This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
With many teams off for the last few days, we have a full 11-game slate Monday, including a great Suns-Rockets matchup that is expected to be the highest-scoring game of the night. The pace and lack of defense is what makes the game so intriguing for fantasy, as the first team to 120 will likely be the winner.
James Harden HOU vs. PHX ($11,600): If we're going to stack the Houston-Phoenix matchup, we have to use the best player in the game. Harden has just been ridiculous this season, averaging over 52 fantasy points per game and flirting with a triple-double on a nightly basis. What makes him so great is the matchup, as he faces a Suns defense that ranks 29th in points allowed and 26th in fantasy points allowed to point guards. In his last meeting against the Suns, Harden tallied 27 points and 14 assists en route to 54 fantasy points.
Devin Booker PHX at HOU ($6,200): Booker is arguably the Suns' best offensive weapon, and he's a must-use in a stack of this game. He is averaging 30 fantasy points per game over his last six games, including one with 28 points, six rebounds seven assists against the Rockets. That's no surprise when you consider the matchup, as Houston allows the third-most fantasy points to shooting guards this season.
Patrick Beverley HOU vs. PHX ($5,800): Let's add to this stack with a player who is averaging 10.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.5 steals per game over his last 10. His best game in that stretch was against the Suns as well, as he fell just shy of a triple-double in a 42-fantasy-point explosion. The reason for that monster game is because this matchup is perfect for Beverley's style, as he's asked to play heavy minutes as a defensive stopper against a talented backcourt. With Phoenix ranking 29th in pace and total defense, Beverley should be able to stuff the stat sheet once again.
Antony Davis, NOP vs. DAL ($11,600): There's really not much explanation needed for this play, as Davis is easily the best forward option on the slate. The form and talent are obvious, as Davis ranks top-10 in numerous categories, and he averages over 52 fantasy points per game. It's the matchup that puts him over the top though, as the Mavericks have no one who can come close to guarding a player like Davis. What's also an interesting factor here is the close spread, as Davis is a near guarantee for 40-plus minutes in what should be a close game.
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, CHA vs. BRK ($4,500): Kidd-Gilchrist has scored 56 fantasy points over his last two games, playing over 31 minutes per contest. Duplicating that sort of production becomes even easier in this matchup, as the Nets rank bottom-three in total defense, pace and fantasy points allowed to small forwards. Players like Nicolas Batum ($7,500) and Kemba Walker ($8,000) are also great players to pair with Kidd-Gilchrist against the Nets.
DeMarre Carroll TOR at POR ($3,800): Carroll has been very disappointing this season, but his price is simply too low against a Portland defense that ranks last in defensive efficiency. While his ceiling is limited with his role in Toronto, it seems very possible that Carroll can provide 6x-7x value at such an affordable price.
DeMarcus Cousins SAC vs. PHI ($11,200): Davis, Harden and Cousins are the three best options on the slate and it's imperative to get two of them. They are easy bets for 50 fantasy points and Cousins may have the best matchup of the three against a Sixers defense that allows the third-most fantasy points to centers this season.
DeAndre Jordan LAC vs. DEN ($7,200): Jordan has been a far better player with Blake Griffin out of the lineup and that's coming to fruition once again. Jordan has snatched down at least 12 rebounds in 12 of his last 14 games, while averaging 14.4 boards per game in that span. The matchup may be the best part, as the Nuggets have allowed big centers to destroy them all season long.
Montrezl Harrell, HOU vs. PHX ($4,500): Harrell has scored over 27 fantasy points in two straight games, as he's finally starting to play big minutes with Clint Capella out. One of those big games came against these Suns, and he should be able to add to his recent run with Phoenix allowing the second-most fantasy points to centers over their last five games.
