Fantasy Basketball

Monday’s DFS NBA 1/20

Source: Rob Carr/Getty Images North America
Source: Rob Carr/Getty Images North America

Monday we are treated to 10 games and a full day of games due to the MLK Jr. holiday. After looking through the games, you could probably field a great team from only Los Angeles game players. There are a lot of great matchups in that one, so expect to see players from them sprinkled in here.  DraftKings has a ton of games to play including all of the early ones, solet’s get this week started off right!

*Stats do NOT include Sunday’s games

Point Guard

Kendall Marshall has been quite the signing by the Lakers. He has recorded four straight double doubles and has averaged 36 fantasy points in those games. He’s not a great shooter, but he will shoot 10+ times a game, record a few rebounds, and dish out 10+ assists against a team like the Bulls who are not the defensive team that they used to be. There are not many options that are going to be safer for 35 fantasy points at his $6,200 price tag on DraftKings.

Darren Collison struggled against the Pacers in his last game, but that’s to be expected against a team like them. The Pacers rank 2nd in their last ten games against the point guard position. Well, the Clippers face off against the worst team against point guards Monday when they play the Pistons. Collison is priced at $5,800 and has gone for 28+ fantasy points in eight of his last nine games.

If you want to spend some money at this position then you have to consider John Wall. He goes up against the fast paced 76ers who are just so bad defensively. Wall is averaging 47 fantasy points per game in their two contests so far this season. This kind of tempo is perfect for John Wall who loves to run and be aggressive.

Shooting Guard

Lance Stephenson has great numbers in his last two games doing everything well scoring 50 points, 16 rebounds, and 11 assists. Monday, Stephenson is a part of the latest game on the night and should be matched up against Klay Thompson who is not a good defender. Iguodala will be forced to defend Paul George, which should mean great things for Stephenson. He has taken 17 shots in each of his last two games, so here’s to hoping he’ll continue to take more shots.

I know Dwyane Wade failed us the other night, but tonight he’ll be great and I’ll tell you why. For one, the Hawks have a bottom five defense against shooting guards. Wade will likely have the juicy matchup of Kyle Korver considering DeMarre Carroll will have to be playing on LeBron James. That matchup against Korver alone should make you want to use him. Wade’s last game was lame, but he almost averaged 1 fantasy point per minute. He shot 50% from the field in that game, but just didn’t get the run that we had hoped in that one.

Small Forward

Carmelo Anthony stepped up large in his last game putting up the insane stat line of 26/20/3 in 40 minutes against the Clippers. He only shot 4 of 23 from the field, but was a perfect 16-16 from the free throw line. With the injuries to Amar’e and Kenyon Martin there are minutes that Carmelo has to play at the 4 and creates even more shots for him to throw up. He had a double double against the Nets earlier in the season in only 31 minutes. I expect him to see 38-40 minutes of action and take another 20+ shots.

DeMarre Carroll is ridiculously cheap for his production and minutes so far this season. In his last six games, Carroll has put up at least 21 fantasy points in five of them. Has has even hit 30 fantasy points twice. Caroll will have to be on the court a lot against the Heat because of LeBron, so we will easily see 35+ minutes for him in this one. His price is very cheap on DraftKings as he is only $3,300 and should be in many lineups Monday because of it.

Power Forward

Carlos Boozer showed that he can be very good when the matchups allow him to be. In 28 minutes against the 76ers on Friday, Boozer went for 15 points and 13 rebounds. Monday he’ll be up against the Lakers and their weak big men. Right now Ryan Kelly and Pau Gasol are two players that I could put up a double double against. One isn’t meant for the post while the other is old and frail. For $6,000, you can’t go wrong in cash games if you go with Boozer.

Spencer Hawes is a somewhat streaky fellow, but it’s really hard not to like him against the Wizards. He is averaging 49.9 fantasy points in two games this season against them. In four of his last five games, Hawes has played well and gone for 32+ fantasy points. $7,000 is a pretty decent price and he’s a player with upside, so he’ll be a very good GPP play Monday.

Center

Anderson Varejao has to be one of my two favorite options Monday for one big reason: Dallas. The Mavericks are brutal against big men and a guy like Varejao should finish the game with 100 rebounds. Ok, maybe not 100 rebounds, but he’s averaging 14 a game in his last five, so you can be sure I’m expecting at least that many on Monday. A nice thing about Varejao is that he adds more than just rebounds. He is averaging 5 assists and 2 steals in his last five games to go along with nine points.

Joakim Noah. Do I need to say anything else? Well, if saying just his name doesn’t get you going then here are some other reasons why you shuld take him. He’s facing the Lakers and their brutal starting line of Pau and Ryan Kelly. Noah is red hot coming off a 21/16/3/2/4 game and has double-digit rebounds in each of his last ten games. Noah is averaging 47 fantasy points a game in his last six! C’mon man! For the price of $8,100, you can have your very own Joakim Noah on DraftKings!

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3 Comments

  1. buckeyecore
    January 20, 2014 at 7:09 pm

    boozer and marshall … lmfao !!!! oops

  2. buckeyecore
    January 20, 2014 at 7:14 pm

    and wade ? he doesnt even play half the games and when he does he is not producing much ! thanx for the column and insight on some other players … little off today 🙂

    • January 21, 2014 at 5:05 pm

      The matchup for Wade was going to be perfect.. As for the day’s picks.. Noah, Varejao, Demarre, Hawes, Lance, and Melo all hit value or were close to it. Can’t get too mad about that! 🙂