:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/68718983/usa_today_15475952.0.jpg)
Here are some plays that jump out on DraftKings at each position for Monday’s main NBA slate, along with some strategy unique to this slate.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $600K Fadeaway [$100K to 1st]
For up-to-the-minute news, analysis and lineups, download the DK Live app. You also can follow DK Live on Twitter @dklive.
Point Guard
Worth Paying Up For: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder ($10,300)
Portland remains without both C.J. McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic, putting a lot on Lillard to carry the weight. So far he’s responded, scoring at least 50 DKFP in each of the past three games, including 60.75 DKFP on Sunday against the Knicks. We should get a safe floor here on points alone, with Dame scoring at least 35 points in each game McCollum and Nurk have missed.
Best Bang For Your Buck: Goran Dragic, Miami Heat at Brooklyn Nets ($6,200)
Dragic isn’t as cheap as most values on the slate, but he brings a ton of upside. Miami remains without Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro and Avery Bradley, leaving Dragic in a featured role in the backcourt. Dragic has shown a pretty safe floor of about 30 DKFP over his past six games, and the matchup against the Nets could mean a lot of points. The defense has really been struggling since the big trade in Brooklyn.
Shooting Guard
Worth Paying Up For: James Harden, Brooklyn Nets vs. Miami Heat ($10,200)
I prefer some stronger plays at PG here, but Harden is getting cheaper in his role as a distributor. He has double-digit assists in every game this season and gives us the potential for a triple-double in any matchup. What we’re really waiting on here is a big scoring outing from Harden. He’s sat back and let the others get all of their shots, attempting just eight field goals on Saturday. That should change at some point, and when it does, Harden will make for a tremendous GPP play.
Best Bang For Your Buck: Delon Wright, Detroit Pistons vs. Philadelphia 76ers ($5,500)
Wright dropped 35 DKFP against Houston on Friday, and while he followed it up with a solid 28.75-DKFP outing on Saturday, his minutes were the most encouraging sign. He played 36 minutes with Derrick Rose out of the lineup, and that will remain the case on Monday. Wright brings really solid upside across the board and is tough to bust if he’s playing in the range of 36 minutes.
Small Forward
Worth Paying Up For: Jerami Grant, Detroit Pistons vs. Philadelphia 76ers ($7,800)
You know Jerami Grant is my guy, and even after landing under his point prop a couple of times over the weekend, I think we’re due for a bounce-back here. Grant shot an atrocious 7-of-34 from the field in two games over the weekend, yet still somehow found his way to 35 DKFP on Friday. We know the volume is there, and Grant is filling up other statistical categories. So once he gets his shot to fall, the big upside we usually roster for over $8,000 is there.
Best Bang For Your Buck: Hamidou Diallo, Oklahoma City Thunder at Portland Trail Blazers ($3,900)
Diallo’s only going to see about 20 minutes per game, but he’s been effective with them lately. The OKC wing’s topped 20 DKFP in consecutive outings, including 26.25 DKFP his last time out. There isn’t much value below $4,000 on this slate, so we take what we can get.
Power Forward
Worth Paying Up For: Lauri Markkanen, Chicago Bulls vs. Boston Celtics ($6,500)
The Bulls will be without Wendell Carter Jr. once again, which could mean more opportunities for Markkanen. The Celtics have never had too many bodies up front, but are a solid defensive team. The matchup is pretty average, but the extra opportunity with front-court minutes will be there — Markkanen played 36 minutes against the Lakers on Saturday but struggled shooting. If he can turn that around in this spot, he’ll return value.
Best Bang For Your Buck: Isaiah Roby, Oklahoma City Thunder at Portland Trail Blazers ($4,600)
Roby has been filling in for Al Horford during his personal absence and doing a very good job. He’s playing at least 26 minutes in each game, has a pair for 30-DKFP contests and is coming off a double-double on Sunday. Portland is really thin up front without Nurk, making this a much more favorable matchup. Somehow, Roby’s salary is on the decline, making this an even more obvious value.
Center
Worth Paying Up For: Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat at Brooklyn Nets ($8,500)
The Nets were already one of the worst defensive teams against centers prior to the Harden trade, but now with Jarrett Allen shipped out, it’s gotten even worse. Bam went off for over 62 DKFP in this exact matchup on Saturday, yet his salary doesn’t budge. Look for Bam to run it back on Monday.
Best Bang For Your Buck: Daniel Gafford, Chicago Bulls vs. Boston Celtics ($3,100)
This is a simple plug and play, with Gafford starting at center for the Bulls. He was downright awful last game, picking up four fouls in 18 minutes, scoring just four points to go with one rebound. Look for a bounce-back game from the big, who scored over a DKFP per minute in his previous two contests.
Overall Lineup Strategy
The bubble-less NBA is turning into the Wild West ... just like NFL and MLB before it. Following the news was always a must in the NBA, but now it’s even more important. Make sure to follow @dklive on Twitter and download the DK Live app to stay up-to-date with all the latest news.
We’ve got a big 10-game slate on Monday, and a lot of intriguing plays with multi-position eligibility. The one place I’m sure I want to double down is at center. Bam is a must play for me, and there are a few other second centers I’d look to roster at UTIL before going to another position.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $600K Fadeaway [$100K to 1st]
Place your NBA bets at DraftKings Sportsbook and bet online by downloading the DraftKings Sportsbook app.
Put your knowledge to the test. Sign up for DraftKings and experience the game inside the game.
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is jedlow) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL).Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ/WV/PA/MI), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (NH/CO), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), 1-888-532-3500 (VA) or call/text TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN).21+ (18+ NH). CO/IL/IN/IA/NH/NJ/PA/TN/VA/WV/MI only. Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for full terms and conditions.