This article is part of our FantasyDraft NBA series.
Monday brings us another modest slate, which helps cut down on the amount of research necessary to build a strong lineup. Moreover, none of the $20K types are in action, so composing a tournament lineup that carries a bit less risk than usual and still sports plenty of high-upside players is very feasible. The good news is that there's plenty of teams with solid motivation levels, as each contest features at least one playoff hopeful. Without further delay, let's pick out some solid plays at each price level on the five-game slate.
GUARD
Ben Simmons, PHI vs. DEN ($16,000): Simmons has taken things to another level over the last seven games, scoring 42.25 to 57.50 fantasy points in six of those contests, and an impressive 37.75 in the other contest during that sample. He's averaging a whopping 1.50 fantasy points per minute over that span and averaging a triple-double of 12.7 points, 11.6 assists and 10.4 rebounds as well. The matchup against the Nuggets could well facilitate more of the same, as they come in allowing the ninth most fantasy points per game (53.3) to point guards over the last 10, along with the eighth-most points in the paint (47.3) per game on the road. That latter number dovetails nicely with the fact that most of Simmons' offense comes around the basket, as he's logged 79.7 percent of his scoring (12.7 points per game) in that area of the floor.
Jaylen Brown, BOS at PHO ($10,300): It's worth noting that Ish Smith ($10,600) and Trey Burke ($10,300) are two other options at this level that look appealing. Meanwhile, Brown got right back into the swing of things Sunday against the Kings after a six-game absence, scoring 25.50 fantasy points over 25 minutes on the strength of 60.0 percent shooting. The second-year guard also sports a 22.2 percent usage rate with Kyrie Irving (knee) off the floor this season, and that number inches up to 22.9 percent if Marcus Morris (ankle), who's likely to be a game-time decision Monday, is also removed from the equation. The matchup against the uptempo but defensively deficient Suns couldn't line up any better for him, either, as Phoenix is allowing the sixth-most fantasy points per game to two-guards (43.0) on the season, including 48.8 over the last 10.
Frank Ntilikina, NY at CHA ($7,700): The affordable tier is much tougher than usual in terms of finding some relatively safe bargains Monday, as even Reggie Jackson ($8,700) has an asterisk next to him in my mind due to his playing time restrictions. Meanwhile, the inconsistent but talented Ntilikina is worthy of consideration strictly as a tournament play, given that he's currently getting run with the first unit and draws an appealing positional matchup. Ntilikina's last five games sum up the variance in his production, as he's scored 21.75 to 26.25 fantasy points in three of those contests and 6.00 and 5.50 in the two others during the sample. The Hornets could help facilitate one of his better performances, however, considering they've allowed the eighth-most fantasy points per game (56.6) to shooting guards over the last 10, including the second most (64.2) over the last five.
FORWARD/CENTER
Andre Drummond, DET vs. LAL ($17,600): Drummond has gone for 47.50 and 63.50 fantasy points in his last two games, the latest example of his considerable upside. He also double-doubled against the Lakers (10 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and one steal) in one prior meeting this season and Los Angeles comes in allowing the seventh-most fantasy points per game (44.0) to centers over the last 10. Two other metrics very much in Drummond's favor Monday are pace and points in the paint, with the Lakers generating the second-most possessions per game (104.8) – including the most (105.0) on the road – and allowing the most points in the paint (49.0), including 57.3 over the last three. The extra possessions should give Drummond more opportunities for fantasy production, while L.A.'s vulnerability near the basket dovetails well with Drummond scoring 78.1 percent of his points in that area of the floor.
Dwight Howard, CHA vs. NY ($15,700): Much like Drummond, Howard has put up some massive performances this season, with his last two games serving as stellar examples. The veteran has scored 69.50 and 52.75 fantasy points on the strength of a combined 50 points and 53 rebounds over that span. Those eye-popping numbers are obviously unsustainable over the long term, but the Knicks aren't a bad matchup for him to at least churn out a similarly strong return. Howard is already averaging 15.3 points and 10.7 rebounds across 28.7 minutes in three games versus New York this season, and the Knicks come in allowing the sixth-most fantasy points per game (36.4) to centers on the season, including 43.9 over the last 10. Their rebounds per game metric has also jumped from 9.8 to 11.0 in the latter span compared to their season figure, a number at least worth noting with a player as proficient on the glass as Howard.
Luke Kornet, NY at CHA ($6,000): It's not often that a true minimum price player is a viable option, but Kornet appears to fit that bill as a tournament-only play Monday. Kyle O'Quinn is likely to miss another game with his hip injury, which would afford Kornet some extra minutes behind Michael Beasley at the four. He's been serviceable with some extra minutes over the last five, scoring 16.75 to 29.00 fantasy points in four of those contests – solid-to-excellent returns on his current price. The Hornets also make for appealing targets, considering they've allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game (41.0) to power forwards on the season, including the second most (62.2) over the last 10.
UTILITY
Terry Rozier, BOS at PHO ($14,000): Rozier continues to excel in Kyrie Irving's absence, as he's now scored over 50 fantasy points twice and more than 30 on three other occasions over the last six. After a red-hot night against the Kings on Sunday in which he netted 33 points, Rozier is shooting 46.7 percent from the floor -- including 50.0 percent from distance over the last three – while taking a robust 15.0 shot attempts per contest. The Suns shape up as tantalizing targets for him to continue his hot streak against, as they've allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game (58.3) to point guards over the last five, along with the second-highest offensive efficiency rating (27.2) to the position on the season. Phoenix is also playing at the third-highest pace in the NBA (103.9 possessions per game) -- including 104.4 per game at home – making Rozier an even more attractive option.
Andrew Harrison, MEM at MIN ($10,900): Harrison bounced back from a clunker against the Sixers two games ago with 40.00 fantasy points versus the Lakers on Saturday, and he'd scored 30.00 to 43.25 fantasy points in four of the previous five games as well, dating back to before his multi-game absence due to a wrist injury. He's been a dramatically improved shooter this year as well as compared to his rookie season -- boosting his percentage by 9.7 percent to 42.5 – while the Timberwolves have allowed the second-highest success rate from the floor to point guards (44.0) on the campaign. Moreover, they've been more vulnerable than ever to the position lately, as the 52.0 fantasy points per game they've yielded over the last 10 is a notable bump over their 37.4 season figure.
