Welcome to a seven-game Monday slate! I see seven-game slates as the best size because there is the perfect combination of values without an overload of options. As a reminder, a lot can change throughout the day based on who is in or out, so be sure to follow the news before tip.

Early on, I like the value that the Raptors players hold, along with the Mavericks, and I expect there to be many points in the Kings/Timberwolves game.

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Most Value Per Dollar

Below is a list of the top players of the day expected to generate the most value relative to their salary. 

Chris Boucher (C – TOR) $5,000
I covered Boucher in my last article, but I still think he offers quite possibly the best value on the slate. Despite his minutes not being the most consistent, Boucher is quite efficient on the floor, tallying 1.27 FPPM in his last five games and 1.21 FPPM this season. Boucher should earn the start tonight, facing off against quite possibly the best matchup in the league fantasy-wise. I really expect the Toronto center to reach 5X as a floor, and see him returning closer to 7X value, so he makes a fine GPP or cash play tonight.  

Boban Marjanovic (C – DAL) $4,500
I understand that you can only start one center in FanDuel, but if Kristaps Porzingis is out for this game, Boban represents some mighty fine value, allowing you to mix and match your lineups. In his start on Saturday, the Mavs center returned solid value, tallying 32.4 FanDuel points in just 23 minutes of play. While the Jazz are a much tougher opponent, I still see him capable of returning 6X value. 

Isaiah Hartenstein (PF – CLE) $4,000
In his start against the Jazz a week ago, Hartenstein recorded 14 boards and seven assists to earn 34.3 FanDuel points across just 26 minutes. Despite Kevin Love returning to the lineup, Jarrett Allen is currently questionable for tonight’s game. It appears as though the Cavs big man has carved out a role for himself and could still see the floor for 20 minutes, even if everyone is healthy. The Kings offer a great matchup, but he is a bit riskier, so I’d only use him for GPP.

Svi Mykhailiuk (SG – OKC) $3,800
Another player I covered in my last article, Mykhailiuk, is way too cheap for a projected starter. He is coming off a couple of dud performances, but his season data as a whole has been promising, and I see this as a perfect buy-low opportunity. Detroit is a fine matchup for the Thunder guard, and I expect him to see the floor for around 25+ minutes, returning 6X value along the way.

Tim Hardaway (SG – DAL) $5,400
Let me start by saying that Hardaway is pretty scoring dependent, so I would only use him in GPP lineups. But with all the injuries the Mavericks face, there will be an increase in opportunities for the entire team, including Hardaway. Against Washington a few days ago, the Mavs shooting guard played 30 minutes after earning the start. The Jazz obviously are a tougher matchup than the Wizards, but I see his ceiling right around 45 fantasy points if he starts again. 

Jordan McLaughlin (PG – MIN) $4,600
With Ricky Rubio, Malik Beasley, Jaylen Nowell, and D’Angelo Russell all injured, McLaughin is basically the only guard on this team. Last game, he registered 39.7 FanDuel points across 41 minutes, and he can run it back tonight as well. In a pace-up spot against a spotty Kings offense, McLaughin should be in your GPP and cash lineups. His ownership might be a bit high, but it’s because he will have ample opportunity to return upwards of 9X value.

Tyrese Haliburton (SG – SAC) $5,800
The Kings’ rookie has been earning starts, but his price has held steady below $6k. Haliburton has been a 0.94 FPPM guy this season, and he has shown off his ability to have ceiling games. Expecting him to earn the start again means he should garner 30+ minutes. This Timberwolves team is one I love to target, and while there are many solid shooting guard options tonight, Haliburton is right up there with a chance to return the best value from the position.  

Isaiah Stewart (PF – DET) $3,700
After coming off the bench Saturday, Stewart is in line to start tonight against a Thunder defense that allows the 28th most fantasy points to his position group. Stewart has impressed of late, and his start means he should see the floor closer to 30 minutes, rather than his usual 16-18. He’s been a .90 FPPM guy in his last ten games, so even if he only plays 27 minutes, he can still return solid value. 

Chandler Hutchison (SF – WAS) $3,500
If you’re looking for a punt spot at one of your positions, Hutchinson is your man. He has averaged 21 minutes, 13 FanDuel points, and a 17% usage rate in his four games with the Wizards. It’s not the most spectacular option, but the Raptors offer a solid matchup, and considering how cheap Hutchison is, there really isn’t too much risk. Bradley Beal and Rui Hachimura are both questionable, and if those two are out, Hutchison should be a bump in usage and minutes.

Check out our NBA Prop Bet Cheat Sheet for the top bets of the day

Studs Worth Their Salary

• Luka Doncic (DAL) $10,300: Depending on the injury status of Josh Richardson, Maxi Kleber, and Kristaps Porzingis, Luka might have to completely take over and break the slate. The Jazz matchup may shy some people away from playing him, but his usage rate might be the highest we’ve seen all season, and he should play roughly 35 minutes. 
• Julius Randle (NY) $9,000: Facing off against the Nets, you couldn’t ask for a better matchup. The Knicks big man looks like a safe pick to be the highest scoring power forward on the slate. Last time out against the Nets, Randle went off for 60 FanDuel points, and while I am not expecting him to reach that number again tonight, he has shown what he is capable of against this team.
• OG Anunoby (TOR): $7,000: I understand that Anunoby isn’t exactly in “stud” territory, but I expect him to be the highest scoring small forward of the slate, assuming that Kevin Durant remains out. The Toronto small-forward has played quite well of late, averaging 1.09 FPPM in his last five games. I expect him to play around 37 minutes against one of the best fantasy matchups in the league, so he should return some nice value.

Notable Players to Fade

• Russell Westbrook (WAS) $11,000: After transcending the realm of NBA DFS by posting 88 FanDuel points last week, Westbrook’s price is way too inflated for my taste, and he is in a sell-high area for me. If Bradley Beal is ruled out, then I can understand why you’d want to play him, but I expect his ownership to reach too high a level for me then. There are better options on this slate that you won’t have to pay a pretty penny for.  
• Rudy Gobert (UTA) $8,100: With the number of valuable center options on tonight’s slate, don’t waste your money and only center slot on Gobert, who sometimes doesn’t even play for more than 30 minutes. He might have a fine game, but the opportunity cost is too high. Go elsewhere for your center position.  

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Beyond our daily fantasy basketball content, be sure to check out our Daily Fantasy Basketball Tools. From our Lineup Optimizer – which allows you to build winning DFS lineups in seconds for Cash and GPP contests – to our DFS Cheat Sheets – that helps you get a quick read on the day’s players – we’ve got you covered this fantasy basketball season.

Ryan Coleman is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Ryan, check out his archive and follow him @ryancoleman_98.