We’ve got an eight-game NBA slate to kick off the week, beginning at 7pm with Knicks/Hornets and concluding with Pacers/Kings at 10pm. As always, we’ll name values, studs, and fades for the day’s DFS festivities. Let’s get right to it!

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Value Plays

Point Guard

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• With so many players out of action Saturday due to health and safety protocols, Burke took on an expanded offensive role and scored a season-high 29 points. Absences are likely tonight as well, and in a favorable spot, Burke is a guy to target at just $4.5K.

Shooting Guard

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• With a litany of 76ers out due to health and safety protocols, Maxey stepped up for a monster game Saturday, delivering 39 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and two steals for 60.4 FD points. At least five players will be out again Monday, leaving the door open for Maxey to shine once again. I’ll gladly pay the $5.2K price tag needed to roster him tonight.
• Haliburton should be on your radar every night in DFS contests, as his price has still not caught up to his on-the-court production. Across his last three, the rookie has averaged a healthy 14.7 points, 7.3 dimes, 3.7 boards, and 2.0 steals. He remains a bargain for tonight’s slate.

Small Forward

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• Hunter has amassed at least 30 FD points in each of his last five games, averaging 20.0 points and 6.6 boards in that span. His price has crept up to $6.3K, but Hunter remains a value even at the salary.
• Hardaway has scored at least 30 points in two of his last three games and better than 40 FD points in those contests. With so many players out for Dallas tonight, Hardaway should be a key contributor on offense in a great matchup with the Pelicans.

Power Forward

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• Bertans should see additional run in the frontcourt with Thomas Bryant (ACL) out of action, and he’s got an excellent matchup. Phoenix has allowed the fifth-most threes per game (14.9) this season, including the most (18.0) across the last three games. That bodes well for the sharp-shooting specialist, Bertans, who comes in at a friendly $4.6K.
• With all of Maxi Kleber, Dorian Finney-Smith, Josh Richardson, and Jalen Brunson out due to health and safety protocols, Johnson stepped up Saturday with 29.5 FD points. He should have a similar opportunity Monday with multiple players still out, and he’s just $4.2K for this one.

Center

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• Biyombo continues to start for Charlotte, and he’s averaging 26.8 minutes per contest, his most since 2012. The Hornets’ big man finds himself in a favorable spot against the league’s worst defense at stopping opposing centers.
• With Thomas Bryant (ACL) out of action, Wagner is expected to see an uptick in minutes moving forward. He went for 13/7 across a season-high 19 minutes Sunday, and while his playing time will be tough to predict night-to-night while sharing time with Robin Lopez, Wagner has shown the ability to score and rebound productively in limited playing time. He’s worth a shot in GPPs on Monday.

Studs Worth Their Salary

• Luka Doncic (DAL) $11,500: Doncic’s huge upside goes without saying, but the Mavs are ridiculously shorthanded right now, and Doncic should be asked to carry an even heavier offensive load than usual in what should be an excellent matchup with New Orleans.
• Bradley Beal (WAS) $10,100: Beal has scored a combined 101 points across his last two games, and now that he’s set to return to the lineup for Monday’s tilt with Phoenix, he’s worth the lofty salary, particularly with Russell Westbrook (quad) out.
• Deandre Ayton (PHO) $6,700: Ayton’s season has been a bit of a letdown thus far, but he’s got an excellent matchup with an already-generous Washington team that will be without Thomas Bryant (ACL).

Notable Players to Fade

• Trae Young (ATL) $8,800: Young has logged at least 35 minutes in each of his last two contests, though he’s averaged just 21 FD points in that span. Young’s recent wrist injury paired with the emergence of De’Andre Hunter as a reliable scorer has knocked the point guard’s value down significantly. He won’t be a recommended play, even against a shorthanded Philly squad.
• Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL) $11,200: Giannis can go for 60+ on any given night, but there are just too many better values at PF and at other positions to spend the $11.2K for Greek Freak.

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