The NBA got the month of March off to a big start with 11 games on Sunday, and the action keeps rolling on Monday with four games on the main DFS fantasy basketball slate. Even though it’s a smaller slate, DraftKings has some huge DFS fantasy basketball contests available. Let’s dive into the matchups and take a look at the three must-start NBA fantasy basketball options who can be the core of your Monday night roster.
The Celtics, Nuggets, Clippers and Bucks are each playing for the second day in a row, and their injury reports could shake up the slate if they opt to rest players. Based on what we know coming into the day, though, here are three strong options to build around on Monday.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $300K Fadeaway [$100K to 1st]
PG/SG Reed Sheppard, Houston Rockets at Washington Wizards, $5,700
The three must-start NBA fantasy basketball plays for Monday are mid-range options that have the potential to outperform their salary-based expectations since they’re getting more work than most players at their salary.
Sheppard is stepping into a great matchup against the Wizards and will likely get a second straight start in place of Jabari Smith Jr. (ankle). Sheppard started on Saturday afternoon against the Heat and had a solid 30.5 FPTS in 36 minutes on 14 points, five assists, four rebounds and a steal.
Over his last eight games, Sheppard has averaged 31.9 FPTS per game and has over 27 FPTS in all but one of those matchups. With more minutes and usage, he’s in a smash spot against the Wizards, who have been one of the most favorable point guard plays in the NBA this season.
Sheppard has shown a high ceiling against beatable competition, posting 42.5 FPTS against the Kings last Wednesday and 47.25 FPTS against the Cavs just after Christmas. He can stuff the stat sheet as a strong producer for the Rockets, who are looking to get back on track after Saturday’s loss.
SF/PF Tim Hardaway Jr., Denver Nuggets at Utah Jazz, $4,600
The Nuggets were already without Aaron Gordon and Payton Watson at forward, and on Sunday, Cameron Johnson left with ankle soreness that could limit him on Monday or keep him out. Hardaway could be called upon to step into a much bigger role for Denver, and he’ll be in a great matchup against the Jazz if he does see increased minutes and usage.
Hardaway finished Sunday’s game with 17 points and 25.75 FPTS against the Timberwolves and has scored at least 14 points in seven of his last 10 games. He has averaged 22.7 FPTS per game during that stretch, hitting for over 25 FPTS in six of those games.
With some more work and a great matchup, Hardaway should be poised for a big game on Monday. He doesn’t typically fill in the non-scoring numbers as much as Sheppard does, so his ceiling is a little lower, but he’s still a great forward play to build around as one of Monday’s must-start NBA fantasy basketball options.
SF/PF Will Riley, Washington Wizards vs. Houston Rockets, $5,100
The Wizards will remain without Alexandre Sarr (hamstring) on Monday, with Kyshawn George ($6,500; knee), Tristan Vukcevic ($4,600; thigh) and Anthony Gill ($4,500; illness) each questionable. While those options do have upside if they play, one option that has been getting plenty of run lately is the Wizards’ first-round pick Will Riley.
Riley has played at least 29 minutes in four straight games, including one start in place of George. He produced 28.9 FPTS on 15.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 32.5 minutes per game during that four-game stretch.
Even though he came off the bench behind George on Saturday, he had 27.5 FPTS and a team-high 19 points in 35 minutes. In his spot start, he had a double-double against the Hawks and finished with 35.5 FPTS.
If George is out and he moves into the starting five, Riley will be an even stronger play, but even off the bench, he’s getting enough work to be a suitable option at just over $5,000 on Monday’s slate.
Building around these three core options in the mid-range of the salary structure gives you plenty of salary to target the top stars you think are set to go off on Monday night.
