I took a break from making NBA DFS picks (or playing daily fantasy basketball at all) over the weekend and it was a nice opportunity to hit the reset button. I strongly suggest doing this anytime you go on a streak of making bad plays or just experiencing bad beats and tough losses.
That allows you to recharge the batteries and go into your next slate with a better perspective. That could be perfect for tonight, where DFS gamers get a fun 7-game daily fantasy basketball slate and a slew of studs to work with.
Let’s consider the studs, prices, matchups and injuries as I build out my favorite NBA DFS lineup at FanDuel for Monday night:
PG: Emmanuel Mudiay – New York Knicks ($5k)
I normally don’t trust someone as erratic as Mudiay, but he’s coming off a huge game and Trey Burke won’t play tonight. He’s cheap enough that you can roll the dice in a great matchup with a Wizards team that can’t defend.
PG: Chris Paul – Houston Rockets ($8.2k)
I am tempted to pull the trigger on Stephen Curry tonight, but CP3 has been playing well and should offer similar value. He’s also way cheaper and facing a bad Minnesota defense.
SG: Alec Burks – Cleveland Cavaliers ($4k)
Burks should operate as my “low score” play tonight. He’s cheap and getting decent run for an awful Cavs team. There is always blow-up upside with Burks and a favorable matchup against the Nets certainly doesn’t hurt.
SG: Tim Hardaway Jr. – New York Knicks ($7.3k)
I don’t love Tim’s price, but like Mudiay he has a great matchup. I also think the price will keep Hardaway’s ownership down and his massive role could make him a terrific play.
SF: Cedi Osman – Cleveland Cavaliers ($5k)
I don’t love the idea of rostering two Cavs, but Brooklyn provides a pretty good matchup. Osman is also getting loads of run and has shown the ability to put up numbers in favorable spots.
SF: Danilo Gallinari – Los Angeles Clippers ($7.3k)
Gallo has gotten to be a bit more expensive than I like, but he’s a pretty stable presence and is another guy who can explode offensively. This matchup with the Pelicans is fantastic, so here’s to hoping his shot is falling tonight.
PF: Anthony Davis – New Orleans Pelicans ($12.7k)
The Brow is my stud of choice tonight. It’s between him or Russ and for me it’s not particularly close. He has a nice matchup in front of him at home against the Clippers. Look for a massive game and a 70-burger is on the table.
PF: Noah Vonleh – New York Knicks ($5.5k)
Three Knicks, eh? It’s risky, but Vonleh has been good and New York has a fun matchup against Washington. This could be a big gaffe, but I anticipate the Knicks keeping this one tight and saving cash allows me to get my main man, Davis.
C: Jonas Valanciunas – Toronto Raptors ($4.8k)
JV is tough to back due to his inconsistent run, but I’m hopeful he’ll be asked to hit the floor more due to the presence of Denver big man, Nikola Jokic. If that equates to 25+ minutes JV could be one of the best value plays of the slate.