and good options in the frontcourt in the lower-scoring games. I say that because there should be more transition opportunities in the higher-paced games and more rebounding and defensive opportunities in the lower-scoring games. So with that in mind, let's look at some value plays in those games specifically.
Point Guards:
Michael Carter-Williams, MIL at SAC ($6,200): Carter-Williams has been a sneaky good fantasy asset all season. So far, MCW is averaging over 27 fantasy points a game, which is nearly 5X value. What makes him so enticing here is the matchup. The Bucks face off against a Kings team that ranks dead-last in defense and 26th in fantasy points allowed to point guards this season. They also play at an incredibly high pace, which is also a benefit to an athletic player like Carter-Williams.
Norris Cole, NOP vs. MEM ($4,700): With all the injuries in New Orleans, Cole has seen his role rise exponentially recently. Not only is he is now starting, Cole has been putting up good numbers as of late. In fact, Cole is averaging over 25 fantasy points a game over his last five games and has even reached 40 fantasy points once in that span. Cole is also averaging 32 minutes a game in that stretch, which makes him extremely reliable for a player below $5,000. This is a good play no matter what, but it's a must-play if Tyreke Evans sits out once again.
Shooting Guards:
Bradley Beal, WSH at OKC ($6,000): Beal has been in and out of injury hiatus all season, but he's coming off a season-high in minutes in his most recent game. He played 30 minutes in a loss to Houston, but did disappoint with just 19 fantasy points. Beal is an elite talent though and he should be set for 40-point fantasy games sooner rather than later. His price has dropped so much with his injury issues that now is the time to jump on him. This is a good matchup as well, as the Thunder are starting Dion Waiters with the injury to Andre Roberson and have been giving up the third-most fantasy points to shooting guards over their last five games.
Joe Johnson, BRK vs. DET ($5,200): Johnson has not been a great fantasy option this season, but he's been much better as of late. Over his last 13 games, Johnson is averaging 13.1 points, 4.0 assists, 3.8 assists and 0.5 steals per game. That's about 25 fantasy points a game, which is 5X value. The reason his assist numbers are up is because he is asked to handle the ball more and distribute with Jarrett Jack now injured. In what should be a slow-paced matchup, Johnson should be leaned on heavily in a halfcourt style of game and that's the type of tempo that Johnson thrives in.
Small Forwards:
Danilo Gallinari, DEN vs. TOR ($7,200): Since the beginning of January, Gallinari has been one of the best small forwards in the NBA. In fact, he is averaging 23.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 0.9 steals a game since then. What's most encouraging is that he averaging 35 minutes and 15 shot attempts per game in that 15-game span. He also is averaging nearly 10 free-throw attempts a game in that stretch as well, which makes him very consistent. The Raptors are a great defense, but their one weakness is at small forward, with DeMarre Carroll still injured, so look for Gallinari to once against control the Denver offense.
Chandler Parsons, DAL at ATL ($6,700): The only small forward that has been as good as Gallinari since the new year is Parsons. While he got off to a terrible start this season, his last eight games have been incredible, as Parsons is averaging over 34 fantasy points a game in that span. The most encouraging part about that run is that he has played at least 34 minutes in all of those games and has taken the most shots on the team in many of those games. This is a good matchup as well, with the Hawks ranking in the bottom-10 in fantasy points allowed to small forwards over their last 10 games.
Power Forwards:
Myles Turner, IND vs. CLE ($5,200): There haven't been many more impressive rookies than Turner in the month of January. Not only has he captured a starting role, he's been doing some serious damage. Across his last seven games, Turner hasn't scored below 24 fantasy points and has been averaging over 32 fantasy points a game in that span. That's over 6X value with a floor of 5X, which is nearly impossible to find. Turner should also be squared off against Kevin Love in this matchup, who is far from a defensive stud.
Taj Gibson, CHI at UTA ($5,000): The Bulls have had a gluttony of injuries in their frontcourt and it has risen Gibson's value a ton over recent weeks. Not only is he averaging over 30 minutes a game over his last 22 games, he's seen his role increase as well. Gibson is averaging 8.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.2 blocks and 0.5 steals a game over his last 22 games. That's close to 25 fantasy points per game and Gibson should see his role increase even more in a matchup like this. What makes this matchup so enticing is that he faces a bad Jazz offense and can thrive off defensive statistics and rebounds. Not to mention that Utah has a dominant frontcourt and they'll need Gibson to play as many minutes as he can handle to take care of Derrick Favors.
Center:
Rudy Gobert, UTA vs. CHI ($7,200): Most people are scared off by the Bulls frontcourt, but they've been susceptible to allowing monster games to centers. Not only do they rank 25th in fantasy points allowed to centers, they just let DeAndre Jordan go off on them on Sunday for 56 fantasy points. Gobert is a similar player to Jordan, as he's a freak athlete who can dominate the rebounding as well as throw a block party on any given night. Like I said earlier, this should be a defensive grinder and that opens the door for Gobert to grab double-digit rebounds and control the paint. Look for Utah to give Gobert heavy minutes as well, with the Bulls being loaded in the frontcourt.
