Every NBA team plays Monday night, with Atlanta, Brooklyn, Dallas, Detroit, New Orleans and Orlando playing the second leg of a back-to-back. No teams play on Tuesday.
As for injuries, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Lauri Markkanen, Zach LaVine, Caris LeVert, Stephen Curry, D’Angelo Russell and Kevin Huerter are questionable. Kyle Kuzma, Jaylen Brown, Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart are out. Keep track of all the pertinent injury updates at DK Live.
DraftKings Sportsbook has seven games with a spread of at least 7 points: CLE -7 over MIL, GS -9.5 over WAS, BOS -10.5 over ATL, CHI -7 over UTA, MIN -9 over CHA, OKC -11.5 over ORL and DEN -8.5 over TOR. There are three games with a total of at least 230: GS/WAS (231.5), BOS/ATL (234.5) and IND/DAL (235.5). There is one game with a total below 220: NY/HOU (218.5). Log into DK Sportsbook for the updates.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $300K Fadeaway [$100K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons vs. Los Angeles Lakers ($8,400) – Cunningham is THE franchise for the Pistons. It’s nice that the organization finally surrounded him with shooters this season. Through seven games, Cunningham is garnering a usage rate of 31.3% and has been stuffing the stat sheet. On Sunday, he went for 31 FPTS, the first time under 40. The Lakers are playing at the third-fastest pace and are 25th in defensive efficiency. A return into the 40 FPTS area should be well within the range of outcomes.
Other Options – Ja Morant ($9,300), Donovan Mitchell ($8,200), Darius Garland ($7,100), Josh Giddey ($6,900), Coby White ($6,800), Derrick White ($6,700), Buddy Hield ($6,600), Brandin Podziemski ($6,300), Austin Reaves ($6,200), Mikal Bridges ($6,200), Keyonte George ($6,100)
Value
Jaylen Wells, Memphis Grizzlies at Brooklyn Nets ($5,100) – With Marcus Smart and Desmond Bane out the last two games, Wells has started and played 36 minutes in each contest. He’s produced 24.75 and 27.25 FPTS. While he doesn’t contribute much in the defensive categories and isn’t a playmaker, Wells does grab some rebounds and is out there to shoot and space the floor. That said, minutes are minutes and 36 is a ton. The Nets are 21st in defensive efficiency and are seventh in pace, so the environment should be a good one.
Other Options – Jaden Ivey ($5,900), Bilal Coulibaly ($5,700), Payton Pritchard ($5,200), Ayo Dosunmu ($4,500), Miles McBride ($4,400)
Forward
Stud
Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics at Atlanta Hawks ($10,000) – Tatum has gone over 50 FTPS in five of seven games, with two over 60. Atlanta is playing at the second-fastest pace and is 27th in defensive efficiency, but the most important aspect for this game is that Jaylen Brown has been ruled out. In 60 minutes this season, Tatum has seen a 6.6% usage bump to 38.31% with Brown off the court.
Other Options – LeBron James ($9,000), DeMar DeRozan ($7,700), Jaren Jackson Jr. ($7,400), Buddy Hield ($6,600), John Collins ($6,600), Santi Aldama ($6,200), Mikal Bridges ($6,200), Jonathan Kuminga ($6,200) , Josh Hart ($6,100)
Value
Rui Hachimura, Los Angeles Lakers at Detroit Pistons ($5,400) – Hachimura has struggled the last two games. He shot 3-of-12 in Toronto on Friday and only attempted six shots in 28 minutes during Wednesday’s blowout to Cleveland. Prior to that, though, he went for over 30 FPTS in three of four games with a high of 41. I like Hachimura to bounce back in this one, as he could be matched up against smaller defenders at times in this one.
Other Options – Tobias Harris ($6,000), Cameron Johnson ($5,800), Bilal Coulibaly ($5,700), Jaylen Wells ($5,100), Jaime Jaquez Jr. ($4,900)
Center
Stud
Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers at Detroit Pistons ($10,800) – The top of the center position has plenty of enticing options. I will usually side with Davis, though, anytime because of his ability to dominate at both ends of the court. When it all comes together, he could put up a score that few can match. He’s gone for at least 54 FPTS in five of six games this season with three over 60 and a high of 71.5. Jalen Duren is a physical freak but he is no defensive stopper. In addition, the Pistons are playing at a top 10 pace and 22nd in defensive efficiency.
Other Options – Domantas Sabonis ($9,800), Alperen Sengun ($8,100), Karl-Anthony Towns ($8,000), Nikola Vucevic ($7,900), John Collins ($6,600), Walker Kessler ($6,200)
Value
Zach Edey, Orlando Magic at Brooklyn Nets ($4,500) – There’s plenty of risk in this one due to unpredictable playing time. Edey has played over 20 minutes just three times in seven games this season. Some due to foul trouble, others to game script and a few to matchups. The Nets like to run, so he could sit more than normal. That said, this could also be an opportunity to pound the light-in-the-rear centers that Brooklyn has. Slowly but surely, Edey has started to look more comfortable. He went for 10 points, 10 rebounds, an assist, a block and a steal in the most recent contest. I think the upward trend continues.
Other Options – Jalen Duren ($5,800), Jay Huff ($4,200)
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $300K Fadeaway [$100K to 1st]
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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is sontzu) 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 do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. 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.
