There are seven NBA games on Monday’s slate. Miami and Minnesota are playing on the second night 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.
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Guard
Stud
Isaiah Collier, Utah Jazz at Miami Heat ($7,300)
Keyonte George missed three games recently and Collier played 30, 48 and 48 minutes, finishing with 39.5, 62.8 and 56.8 FPTS. Collier “only” played 32 minutes last game but still finished with 40.5 FPTS. The most important thing, though, is that George only played 14 minutes due to an ankle injury. There’s a good chance George sits this one out, which means Collier could play over 40 minutes again. Miami is first in pace so the environment should be a fantasy-friendly one.
Other Options: Cade Cunningham ($10,000), Anthony Edwards ($9,700), Donovan Mitchell ($9,500), James Harden ($9,000), Trey Murphy III ($8,200), Kevin Porter Jr. ($7,700), Nickeil Alexander-Walker ($7,000), Jalen Suggs ($6,800), Desmond Bane ($6,700), Kon Knueppel ($6,400)
Value
Egor Demin, Brooklyn Nets vs. Chicago Bulls ($5,000)
Demin has a wide range of outcomes. The last five games are a microcosm of his season so far. He played 15 minutes in one game due to blowout. In two other contests, he played 26 and 27 minutes finishing with fewer than 20 FPTS. Against Orlando, he went for 36 FPTS in 32 minutes and put up 47.5 FPTS in 29 minutes against Utah. I side with Demin reaching the upper range of outcomes because Chicago is second in pace and 29th in defensive rating over the last five games.
Other Options: Ace Bailey ($5,700), Anfernee Simons ($5,600), Jaden Ivey ($5,300), Nique Clifford ($5,200) if he starts, Bones Hyland ($4,800), Bruce Brown ($4,400), Julian Strawther ($4,200)
Forward
Stud
Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks at Minnesota Timberwolves ($10,700)
It’s wild but Johnson is now one of the most consistent fantasy studs. He has been garnering a usage rate around 32% over the last few games and has 10 triple-doubles on the season. Only Nikola Jokic has more with 18. Over the last four games, Johnson has put up at least 60 FPTS in all with two of those over 70 FPTS. He’s gone over 60 FPTS eight other times this season with four of those over 70 FPTS. Minnesota is ninth in defensive rating, but Johnson is essentially matchup proof now.
Other Options: Michael Porter Jr. ($8,700), Julius Randle ($8,300), Zion Williamson ($7,900), Brandon Miller ($7,500), Matas Buzelis ($6,900), Saddiq Bey ($6,600), Naz Reid ($6,500), Andrew Wiggins ($6,300)
Value
Guerschon Yabusele, Chicago Bulls at Brooklyn Nets ($4,900)
Yabusele could not carve out a role with the Knicks and received only 8.9 minutes a night. In his first game with Chicago after being traded, Yabusele played 33 minutes and put up 39.8 FPTS. He then followed that up with 22 FPTS in 26 minutes against a tough Pistons team. Yabu Yabu dooooo! Yabusele can play both power forward and small ball center, so the playing time should be secure now. The matchup is fantastic because Brooklyn is dead-last in defensive rating over the last 15 games.
Other Options: Ace Bailey ($5,700), Tim Hardaway Jr. ($5,400), Isaiah Stewart ($5,200) if Jalen Duren is out, Nique Clifford ($5,200) if he starts, Danny Wolf ($4,900), Noah Clowney ($4,800), Dylan Cardwell ($4,600), Julian Strawther ($4,200)
Center
Stud
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets vs. Cleveland Cavaliers ($12,100)
After missing almost a month of action, Jokic played 25 minutes in his return and put up 61.5 FPTS. L. O. L. He then received 29, then 33 then 45 minutes, so he’s healthy and full ramped up. Over the last three games, Jokic put up 55.2, 67.5 and 79 FPTS. He triple-doubled in the two most recent contests and leads the league with 18 on the season. Jokic is expensive but has the highest floor/ceiling combo in the game. He has 100 FPTS upside.
Other Options: Bam Adebayo ($8,800), Onyeka Okongwu ($7,500), Jarrett Allen ($7,000), Naz Reid ($6,500)
Value
Dylan Cardwell, Sacramento Kings at New Orleans Pelicans ($4,600)
Cardwell has been a revelation for the Kings, as his energy, work on the glass and rim protection have been just what they’ve needed. Granted, it hasn’t translated to many wins but that’s not a Cardwell issue. For a stretch, he put up at least 20 FPTS in seven straight. After a few hiccups, he’s gone for 22.2, 39.5 and 36.8 FPTS in the last three games. He was just converted from a two-way to a standard contract and, most importantly, the playing time has increased, having received 25, 31 and 26 minutes. He had been mired in the low-20s.
Other Options: Day’Ron Sharpe ($5,500), Moussa Diabate ($5,400), Isaiah Stewart ($5,200) if Jalen Duren is out, Guerschon Yabusele ($4,900), Danny Wolf ($4,900), Maxime Raynaud ($4,700) if Domantas Sabonis is out, Paul Reed ($4,500) if Duren is out
