The NBA starts off a new week with a solid seven-game slate on tap. There are a lot of tight Vegas lines on Monday with all seven games featuring single-digit favorites and four of the games coming in under five points. The tight lines should allow starters to see significant minutes and provide their maximum production. There are also some injuries to account for and monitor which should shape our DraftKings lineup construction. As of now, I’m approaching this slate with a more balanced lineup approach while building in plenty of upside.

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

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One Stud

C.J. McCollum (PF/SG – POR): $9,300 @ ORL
While I am not against rostering any of the higher-priced options on this slate, McCollum has just as good of a chance to be the top fantasy scorer on the slate and comes at a reduced price compared to the five-figure studs. McCollum has been ballin’ since the All-Star break with Damian Lillard out by averaging 31.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 9.0 assists per game for 55.7 DraftKings points a night. He has a 7.9 percent usage bump as he has the ball in his hands a lot with Lillard out. McCollum will face the Magic who have allowed the most points and sixth-most assists to point guards over the last five games. Take the value stud to form a balanced lineup with upside.

Core Plays

John Collins (PF – ATL): $8,900 vs. MEM
With Hawks depleted frontcourt, Collins has recorded back-to-back double-doubles while piling up 28.5 points and 11.5 rebounds per game in his last two outings. He gets a great game environment on Monday with the Grizzlies coming to town for a game with the highest Vegas total on the slate with a tight line featuring the Hawks as a small favorite. Collins should compile another double-double on Monday on his way to a big night.

Andre Drummond (C – CLE): $8,000 vs. UTH
After playing reduced minutes since joining the Cavaliers and coming off a two-game absence, Drummond finally got big minutes in the last game and as expected produced his typical big stat line with 27 points and 13 rebounds. With Tristan Thompson out again on Monday, Drummond and his reduced salary should be in line for another 30-plus minutes against the Jazz and Rudy Gobert. Drummond put up 15 points and 13 board in a previous meeting with Gobert and the Jazz earlier this season while with the Pistons. Get Drummond while his salary is depressed.

DeMar DeRozan (SG/SF – SA): $7,300 vs. IND
The Spurs are expected to be without LaMarcus Aldridge again on Monday night when they face the Pacers. In six games without Aldridge this season, DeRozan has averaged 26.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 6.2 assists for 43.9 DK points per game which are all increases over his production when Aldridge is in the lineup. DeRozan offers a reasonable salary and positional flexibility in a game he should be the focus of the offense.

Coby White (PG/SG – CHI): $5,800 vs. DAL
White has been pouring in the points over his last four games with at least 22 in each game while averaging 30.8 points per game during that stretch. Despite the recent hot streak, White has only seen his salary inch upwards which allows him to remain a value at his current price tag. The rookie has also played better at home than on the road this season and will look for some home-cookin’ on Monday against the Mavericks.

Value Plays

De’Andre Hunter (SF/PF – ATL): $5,000 vs. MEM
Hunter has been consistently producing solid numbers for the Hawks over his last eight outings is Hunter with 15.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game for 30.1 DK points a night. He’ll get that same great game environment of teammate Collins playing at home against the Grizzlies. The Grizzlies have allowed increased production in points (+4.0%) and rebounds (+3.0%) to small forwards this season. If you can’t fit Collins into your lineup, consider Hunter.

Kevin Porter Jr. (SG/SF – CLE): $4,900 vs. UTH
The Cavaliers will be without Darius Garland on Monday which should open up even more minutes and opportunities for Porter Jr. Over his last four games, Porter has already been averaging 33 minutes while putting up 16.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.3 assists. In one game during that stretch where Porter played 41 minutes, he ended up with 30 points and eight rebounds on his way to 51.5 DK points. That type of performance shows the potential upside for Porter when given big minutes which he should see on Monday versus the Jazz.

Trey Lyles (PF/C – SA): $4,800 / Rudy Gay (SF/PF – SA): $4,300 vs. IND
Earlier in the column, I mentioned that Aldridge is expected to miss Monday’s game. The Spurs will also be without Jakob Poeltl on Monday for the second straight game, which opens up minutes for Lyles and Gay. Lyles responded in the previous game with 20 points and nine rebounds for 44.75 DK points in 40 minutes of action. Meanwhile, Gay saw his minutes spike up to 30 while dropping 19 points, six rebounds, and four assists for 39 DK points. Both Spurs are still relatively cheap given their expected minutes and contributions in Monday’s matchup against the Pacers.

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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.