This article is part of our FantasyDraft NBA series.
Tonight's 10-game slate offers plenty of options worth paying up for, considering the likes of Kevin Durant, James Harden and Russell Westbrook are in action. An intriguing matchup between the Lakers and Warriors closes out the night, and the Thunder-Nuggets tilt also shapes up as a potentially high-scoring affair. With plenty to consider, let's break down some of the best plays on a big Monday night of DFS action.
GUARD
Russell Westbrook, OKC vs. DEN ($22,500): Westbrook is the clear-cut choice if you're paying up at guard Monday night, as the Nuggets continue to facilitate superior fantasy production for opposing point guards. Denver comes in having allowed the second most fantasy points (56.2) per game to ones on the season, including the most (64.5) over the last 10 games. Moreover, they're allowing the most assists (11.0) and made three-pointers (2.9) to the position, leaving Westbrook with plenty of paths to profits. Furthermore, he's scored between 51.00 and 77.00 fantasy points in four of his last five games, and has another tally over 70 within his last 10 contests.
Lonzo Ball, LAL vs. GS ($13,400): Ball posted 36.50 fantasy points on the strength of a 15-point, 10-assist double-double against the Warriors on Nov. 29, and Golden State continues to struggle to contain point guards, even with the defensively proficient Shaun Livingston manning the position in Stephen Curry's (ankle) stead. The Warriors are allowing the second most fantasy points (59.8) per game to ones over the last 10 games, including 61.8 over the last five. They're also surrendering the second most assists (9.8) per game to the position on the season, with that category notably being one of Ball's primary sources of fantasy production. Despite his inconsistent shooting, the rookie is averaging a solid 33.04 fantasy points on the season and has scored between 43.00 and 46.00 fantasy points in three of his last four contests.
Yogi Ferrell, DAL vs. PHO ($9,700): Ferrell has scored between 24.00 and 43.75 fantasy points in three of his last four games, with the high end of that range having come in his most recent outing against the Spurs on the strength of a 17-point, 11-rebound double-double. He's seeing a hefty workload in terms of minutes as well, while the Suns have allowed the most fantasy points (56.5) per game to point guards on the season, including 59.5 over the last five contests. They're also yielding the most points (26.8), most rebounds (7.8), third most assists (9.6), most steals (3.1), third most three-pointers (2.7) and second highest shooting percentage (46.0) to the position, leaving Ferrell with no shortage of paths to fantasy success.
FORWARD/CENTER
Kevin Durant, GS at LAL ($22,100): Durant has scored between 51.75 and 73.00 fantasy points in his last four games, and with Curry and Draymond Green (shoulder) out again Monday night, he'll be in a position to generate yet another spectacular return. Durant owns a robust 35.9 percent usage rate and is averaging 1.31 points per possession and 1.74 fantasy points per minute over that span, and he already lit up the Lakers for 47.75 fantasy points over 42 minutes back on Nov. 29 with both Curry and Green in the lineup. The Lakers have been relatively stingy against small forwards this season, but they've notably allowed 53.3 fantasy points per game to the position over the last five, more than 15 fantasy points over the 38.0 per contest they've yielded on the season.
LaMarcus Aldridge, SA vs. LAC ($15,100): Aldridge continues to be heavily involved on the offensive end despite the recent return of Kawhi Leonard to the lineup, and he's scored between 28.50 and 43.50 fantasy points in his last five games, two which the latter played in. Leonard is likely to be on the floor again Monday, but his minutes are still being progressively ramped up. Aldridge should therefore still handle plenty of the scoring load against a Clippers team that he already compiled 42.00 fantasy points against on Nov. 7 this season, and that has allowed the fourth most fantasy points (46.6) per game to power forwards.
Richaun Holmes, PHI at CHI ($7,900): Joel Embiid will sit out Monday's game for rest, which should propel Holmes into a prominent role once again. Holmes scored 30.75 fantasy points in the most recent game that Embiid missed, and he followed up that performance with a haul of 34.75 fantasy points on the strength of a 15-point, 11-rebound double-double last Tuesday. He could well draw the start at the five Monday, which would leave him in a favorable spot against a Bulls squad that's allowed the sixth most fantasy points (44.0) per game to centers over the last five games, along with 14.9 points, 11.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.6 blocks on the season. With a bargain price and a chance at approximately 30 minutes, he shapes up as an appealing cost-savings option for tournaments.
UTILITY
Ben Simmons, PHI at CHI ($17,500): Simmons owns a 25.5 percent usage rate and is averaging 1.03 fantasy points per minute without Embiid on the floor this season, and with the latter sitting out for rest Monday, he should be shouldering plenty of responsibility. The Bulls have also allowed 45.2 fantasy points per game to point guards, along with the second most assists (7.3). Simmons has scored between 38.50 and 52.50 fantasy points in five of the last six games, and he posted 49.25 fantasy points in the most recent contest Embiid missed on Dec. 10.
Al Horford, BOS at IND ($12,900): Horford scored 43.25 fantasy points against the Pacers on Nov. 25 and has eclipsed 40 fantasy points in six of his last 10 contests as well. Those are excellent returns on his reasonable salary, and he'll be in prime position for more of the same Monday. Indiana continues to be susceptible to centers, as they've allowed the most fantasy points (42.8), points (18.8) and blocks (2.0) per game on the season to fives, along with bottom 10 figures in rebounds, assists, made three-pointers and shooting percentage.
