With football at the forefront of every sports fan’s mind on Sunday, basketball took a backseat with just a single game on the schedule. That is not the case on this evening. Far from it.
We’ve got 12 games and 24 teams in action on Monday night, with 10 of those contests appearing on DraftKings’ featured slate. Below, I’ll break down everything you need to know to put together a few lineups. You can thank me later. I like chocolate and money.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $300K Zone Special [$100K to 1st]
For up-to-the-minute news, analysis and lineups, download the DK Network app. You also can follow DK Network on Twitter @dknetwork.
Key Injury News
QUESTIONABLE: Dejounte Murray, Jalen Suggs, Tobias Harris, Al Horford, Derrick White, Josh Hart, Jakob Poeltl, Ben Simmons, De’Andre Hunter, Khris Middleton, Jordan Clarkson, John Collins, Walker Kessler
OUT: Trae Young, Jalen Johnson
Click here for the slate’s full injury report
Matchup Analysis
Best Defensive Rating
- Orlando Magic at MIA (108.0)
- Houston Rockets at BOS (108.4)
- Boston Celtics vs. HOU (109.6)
Worst Defensive Rating
- Washington Wizards at DAL (118.3)
- New Orleans Pelicans at TOR (117.8)
- Toronto Raptors vs. NOP (116.3)
Fastest Pace
- Memphis Grizzlies at NYK (104.7)
- Atlanta Hawks at MIN (104.3)
- Chicago Bulls vs. DEN (103.8)
Slowest Pace
- Orlando Magic at MIA (96.7)
- Brooklyn Nets vs. SAC (96.8)
- Minnesota Timberwolves vs. ATL (97.6)
Highest Game Total
- Denver Nuggets at Chicago Bulls (248)
- Memphis Grizzlies at New York Knicks (241.5)
- New Orleans Pelicans at Toronto Raptors (235)
Top DFS Pick
C Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets at Chicago Bulls, $12,000 – I’m just not sure how you can avoid Jokic on this slate. Due to their uptempo style and underwhelming defense, the Bulls are almost a perfect opponent for fantasy. In fact, entering tonight’s action, Chicago is surrendering the second-most points per game (120.0), the second-most rebounds per game (46.9) and the second-most assists per game (28.8). The team is also conceding the sixth-most FPTS per contest to opposing centers. It feels like a lopsided script is the only way this can go south — which is exactly what we saw happen on Saturday in Denver’s 29-point loss to Minnesota. Jokic was limited to 2.2 minutes of run in the fourth quarter, so he finished with just 39.25 FPTS, ending a streak of five consecutive triple-doubles. Still, I’ll take my chances in a matchup this good. Jokic is producing an eye-popping 1.81 FPTS per minute in 2024-25. On January 23, he registered 99.0 FPTS in a single start against the Kings. Fade him at your own risk.
Top Value Pick
PG/SF Vit Krejci, Atlanta Hawks at Minnesota Timberwolves, $5,000 – While this is easily the most expensive that Krejci has been in 2024-25, he somehow feels like the safest option when trying to determine the best value asset on the Hawks this evening. Krejci is directly on the heels of his best performance in some time, setting new season-highs in points (20), assists (7) and FPTS (46.0) in Saturday’s loss to the Raptors. The passing numbers are what seem like the most repeatable element of that stat line on Monday, especially given that Trae Young (hamstring) has already been ruled out and will join Jalen Johnson (shoulder) on the sideline. On the last occasion that Young missed a game, back on January 15, Krejci dished out six dimes and led all Atlanta starters with a 28.4% assist rate. You might remember Keaton Wallace ($3,800) also had a notable showing that night in Chicago. The guard registered 27 points, six assists, four steals and 53.0 FPTS in 38.4 minutes of action. The only issue? That’s the lone contest that Wallace has appeared in so far this month. If he does start again, he’s obviously viable.
