This article is part of our FantasyDraft NBA series.
In NBA DFS, injury often begets opportunity, and there are multiple instances of such across the salary scale in Monday's 11-game ledger. The availability of a number of value options frees up the necessary cash to splurge on some of the elite selections, which should make tournaments particularly intriguing. Without further ado, let's dive into some of the best ways to allocate resources on the big slate.
GUARD
Ben Simmons, PHI vs. PHO ($19,800): Simmons put up a career-low six shot attempts over 39 minutes Saturday against the Pistons, which unsurprisingly led to the weakest scoring total of his young career (five points) and a rather underwhelming 28.50 fantasy points. However, he's still worth the investment Monday, considering his matchup against a Suns team that's allowed the fifth most fantasy points (45.1) to power forwards on the season, including the most (56.5) over the last five contests. They're also ranked in the bottom 10 in several other major categories against the position on the campaign, while Simmons has scored under 40 fantasy points in just five of his 21 games thus far.
Spencer Dinwiddie, BKN at ATL ($13,200): Dinwiddie has embraced the role of running the Nets offense since stepping in for D'Angelo Russell (knee), boasting a 22.7 percent usage rate and averaging 1.17 fantasy points per minute over in his nine games as the full-time starter. He's also scored between 30.50 and 43.00 fantasy points in four of his last five contests, putting him squarely in play at a still-reasonable price against a Hawks team that's allowed the eighth most fantasy points (48.9) per game to point guards, along with the fourth most assists (9.4), third most three-pointers (2.6) and sixth highest shooting percentage (43.0).
Rajon Rondo, NO vs. GS ($9,700): Rondo has racked up 40.50 and 38.50 fantasy points over the last two games, with the latter total coming in the absence of Anthony Davis (pelvis) on Saturday against the Trail Blazers. Davis will be out once again Monday, making Rondo an especially intriguing value play against a Warriors team that's been vulnerable to ones all season. Golden State checks in allowing the sixth most fantasy points (49.6) to point guards on the campaign, including the third most (60.2) over the last 10 contests. They also surrender the second most assists (9.9) per game to the position, a particularly relevant stat in the case of a player such as Rondo, who derives a great deal of fantasy value from his ability to distribute the ball effectively.
FORWARD/CENTER
DeMarcus Cousins, NO vs. GS ($19,400): Joel Embiid ($19,900) is certainly worthy of consideration as well if you're spending up at forward/center, but Cousins is a very viable alternative if you need to save a few hundred dollars. Like Rondo, Cousins stands to benefit from Davis' second consecutive absence Monday, even in a relatively tough matchup for centers. The Warriors are ranked in the top half of the league against fives in virtually every major category, but we've seen Cousins overcome difficult matchups countless times and deliver excellent returns. He's scored between 41.75 and 52.25 fantasy points in six of his last seven contests, producing double-doubles in four of those games. With his role projected to expand, he makes for an equally appealing cash or tournament play.
Marc Gasol, MEM vs. MIN ($14,700): Gasol bounced back from a couple of down performances to score 45.25 and 49.50 fantasy points in his last two contests, with the latter total partly consisting of a season-high 27 points against the Cavaliers on Saturday. He'll be in an advantageous spot again Monday, as the 47.9 fantasy points per game the Timberwolves have allowed to centers over the last 10 contests ranks as the most in the NBA during that span and is just over nine fantasy points higher than their season average of 38.6. They've also surrendered the fourth most rebounds (12.0) and highest shooting percentage (62.0) on the season to the position, while Gasol owns a team-high 28.5 percent usage rate and is averaging 1.19 fantasy points per minute since Mike Conley (Achilles) began his current absence Nov. 15.
Tyson Chandler, PHO at PHI ($8,200): Chandler makes for a high-upside value play for tournaments if you're going cheap at forward/center, considering his ceiling and matchup with the most generous team in the league against fives. The veteran compiled a season-high 42.50 fantasy points against the Celtics in his last outing Saturday on the strength of a 14-point, 18-rebound double-double and has also crossed 20 fantasy points on 11 other occasions this season. The Sixers also check in allowing the most fantasy points (43.0) to centers on the season, along with the most rebounds (12.3) and blocks (2.2) per contest as well.
UTILITY
Victor Oladipo, IND vs. NY ($15,800): There's no shortage of appealing mid-tier plays on Monday's slate, with Kevin Love ($14,900) and Tyreke Evans ($13,300) representing two other viable options if you need to save some cash. However, Oladipo could well be worth every penny against a Knicks team that's been lit up by two-guards for the fourth most fantasy points (59.1) per game over the last 10 contests, along with the fourth most made three-pointers (4.4) per game on the season. Oladipo has enjoyed a strong campaign overall but has been particularly effective over the last five games, scoring between 43.75 and 65.75 fantasy points in four of those contests while averaging 18.0 shot attempts and shooting an impressive 54.4 percent.
Michael Beasley, NY at IND ($6,900): Tim Hardaway, Jr. (leg) and Kristaps Porzingis (ankle, illness) are both out Monday, and the latter's absence affords Beasley another starting opportunity. He racked up 26.25 fantasy points in 27 minutes against the Magic on Sunday in Porzingis' stead and also exploded for 42.00 fantasy points in a previous stint with the first unit back on Nov. 25 against the Rockets. The one sure thing about the veteran is that he'll be firing away when he's out there, as he's put up 19 and 23 shot attempts, respectively, in the aforementioned pair of starts. His high usage, bargain price and matchup against a Pacers squad that's allowed 42.9 fantasy points, the second most three pointers (2.1) and the fourth highest shooting percentage (49.0) per game to power forwards makes him perhaps the top value play of the night.
