Monday night features a six-game NBA slate on DraftKings. While there are a few high-priced studs to consider, I find myself taking a more balanced approach to lineup construction on Monday’s slate, which includes a “value” stud who always comes with some big upside. The value on the six-game slate seems to come predominately from one team who is playing in a game with the highest Vegas total on the slate.

Note that some of the stats referenced in this article are my custom defense versus position (DvP) calculations. This metric combines data from the season and the last five games along with blending similar positions production allowed together.

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One Stud

Russell Westbrook (PG – HOU): $8,800 at NOR
Sure, you can give Kawhi Leonard consideration for this slot in a game against the team (Raptors) who he just led to a championship, but there are a ton of good wing options on this slate. So, instead, I’m going to pivot to a cheaper option who is playing in the game with the highest Vegas total on the slate with Westbrook. Sure, Westbrook’s numbers have been down the last few games, but a salary under $9k for a player that is still capable of a triple-double on any given night is a steal. Westbrook draws a great matchup against a Pelicans squad that has allowed increased production in points (+16.4%), rebounds (+5.7%), and assists (+31.1%) to point guards in the early going this season.

Core Plays

Brandon Ingram (SF/PF – NOR): $7,800 vs. HOU
I’m going to load you up with mid-priced core plays so that you can either choose either three of them along with Westbrook or go with a very balanced lineup build and use all five options. The Pelicans are in a great spot on Monday at home in an up-tempo matchup with the Rockets. Ingram has been crushing this season, as he’s posted 30.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game over his last three outings. He’ll get a slight bump in usage with Lonzo Ball out, and he faces a Rockets team that has allowed increased production in points (+15.7%) and rebounds (+19.6%) to opposing small forwards this season.

Jayson Tatum (SF/PF – BOS): $7,500 vs. DAL
Tatum has been a steady force behind the strong start to the season for the Celtics. He has topped at least 32 DraftKings points in all eight games this season and could see an increase in usage and fantasy production with the injury to Gordon Hayward. Tatum has posted slightly better numbers at home compared to on the road this season. He will get some home-cookin’ on Monday night with the Mavericks coming to town in what should be a very close, competitive matchup.

Jrue Holiday (PG/SG – NOR): $7,400 vs. HOU
Let the march of the Pelicans continue with Holiday, who shifts over to the point with Ball out. Holiday dished out a season-high 11 assists in his last game when Ball was on the sidelines. Holiday has at least 38 DK points in each of his last three outings, and his ceiling is much higher than that. He should get plenty of opportunities for points and assists on Monday in an up-tempo matchup with the Rockets for one of those spike games.

Donovan Mitchell (PG/SG – UTH): $7,300 at GSW
Mitchell is another player who provides a very high floor and has plenty of spike game upside. He has put up at least 33 DK points in six straight outings and draws a juicy matchup on Monday as the Jazz travel to face the depleted Warriors squad.  The Warriors have allowed increased production in points (+3.0%) and assists (+24.9%) to opposing shooting guards this year.

Kristaps Porzingis (PF/C – DAL): $7,200 at BOS
Porzingis has had his ups and downs so far in his first season with the Mavericks after he missed a full year of action. After posting big numbers with 28 points and nine rebounds on Friday, he received a rest day for Saturday, so he should be ready to go on Monday in Boston. Porzingis will bring some familiarity to the matchup from his days with the Knicks. He also has some upside in this matchup as the Celtics have coughed up increased production in points (+7.3%), rebounds (+32.4%), and assists (14.2%) to opposing power forwards this year. There is a very strong combination of a high floor and “spike” potential from the core five plays listed here.

Value Plays

JJ Redick (SG/SF – NOR): $4,700 / Derrick Favors (PF/C – NOR): $4,700 vs. HOU
Time to go back to the Pelicans with a pair of veteran value options with Redick and Favors. Redick moved into the starting lineup in the last game with Ball out and proceeded to play 29 minutes while pumping in 22 points, including five three-pointers. Meanwhile, Favors also played 29 minutes, as he took over the primary big man role from Jahlil Okafor. Favors went on to post a double-double with 10 points and 10 boards and should continue to see significant minutes on Monday against the Rockets in a great game environment.

Chris Boucher (PF/C – TOR): $3,400 at LAC
Boucher has finally had a chance to see significant minutes for the Raptors with Serge Ibaka’s injury. The former G-League MVP played a season-high 24 minutes in the last game and posted a solid all-around line with 15 points, two rebounds, two steals, and three blocks. His is priced near min-salary for Monday’s matchup with the Clippers, where he should continue to see north of 20 minutes, which provides him a good chance to exceed 5x his salary and give you a value option to fit in a bunch of those mid-priced studs.

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Brad Richter is a Featured Writer and Correspondent at FantasyPros and a contributor at DailyOverlay. For more from Brad, you can view his archive or follow him @RotoPilot.