This Monday night, the NBA has a light slate of just two games before double-digit games on the schedule in four of the last six days of the regular season. The Kings are the only team playing for a second day in a row Monday, and none of these four teams play again until Wednesday. Even with only four teams on the slate, there are a couple of key NBA DFS stacks to consider building around.
Even on this limited slate, it will be important to pay close attention to the daily injury report since there are several key names to watch. Be sure to pivot and adjust if necessary before the action tips off at 7:00 p.m. ET.
The NBA DFS main slate includes a variety of contests and pay-out structures on DraftKings, headlined by the NBA $150K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st].
Detroit Pistons vs. Sacramento Kings
The Pistons got Cade Cunningham ($10,500) back on Saturday against the Grizzlies but were without Jalen Duren ($7,300; leg) and Tobias Harris ($6,400; heel). Both big men are questionable for this matchup against the Kings, and it could be a good spot to stack the Pistons, who catch the Kings in a bit of a trap game after their big Sunday win over the Cavs.
Core Plays: Cunningham had 25 points and 44.25 fantasy points in just 28 minutes in his return. He shot just 9-of-24 (37.5%) from the field as he knocked the rust off, and he should be ready to go at full strength on Monday. He had 55 fantasy points against the Kings in the teams’ earlier meeting this season. Ausar Thompson ($6,600) stepped up without Duren and Harris and had 44.75 fantasy points against Memphis. He has 37+ fantasy points in three straight and four of his last five.
Value Options: Isaiah Stewart ($4,800) returned from his two-game suspension and got a spot start in place of Duren on Saturday. He went off for 16 points, eight rebounds and 41.5 fantasy points in that contest and is usually a good per-minute producer when minutes are available. Tim Hardaway Jr. ($4,400) had 20+ points and 30+ fantasy points in four straight before struggling with his shot on Saturday in Cade’s return.
Philadelphia 76ers at Miami Heat
The Sixers have spent most of the season without their stars, but on Monday, they could be even more shorthanded than usual. While Joel Embiid (knee), Tyrese Maxey (finger), Paul George (knee), Kelly Oubre Jr. (knee) and Andre Drummond (toe) remain out, they’ll be joined by Guerschon Yabusele (personal) and possibly Justin Edwards ($5,400; ribs, questionable).
Core Plays: With so many absences, Quentin Grimes ($8,800) has had a chance to shine this season. His salary has climbed to where he’s not a great value anymore, but he does bring an elite ceiling. Jared Butler ($5,700) is potentially a better value and had 41 fantasy points on 19 points and 10 assists when he faced the Heat just over a week ago. Adem Bona ($5,300) also had a double-double in that game and had 38 fantasy points. With Yabusele out, he should get all the minutes he can handle in the rematch Monday.
Value Options: Another possibly huge great value option is Lonnie Walker IV ($5,200), who could get more work if Edwards is out. He has already been very involved playing 33+ minutes in three of his last four games, with the exception being a game he left early with a heel injury. He played 38 minutes on Saturday, though, showing no lingering effects on his way to 32.75 fantasy points. Ricky Council IV ($4,500) and Jalen Hood-Schifino ($3,900) could also get more work if Edwards is out and have flashed upside when given minutes.
