This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
Monday's three-game slate features two potential closeout games in Chicago and Portland, as well as a matchup in Brooklyn where the eighth seeded Nets could even their series with the Hawks. Despite the smaller player pool Monday, there are some positions loaded with value options. Point guard is especially deep for value plays after injuries to Mike Conley (facial fracture) and Deron Williams (back) opened up minutes for lower-salaried players. Let's take a look at the value options taking the floor Monday...
Monday's Value Plays
Point Guard
Jarrett Jack, BKN, $4,900: Jack has posted back-to-back 20+ FanDuel point outings, and with Deron Williams' injury concerns, that trend could continue Monday. Williams sat out the entirety of the fourth quarter in Game 3 and is dealing with "severe tendinitis" in his back. Even if Williams gives it a go Monday, Jack should still figure heavily in the Nets' rotation. Jack shifted gears in Game 3 in terms of where his production was coming from as he dished out eight assists (against two turnovers) and only attempted three shots as opposed to the first two games where he took eight and 13 shots respectively. Look for Jack to post solid numbers again Monday.
Beno Udrih, MEM, $3,800: Udrih came out of the woodwork in Game 1 with 38.9 FD points, becoming a folk hero at the Grindhouse in the process. He was on his way to another big outing in Game 2 before rolling his ankle, much to the chagrin of many FanDuel players. Udrih sat out Saturday's game, but he's on track to play Monday and should get another chance to put up big numbers with Mike Conley (facial fracture) sidelined indefinitely.
Nick Calathes, MEM, $3,700: Ah, the revered Memphis point guard deep dish combo mambo. A rare sight indeed. That's where we are at this point of the playoffs. Portland couldn't take advantage of Memphis' attrition in the backcourt in Game 3 and Calathes went to work. In 27 minutes off the bench, Calathes posted 13 points, four rebounds, three assists, and zero turnovers while helping the Grizzlies move one game closer to sweeping the Trail Blazers. Portland's defense has suffered due to Wesley Matthews' absence, which has helped make Calathes and Udrih viable plays in Monday's potential closeout game.
Other Suggestion: Derrick Rose, CHI, $6,100
Shooting Guard
O.J Mayo, MIL, $4,800: Mayo broke out of his slump in a big way Saturday with a team-high 18 points (6-11 FG, 4-6 3Pt) as Milwaukee lived to see another game. His minutes and shot volume have remained relatively consistent throughout the series, playing between 24-31 minutes per game and taking 7, 10, 10, and 11 shots over the first four games. With the Bucks facing another elimination game, Mayo could be leaned on once again to provide a spark off the bench Monday.
Other Suggestions: Courtney Lee, MEM, $4,100
Small Forward
DeMarre Carroll, ATL, $5,800: Carroll has topped 20 FD points in every game this series and is coming off a 27.2 FD point outing on Saturday. He even managed to reach 22.1 FD points in Game 2 despite managing just two points. Carroll's rebounding and assist potential raise his floor, and he's usually a safe bet to reach double figures in the scoring column. He carries the third highest price tag among small forwards Monday, but he's still under the $6K threshold. The options at small forward behind Carroll are risky plays for the most part, but you should feel confident using Carroll at one of your small forward spots.
Bojan Bogdanovic, BKN, $4,300: Bogdanovic has made two consecutive starts at shooting guard for the Nets, and his 19-point effort in Game 3 should keep him in the lineup again Monday. He connected on seven of his 13 field goal attempts, including 3-for-7 from deep in Brooklyn's 91-83 win Saturday. Bogdanovic isn't a focal point in the Nets' offense, but he adds an outside shooting dimension and should be able to outperform his price tag in Game 4.
Power Forward
John Henson, MIL, $4,800: Milwaukee's bench was one of the biggest storylines from Saturday's buzzer beating victory, and while Jerryd Bayless and O.J Mayo got most of the credit, Henson was also instrumental. His scoring and rebounding numbers weren't gaudy (six points, five boards), but he racked up four blocks and a steal in 26 minutes off the bench. Henson has averaged just under 26 FD points over the first four games of the series, highlighted by his 15 point, 14 rebound outing in Game 3. His ability to frustrate Chicago's frontcourt players and protect the rim should ensure Henson a good enough chunk of minutes Monday to where he can be a productive option for under $5K.
Nikola Mirotic, CHI, $5,800: Admittedly, Mirotic's playoff debut has been a disappointment. He missed Game 3 and hasn't sniffed double-digit scoring in his other appearances. He's shooting at a 33 percent clip in this series and had three costly turnovers in Saturday's loss. All of these factors have driven Mirotic's price under $6K for the first time in a while, which is exactly why I'd be willing to take a flier on him Monday. It's not a safe play. He could have another 10.2 FD point dud Monday. But with such little lineup variation in FanDuel contests at this point in the season, a roll of the dice on a lesser-owned player can push you up the leaderboard if those dice land just right.
Other Suggestion: Thaddeus Young, BKN, $6,000
Center
Marc Gasol, MEM, $8,400: The top four centers in action Monday are all over $6K, but there's enough bargain options at other positions to give you the flexibility to spend bigger at this spot. With a banged up backcourt, Memphis attacked the paint with its bigs in Game 3 and outscored Portland 48-30 in that area. Gasol led the charge with 25 points and seven rebounds. He went 13-for-14 from the line in that game as Portland decided to send the 80 percent free throw shooter to the line over and over again. Gasol should be in line for another huge game Monday with the Grizzlies looking to complete the sweep.
