There's nobody that hates Mondays like Garfield the cat. How can you not absolutely appreciate today though, as the NBA is loaded with 11 games on the card - and it's not even a holiday. In this instance, a case of the Mondays is a dang good thing, so let's see how the games break down:

Tonight's Headline Games

It seems the Chicago Bulls are tanking their tanking. The team has now won three straight for some reason as they get set to host the Milwaukee Bucks. There's a foreign born forward that should have a big night...but instead of Antetokounmpo, is it the "Finnish Freak" aka the "Finnisher" Lauri Markkanen ($7,900) who had 20 and 17 when the teams last met?

ICYMI, the San Antonio Spurs fell 118-130 to the Knicks on Sunday. Regardless, the Spurs are just +1.5 underdogs at the Brooklyn Nets on Monday.

The other team with a back-to-back is the Los Angeles Clippers who lost by 27 at the Nuggets yesterday. LAC fires it right back up as -5.5 home favorites vs. the Dallas Mavericks tonight.

After activating "playoff mode" vs. the Rockets last Thursday, the Los Angeles Lakers subsequently went out and lost by 13 over the weekend at Indiana. Can LA (-4.5) get things back on track vs. a Memphis Grizzlies squad that has dropped 7 of 10?

There are some points expected in the Philadelphia 76ers at New Orleans Pelicans game (O/U 239.5). The Sixers have a very favorable fantasy matchup even as Joel Embiid sits out his 3rd game in a row.

Guards

Trae Young (DK: $8,200 FD: $8,200 Y! $11) Ownership: 4.26%

At first look, you notice that Houston ranks 30th vs. the PG over the last five games. That has to be taken with a little bit of a grain of salt because the opponents included Steph Curry (51.75 fp), LeBron James (55.25), and Russell Westbrook (58.5). Even so, over that same span Jeff Teague went for 52.25 and Luca Doncic had a 45.5 fantasy point night. That's enough for a Trae Young play on Monday. Young has gone for 40+ fp in four straight games and has field goal attempts of 19, 19, 23, and 14 over that span.

Elfrid Payton (DK: $4,800 FD: $5,700 Y! $20) Ownership 2.7%

The sample size is small, as Elfrid Payton has missed the last nine games with an ankle injury but he seems to be coming into his own. In the two games since returning, Payton has logged 28:19 and most recently 36:06 minutes of court time. The Pelicans PG had a nice, well-rounded, game vs. the Lakers on Saturday with 14/5/9. There are a whole lot of points expected in PHI @ NO (O/U 239.5) and there are 119.8 implied on the Pelicans side. Expect Payton to be front and center for a lot of them.

Eric Gordon (DK: $4,600, FD; $5,600 Y!:$16 ) Ownership 10.05%

James Harden missed Saturday's game vs. Golden State with a neck injury and Eric Gordon responded with 25 points and 4 assists in the starting SG spot. Gordon was able to get 20 field goal attempts in that contest and should see increased opportunities today as Harden is questionable again vs. the Hawks. Even if the Beard does play, there's value with Gordon at the price. He's had at least a dozen field goal attempts the last four games even with Harden in the lineup.

Forwards

Khris Middleton (DK: $6,300 FD: $7,000 Y! $25) Ownership 11.35%

The Chicago Bulls are playing with confidence after winning three in a row, which only helps with the usage for Khris Middleton in a possibly close game. The Bucks have won by 13, 3, and 19 over Chicago this season and Middleton has 23, 17, and 16 points in those games. Middleton has played at least 30 minutes the last five games, has scored 15+ in four of them, and has a 13 and 12 board night over that span. Middleton had 28/7/3 Saturday vs. the T'Wolves and that was in a 12 point Bucks win.

Marvin Bagley III (DK: $6,500 FD: $7,400 Y!: $27) Ownership 4.56%

It's hard to tell if Marvin Bagley III is just on a hot run - or if he's going to start dominating on the regular from here on out. There's still value until that is determined and it's hard to argue with the Sacramento big man's production. Since returning from the all-star break, Bagley has logged 33:50 and 36:21 of minutes and is averaging 24 points and 12 rebounds in those games. That's good for a 49 and 47 fantasy point night. Minnesota just allowed a 19 rebound night to Deandre Jordan on Friday and just gave up a 40.25 fantasy point night to Brook Lopez on Saturday.

Kevin Love (DK: $6,900, FD: $7,100 Y! $31) Ownership 1.52%

Are we starting to see a return to old-school Kevin Love where he compiles stats upon stats for a horrible team? It's definitely looked like that lately as the finally-healthy Love is averaging 24 points and 11.5 rebounds in the two games since the all-star break. He's putting up those numbers in limited minutes too, including Saturday's 32 point, 12 rebound night in 25:56 vs. Memphis. Cleveland's other opponent in that span was Phoenix - not exactly quality squads. Even so, Portland is in town Monday in their third straight road game, Love is worth a shot here.

Center

Domantas Sabonis (DK: $6,300 FD: $6,600 Y!: $25) Ownership 17.96%

The play of Domantas Sabonis on Monday is largely dependent on Myles Turner missing a third straight game with a hip ailment. Sabonis has averaged 12.5 rebounds in the two games since the all-star break and the Pistons have allowed 15, 12, and 14 rebounds to the last three centers they've faced. Sabonis has also averaged 15.5 points and 3.5 assists over the last two games, so he can score fantasy points in a variety of ways.

Utility Player

Dion Waiters (DK:$4,700 FD:$5,500 Y!15) Ownership 9.35%

There's $6,400 available at the utility spot with tonight's lineup and a solid play that comes well underneath that is Dion Waiters as the Heat host the Suns. Justise Winslow is doubtful Monday for the 2nd straight game and Waiters logged 32:41 in his absence. Overall, the usage has been up for the Miami G as he's gone for 30+ minutes in six straight outings. Waiters has double digit points in each of those contests. He gets his shots too, with 19, 13, 16, and 14 in field goal attempts in four of the last five. That production should increase a bit vs. the Suns' 28th ranked scoring defense and with a positive 6 possession pace differential.

It's a Gigantor tonight but that kind of dries up the well for Tuesday where there are only three games on tap. Oh "well" because sometimes digging deep into a bare bones slate is a nice change of pace. Until then, feel free to follow Carl Taylor (@dailydogsports) for more daily fantasy and sports betting insights and oversights.

Freeroll

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