On Monday, DraftKings starts the week with a massive 10-game slate of NBA DFS action. Of the 20 teams on the board, eight are finishing a back-to-back set of games after playing on Sunday. While there are still plenty of question marks as a result, there are also some smash spots standing out already to consider for stacks on your DFS NBA rosters.
As we approach tip-off for a busy night, be sure to stay up to date with the latest availability updates in today’s injury report and shift your strategy if necessary.
The NBA DFS contests for Monday night’s main slate lock at 7:30 p.m. ET, headlined by the NBA $300K Floor General [$100K to 1st].
Chicago Bulls vs. Indiana Pacers
The Bulls host the Pacers after Indiana dropped back-to-back games in Atlanta. The Bulls have been stuffed with good fantasy options lately since multiple players have stepped up since Zach LaVine was traded to the Kings. Nikola Vucevic ($7,700; calf) and Patrick Williams ($3,900; quad) have been sidelined as well, opening more usage but both are questionable for Monday. The Pacers rotation is also uncertain since Tyrese Haliburton ($8,700; hip) is questionable, but the points should be flowing in this Eastern Conference matchup either way.
Core Plays: Josh Giddey ($8,500) and Coby White ($7,200) have both been excellent over the last few games. Giddey is averaging 55.0 fantasy points per game since the All-Star break with seven double-doubles in eight games. Whit had 47 and 58.75 DraftKings points in back-to-back games before cooling off a bit on Saturday in Miami. If Vucevic remains out, Zach Collins ($6,100) is also a strong mid-range play.
Value Options: With Lonzo Ball ($4,700; wrist) doubtful, Tre Jones ($4,800) should be in line for another start after posting at least 31 fantasy points in each of his last three games in the starting five. Kevin Huerter ($4,100) has 20+ DraftKings points in six straight games and is getting good work on the wing along with Matas Buzelis ($5,000), who has filled in nicely for Williams. If Williams returns, Buzelis could be crowded out, but the rookie has shown lots of upside.
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Phoenix Suns
The Grizzlies play at the fastest pace in the NBA this season and the Suns have given up more points per game in the last 15 contests than any other team in the NBA. It’s no surprise that when these two teams met at the end of February that a track meet broke out and the Grizzlies won, 151-148. In this rematch, the Grizzlies are on the second night of a back-to-back, so be sure to double-check who is available, but whoever is lined up for minutes should be good fantasy plays.
Core Plays: The obvious places to start your Grizz stack are Desmond Bane ($7,900) and Ja Morant ($8,600). Bane has been amazing lately with over 57 fantasy points in three of his last four games since Jaren Jackson Jr. (ankle) was hurt against Atlanta. Bane is getting great numbers in multiple categories and could carry even more work depending on who else is available. Morant had 48 fantasy points against the Suns in their last meeting and posted 49 and 53 fantasy points in his two most recent games on Friday and Sunday.
Value Options: With JJJ out and Santi Aldama ($6,200; calf) also missing three of the last four games, the bench options in the front court have had a big chance to step up for Memphis. Brandon Clarke ($4,200) and Vince Williams Jr. ($3,800) have been good value plays, although Williams may not be ready to go on the second night of a back-to-back yet. Scotty Pippen Jr. ($4,000) got more run on Sunday and had 29 fantasy points, and he’ll be lined up for more work again if Luke Kennard ($4,300; back) misses a second straight game.
Boston Celtics vs. Utah Jazz
The Jazz have been resting players and letting their young players get more time lately, and they have led the NBA in pace over their last five games. While they’re playing fast, they are also allowing 126.2 points per game over that stretch. The Celtics are coming off their big win on Saturday over the Lakers and listed Jayson Tatum ($10,300; knee), Kristaps Porzingis ($7,800; illness) and Al Horford ($5,100; toe) as questionable for this matchup. If all the C’s starters are available, it may not be the best matchup since the game could get lopsided, but if anyone sits, there will be additional usage and upside available.
Core Plays: Jaylen Brown ($8,300) has over 46 fantasy points in three of his last four games and would take on more work if Tatum sits out. Derrick White ($6,800) and Payton Pritchard ($5,700) would also be outstanding plays in that scenario and showed their massive ceilings last week with big games while the C’s stars sat.
Value Options: If Porzingis, Horford or both are out on Monday, Luke Kornet ($4,400) and Neemias Queta ($3,900) would be grateful value options. Queta had 28.25 fantasy points against the Sixers but did not play at all against the Lakers. Kornet had 31.25 fantasy points against the Sixers but only played 11 minutes against the Lakers. Sam Hauser ($3,700) could also be in the mix depending on who is available, so check back for updates on Boston’s rotation since it has proven very profitable to grab players stepping into bigger roles for the Celtics over the last few weeks.
