This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
Monday's six-game slate features several matchups that are there for the taking. Utah draws a matchup against a banged up Minnesota team, which raises the ceiling for several Jazz players. Memphis gets a break from their tough schedule to play the Knicks, and there are four other games on the docket that have matchups that you can use to your advantage. Although Monday's value plays are about as sexy as a RotoWire Staff Swimsuit Calendar, they provide you with good potential returns on price and give you the flexibility to spend on the higher-salaried options.
Monday's Value Plays
Trey Burke, UTA, $5,000: Burke has finally started to find the bottom of the net, shooting 45.5 percent from the field over his last five games to raise his shooting percentage to a still-league-worst 37.3 percent (worse than Kobe). Still, it's a step in the right direction, and as an added bonus, he has been getting his three-pointers to fall lately as well (48 percent over his last five, including 5-of-11 against Golden State). While I'm not saying he's guaranteed to hit five three-pointers again Monday, Burke does have a pretty favorable matchup. Minnesota is the polar opposite of Utah in terms of defensive efficiency, and furthermore, it's nearly impossible to tell who will be taking the floor tonight for the Timberwolves. They've played an eight-man rotation the past two games, and tonight is the second night of a back-to-back. Look for Burke to get his shots tonight and for him to can enough of them to be a solid bargain at point guard.
Other Suggestion: Zach LaVine, MIN, $5,000
Shooting Guard
Tony Allen, MEM, $4800: Allen has been getting an average of 31 minutes over his last 10 games and is averaging 11.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.9 steals over that span. He is coming off his third six-steal outing of the season Saturday against Portland, where he ended up with 34.7 FanDuel points. He might not light up the scoreboard, but he's incredibly consistent in other categories and gets to play against the Knicks. If you're looking to save at shooting guard, you could do a lot worse than Allen at $4,800.
Leandro Barbosa, GSW, $3,700:Klay Thompson is doubtful for Monday's contest, so Barbosa is relevant for another day. Over his last three games, Barbosa is averaging 14.6 points on a deadly 53 percent from the field in just under 27 minutes. Assuming Thompson sits again Monday, Barbosa becomes a steal at $3,700. He's a good bet to score and is going against a road-wary Washington team that is playing the second game of a back-to-back and third game in four days. Toss in the fact that Barbosa averages 52 percent from the field at home and there you have it, Barbosa is one of the best value plays tonight.
Small Forward
Rodney Hood, UTA, $4,600:Gordon Hayward is dealing with a sprained AC joint in his left shoulder, so it's reasonable to think that coach Quin Snyder either rests him or cuts his minutes Monday with nothing really to play for except pride. In that case, someone needs to help pick up the 15 shots Hayward has been averaging this season. Hood is admittedly a boom-or-bust candidate due to his minimal contributions outside the scoring column, but he's got a good chance to put up the points necessary to hit value against Minnesota.
Other Suggestion: Jae Crowder, BOS,$5,200; Trevor Ariza, HOU, $5,900(if he plays)
Power Forward
Donatas Motiejunas, HOU, $5,600: Motiejunas doesn't have to compete for minutes with Terrence Jones, who remains sidelined with a collapsed lung. Over his last five games, Motiejunas is averaging 14.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in 35 minutes. He draws a matchup against the Pacers, which would normally be bad news, but they have hit the skids in a big way lately, so it's not a daunting matchup. If you're trying to save at power forward, Motiejunas is a solid option for under $6K.
Center
Gorgui Dieng: Dieng draws a tough matchup Monday against Utah, but he's averaging 32.5 FD points over his last six games and is in line to get most of the minutes at center with Justin Hamilton already ruled out and Nikola Pekovic questionable for the millionth game in a row. If Pekovic remains out, Dieng should have solid production Monday night. He likely won't dominate to the tune of 47.7 FD points like he did against New York, but it's entirely possible that he reaches the mid-to-high 20s for FanDuel on Monday.
