There are five NBA games on Monday’s slate. LAC is 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 $300K Fadeaway [$100K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Luka Doncic, Los Angeles Lakers at Chicago Bulls ($12,000)
Doncic is expensive but you’re not getting a Yugo. You’re getting a Ferrari, and a souped up one at that. Doncic is a nightly triple-double threat and is garnering a massive 37.7% usage rate on the season. He’s put up over 60 FPTS in each of the last three games with a high of 77.8 FPTS. Now he faces a Bulls team that is fifth in pace and 24th in defensive rating.
Other Options: Donovan Mitchell ($9,900), Anthony Edwards ($9,300), Kevin Durant ($8,700), Amen Thompson ($8,200), Desmond Bane ($6,900), Coby White ($6,700), Cam Spencer ($6,500), Donte DiVincenzo ($6,300)
Value
Brandin Podziemski, Golden State Warriors at Minnesota Timberwolves ($5,600)
Even before Jimmy Butler went down with an injury, Podziemski did see an uptick in playing time and production. With Butler out, Podziemski received 33 and 22 minutes, but the latter was a blowout. Over the last seven games, Podziemski has put up over 20 FPTS in all with five over 30 FPTS and a high of 40 FPTS. I don’t see why the situation would change for Podziemski, especially since Jonathan Kuminga is also out.
Other Options: Anfernee Simons ($5,000), Marcus Smart ($5,000), Noah Penda ($3,700)
Forward
Stud
Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics vs. Portland Trail Blazers ($9,700)
Brown has stepped into the alpha role seamlessly, garnering a 37% usage rate and leading the Celtics to the second-best offensive rating in the league. He’s gone for over 50 FPTS in each of the last five games with a high of 65 FPTS. Granted, most of those were cupcake matchups but Detroit is second in defensive rating and Brown put up 51.2 FPTS against them.
Other Options: Alperen Sengun ($9,200), LeBron James ($8,800), Kevin Durant ($8,700), Matas Buzelis ($6,200)
Value
Sam Hauser, Boston Celtics vs. Portland Trail Blazers ($5,200)
The Celtics have gone through a plethora of options at power forward this season: Josh Minott, Jordan Walsh and Hugo Gonzalez. Recently, they have returned to old reliable, Sam Hauser, who’s been playing around 28 to 30 minutes a night but received 39 minutes two games ago. Hauser provides treys and points but he’s also been dishing out some dimes—three in five of the last seven contests. Hauser has put up at least 20 FPTS in each of the last seven games with three over 30 and a high of 50 FPTS!
Other Options: Jalen Smith ($5,900), Tari Eason ($5,800), Marcus Smart ($5,000), Rui Hachimura ($4,500), Noah Penda ($3,700)
Center
Stud
Nikola Vucevic, Chicago Bulls vs. Los Angeles Lakers ($7,200)
Vucevic can finish with 20 FPTS or pop off for over 50 FPTS. The range is wide, but I think he hits the upper band of outcomes in this one because the Lakers aren’t good at defense, posting the 25th-best rating. With Vucevic’s ability to space the floor, he should get plenty of good looks because Deandre Ayton and Jaxson Hayes likely won’t contest much. This could be an up-and-down affair, so there should also be plenty of chances to grab rebounds and block some shots as well.
Other Options: Alperen Sengun ($9,200), Donovan Clingan ($6,600), Rudy Gobert ($6,100)
Value
Jock Landale, Memphis Grizzlies at Houston Rockets ($5,700)
Landale has started seven of the last nine games due to injuries. Over that span, he’s put up over 30 FPTS in all but two with two over 40 FPTS. The matchup isn’t a great one as Houston plays slow, is excellent on defense and is one of the best rebounding teams in the league. That said, Santi Aldama and Zach Edey are out, so Landale should see over 30 minutes in this one, and minutes are half the battle.
Other Options: Wendell Carter Jr. ($5,900), Jalen Smith ($5,900)
