There are six games on Monday’s NBA slate. The Celtics, Heat, Thunder and Wizards are playing 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.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $150K Fadeaway [$50K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs vs. Chicago Bulls ($7,400)
The three-point shooting is meher than meh (31% from downtown), but that actually makes what Castle does even more impressive because defenses sag off of him, yet he’s still able to be uber-effective. Castle has four triple-doubles on the season and went over 50 FPTS six times with a high of 84 FPTS. Chicago is first in pace and 17th in defensive rating over the last 15 games, so the game environment should be fantasy-friendly and the up-tempo nature should be perfect for Castle to rack up those fantasy goodies.
Other Options: Tyrese Maxey ($9,700), Devin Booker ($9,000), VJ Edgecombe ($7,900), Jalen Green ($7,600), Nickeil Alexander-Walker ($7,300), CJ McCollum ($6,600), Grayson Allen ($6,300)
Value
Tre Jones, Chicago Bulls at San Antonio Spurs ($5,800)
The matchup is tough, as Victor Wembanyama leads the fifth-best defense over the last 15 games. That said, there’s no denying what Jones has done recently. Over the last 10 games, he’s put up at least 30 FPTS in all but two games with two over 40 FPTS. And those came in the last two games. Most impressively, he’s played over 30 minutes only one time in the last seven games. Jones garners a usage rate around 20% and contributes in every statistical category sans blocks.
Other Options: Donte DiVincenzo ($5,600), Javon Small ($5,300), Dylan Harper ($5,100), Collin Sexton ($5,000), Max Strus ($4,800), Jordan Goodwin ($4,600), Sam Merrill ($4,600), Keldon Johnson ($4,300)
Forward
Stud
Paul George, Philadelphia 76ers at Miami Heat ($7,700)
George missed 25 straight games due to a suspension. In the two games since returning to action, he received 26 and 36 minutes, finishing with over 50 FPTS in both contests. Vintage George is baaaaack, stuffing the stat sheet, getting buckets and even getting four steals in both contests. Everything looks fine and the game environment should be a good one as Miami is second in pace over the last 15 games.
Other Options: Jalen Johnson ($10,700), Jayson Tatum ($8,800), Evan Mobley ($8,400), Jalen Green ($7,600), Grayson Allen ($6,300)
Value
Ryan Dunn, Phoenix Suns at Memphis Grizzlies ($4,700)
The Suns’ 2024 first rounder began the season as a starter but slowly dissipated into a role player off the bench, playing in the teens. Over the last week or so, he’s been getting more run and delivering some fantasy goodies. Always known as a good defender, Dunn has provided the D stats, but he’s also been scoring and grabbing rebounds. Over the last four games, he’s played at least 20 minutes in all while contributing 19, 31, 27.2 and 25.5 FPTS. Memphis is eighth in pace and 27th in defensive rating over the last 15 games, so it should be a fantasy-friendly affair. In addition, the price is appealing.
Other Options: Collin Sexton ($5,000), Max Strus ($4,800), Devin Vassell ($4,600), Julian Champagnie ($4,500), Keldon Johnson ($4,300)
Center
Stud
Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs vs. Chicago Bulls ($11,500)
Oh oh. Wembanyama is becoming that consistent fantasy force that we envisioned. He’s not quite at the Nikola Jokic level yet, but it may only be a matter of time. Over the last 12 games, Wembanyama has put up at least 50 FPTS in all but one of those contests, with five over 60 and a high of 74 FPTS. In the one game he “failed,” Wembanyama went for 35.5 FPTS due to playing only 22 minutes. The Bulls play fast and eschew defense, so Wembanyama should have plenty of chances to rack up fantasy goodies at both ends of the floor. There is real concern of blowout in this one, but the Spurs have won by 32, 25, 25 and 15 points over the last four games and Wemby went for over 50 FPTS in all.
Other Options: Joel Embiid ($9,400), Bam Adebayo ($8,700), Evan Mobley ($8,400), Rudy Gobert ($7,400)
Value
Oso Ighodaro, Phoenix Suns at Memphis Grizzlies ($5,400)
Ighodaro balled out in Summer League but had been relegated to a reserve role off the bench for much of the season. Due to injuries, though, he’s started the last 13 games and averaged 29.5 minutes. Over that span, he’s put up at least 20 FPTS in all but three games with a high of 40 FPTS. Memphis is eighth in pace and 27th in defensive rating, so there should be plenty of opportunities to score fantasy goodies.
Other Options: Neemias Queta ($5,500), Kel’el Ware ($5,200), Jock Landale ($5,000), Olivier-Maxence Prosper ($4,800)
