There are five games on Monday’s slate. HOU, OKC, SAC and WAS are playing the second leg of a back-to-back. None of the teams play on Tuesday.
As for injuries, Zion Williamson, Jordan Hawkins is out. Trey Murphy III is probable. Malaki Branham is questionable. Keep track of all the pertinent injury updates at DK Live.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, CLE is -7.5 on the road over CHI with the total at 236.5, the highest on the slate. BKN is -1 on the road over NO with the total at 213, the lowest on the slate. OKC is -9.5 at home over LAC with the total at 217.5. SAC is -1 on the road over SA with the total at 223.5. Log into DK Sportsbook for the updates.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $350K Fadeaway [$100K to 1st].
Guard
Stud
James Harden, Los Angeles Clippers at Oklahoma City Thunder ($9,800) – Playing alongside Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, Harden embraced the facilitator role and ended up with a 20.6% usage rate last season. This season, with George and Leonard out, the usage rate has predictably spiked to 31.4%. The shooting efficiency has been horrendous, but Harden has been providing a cornucopia of counting stats, averaging 21.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 9.0 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.0 blocks. Harden has gone for at least 50 FPTS five times this season with a high of 68. These teams met five games ago and Harden finished with 52.3 FPTS.
Other Options – Brandon Ingram ($8,600), Jalen Green ($7,400), Cam Thomas ($7,200), Darius Garland ($7,100), Dennis Schroder ($7,000), Jose Alvarado ($6,200)
Value
Isaiah Joe, Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Clippers ($3,600) – The ceiling is capped because Joe doesn’t start and will likely never sniff 30 minutes. That said, he’s been getting consistent run in the 20s and is the microwave off the bench for the Thunder. He’s scored double-digit points in five straight and grabbed a handful of rebounds, resulting in over 20 FPTS in five straight.
Other Options – Carlton Carrington ($6,000), Brandon Boston Jr. ($5,900), Malik Monk ($5,500), Caris LeVert ($5,100), Stephon Castle ($4,900), Amen Thompson ($4,900)
Forward
Stud
Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers at Chicago Bulls ($7,600) – Mobley entered the league as a defensive savant, due to his length and agility. The offense? Good but not great. Well, in his fourth NBA season, Mobley has leveled up. Part of it is the work he’s put in, but credit must also be given to coach Kenny Atkinson, who has put Mobley in the best positions for success and has the Cavaliers humming with the top offensive unit. Mobley has two games over 50 FPTS this season and only two sub-30 FPTS games. This game environment should be a good one as the Bulls are second in offensive pace.
Other Options – Brandon Ingram ($8,600), Jalen Williams ($7,800), DeMar DeRozan ($7,700), Cam Thomas ($7,200), Cameron Johnson ($6,500)
Value
Amen Thompson, Washington Wizards at Washington Wizards ($4,900) – NBA players are in the 1% for physical athleticism. Thompson is the 1% of that 1%. Unfortunately, he’s not starting because the Rockets are so deep and the shooting can be a liability, but when he’s on the court, he contributes across the board. Thompson has scored at least 25 FPTS in each of the last four games and now faces a Wizards team that is first in pace, and Thompson thrives in these kinds of games.
Other Options – Brandon Boston Jr. ($5,900), Keldon Johnson ($5,900), Kyshawn George ($5,600), Malik Monk ($5,500)
Center
Stud
Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings at San Antonio Spurs ($9,500) – Sabonis is a beast because he is essentially a lock for double-digit points and rebounds. In addition, much of the Kings’ offense runs through him with dribble-hand-offs, and he’s an excellent passer, so the assists are voluminous. The only thing he doesn’t do is block shots. Sabonis has gone for over 40 FPTS in every game this season with two over 60.
Other Options – Victor Wembanyama ($10,500), Chet Holmgren ($8,200), Alperen Sengun ($7,900), Evan Mobley ($7,600), Jarrett Allen ($6,900)
Value
Nic Claxton, Brooklyn Nets at New Orleans Pelicans ($5,700) – Claxton wasn’t starting to begin the season due to ramping up slowly from injury. He played 15 minutes in the opener, then went to 20 and settled in the 25-minute range. Then three games ago, he finally started and played 27 and 28 minutes before getting 32 minutes on Saturday. That should be the status quo going forward. Claxton is averaging 1.08 FPTS per minute.
Other Options – Jonas Valanciunas ($5,600)
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $350K 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.
