Five games are on the NBA scoreboard this Monday, with a few marquee matchups on Peacock/NBCSN getting the week off to a strong start. To help you build your lineups for the main DFS fantasy basketball contests on DraftKings, let’s dive into the matchups and take a look at the three must-start NBA fantasy basketball options who serve as the core of your Monday night roster.
The Cavs and Knicks are finishing back-to-back games this Monday, while the Nets, Warriors, Grizzlies and 76ers will have to turn around and play once again on Tuesday. While the injury reports can always change things as the day goes on, based on what we know coming into the day, here are three strong options to build around on Monday.
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PG/SG Quentin Grimes, Philadelphia 76ers at Cleveland Cavaliers, $6,000
The three must-start NBA fantasy basketball plays for Monday are each midrange options with huge upside based on their increased roles in favorable environments. We’ll start with Grimes, who will have to help shoulder the load for the Sixers, who will be without Tyrese Maxey in addition to Joel Embiid and Paul George.
This will be the first time this season that all three of those stars are out for the same game. Last season, in similar shorthanded spots, Grimes proved he could stuff the stat sheet and rack up big FPTS. He averaged 43.2 FPTS per game in his 17 games without Maxey, George and Embiid last year.
He showed similar upside while stepping up on Saturday after Maxey’s departure, playing 41 minutes and earning 39.5 FPTS with 26 points, six rebounds, three assists and a steal. He and Kelly Oubre Jr. ($6,400) will have a huge task on Monday night to carry the offense, and he should return great value as a result.
PF/C Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Memphis Grizzlies at Brooklyn Nets, $5,000
Prosper has been getting plenty of playing time lately for the Grizzlies in the frontcourt, and they’re in a great spot against the Nets, who are resting Michael Porter Jr. on Monday night. Prosper had so much success on his two-way deal that the Grizzlies converted it to a standard deal last Wednesday. Without having to worry about limiting his games played in the NBA, he should continue to get plenty of opportunities down the stretch, and he’s one of the must-start NBA fantasy basketball plays.
The 23-year-old from Canada has averaged 12.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.3 steals in his last nine games, averaging 25.0 FPTS per contest. He had a double-double for 40 FPTS against the Mavericks during that stretch and came up just one rebound short of another double-double last Wednesday against Portland.
While he struggled a little bit against the Clippers on Saturday, he should bounce back in this much more favorable matchup on Monday against the Nets. He is one of the few big men still healthy in Memphis, so he should remain very involved.
SG/SF De’Anthony Melton, Golden State Warriors at Utah Jazz, $5,900
The Warriors are in a great matchup for wings against the Jazz on Monday night, and Melton will be back just in time for the smash spot after sitting out Saturday’s game against the Thunder. Without Stephen Curry, Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford and Moses Moody, Melton will have to step back into a big role and should be able to deliver outstanding value against Utah.
Melton had 23 points, six rebounds, two assists, two blocks and three steals for 43.5 FPTS in 30 minutes against the Rockets in his last game and has at least 37 FPTS in three of his last five contests. When he’s at his best, he can chip in 20+ points and stuff the stat sheet, which gives him both a high floor and a high ceiling on Monday night in Salt Lake City.
Melton’s eligibility makes him a great fit for almost any roster build since he can slot in at guard or forward spots. For as long as Moody remains out, Melton should get enough usage to be an excellent play under $6,000. He’s one of the must-start NBA fantasy basketball plays to consider on Monday.
