DraftKings’ main NBA DFS slate for Monday starts at 7:00 PM EST and features the first eight games of the night. DraftKings continues to offer huge contests for DFS players, and below, I dive into three of my favorite bargain plays for this slate.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $300K Fadeaway [$100K to 1st]
PG, Kennedy Chandler, Utah Jazz vs. Toronto Raptors, $4,500
After some strong play in the G-League, Chandler signed a 10-day contract with the Jazz on Saturday. The guard made his team debut that night and thrived, posting 34.2 FPTS across 37 minutes off the bench vs. the 76ers. This was the second-most playing time for Utah and Chandler also handled a 17.6% usage rate. The Jazz were without Lauri Markkanen (hip), Keyonte George (hamstring) and Isaiah Collier (hamstring) for this game and all of these players will remain out Monday.
Chandler could move into the starting lineup after his great debut, but even if he still comes off the bench, Chandler earned himself another big role tonight. The 23-year-old should see over 30 minutes and while the Raptors rank eighth in defensive rating this season, they are playing their second game in two nights and this should be a friendly matchup. Chandler should out-produce his cheap salary with ease and is an obvious play at only $4,500.
SG/SF, Gary Payton II, Golden State Warriors at Dallas Mavericks, $4,600
The Warriors have been struggling with Stephen Curry (knee) out, but Payton has been a bright spot during this tough stretch. Since the All-Star break, Payton has scored at least 21 FPTS in 11 of his 13 games, including at least 30 FPTS in three of his last four. Payton is shooting 58% from the field and he is averaging 2.0 defensive stats per game since the All-Star break.
Playing up in pace tonight vs. the Mavericks – Dallas ranks fifth in pace while Golden State ranks 17th – Payton should rack up a bunch of defensive stats and surpass five-times value. The veteran being forward-eligible on DraftKings tonight is very valuable, as forward is thin on cheap options tonight and Payton is the No. 1 value at the position.
C, Daniel Gafford, Dallas Mavericks vs. Golden State Warriors, $5,000
Gafford has been putting up strong numbers, topping 30 FPTS in six of his last seven. The big man is scoring 1.1 FPTS per minute while shooting 64% from the field this season. Gafford moved back into the Mavericks’ starting lineup for their last game and logged 25 minutes. The veteran appears to be healthy again after dealing with an illness earlier this month that cost him three games.
Gafford should continue to start tonight and this is an appealing matchup, as the Warriors rank 22nd in defensive rating since the All-Star break. Over this time, Golden State is giving up the fifth-most rebounds and the fifth-most points in the paint. Gafford is underpriced for the upside he brings in this spot and he shouldn’t be overly popular.
