Monday night presents a two-game slate. Below, I dive into three of my favorite DFS options to consider for tonight’s NBA action.
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C, Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings at Detroit Pistons, $10,000
The Kings currently are the No.9 seed in the Western Conference, but they are only a half game ahead of the Mavericks for that spot. These two teams are likely to meet in the Play-In Tournament and whichever club finishes with the No.9 seed will have homecourt over the No.10 seed for that win-or-go home Play-In matchup. In simpler terms, every remaining game is important for the Kings. With Sacramento highly motivated, Sabonis is a great spend.
The center has recorded at least 48 FPTS in five of his last six games. Sabonis is supplying 1.4 FPTS per minute this season. While the Pistons rank fifth in defensive rating since the All-Star break, they also rank third in pace during this stretch, making them an ideal spot for a versatile big man like Sabonis. The center has a strong chance to top 50 FPTS, and with Cade Cunningham ($10,500) currently nursing a calf injury, Sabonis is the No.1 option available for this two-game slate.
C, Adem Bona, Philadelphia 76ers at Miami Heat, $5,300
Bona is the best value on the slate at this affordable salary. With Joel Embiid (knee) done for the season and the 76ers tanking, Bona has been starting at center. Since taking on that job five games ago, the rookie is scoring 33.8 FPTS in 29.5 minutes per game, including a 38 FPTS double-double against the Heat, who Bona will face again tonight.
With the starting role, Bona is handling a 17.8% usage rate, and he is leading Philadelphia with a 34.7% rebound percentage. Additionally, the center has shot an elite 75% from the field during this span. While the Heat rank 10th in defensive rating, this is a matchup that requires size to guard Bam Adebayo, and Bona is the 76ers’ best remaining option to match up with the center. Bona should approach 30 minutes and effortlessly surpass five-times value. Since the All-Star break, Bona is producing 1.1 FPTS per minute.
SG/SF, Lonnie Walker, Philadelphia 76ers at Miami Heat, $5,200
Two days ago against the Timberwolves, Walker thrived with 32.75 FPTS in a team-high 37.4 minutes. The veteran’s huge role was a product of Justin Edwards ($5,400, rib) getting hurt after only logging 10 minutes. After the forward exited, Walker started the second half and only left the floor for two minutes in that half. Edwards is listed as questionable for tonight, but given he was unable to return to Sunday’s game and that the 76ers are in full-on tank mode, Edwards feels closer to doubtful. If he sits, Walker will be a must-play.
Walker would likely start in that situation and once again see a large role. This season, the wing is scoring 0.9 FPTS per minute with a 20% usage rate and in the five games Walker has cracked the 30-minute mark, he is averaging 34.3 FPTS per game. If Edwards ends up playing, pivoting to him at a slightly higher price tag of $5,400 would be the right move. Before exiting last night’s game early, Edwards had scored at least 26 FPTS in nine of his previous 10.
