There are nine NBA games on Monday’s slate.
CHA and MIN are playing the second leg of a back-to-back.
As for injuries, Anthony Edwards, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, D’Angelo Russell, Mike Conley, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Nikola Jovic, Kyshawn George and Mouhamed Gueye are questionable. Jalen Suggs is doubtful. Jrue Holiday and Khris Middleton are out. Keep track of all the pertinent injury updates at DK Live.
CHA, GSW, MIL, NOP, OKC, DAL, POR, DEN, UTA and LAL have not submitted their injury reports yet.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, there are three games with a double-digit favorite: SAS -12 over WAS, OKC -14.5 over NOP and LAL -13.5 over UTA. The tightest spread is BKN -2.5 over CHA. There are five games with a total of at least 230: SAS/WAS (234.5), GSW/MIL (232.5), NOP/OKC (233.5), POR/DEN (233.5) and UTA/LAL (233). There is one game with a total below 220: CHA/BKN (214.5).
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $300K Zone Special [$100K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Damian Lillard, Milwaukee Bucks vs. Golden State Warriors ($9,200): Giannis Antetokounmpo has missed the last three games and will miss at least the next week. Over that span, Lillard has put up 58, 51.25 and 69.75 FPTS. The usage rates have been 29.6, 30.3 and 38 percent. With Antetokounmpo off the court this season, Lillard has seen a 6.41 percent usage rate bump. This is the second leg of a back-to-back, but Lillard has played in five back-to-backs this season. This game has a healthy total of 233.5.
Other Options: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($10,800), Stephen Curry ($8,700), Donovan Mitchell ($8,500), De’Aaron Fox ($8,300), Malik Monk ($7,700), Dyson Daniels ($7,200), Anfernee Simons ($6,500), Bilal Coulibaly ($6,200), Christian Braun ($6,100)
Value
KJ Simpson, Charlotte Hornets at Brooklyn Nets ($4,000): LaMelo Ball missed five games then returned on Friday. Simpson still played 19 minutes and contributed 21.25 FPTS. Ball then missed Sunday’s contest, the first leg of a back-to-back, and Simpson played 32 minutes and finished with 25 FPTS. The ceiling is limited, but Simpson has contributed at least 20 FPTS in five of the last seven games, and there’s a chance he starts on Monday and plays over 30 minutes.
Other Options: Stephon Castle ($5,400), Carlton Carrington ($5,000), Max Christie ($5,000), Ty Jerome ($4,700), Alex Caruso ($4,100)
Forward
Stud
Jimmy Butler, Golden State Warriors at Milwaukee Bucks ($7,800): Butler made his Warriors debut on Saturday and finished with 37 FPTS in 29 minutes. As he gets more comfortable with the system and teammates, Butler is going to rack up those fantasy goodies … as long as he’s right mentally, but he looks rejuvenated for now. He also should be playing over 30 minutes sooner than later. With the movement and shooters around him, Butler has more space to operate near the hoop.
Other Options: Miles Bridges ($8,800), Franz Wagner ($8,500), Jalen Williams ($7,900), Naz Reid ($6,900), Jaden McDaniels ($6,400), Bobby Portis ($6,300), Christian Braun ($6,100)
Value
Max Christie, Dallas Mavericks vs. Sacramento Kings ($5,000): Since arriving in Dallas, Christie has put up at least 30 FPTS in all three contests. He’s knocking down the open J, playing good defense and chipping in a little something something in every category. He’s garnered the trust of the coaching staff and teammates. Most importantly, he’s received at least 30 minutes in every game.
Other Options: Aaron Gordon ($5,100), Aaron Wiggins ($5,000), Naji Marshall ($4,800), Georges Niang ($4,200), Alex Caruso ($4,100), Mouhamed Gueye ($3,000)
Center
Stud
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets vs. Portland Trail Blazers ($12,700): Jokic is a threat to triple-double and put up a “had-to-have-it” score every night. The price is expensive for sure, so it comes down to value and roster construction. But in terms of a foundation, there is no player better because of the incredibly high floor/ceiling combo.
Other Options: Victor Wembanyama ($11,000), Domantas Sabonis ($9,600), Naz Reid ($6,900), Isaiah Hartenstein ($6,800), Deandre Ayton ($6,700), Bobby Portis ($6,300)
Value
Taj Gibson, Charlotte Hornets at Brooklyn Nets ($3,000): Gibson has been in the league since 2009, yet he keeps on chugging along. Respect. And he’s still averaging a respectable 0.82 FPTS per minute. Mark Williams will likely not play since he didn’t pass his physical with the Lakers and Moussa Diabate suffered an injury during Sunday’s game. Gibson could play over 20 minutes in this one. He likely won’t play more than that, but if he gets somewhere in the 20 FPTS range, that wouldn’t be bad for the minimum price.
Other Options: Draymond Green ($6,000), Nic Claxton ($5,700), Aaron Gordon ($5,100), Richaun Holmes ($4,900), Quinten Post ($4,000), Taj Gibson ($3,000) if Diabate is out
