Monday night’s six-game slate tips off at 7:30 PM EST, and DraftKings continues to offer huge tournaments for DFS players. Below are some of my favorite targets at each position.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $325K Shootaround [100K to 1st]
Point Guard
Stud
Russell Westbrook, Washington Wizards at Atlanta Hawks, $11,000 - Westbrook’s $11,000 price tag is laughably low for the superstar, and he needs to be one of your core plays with Bradley Beal (hamstring) ruled out. Westbrook is generating an absurd 77.6 DKFP per game across his last five, and his usage rises a team-high 5.7 percentage point with Beal off the floor. On top of the elevated usage, Westbrook will be seeking history on Monday night. If he posts a triple-double vs. the Hawks, which is something the point guard has accomplished in 17 of his last 20 game, he will pass Oscar Robertson and set an all-time NBA record with 182 career triple-doubles.
This is a prime spot for Westbrook, going against an Atlanta club that has slipped to 25th in defensive rating over their last 10. Anything less than 60 DKFP would be a disappointment, and Westbrook is one of the strongest values of the night, despite being the most expensive player on the board.
Other Options: Stephen Curry ($10,500), Lonzo Ball ($8,000)
Value
Armoni Brooks, Houston Rockets at Portland Trailblazers, $4,800 - With Kevin Porter Jr. (ankle) out for the third straight game, you have to like Brooks at this price. The rookie has logged at least 30 minutes in three consecutive contests and has been productive with the heavier workload, scoring 32.1 DKFP per game.
Against this Blazers’ defense, which ranks second-to-last in defensive efficiency this season, the guard will likely surpass five-times value and shouldn’t come with much ownership in GPPs.
Other Options: Donte DiVincenzo ($5,200), Raul Neto ($4,500), Lonnie Walker ($4,200)
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Shooting Guard
Stud
Collin Sexton, Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Indiana Pacers, $8,300 - Combine the absence of Darius Garland (ankle) with this up-tempo matchup vs. the Pacers, and Sexton is an elite GPP target for this six-game slate. The guard is amassing 38.75 DKFP per game with Garland out of the lineup this year, and Indiana has been the fastest squad in the NBA over their last 10.
Playing up in pace is optimal for a slashing guard like Sexton, and he has been excellent vs. the Pacers this season, producing 48.4 DKFP per game in two matchups.
Other Options: Caris LeVert ($9,000 - if Malcolm Brogdon is out), Jrue Holiday ($8,300)
Value
Eric Bledsoe, New Orleans Pelicans at Memphis Grizzlies, $5,900 - With Brandon Ingram (ankle) and Zion Williamson (finger) both absent Sunday night, Bledsoe erupted for 52 DKFP vs. the Hornets behind a 26.7% usage rate. Naturally, the combo-guard takes on a bigger role with the Pelicans’ top two scorers missing, collecting 35 DKFP per game in the five Williamson and Ingram have missed this season.
Also, Monday night delivers an awesome matchup for Bledsoe, facing a Grizzlies’ defense that is yielding DKFP to opposing shooting guards at the second-highest rate in the league. Barring a surprise return from Ingram, Bledsoe will be one of the best guard values to attack on Monday.
Other Options: Joe Ingles ($6,300), Khyri Thomas ($5,500), Daquan Jeffries ($4,400)
Small Forward
Stud
DeMar DeRozan, San Antonio Spurs vs. Milwaukee Bucks, $7,900 - DeRozan is in solid form, amassing 41.6 DKFP per game in his past eight, and he went nuts for 52.8 DKFP in the Spurs’ first meeting of the season vs. the Bucks last month. On DraftKings Sportsbook, Monday night’s rematch carries a 234 point O/U game total. Whenever DeRozan has competed in a total north of 230 points this season, the veteran has provided 41.5 DKFP per game.
Paying up at small forward is never a popular strategy, and rostering DeRozan is an interesting way to differentiate yourself in large tournaments Monday.
Other Options: Khris Middleton ($8,400)
Value
James Johnson, New Orleans Pelicans at Memphis Grizzlies, $4,600 - Johnson is a primary value for this six-game slate with Williamson injured. Getting the spot start in place of the All-Star Sunday night, Johnson supplied 33 DKFP across 31 minutes vs. the Hornets. Sunday night marked the fifth time Williamson has been unavailable this season, and Johnson is averaging 31.5 DKFP per game on those occasions.
The versatile forward is amassing 34.2 DKFP per game when given a minimum of 30 minutes this year. At only $4.6K, Johnson is a no-brainer for all formats.
Other Options: Kent Bazemore ($5,200), Rudy Gay ($4,300)
Power Forward
Stud
Domantas Sabonis, Indiana Pacers at Cleveland Cavaliers, $10,600 - If the hamstring injury keeps Brogdon sidelined Monday, Sabonis should have a field day vs. the Cavaliers. Cleveland ranks dead-last in defensive rating over their last 10. In the six games Brogdon, Myles Turner (out, toe), T.J. Warren (out, sidelined) and Victor Oladipo (now in MIA) have missed this season, Sabonis has destroyed his opponents for 57.8 DKFP per game.
Trailing the Wizards by only a half game for No. 9 seed in the East, this is a big game for the Pacers with the play-in tournament quickly approaching. In the likely event Brogdon is inactive, Sabonis will present one of the highest ceilings on the slate.
Other Options: Giannis Antetokounmpo ($10,800), Draymond Green ($7,600)
Value
KJ Martin Jr., Houston Rockets at Portland Trailblazers, $6,200 - Both Kelly Olynyk and Christian Wood are questionable Monday with ankle injuries, and at least one of these Houston big men should be inactive — keeping Martin in a large role as a starter. With Wood missing the past three, Martin has been a fantasy stud, producing 49.1 DKFP per game as a member of the first unit.
The athletic rookie has led the Rockets with 41 minutes per game over this stretch. Based off sheer volume, Martin will be a very tough fade if Houston’s frontcourt remains thin against the defensively-challenged Blazers.
Other Options: Jaren Jackson Jr. ($6,000), Danilo Gallinari ($4,800), Georges Niang ($3,900)
Center
Stud
Jonas Valanciunas, Memphis Grizzlies vs. New Orleans Pelicans, $8,200 - Valanciunas has been a monster, delivering 51.4 DKFP per game in his past two starts, and he should remain hot in this juicy matchup against the depleted Pelicans. In addition to Williamson and Ingram, Steven Adams (toe) should also be absent Monday. Over their last 10, New Orleans has given up the second-most DKFP to opposing centers.
There is plenty on the line for the Grizzlies on Monday, only a half-game behind the Warriors for the eight seed in the Western Conference, and Valanciunas is a contrarian option that brings 50-DKFP upside.
Other Options: Kelly Olynyk ($8,100 - if active and Christian Wood is out), Jusuf Nurkic ($7,300)
Value
Juan Toscano-Anderson, Golden State Warriors vs. Utah Jazz, $5,000 - Even in this tough matchup vs. the Jazz, Toscano-Anderson needs to be on your radar tonight. With both James Wiseman (knee) and Kelly Oubre Jr. (wrist) on the shelf, Toscano-Anderson has received a sizable role off the bench for Golden State, producing 30.2 DKFP per game on 31.2 minutes a night across his last five.
Overall, Toscano-Anderson is averaging 27.5 DKFP per game when he has gained over 25 minutes this season. Given his recent efforts, the Warriors plan on converting his two-deal to a standard NBA contract this coming week. The forward should be able to return five-times value in this big game vs. Utah, and the poor matchup should keep Toscano-Anderson’s ownership in check.
Other Options: Jarrett Allen ($6,800), Jaxson Hayes ($4,500 - if Steven Adams is out), Rui Hachimura ($4,900)
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $325K Shootaround [100K to 1st]
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