This article is part of our FantasyAces NBA series.
RotoWire aims to help you win on Fantasy Aces, as we break down a few value plays on Monday's seven-game slate.
Despite a modest number of games, there's an abundance of value that's opened up due to injuries and post-All-Star break lineup shifts. We'll highlight some selections priced no higher than $4,500, providing you the flexibility to fit in the likes of LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Stephen Curry.
Guards
Zach LaVine, MIN vs. BOS ($4.200)- LaVine is apparently set to alternate starts with veteran Tayshaun Prince for the rest of the season as per coach Sam Mitchell. Having come off the bench Saturday versus the Knicks, Monday shapes up as a potential night with the first unit for LaVine, who's managed to produce regardless of what point in the game he hits the court. He actually experienced an uptick in both playing time and fantasy production in his reserve role Saturday, scoring 25.75 fantasy points in 32 minutes. That game marked the 10th consecutive contest in which LaVine has scored at least 20 fantasy points, meaning that he's consistently return 5x value at a minimum for an extended stretch.
Dennis Schroder, ATL vs. GSW ($4,100)- Schroder exploded in Saturday's double-overtime loss to the Bucks, as he tallied 49.00 fantasy points in 40 minutes. A second-half wrist injury to starter Jeff Teague facilitated the extra playing time, and the ailment could potentially keep Teague out Monday. Regardless of whether he joins the starting five or comes off the bench, Schroder still shapes up as a solid value play due to consistent allotment of minutes as a reserve, recent production and what should be a considerably high-paced affair against the Warriors. Schroder scored between 21.25 and 27.75 fantasy points in five of the eight games prior to Saturday's performance, and he figures to have plenty of possessions with which to work with against a Golden State squad that's proven to be highly generous on defense this season, particularly against opposing point guards (65.0 fantasy points per game).
D'Angelo Russell, LAL at MIL ($4,100)- Russell is now the starter at shooting guard, and he acquitted himself well in his opportunity with the first unit on Sunday against the Bulls. He scored 26.50 fantasy points in 34 minutes, and with his minutes now apparently secure, he becomes a nice value play. The Bucks have been stingy against point guards this season but much less so against two-guards, potentially funneling more opportunities Russell's way. The rookie also has considerably more ball-handling expertise than the average shooting guard considering his extensive experience at the point, meaning he'll likely be less scoring-dependent for fantasy production than many others at the position. This was evidenced against the Bulls, when Russell dished out six assists despite sharing ball-handling duties with Jordan Clarkson and Kobe Bryant.
Forwards
Tristan Thompson, CLE vs. DET ($4,500)- Thompson has made the most of his starting assignments at center the last two games, scoring 39.25 and 38.50 fantasy points, respectively. He's also hauled in double-digit rebounds in five straight and seven of the last 10, and draws a favorable matchup Monday. The Pistons reside in the bottom 10 in points allowed per game (21.4) to opposing centers, and surrender the second-highest field-goal percentage (56.6) to the position this season. Additionally, while Andre Drummond is well known for his prowess on the glass, opposing centers have still been able to haul in their fair share of boards this season against him, with Marcin Gortat's 13 rebounds on Friday serving as the most recent example.
Luol Deng, MIA vs. IND ($4,150)- Deng's performances in the Heat's two games over the weekend were the talk of the DFS world, as the 12-year veteran took the reins of the Heat offense in the absences of Chris Bosh (calf) and Dwyane Wade (knee). Deng totaled a whopping 50.75 and 47.50 fantasy points over that pair of contests, respectively, and may have to shoulder a considerable offensive load again Monday. Bosh has already been ruled out and Wade is questionable, potentially leaving Deng in the driver's seat for a third straight game. While he'll have his hands full on defense versus Paul George, Deng's usage and minutes should allow him ample opportunity to return solid value on a price that remains unchanged despite his output in the last two games.
Jabari Parker, MIL vs. LAL ($3,900)- Speaking of pleasantly stagnant price tags, we have Parker, who like Deng, put together a pair of very good performances over the weekend. Parker scored 36.75 fantasy points against the Hornets on Friday, and came back with 47.25 in Saturday's double-overtime victory over the Hawks. He'll have a terrific opportunity to extend the streak Monday, considering he'll face a Lakers squad that will be on the second half of a back-to-back after hard-fought loss to the Bulls on Sunday night, and that's surrendered a fourth-worst 48.7 fantasy points per game to opposing fours over their last five games.
Centers
Ian Mahinmi, IND at MIA ($3,800)- Mahinmi appears to have fully recovered from his back ailment over the All-Star break, as he's come out of the chute in the second half with 42.25 and 30.25 fantasy points over his first two games, respectively. The eight-year veteran has stood out on both the scoreboard and the glass, as he's totaled double-digit points in both contests and also came within a rebound Sunday of posting consecutive double-doubles. While Hassan Whiteside is likely to return to the starting lineup Monday for Miami, Mahinmi's sub-$4K price tag makes it likely that he can return a minimum of 5x-6x value, with the possibility of a greater haul.
Robin Lopez, NYK vs. TOR ($4,400)- Lopez was considerably outperformed by his brother Brook in the Knicks' Friday tussle with the Nets, but the former bounced back in a significant way Saturday versus Karl-Anthony Towns and the Timberwolves. The veteran exploded for a 26-point, 16-rebound double-double that netted a whopping 47.00 fantasy points, making it the third contest in the last 10 in which he's eclipsed the 40-fantasy point mark. While this elite level of production can't be expected game-to-game from Lopez, he clearly offers a considerable ceiling, particularly at a price tag in the mid-$4K range. Moreover, while the Raptors are currently sporting a top-five defense in terms of points allowed per game, they remain just middle-of-the-pack against centers and have surrendered a fifth-worst 55.3 fantasy points per game to the position over the last five.
Alex Len, PHX at LAC ($4,100)- Len looks likely to draw a second consecutive start Monday in place of Tyson Chandler (shoulder), and he would be in a prime position to return solid value on his bargain price. After getting the starting call in Chandler's stead in a tough matchup versus the Spurs on Sunday, Len responded with a 23-point, 13-rebound double-double that netted 36.25 fantasy points. Monday, he'll draw a Clippers defense that's tied with the Nets for most points surrendered per game to opposing fives (22.1), and with the Lakers for most rebounds yielded to the position (16.4). While his minutes are usually capped in the mid-to-upper 20s even in starting opportunities, Len has proven efficient in the past at making the most of his time on the court. In addition to Sunday's performance, he's scored over 30 fantasy points three other times in the last 10, and over 20 on another occasion, despite playing over 30 minutes only once.
