NBA $5,000 Guaranteed Monday Line-Up

Monday’s NBA $5k Draftstars contest brings us six games, but where is the value? We’ve put together a line-up with an emphasis on consistency at bargain prices.

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Here is a team you may consider for the NBA $5k+ Monday competition

Point Guard

Mike Conley ($12,650)

Mike Conley’s 2016/17 season has already encountered a rocky road, having sat out a portion of the season already as a result of injury. However, the past seven days have been nothing but positive for Conley on an individual level – averaging 20 points, 5.3 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game. The Grizzlies face a young Utah Jazz on Monday who are still starting a less-experienced Shelvin Mack at the point-guard slot. Expect Conley to take advantage of this move and look to put up impressive numbers to continue his consistent streak of form.

Elfrid Payton ($12,500)

After a couple of strong performances off the bench, Elfrid Payton earned back his starting spot from fellow guard D.J. Augustin. Despite Payton’s inconsistencies, he has managed to put up some strong individual displays to prove his slight improvement from last season. Across the past 15 days, Payton has averaged a solid 12.1 points, 7.3 assists and four rebounds per game while shooting an improved 45% from the field. On Monday, the Magic face the Lakers in Los Angeles – a team Payton dominated against last time out with 25 points and nine assists to help steer the Magic to a 19-point win.

Shooting Guard

Eric Gordon ($10,300)

A huge burden has been placed on newly-signed Rocket Eric Gordon – who is putting up a strong case for the Sixth Man of the Year award. Averaging 17.8 points and 3.8 threes per game this season, Gordon has been even better across the past week – averaging 21.8 points per game with five treys. Houston suit up against the Raptors on Monday, a second-unit who Gordon can expect to give him lots of wide open threes. Accuracy is the key to Gordon’s success each and every game, however that shouldn’t be too much of a worry given his handy 45% field goal percentage across this season. Back him in at a touch over $10k.

Nick Young ($7,350)

As a result of some red-hot form, Nick Young has earned himself a starting spot on the Lakers roster. Evidently, across the past week ‘Swaggy P’ has been beyond outstanding, increasing his scoring numbers to 19.7 points per game to go along with an average of 5.3 threes. Young loves a home crowd roar and he has the chance to impress them on Monday against Orlando. Expect Young to exploit an inconsistent Magic side to get lots of wide open shot opportunities.

Small Forward

Gordon Hayward ($13,950)

Arguably in All-Star form, Gordon Hayward has been fantastic so far this season playing a large part in Utah’s rise to fifth seed in the Western Conference. The biggest improvement in Hayward’s game has been his consistency from game to game – averaging 22.2 points, six rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. Additionally, his three-point shot has evidently improved from last season – shooting 37% from deep for an average of almost two treys per game. Likely to spend a lot of time matched up with A-grade defender Tony Allen, Hayward will need to be at his All-Star potential best, something which is more familiar territory for the Utah forward this season.

Joe Ingles ($5,300)

As many of us are aware, Joe Ingles isn’t exactly the ideal fantasy option, however he brings some genuine upside to our Monday lineup. With his ability to contribute with points, boards and assists, Ingles’ overall fantasy output isn’t all that bad – especially given he has been averaging around 25 minutes of court time as of late. Averaging around 19 fantasy points per game from his last three outings, we can expect much of the same from Ingles again as the Jazz head to Memphis for another matchup with the Grizzlies. While Ingles brings plenty of risk, his price of just $5,300 allows us to splurge the remainder of our cash to bring in some quality players at other positions. If he produces the way he has been, then it’s a bargain!

Power Forward

Serge Ibaka ($12,200)

The more Serge Ibaka plays in an Orlando uniform, the more comfortable he gets – clearly evident in his statistical output. Across the last 15 days, Ibaka has been outstanding putting up an average 18 points at 51% efficiency, while also collecting 8.1 boards and 1.7 blocks per game. Last time out against the Lakers, Ibaka was at his offensive and defensive best – dropping a handy 19 points, 11 rebounds, and swatting five shots. Don’t miss out on an in-form Serge!

Julius Randle ($11,850)

The offensively in-form Julius Randle is almost impossible to look past after notching up another triple-double earlier last week against the Grizzlies. Frequently looking to drive, it has become apparent if Randle can’t score he will always look to pass out for the assist, which has evidently seen a rise in his diming numbers. The 22-year-old forward has been incredible across the past fortnight, putting up 17.8 points, 9.2 rebounds, six assists and 1.3 steals per outing. With the young Lakers core beginning to find their feet again, Randle has been a large part of that and we should expect him to continue this purple patch of form on Monday.

Centre

Marc Gasol ($13,300)

The youngest Gasol’s individual output has certainly not gone unnoticed with talk of an All-Star appearance and even MVP contention for Marc Gasol. Averaging 19.7 points, six rebounds, 4.3 assists, a steal and 1.5 blocks per game, Gasol has the potential to stuff the stats sheet on a regular basis. Having added a three-point shot to his arsenal this season, Gasol has become more deadly and scores his fantasy scores from multiple avenues. At a bit over $13k, Gasol is a safe bet for your centre spot given the calibre of player he is and the form he has displayed across the season so far.

The Line Up

PG: Mike Conley ($12,650)

PG: Elfrid Payton ($12,500)

SG: Eric Gordon ($10,300)

SG: Nick Young ($7,350)

SF: Gordon Hayward ($13,950)

SF: Joe Ingles ($5,300)

PF: Serge Ibaka ($12,200)

PF: Julius Randle ($11,850)

C: Marc Gasol ($13,300)

Salary Remaining: $600