Here are five stud players to consider at each position for Monday’s 7-game fantasy basketball slate on DraftKings:
Point Guard
Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers vs. Charlotte Hornets ($8,800) — Lillard enters Monday with a favorable matchup against the Hornets. The Hornets have been prone to allowing extra space from 3-point range, allowing the third most wide-open 3s per game based on the league’s player tracking system, which measures the closest defender to the shooter. Lillard is shooting 42% on wide-open 3s this season, a boost from his season mark of 36% on all 3-pointers.
The Hornets have allowed the most assists per game to opponents while showcasing mediocre point prevention. Lillard’s facilitating has been strong, creating about 14 potential assists per game, tied for 10th best among all players, giving him some assist upside. Lillard’s 46.5 DraftKings fantasy points (DKFP) per game ranks second at PG on Monday’s slate behind only LeBron James,
Shooting Guard
Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls at Boston Celtics ($8,500) — LaVine has been hot as a fantasy producer lately, averaging 49 DKFP per game since the calendar turned to January. LaVine’s fantasy production has been elevated by expanded volume, averaging 23 field goal attempts per game on a heavy 32% usage rate in January, boosts from 19 field goal attempts per game on a 30% usage rate previously. While the Celtics are generally an unappealing fantasy opponent due to their strong defense, LaVine’s recent hot stretch includes a 52.5 DKFP performance against the Celtics, so he has shown to be capable of being productive in the matchup.
Small Forward
LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers ($9,500) — James’s price has fallen to $9,500, down from $11,000 in his most recent game and tied for his second lowest price tag of the season. The Cavs have been atrocious defensively, allowing the second most points per possession while showcasing very poor basket protection. Cleveland has allowed the most field goals per game within five feet of the basket, a zone that James ranks fifth in shot attempts in among all players. Cleveland has also allowed the third most assists to opponents, which is notable given James leads the lead in facilitating, creating 19 potential assists per game.
In addition, James’ usage rate sits at a heavy 36% in minutes with Anthony Davis (glute) off the court, a boost from 29% with Davis on the court, so James could be in position for more shot volume if Davis remains out. James will be well-positioned for points and assists in this matchup, and the only downside is that blowout risk could reduce James’ minutes if the game gets out of hand. The Lakers are huge 13.5-point favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Power Forward
Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans at Detroit Pistons ($8,100) — Ingram has been a breakout player in New Orleans, posting a 21.2 player efficiency rating, a sizable bump from a poor 13.4 last season with the Lakers. Ingram’s facilitating has seen a solid increase in minutes with Jrue Holiday (elbow) off the court, and if Holiday remains out again on Monday, Ingram would have clearance for expanded assists against a Pistons team that has allowed more assists and more points to opponents than average. Ingram’s usage rate is a strong 29% in minutes with Holiday off the court, and his 43.5 DKFP per game ranks third best at PF on Monday’s slate.
Center
Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons vs. New Orleans Pelicans ($10,300) — Pelicans C Derrick Favors is dealing with a hamstring injury, and if Favors remains out on Monday, Drummond will be set for a softer matchup in the interior. The Pelicans have poor rebounding numbers in minutes with Favors off the court this season, grabbing just 49% of missed shots, a number that would rank in the bottom third among all teams. The Pelicans’ already poor defense is also worse with Favors off the court. New Orleans has allowed the fourth most field goals per game within five feet of the basket, and Drummond ranks in the top three among all players in shot attempts inside that zone.
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