This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
We have a slim five-game slate for Monday's DFS action, so it's a good time to fire up cash contests. GPPs lose value when the slate is smaller due to the high volume of tie scores, so I prefer stacking up with Double-Ups, 50/50s, and H2H contests in an evening of bankroll building. FanDuel's action tips off at 7:00 p.m. ET.
SLATE OVERVIEW
For the latest spreads and over-unders, visit RotoWire's NBA Odds page. There, you can also find player props, futures, picks articles and sportsbook bonus codes.
Highest Totals: POR/IND: 241.5, WAS/DET 234.5
Back-to-back teams: Trail Blazers
INJURIES
For all the latest updates, visit RotoWire's NBA Injury News page and our comprehensive NBA Injury Report. Below are some of the most recent and relevant injuries for Monday. Keep in mind that this is not a complete list. Use your best judgment when evaluating ongoing injury scenarios elsewhere on the slate.
UTA Lauri Markkanen (hamstring) - QUESTIONABLE
After missing Saturday's game and the subsequent Sunday practice, Markkanen is trending toward another absence. A wide array of backups could step up here, but I favor Kelly Olynyk's ($5,300) familiarity with the role, and his output on Saturday was better than the other viable options.
DEN Aaron Gordon (heel) - QUESTIONABLE
I endorsed Michael Porter as a pivot for this spot, and he responded with 36.4 FDFP. $6,900 is a perfectly suitable salary for this kind of output. Gordon still has a chance to take the floor, however.
ELITE PLAYERS
The faster pace of the matchup favors Anthony Davis ($10,800) and LeBron James ($10,200) against Philly, but I would pivot to James instead of betting on the winner of the Davis/Joel Embiid battle. I also like Paul George ($8,700) as a pivot off of Kawhi Leonard against the Nuggets. Both players will perform well, but George put up 35 FDFP against Denver two weeks ago, and I see no reason to believe a different script for Monday's game.
Brandon Ingram ($8,200) and Zion Williamson ($8,100) are in plum spots against the Jazz, who may be without Markkanen. I like Zion slightly better in this spot, although both players have significant value.
Finally, a gassed Portland team should be vulnerable to a beatdown by the Pacers, so I will call Tyrese Haliburton's ($10,600) number for the first time this season. I view him as a trap player who can vastly underperform his salary, but his matchup couldn't be better. We've identified additional Pacers in our column, but Haliburton is the best add for the team.
EXPECTED CHALK AND OTHER TARGETS
Jerami Grant, POR ($7,400) @ IND
Grant is starting to creep into questionable territory salary-wise, but he is still cheap enough to play. Portland is a 12-point road underdog in this game, and while it isn't the best matchup, the Trail Blazers need to generate offense somewhere, and they are a bit hamstrung with Malcolm Brogdon and Scoot Henderson on minute restrictions. Grant has also had three consecutive solid outings, shooting 65 percent beyond the arc during that period.
Deandre Ayton, POR ($7,000) @ IND
I did some digging and found only one instance in 2022 where Myles Turner and Ayton faced each other, and while both had double-doubles in the contest, Ayton's was much higher. Granted, Ayton is on a much weaker team, but his scoring and rebounding responsibilities are higher. Turner is coming off a huge game in Detroit, but Ayton should be able to give Indiana's big man a more difficult time.
D'Angelo Russell, LAL ($6,500) @ PHI
The Lakers and 76ers will meet for the first time this season, and I like the idea of using Russell at one of his four eligible slots. Philly has been especially forgiving to opposing point guards this season, allowing an average of 26.4 FDFP to the position. They also rank near the bottom of the league in assists allowed. LeBron James is in an excellent spot with De'Anthony Melton and Tobias Harris attempting to guard him, and Russell usually fares well when James is dialed in. We are also beginning to see signs of life from Austin Reaves ($6,400) who has eligibility at SG and SF, a more valuable designation on this slate.
Also consider: De'Anthony Melton, PHI ($6,200) vs. LAL
VALUE PLAYS
I'm offering four value targets that are all in favorable situations this evening. Tonight's slate leans toward a two or three-elite setup, so you need to have some of these players involved to stay under FanDuel's cap.
C Daniel Gafford, WAS ($5,900) @ DET
SG Jordan Hawkins, NOR ($5,400) @ UTA
SG/SF Buddy Hield, IND ($5,300) vs. POR
PF Obi Toppin, IND ($4,800) vs. POR