This article is part of our FantasyDraft NBA series.
Monday's six-game slate offers a pair of potential high-scoring affairs in the Blazers-Warriors and Rockets-Pelicans matchups, while the likes of Russell Westbrook and Kyrie Irving are also in action. With an appealing array of top-tier selections and some solid matchups for players in the mid-tier and affordable levels, there's plenty to break down.
GUARD
Damian Lillard, POR at GS ($16,900): Lillard comes at a significant discount over top guard choices Russell Westbrook ($21,400) and James Harden ($21,300), serving as an appealing pivot for those who don't want to splurge on either. Lillard has flashed some impressive upside in his own right recently, scoring between 50.75 and 53.00 fantasy points in three straight while sporting a 31.8 percent usage rate over that span. While Shaun Livingston is a tougher defender than Stephen Curry (ankle), the Warriors still present as vulnerable to point guards overall, giving up the fifth most fantasy points (51.0) per game to the position on the season, including the second most (62.3) over the last 10.
Lou Williams, LAC vs. TOR ($14,500): Williams faces one of his old squads in the Raptors, a defense that has allowed the fourth most fantasy points (55.3) per game to two-guards over the last 10, including the second most (61.7) over the last five. Williams has been on a tear over his last three games as well, scoring between 42.25 and 51.00 fantasy points, sporting a 28.3 percent usage rate and averaging 1.26 fantasy points per minute during that stretch. He's been seeing plenty of playing time irrespective of whether he's been in the starting five or on the second unit, as he's averaging 30.3 minutes per game on the campaign.
David Nwaba, CHI vs. BOS ($7,200): Nwaba has quietly been coming on in a bench role, scoring between 27.25 and 30.50 fantasy points in three of his past five games. He's scored in double digits in three consecutive contests as well, and while the Celtics have been tough versus shooting guards, they're still surrendering a robust 41.6 fantasy points per game to the position on the season. With a solid average of 24.6 minutes in his last five games. Nwaba shapes up a low-cost option at guard who can help you spend up elsewhere.
FORWARD/CENTER
Kevin Durant, GS vs. POR ($21,800): Durant has been thriving in Curry's absence, as he's scored 70.75 and 73.00 fantasy points in the two games the latter has missed thus far. Those are Durant's best fantasy-point totals of the campaign, and he'll be primed to continue doing damage Monday. The Trail Blazers check in allowing 41.4 fantasy points per game to small forwards over the last 10 games, while Durant sports a team-high 37.4 percent usage rate and an impressive 1.84 fantasy points per minute in the aforementioned pair of contests.
DeAndre Jordan, LAC vs. TOR ($13,500): Jordan has averaged 16.6 rebounds over the last five games, scoring between 31.00 and 47.25 fantasy points over that span. He's taken on a bigger role overall in Blake Griffin's absence due to a knee injury, while the Raptors have given up 38.5 fantasy points per game to centers over the last five games, along with averages of 15.3 points and 10.4 rebounds on the season. Jordan also thrived in this matchup last season, averaging 13.0 points, 13.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks across 29.5 minutes over two games.
James Johnson, MIA at MEM ($10,300): Danilo Gallinari ($10,900) is also an option in a good spot for those who can afford him, but Johnson is worthy of consideration against a Grizzlies squad that's typically been unable to slow down power forwards this season. Memphis checks in allowing the eighth most fantasy points (44.7) per game to fours on the campaign, along with the sixth most three-pointers (1.8) and fourth highest shooting percentage (48.0) to the position. Johnson is coming off a 36.25 fantasy-point effort against the Nets on Saturday night, and he also scored 20.75 and 24.00 fantasy points in two of the prior three games.
UTILITY
Chris Paul, HOU vs. NO ($14,900): Paul has scored 58.25 and 43.25 fantasy points in the last two games, and he's been increasingly involved on the offensive end. The renowned facilitator has averaged a solid 12.0 shot attempts in his last five contests while shooting 48.3 percent from the floor, including 43.5 percent from three-point range. He'll be in a spot conducive to continued strong production Monday, as the Pelicans have allowed the seventh most fantasy points (50.7) per game to point guards, including the most (65.3) over the last five contests. They're also yielding the sixth most assists (9.2) and second most made three-pointers (2.8) to the position, giving Paul additional paths to fantasy success.
DeMar DeRozan, TOR at LAC ($14,400): DeRozan has compiled between 43.50 and 46.75 fantasy points in his last four games, scoring between 20 and 30 points in those contests while sporting a 29.3 percent usage rate and averaging 1.29 fantasy points per minute over that span. He remains a principal source of offense for the red-hot Raptors, and he'll face a Clippers squad that's been increasingly vulnerable to shooting guards as the season has unfolded. Los Angeles has allowed the ninth most fantasy points (52.3) per game to two-guards over their last 10 contests -- more than seven fantasy points over their 45.2 season average – along with the third highest shooting percentage (46.0) to the position on the season.
