This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
We have a modest seven-game slate for this Monday with some great teams on the ledger. In fact, the top-six teams in the Eastern Conference are in action with many of them in tough matchups. There are also a lot of injury question marks, so be sure to keep an eye on players like Dwyane Wade and Kyrie Irving prior to tip-off. There are also some lopsided spreads, so be sure to diversify your lineups and not be exposed to the four games that are eight-point spreads or higher.
Points Guards:
Goran Dragic, MIA vs. IND ($6,200): With an injury-riddled Heat roster, Dragic has been asked to take on a bigger role recently. The biggest factor with the injuries is the players who are out, as Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade combined for one of the biggest usage rates between a duo in the NBA. With both of those guys out, Dragic has scored over 88 fantasy points across his last two games. This is a good matchup as well, with the Pacers allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to point guards over their last five games. Indiana also plays at an extremely high pace and that benefits a player like Dragic as well.
George Hill, IND ($6,000): Hill has been flirting with triple-double in his last two games and putting up some gaudy numbers. Over his last eight games, Hill is averaging 13 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.4 steals a game. That's just shy of 30 fantasy points a game, which is the 5X value we need to reach 300-plus points. With Dragic expected to take a bigger load on the offensive end, that should also make him less effective when covering Hill on the defensive end.
Shooting Guards:
Khris Middleton, MIL vs. LAL ($7,600): Middleton is an unsung hero in fantasy circles and has been one of the most improved players in the NBA this season. Not only has he been averaging over 40 fantasy points a game across his last three games, Middleton is approaching 30 fantasy points a game on the season. The icing on the cake here is the matchup, as he faces a Lakers team that has allowed at least 119 points in three-straight games and ranks 28th in defense.
Zach LaVine, MIN vs. BOS ($4,900): LaVine has been in and out of the starting lineup recently, but playing the best ball of his young career. Over his last 11 games, LaVine is averaging 17.6 points, 3.2 assists and 2.5 rebounds a game. That's about 26 fantasy points a game, which is hard to find from a player below $5,000. This sort of matchup is scary, but he should get plenty of minutes, even if there is a blowout.
Small Forwards:
Luol Deng, MIA vs. IND ($5,700): Deng is also a beneficiary of the Wade and Bosh injuries and putting up ridiculous numbers in their absence. Deng has over 97 fantasy points across his last two games and it's clear that his usage is sky-high with these studs out of the lineup. While Wade's status is up in the air, Bosh is definitely out and that's what is most important for Deng. The reason for that is because Deng has to play more of a big man role for the Heat with Bosh out and provide more rebounding. That's evident by his 21 rebounds over the last two games. Look for Deng to play a ton of minutes as well, as he'll be opposed to Paul George in this matchup.
Tobias Harris, DET at CLE ($5,500): Harris had his best game in a Detroit uniform on Sunday and he very well may be starting in this game. Anthony Tolliver has been starting recently, but he was injured in that game and it was clear by Harris' 35 minutes that he will be filling that void. The price is what is most enticing though, as Harris has $7,000 potential when he's playing his best. This is a tough matchup against a stingy Cleveland defense, but Harris should have no problem giving us solid value on his cheap price tag.
Power Forwards:
Jabari Parker, MIL vs. LAL ($5,500): Parker is playing his best ball of his career right now and now's the time to hop on the bandwagon. With Greg Monroe and Michael Carter-Williams moved to the bench, Parker has been asked to take on more offensive duties and performing ridiculously since. Over his last three games, Parker is averaging 23 points, 11 rebounds and three assists per game. That's 115 fantasy points in a three-game stretch, which is over 7X value on his price. If that's not enough incentive, this matchup should be. The Bucks play a Lakers team that ranks in the bottom-three in nearly every defensive statistic.
Mirza Teletovic, PHX at LAC ($4,100): The Suns are missing four starters out of their lineup and it's really given us some good value on players like Teletovic. Over his last six games, Teletovic is averaging 24 fantasy points a game. What's most promising is that he has played at least 29 minutes in his last two games while attempting double-digit shot attempts. This is also a fantastic matchup, with the Clippers playing players like Luc Mbah a Moute, Paul Pierce and Wesley Johnson at the four.
Center:
Alex Len, PHX at LAC ($4,600): Len has been great without Tyson Chandler in the lineup and it looks like he might have that opportunity here. Chandler missed Sunday's game with a shoulder injury and Len put up a 23-point, 13-rebound line against the best defense in the NBA. They'll have to lean on him even more here, with the Clippers playing DeAndre Jordan 30-plus minutes. Los Angeles has actually allowed centers to score the sixth-most fantasy points in the NBA over their last 10 games as well. This is a decent play if Chandler plays, but it's a must-play if Chandler is ruled out once again.
