The App is Back! Don’t forget to download the NBC Sports EDGE app to receive real-time player news, mobile alerts and track your favorite players. Plus, now you can check out articles and player cards. Get it here!
This article aims to highlight some of the best NBA DFS Plays at every position for your cash game lineups. Keep in mind that the following player write-ups were constructed earlier in the day, and sometimes injury/rest situations can alter the fantasy landscape. Monitoring our NBA News & Headlines Feed throughout the day will keep you in the loop while giving you the subsequent DFS consequences of each information piece.
We’ll take a look at Monday’s seven-game main slate starting at 7:00 ET.
POINT GUARD
LaMelo Ball - Charlotte (vs. Houston) - DK: $9,500 / FD: $9,400 / Yahoo: $45
Ball has returned from an extended absence to average 41 FPPG over his last four games. That comes despite fewer minutes with blowout and foul situations. I don’t think he’ll have that problem tonight, which could really boost his fantasy prospects. The matchup is outstanding as well, facing a Houston team that ranks 28th in team defensive efficiency. This has all the makings of a breakout game for Ball, and I don’t mind paying the expensive salary when considering all the easy value on this slate. More on that throughout this article.
Also Consider: Damian Lillard (if playing), Eric Bledsoe
Editor’s Note: Dominate daily with our premium DFS Tools that are packed with our lineup optimizer, a salary tracker, projections, and much more. Click here to learn more!
SHOOTING GUARD
James Harden - Brooklyn (at LA Clippers) - DK: $11,200 / FD: $11,000 / Yahoo: $50
Harden is another top-dollar pick that I’m clicking into my lineup. This should be a high-scoring game against the Clippers, and Harden will absorb all the usage he can handle with Kevin Durant sidelined. Harden posted 71 fantasy points (!) against the Lakers on Christmas Day with KD out. Now he’s facing a Clippers team that will be without Paul George, making his individual matchup a little easier.
Also Consider: Jordan Clarkson, Malik Beasley
SMALL FORWARD
Jaylen Brown - Boston (at Minnesota) - DK: $9,300 / FD: $8,000 / Yahoo: $30
Brown serves as the third priority spend on this slate. Jayson Tatum and Dennis Schroder are out. Marcus Smart is questionable for Boston. That leaves Brown as the main playmaker for the Celtics. The matchup looks good against the Minnesota backups. Brown has achieved 45+ fantasy points in two of his last three games, and that was with Tatum in the lineup. Needless to say, that’s a realistic expectation tonight given the strong draw and heightened usage.
Also Consider: Norman Powell, Cam Reddish
POWER FORWARD
Jaden McDaniels - Minnesota (vs. Boston) - DK: $5,100 / FD: $5,400 / Yahoo: $13
Okay, we’ve outlined several top-dollar picks, so we’ll need to wash it down with some value. The Timberwolves are decimated at the moment with Karl-Anthony Towns, D’Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt, Naz Reid, and Anthony Edwards out. That means McDaniels will see full minutes and plenty of usage. He showcased some playmaking ability in the Summer League this offseason, and this is the time for him to turn it on. McDaniels has gone for 31 and 39 fantasy points respectively in his last two, and there’s a chance he’ll need to do even more with Minnesota down a few more frontcourt players since the last time they took the court.
Also Consider: Kristaps Porzingis, Christian Wood
CENTER
Nathan Knight - Minnesota (vs. Boston) - DK: $3,300 / FD: $3,800 / Yahoo: $10
As mentioned in the previous write-up, the Wolves are desperate in the frontcourt. Knight will probably get the start at center, and there’s a chance he approaches 25-30 minutes. Knight has looked decent with a total of 26 fantasy points in 26 minutes over the last two games. With Towns and Reid out, he’ll need to step into a featured role. That should translate to easy fantasy value given the short price tag.
Also Consider: Robert Williams
POTENTIAL BARGAINS
Eric Bledsoe (PG - LAC) hopes to step up with Paul George and Reggie Jackson out. That was the case last game, and Bledsoe came through with 53 fantasy points. Am I expecting a repeat showing? No. Is he still a solid value play? Yes.
Jordan Clarkson (SG - UTA) serves as the main beneficiary of Donovan Mitchell’s absence. The last time Mitchell missed a game, Clarkson came through with 37 fantasy points in 31 minutes.
Cam Reddish (SF - ATL) should continue to produce for the short-handed Hawks. Atlanta is without Trae Young, John Collins, Delon Wright, Kevin Huerter, and more. Reddish posted a 50 FP game last week against Orlando. While that’s more of an outlier than anything, we can still expect a competent performance from him while leading a Hawks team that is desperate for playmakers.
