This article is part of our FantasyDraft NBA series.
Christmas Day is to the NBA what Thanksgiving is to the NFL, except there are even more marquee matchups to enjoy. A star-studded five-game slate is on tap Monday, with plenty of $20K-plus star power in action. Given the plethora of elite options, let's examine who's worthy of your Christmas cash and what mid-tier and value plays can help you afford them.
GUARD
Russell Westbrook, OKC vs. HOU ($21,900): Westbrook topped 60 fantasy points for the third time in the last four contests against the tough Jazz defense on Saturday night, yet his price has actually seen an $800 drop for a favorable Christmas Day matchup. Chris Paul is doubtful to take the court against the Thunder on Monday, which means Westbrook should see plenty of James Harden's inconsistent defense. Houston checks in allowing 45.8 fantasy points per game to point guards, and Westbrook averaged 36.3 points, 9.3 assists, 9.0 rebounds and 1.8 steals over four games against the Rockets last season, winning more than his fair share of one-on-ones against Harden in the process.
Klay Thompson, GS vs. CLE ($12,400): Thompson is sporting a 26.2 percent usage rate in the eight games that Stephen Curry has missed with an ankle injury thus far, and he's scored between 31.75 and 43.00 fantasy points in seven of those contests. He'll draw the most favorable matchup for two-guards in the league Monday, as the Cavaliers have allowed the most fantasy points (55.3) per game to shooting guards on the season, including 61.3 over the last five. They're also ranked in the bottom five in points and rebounds surrendered to the position, and have yielded the most assists (7.7) and made three-pointers (4.5) to twos as well. The latter figure could especially spell trouble against Thompson, who's averaging a career-best 44.4 percent on 7.6 attempts from behind the arc per contest.
Jordan Clarkson, LAL vs. MIN ($9,000): Clarkson is likely to draw the start or see heavier minutes than usual Monday with Lonzo Ball (shoulder) out, making him an appealing value play on a superstar-heavy slate. A recent three-game stretch where he scored between 7.50 and 13.25 fantasy points has knocked his price down considerably, but it's important to note that he only played between 14 and 18 minutes in those contests. He bounced back with 25.75 fantasy points over 21 minutes against the Blazers on Saturday and draws a solid matchup here against a Timberwolves squad that's allowed 46.0 fantasy points per game to point guards over the last five, along with the highest shooting percentage (47.0) to the position on the season.
FORWARD/CENTER
LeBron James, CLE at GS ($21,300): James has scored between 60.00 and 72.75 fantasy points in the last nine games, boasting a 34.1 percent usage rate and averaging 1.64 fantasy points per minute during that stretch. He presents as an especially appealing option in what will be a fast-paced contest, considering the Warriors are surrendering the third most fantasy points (49.1) per game to point guards and 40.4 fantasy points per game to small forwards, the two spots that James is currently being deployed in. In a game that should be a wire-to-wire affair, James is likely to see more than enough minutes to generate a strong return despite the hefty price.
Jimmy Butler, MIN at LAL ($15,700): Butler comes into Monday having scored between 36.50 and 55.50 fantasy points in 10 of his last 11 games, a span in which he's posted a team-high 26.4 percent usage rate. Meanwhile, the Lakers have been vulnerable to the shooting guard position all season, allowing the fifth most fantasy points (51.0) per game to twos, including 57.7 over the last five. They're also surrendering the most points (30.0) to the position on the campaign, while Butler comes into Monday shooting an impressive 50.5 percent over the last 10 games.
Gorgui Dieng, MIN at LAL ($7,100): Dieng has scored between 21.75 and 30.25 fantasy points in the last three games in which he's seen at least 20 minutes, and he's priced right for a matchup against one of the more porous frontcourts in the league. The Lakers are allowing the second most fantasy points (49.0) per game to power forwards, including 57.3 over the last five games. They're also surrendering the most rebounds (13.0) to fours on the campaign, while Dieng has hauled in between seven and nine boards in the last four games in which he's hit or eclipsed the 20-minute mark in playing time.
UTILITY
Kristaps Porzingis, NY vs. PHI ($17,800): Porzingis bounced back from an atypical 7.75 fantasy points in his return from a knee injury last Thursday to explode for 47.75 fantasy points against the Pistons on Friday night. He's now had two full days of rest to prepare for a matchup against Dario Saric, a player he'll enjoy a five-inch height advantage on. The Sixers also come in allowing 50.9 fantasy points per contest over the last 10 games to power forwards, well over their 41.2 season figure. Moreover, they're also surrendering the third most blocks (1.7) on the campaign to fours, which could help supplement Porzingis' fantasy production nicely.
Kevin Love, CLE at GS ($13,600): The Warriors have laid out the welcome mat to power forwards in recent contests, allowing the second most fantasy points (64.0) to the position over the last five, considerably more than the 47.0 they're surrendering on the season. They also rank in the bottom 10 in multiple other categories versus fours, while Love has scored over 40 fantasy points in three straight and between 37.50 and 56.75 fantasy points in eight of the prior nine games as well. He's had the hot hand throughout that stretch, shooting 51.0 percent over the last 10 contests, including 48.4 percent from three-point range.
