There are three NBA games on Monday’s main slate. No teams are playing the second leg of a back-to-back.
This article was written on Sunday night. Any changes will be updated. Keep track of all the injury news at DK Network.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $200K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
De’Aaron Fox, San Antonio Spurs at New Orleans Pelicans ($9,400)
New Orleans is 14th in pace and 28th in defensive rating, so the environment should be a fantasy-friendly one for San Antonio. In addition, there isn’t much rim protection for New Orleans, so Fox should be able to dance and prance on the perimeter and in the paint, getting bucket after bucket. The only concern I have is not getting a full complement of minutes due to a blowout. Fox has put up over 40 FPTS in each of the last three games and went for 64.5 FPTS six games ago, so he’s shown the ability to hit a ceiling.
Other Options: Anthony Edwards ($9,500), Trey Murphy III ($7,800), Russell Westbrook ($7,500), Collin Gillespie ($6,700), Grayson Allen ($6,500), Andrew Nembhard ($6,300)
Value
Ethan Thompson, Indiana Pacers vs. Sacramento Kings ($3,500)
Thompson is 6-foot-5, 195 pounds and went undrafted in the 2021 draft. He’s been in the G League for most of his career, but was given a two-way shot with the Indiana Pacers. On Friday, Thompson played 34 minutes and contributed 11 points, two rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a steal. After the game, coaches and players were singing his praises. I have no idea how much he plays on Monday, if at all, but I would think he’d be given another opportunity due to his play last week. It helps that Sacramento is an abomination, playing at the seventh-fastest pace while being 26th in defensive rating.
Other Options: Donte DiVincenzo ($5,400), Jose Alvarado ($4,600), Bryce McGowens ($4,300), Jamaree Bouyea ($3,900)
Forward
Stud
Saddiq Bey, New Orleans Pelicans vs. San Antonio Spurs ($6,900)
Due to all the injuries in New Orleans, Bey has been a significant part of the rotation and delivered fantasy goodies. Over the last eight games, he’s put up over 30 FPTS in all but one contest with three games over 40 FPTS. The usage rate has been a respectable 22%. This game has the highest total on the slate at 237.5, so points will likely be scored, which means Bey will have to continue hucking and chucking. The great thing about Bey is that he does excellent work on the glass, helping to provide some semblance of a floor.
Other Options: Bennedict Mathurin ($7,000), Devin Vassell ($6.200), Naz Reid ($6,100)
Value
Jaden McDaniels, Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Phoenix Suns ($5,900)
McDaniels came into the league as a defensive specialist. The offensive bag has grown over the years, though. Two seasons ago, the usage rate was 15% and he averaged 10 points per game. This season, the usage rate is 19% and he’s averaging 16 points, along with 4.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.2 staels and 1.0 blocks while shooting 53% from the field. He’s finished with only one game under 20 FPTS this season while going over 30 FPTS 12 times, including three over 40 FPTS.
Other Options: Jay Huff ($5,600), Harrison Barnes ($5,000), Bryce McGowens ($4,300)
Center
Stud
Naz Reid, Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Phoenix Suns ($6,100)
Yeah, I’m not enamored with the higher-priced centers on this slate. And I don’t even really like Reid, but he’s the best of the worst I guess. A ringing endorsement! Reid was playing around 24 minutes earlier in the season, but he’s received at least 28 minutes in each of the last five games with three of those over 30 minutes. Since Nov. 9, a span of 14 games, Reid has put up over 20 FPTS in every contest with eight over 30 FPTS and four of those over 40 FPTS.
Other Options: N/A
Value
Maxime Raynaud, Sacramento Kings at Indiana Pacers ($5,000)
When Domantas Sabonis got injured earlier in the season, Raynaud played well in limited playing time. Not only was the game not too big or fast for him, but he garnered the trust of the coaching staff. With Sabonis being out for an extended period of time now, Raynaud has received 22, 23, 32 and 25 minutes of action over the last four games, including a start in the most recent contest. Over that span, Raynaud has put up at least 20 FPTS in all with a high of 41.5 FPTS. Raynaud struggles with perimeter defense, but he has great touch on offense with both hands. With Sabonis out and the Kings season in the tank, Raynaud could and should get plenty of run the rest of the way.
Other Options: Jay Huff ($5,600)
