This article is part of our FantasyDraft NBA series.
Despite a small three-game slate Monday, there are several appealing individual matchups, some solid value to be had, and one potential high-scoring affair between the Nets and Suns that should offer plenty of fantasy goodness. Without further ado, let's dive in to some of the best plays across the salary spectrum.
GUARD
Kyrie Irving, BOS at ATL ($17,400): Irving provides a nice discount over Stephen Curry ($19,800) and has seen his play trend upward in recent games. He's scored between 38.50 and 47.75 fantasy points over the last five contests, while also boasting a 30.3 percent usage rate and averaging 1.23 fantasy points per minute over that span. The Hawks have been better against point guards in recent games, but the stiffest competition they've faced at the position over the last five, James Harden, went off for 29 points, 11 assists, three rebounds and one steal. Irving is nearly the same caliber of player and is certainly capable of providing a strong return Monday.
D'Angelo Russell, BKN at PHO ($16,000): Russell has scored 47.00 and 40.75 fantasy points in the last two games, and faces a Suns defense that's allowed the second most fantasy points (56.4), most points (28.6), second most rebounds (7.7), second most steals (2.7), fourth most three-pointers (2.9) and fifth highest shooting percentage (44.0) per game to point guards. Russell has taken charge of the Nets offense in the early going, posting a robust 34.3 percent usage rate and averaging 1.26 fantasy points per minute.
Allen Crabbe, BKN at PHO ($7,800): Crabbe's fluctuations in production make him strictly a tournament play, but one with considerable upside for his price. The sharpshooter has scored between 28.00 and 35.00 fantasy points in four contests this season and could be in line for a strong outing against a Suns squad that's allowed the fifth most fantasy points (54.1), eighth most points (30.4) and the most steals (3.2) per game to two-guards.
FORWARD/CENTER
Kevin Durant, GS vs. MIA ($20,500): The Heat have been among the stingiest defenses in the league against the small forward position, but Durant is essentially matchup proof. He's scored between 44.50 and 61.25 fantasy points in eight of 10 contests and is averaging 1.32 fantasy points per minute. His team-high 27.6 percent usage rate is another strong point in his favor, and it's also worth noting that he excelled in this matchup last season against much of the same personnel he'll be up against Monday (27.5 points on 50.0 percent shooting, 7.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.0 blocks and 1.0 steals over two games).
Al Horford, BOS at ATL ($12,900): Horford has averaged 35.17 fantasy points per game and has scored between 32.50 and 46.25 fantasy points in seven of his 10 contests. He's taken on an enhanced offensive role this season and has significantly improved his shot, boosting his overall field-goal percentage from last season's 47.3 percent to 55.0 percent, a figure that includes a 51.5 percent success rate from three-point range (compared to last season's 35.5 percent). The Hawks have allowed the third most fantasy points per game to centers (48.5) over the last five, and Horford could also have that little bit of extra juice in his game Monday going against his old squad.
Wayne Ellington, MIA at GS ($6,100): With Dion Waiters back in South Florida awaiting the birth of his child, Tyler Johnson ($8,600) is certainly also in play as an affordable option. However, Ellington should benefit from Waiters' absence as well and is near minimum price, making him an excellent cost-savings option for tournaments. He saw 27 minutes of run Sunday against the Clippers and compiled 25.75 fantasy points, and he's also racked up 30.00 fantasy points in another contest this season. The Warriors play an up-tempo style that should also help Ellington's cause in the form of some extra possessions, and they've allowed 45.5 fantasy points to two-guards over the last five, along with 22.7 points and a 44.0 percent success rate from the field on the season.
UTILITY
Devin Booker, PHO vs. BKN ($16,900): Booker was stonewalled by Danny Green and the tough San Antonio defense Sunday, but he'd scored between 32.00 and 50.50 fantasy points in the previous six games. The Nets will present a lot less resistance than the Spurs on Monday, as they've allowed the fourth most fantasy points (55.6), seventh most points (30.8) and second most rebounds (9.6) per game to two-guards, along with 3.7 made three-pointers.
Jaylen Brown, BOS at ATL ($11,400): Brown has proven a viable cash or GPP play with his consistency, as evidenced most recently by the fact he's scored between 27.50 and 33.00 fantasy points in the last four games. He's eclipsed 30 fantasy points in two other contests already as well, while the Hawks check in allowing the most fantasy points (63.6) on the season and over the last five (70.3) to shooting guards. They're also surrendering the third most points (33.4), most rebounds (12.7), second most assists (6.9) and most made three-pointers (5.4) per game to the position, while Brown is shooting a blistering 51.1 percent over the last five games, including an even more impressive 52.6 percent from three-point range.
