There are two NBA games on Monday’s slate.
As for injuries, Jock Landale is probable. Jimmy Butler and Darius Garland are questionable.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, CLE is -8.5 over MIA on the road with the total at 210. GSW is -3.5 over HOU at home with the total at 203.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $350K Shootaround [$100K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets ($9,500): Currently, there is only one chef in the kitchen in the Bay Area, as Jimmy Butler is still nursing an injury and is questionable for Monday. But that one chef has been cooking up some spicy Curry. In Game 3, Curry went for 36 points, seven rebounds, nine assists, two blocks and a steal while shooting 12-of-23 from the field, 5-of-13 from downtown and 7-of-8 from the line in 41 minutes. He’s going to play around 40 minutes and garner a massive usage rate, with or without Butler. If Butler is unable to go, then that number obviously increases.
Other Options: Donovan Mitchell ($8,500), Darius Garland ($7,000) if he plays
Value
Buddy Hield, Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets ($3,600): Ty Jerome will likely garner massive ownership, coming off a 39.25 FPTS performance in Game 3. There’s a good chance he gets close to 40 FPTS again, as he put up 41.25 FPTS in Game 1. But, but, but … there’s a chance Darius Garland returns on Monday and Jerome only put up 11.75 FPTS in Game 2, so there’s a more than Lloyd Christmas chance that he doesn’t pay off. I usually hate clicking on players like Hield because all he does is shoot treys, but he’s very cheap and he played 29 minutes in Game 3 after being mired in the teens. If Butler is out once again, Hield could see close to 30 minutes and launch double-digit treys. The Houston defense is going to focus on Curry, which should provide plenty of good looks for Hield. Whether he makes them is another issue, but the opportunities should be there.
Other Options: Brandin Podziemski ($5,500), Ty Jerome ($5,000), Max Strus ($4,400)
Forward
Stud
Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat vs. Cleveland Cavaliers ($8,700): I don’t like paying up at forward on this slate. If I had to, I’d go with Adebayo, but would not be happy about it. Adebayo is not cheap and there is some inconsistency to his game at both ends of the court. In Game 2, Adebayo attempted nine shots. In the other two games, he hoisted up at least 20. He had nine assists in Game 2, but dished out one last game. He’s only racked up a block and three steals so far this series. He will likely finish in the high-30s to low-40s for FPTS, but I don’t think he gets over 50 FPTS.
Value
Dillon Brooks, Houston Rockets at Golden State Warriors ($4,700): I don’t want to pay down at forward on this slate either! Can I leave them blank? Brooks has played over 30 minutes just once this series, but he’s put up over 20 FPTS in all three games. Every once in a while — randomly — Brooks goes bonkers on the offensive end. “It’s Brooks Time” shouted by Dillon Brooks. This could be the night. This could not be the night. Regardless, I’ll pay for the floor and chance to scratch off the ticket.
Other Options: Max Strus ($4,400), De’Andre Hunter ($4,300) if Darius Garland is out
Center
Stud
Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets at Golden State Warriors ($9,000): Draymond Green has given Sengun fits this series, which makes me not be enamored with Sengun. But he’s the best of the worst. There was a clip of Green on a podcast a week or so ago when he was breaking down Sengun’s game and tendencies, basically knowing exactly what Sengun is going to do and causing him to turn the ball over. That said, Sengun is still doing work on the boards, is dishing out dimes and is still a very good offensive player. He has the ability to triple-double and a 50-burger is well within the range of outcomes.
Other Options: Bam Adebayo ($8,700), Jarrett Allen ($6,200)
Value
Steven Adams, Houston Rockets at Golden State Warriors ($3,500): Adams has played 18, 17 and 20 minutes in this series. He sets bone-crushing screens and has been a beast on the boards, so the playing time seems secure. Adams has put up 20 and 22 FPTS in two of the three games. He did put up only 8.75 FPTS in the other contest, so the range of outcomes is wide, but he’s cheap and double-digit FPTS is the most likely outcome.
