This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
Monday brings us a full 12-game slate, which always makes the player pool much more diverse. What having so many games really does is open up the field, as there are many more cheap options available to build around. In addition, it means there's more studs, too, and the premium players on this slate all seem to have tough matchups. In fact, the top two players play the two-toughest defenses in the league, so it may be wise to stay away from James Harden and Anthony Davis.
Damian Lillard, POR at MIN ($8,800): Lillard said two weeks ago that his team needed to "man up" and he's done just that with his recent production. In fact, Lillard has at least 40 fantasy points in five straight games, while averaging 47 fantasy points in that span. It's clear Lillard is putting this team on his shoulders and it's indicative through the fact that he's averaging 22 shots a game in that span, while leading the team in usage. This is a great matchup too, with Minnesota ranking 23rd in defensive efficiency.
Tyreke Evans, SAC at DEN ($5,800): Evans rested for Sunday's game and that should mean he's in for a big workload here. Since being traded to Sacramento, Evans leads the team in usage and handles the ball more than anyone. What's especially enticing here is the matchup, with Denver ranking dead-last in defensive efficiency, while allowing the second most fantasy points to guards this season.
Reggie Jackson, DET vs. CHI ($5,000): Jackson has been one of the most inconsistent starting point guards this season, but it's lowered his price to an extremely attractive number. At $5,000, Jackson has the capability to destroy this price tag, as he was regularly scoring 30 fantasy points a game last season. It's not like he's been dreadful either, as he has at least 26 fantasy points in four of his last seven games. The final piece to the puzzle is the matchup, with Chicago ranking as a below average defense.
Kristaps Porzingis, NYK at ORL ($6,700): Porzingis has been battling injuries all season, but it's made his price very affordable. His recent form is what's most encouraging, as he's averaging over 37 fantasy points a game across his last three. That sort of production at this price is hard to find and it's not even the ceiling of his upside. The icing on the cake is the matchup, with Orlando allowing the most fantasy points in the NBA since trading Serge Ibaka three weeks ago.
Khris Middleton, MIL at PHI ($5,600): Middleton has a diminished price due to the fact that he missed the first three months, but now that he's back, he's one of the greatest values out there. His potential is what makes him so intriguing, as he's a $7,500 player when he's right. Middleton has shown that ability recently too, scoring at least 28 fantasy points in four of his last six games, while averaging averaging over 35 fantasy points across his last three. His role gives him that upside, as he's one of the go-to options on this team with Jabari Parker injured.
Aaron Gordon, ORL vs. NYK ($5,200): Gordon has been a different player since the Serge Ibaka trade and it's clear that Orlando is ready to lean on him for heavy minutes. Not only does he have at least 27 fantasy points in four of his last five, Gordon is averaging 30 minutes a game since the trade. That opens the door for more production too, as he has to make up the points, rebounds and defense that Ibaka provided. The best part of this play may be the matchup though, as New York ranks 25th in defensive efficiency. 
Marc Gasol, MEM vs. BRK ($8,100): Gasol is averaging 37 fantasy points a game for the season and he has one of the best matchups possible. Not only does Brooklyn allow the fourth most fantasy points to centers, it ranks dead-last in total defense. Gasol has been putting up monster numbers recently too, scoring at least 35 fantasy points in six of his last eight games.
Rudy Gobert, UTA vs NOP ($7,600): Gobert is coming off a 57 fantasy-point game against the Kings on Sunday and should be able to build off that. It's the matchup that's most tasty, with New Orleans allowing the sixth most fantasy points to centers this season. It's the sort of matchup that could garner 40 minutes out of Gobert too, as they'll need to slow down the two-headed monster of DeMarcus Cousins/Anthony Davis.
Jusuf Nurkic, POR at MIN ($5,900): Nurkic has been awesome in his new role with Portland, and this price is not indicative of his form. Since being traded from Denver, Nurkic has scored at least 28 fantasy points in five of his six games, while averaging 34 fantasy points in that span. Karl-Anthony Towns is also far from a tough matchup, as he's posted a below-average defensive rating of 108. At under $6,000, Nurkic is one of the safest bets to exceed 5X value in his new role.
