Counterattack - Monday's Top Contrarian Plays
Here are the top low-ownership options for Monday's NBA action:
PG Chris Paul, Clippers (at Pistons)
Paul is frustrating. One game, he'll post 18 points and 18 assists and the next he'll drop to 12 and five with nothing else. With a day of rest between games, there is less risk than on the second half of a back-to-back.
Still, people will fade him because he's on the road in Detroit, and the Pistons handle point guards fairly well. Even though Paul is having a down season by his standards, he is a player who needs to be rostered.
SG Alec Burks, Jazz (at Spurs)
Burks is no longer a bench player, though his price tag is too high for him to be considered a huge bargain. Since Rudy Gobert went out, the Jazz have had to change gears a bit. That means Burks should be getting more playing time.
Indeed, he's coming off 37 minutes against the Thunder where he scored 21 points - something he's done three times in his last 10. The Spurs will give him all he can handle, but he should be able to return value at his salary.
SF Tobias Harris, Magic (at Nets)
Harris has an injury notification next to his name in DFS. Don't worry. His leg contusion is not expected to cause him to miss Monday's game. He is excelling in Orlando's system and has put up big games against strong defenses like Utah in recent weeks. The Nets shouldn't be a problem. He should post numbers bordering on a double-double.
PF Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks (vs. Suns)
The minutes are mostly there, but the scoring isn't what it once was. This will cause many to look elsewhere in DFS. Nowitzki has struggled with shooting in his last two games, but that can be considered an anomaly. He spreads his numbers around and can be counted on to provide a decent dose of points and rebounds, even if it doesn't measure up to his prime.
C Marc Gasol, Grizzlies (vs. Wizards)
Gasol has battled injuries most of the season, though his minutes of late have been consistent so his ankle doesn't seem to be bothering him. He has a steady floor - only his occasional injury forces it down - and an incredibly high ceiling. He's a solid cash game play, but his potential for a massive game makes him attractive in GPPs.
Don't shy away because of the ankle or that he's playing opposite Marcin Gortat, who is good but not great on defense. You can ignore how the Wizards have done defending centers, Gasol is good enough to boom against anyone.