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Monday’s main NBA slate on DraftKings will be a small one. There are just five games on tap, and tip-off times will range from 8:00 p.m. ET to 10:00 p.m. ET. There won’t be as many lineup possibilities as usual in a slate this small, so finding variance could be difficult.
That being said, it is a great time to give you some value plays for your DFS contest. Unlike NFL DFS, where one pick can make or break your lineup or it’s tough to find quality low-tier value.
In NBA DFS, you can find quality value plays under $5K that can give you a quick 10 points off the bench, grab some rebounds, or stuff the stat sheet. It does not matter if you are playing a 50/50 or Double Up contest, we are going to provide you with three players that you need to put in your lineup.
Hassan Whiteside, Sacramento Kings, $4,800
Whiteside was a smash hit against the Brooklyn Nets earlier this week and racked up more than 58 DKFP by scoring 26 points ad grabbing 16 boards while filling in for Richaun Holmes. Holmes (knee) is questionable and hasn’t played since Valentine’s Day. Whiteside could be heavily featured against the Chicago Bulls. Chicago has no frontcourt depth with Lauri Markkanen, Otto Porter Jr., and Chandler Hutchinson out. I like Whiteside’s chances on the glass against Wendell Carter Jr. and 6’7” rookie Patrick Williams as his main competition.
Derrick Jones Jr., Portland Trail Blazers, $4,400
Portland is scoring the third-most points per game in the NBA and will be up against the league's worst defense. Damian Lillard’s ridiculous offensive output has helped the Trail Blazers lead the league in first-quarter scoring, but he gets plenty of help from his teammates. DJJ tallied 34.25 DKFP in his last outing against the New Orleans Pelicans’ abysmal defense and will have another great matchup to look forward to on Saturday. No combination of Garrison Matthews and Deni Avdija is built to stop Jone’s athleticism, and he’ll get plenty of minutes with Nassir Little as his primary backup. Little has logged just five minutes of playing time in two of Portland’s last three games.
Malik Monk, Charlotte Hornets, $5,000
Monk hasn’t been very consistent this year, but he’s back in the rotation, and injuries have helped him put together some impressive performances. Devonte’ Graham has been ruled out of Saturday’s game against the Timberwolves, and his absence will give Monk another chance to score big as the first guard off the bench. He’s tallied more than 30 DKFP three times in his last 10 games, and his shooting efficiency has reached new heights. Monk is shooting 45% from the field and 50% from three.