This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
If you followed my endorsements on Saturday's seven-game slate, you had a good night. My recommendations garnered wins in tournaments and cash games, and we're going to try to keep the ball rolling on another seven-gamer.
SLATE OVERVIEW
MIN (-1.5) @ CLE O/U: 222.5
ORL (-1.5) vs. IND O/U: 230
TOR (-2.5) @ BKN O/U: 222.5
MIA (-3.5) vs. CHI O/U: 225.5
MEM (-8.5) vs. SAS O/U: 234.5
MIL (-10) vs. CHA O/U: 241.5
SAC (-4.5) @ OKC O/U: 223.5
Monday's slate has a lot of top-notch guards, but the value spots are plentiful as well. Conversely, the forward position looks bleak, so most of your lineups should focus on picking elites at forward. Vegas thinks that the CHA/MIL contest has the highest total, but I think the MIN/CLE game will give it a run for its money.
INJURIES
CLE Darius Garland (back) - OUT
CLE Caris LeVert (foot) - OUT
Brandon Goodwin ($5,300) is once again a great play in this spot. Cedi Osman ($4,800) has also had some success in a depleted backcourt situation.
IND Malcolm Brogdon - POSSIBLE SCRATCH
You may not see him on the injury report, but I would not be surprised to see Brogdon sit for this back-to-back after his recent return to action. If you roster him, be sure to check back in.
ORL Markelle Fultz - PROBABLE
We need to make you aware of Fultz's return because it could do a number on the rotation, with Jalen Suggs being the likely victim. I wouldn't trust Fultz as a tournament flier, but if you're feeling lucky, he's a viable option at $4,500.
TOR Fred VanVleet (knee) - QUESTIONABLE
The Raptors and Nets will meet again Tuesday, so I think it's likely the team will sit FVV on Monday and use him Tuesday at home. His absence would make Gary Trent ($6,900) a lot more valuable.
BKN Kyrie Irving (home game) - OUT
Seth Curry ($5,900) remains my preferred option for increased production in this spot.
MIA Kyle Lowry (personal) - OUT
We'll talk a bit about pivots for Miami later in the article.
OKC Josh Giddey (hip) - OUT
OKC Luguentz Dort (shoulder) - OUT
We'll also discuss the Thunder a bit later.
ELITE PLAYERS
Although it's a back-to-back for Charlotte, I think they'll give the Bucks some trouble, and it's one reason why I think Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,500) is underpriced. Aside from just being really good at basketball, he faces a frontcourt that doesn't have many answers for him. The high-scoring starters for Charlotte should keep the game within striking distance though, giving Giannis a chance for 35 minutes or more.
Dejounte Murray ($9,700) is at an excellent salary point, and I like his savings over an equally prolific Ja Morant ($10,100), who is listed appropriately in a pace-up game against the Spurs. With Lowry out, Miami's big duo of Bam Adebayo ($9,900) and Jimmy Butler ($8,600) are spotlight plays on the slate, and Butler's salary is way too low. Another white-hit spotlight play is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($9,600), who will have all the pressure on him against Sacramento due to absences from Giddey and Dort.
Also consider: Domantas Sabonis, SAC ($9,700) @ OKC, LaMelo Ball, CHA ($8,300) @ MIL
EXPECTED CHALK AND VALUE PLAYS
Jrue Holiday ($7,500) and Khris Middleton ($7,500), MIL vs. CHA
It's the second consecutive time I've endorsed and bunched the two together, and although I wouldn't necessarily stack them in a lineup, they are pretty much a mix-and-match call for tournament lineups. I think Middleton's in an excellent spot for cash, and Holiday's upside does well in a GPP scenario.
Anthony Edwards, MIN ($7,000) @ CLE
The upside for Edwards at $7k is a little too good to pass up. He only posted 27 DP back in December versus the Cavs, but with Darius Garland out, the Cavs lose a key defensive piece. Edwards' numbers have ramped up slowly since the All-Star break, so he could be set to explode.
Andre Drummond, BKN ($6,600) vs. TOR
Steve Nash seems to have turned the corner as far as Drummond is concerned. He's let him close games out, which adds to his value, and even though he'll have Pascal Siakam to contend with, we can't forget Drummond from his earlier days, when all he had to do was stand under the basket and grab boards. I think he'll continue to trend up.
Tyler Herro, MIA ($6,100) vs. CHI
It goes without saying that Herro has enormous value with Lowry out in a fast-paced game. Even with Butler at full health, the Heat have shown that the two play well together and complement each other's game. There will also be a lot of noise from DFS experts about Gabe Vincent ($3,900), but I'm only into him if I've grossly overspent elsewhere and need the salary relief.
Scottie Barnes, TOR ($5,700) @ BKN
I think Barnes will have a good game in one of these two contests coming up against Brooklyn, but I think it will depend on which game (if any) VanVleet misses. My money is on Fred to be out for Monday's game, so I'm willing to fire up Barnes in his absence. With Irving out, the Nets sink to mediocre on both sides of the ball, and their defensive Achilles heel is at the wing. If he's dialed in, Barnes will burn them with a hot mid-range jumper.
Kyle Anderson, MEM ($5,000) vs. SAN
If Brandon Clarke sits, I really like Anderson, who could potentially serve you well either way as a budget add. There's no question that he's a high-variance play, but I recommend keeping an eye on Memphis' injury report and if Clarke is out, Anderson is a good salary saver.
Aaron Wiggins, OKC ($3,700) vs. SAC
Wiggins will start without Giddey and Dort, and Sacramento is the best matchup the Thunder will find. He didn't blow our minds in his last game, but if he can get accustomed to starting for a bit, Wiggins could turn out to be the best value add on the slate. The minutes will undoubtedly be there, and although SGA will top the team in shot volume, Wiggins will also get his share of opportunities.
Also consider: Jarrett Allen, CLE ($7,200) vs. MIN, Isaiah Jackson, IND ($6.200) @ ORL
