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We’ve got an eight-game slate for this Monday. There are no significant injuries but shenanigans are always in play, so keep track of all the injury updates at DK Live. Here are the teams that will be playing the second leg of a back-to-back: NYK, DEN, DET, HOU and SAC. None of the teams playing tonight will be playing on Tuesday.
DraftKings Sportsbook has the MIL/WAS with the highest total at 245.5. There are two games with a total below 220 - NYK/MIN (213) and MIA/CHI (208.5). The biggest spreads are MIL -9.5 over WAS and DEN -9 over DET. There are two games with a spread below 2 - SAC -1 over NOP and MIA -1.5 over CHI. Six of the eight games have home dogs - WAS, DET, CHA, SAS, NOP and CHI.
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Guard
Stud
Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers at San Antonio Spurs ($8,600) – Slowly but surely, the Clippers are figuring out the nuances and dynamics of playing with James Harden ($7,800). Over the last three games, George has played 40, 40 and 38 minutes while garnering a usage rate of 29.1%, 32.6% and 31.6%. Prior to that stretch, he had a usage rate over 30% just once in eight games. George has put up 44, 55.75 and 47.25 DKFP over the last three and the environment tonight should be a fantasy-friendly one, as the Spurs play at the 2nd-fastest pace while being 29th in defensive efficiency.
Other Options - De’Aaron Fox ($9,300), James Harden ($7,800), Fred VanVleet ($7,500)
Value
Chris Duarte, Sacramento Kings at New Orleans Pelicans ($3,200) – There is a ton of uncertainty with this play because it depends on if Kevin Huerter ($6,100) plays and if Duarte gets the start again. Huerter did not play due to a finger injury and this is the second leg of a back-to-back, so I think there’s a good chance Duarte gets another start. Mike Brown has liked Duarte since he arrived in Sacramento due to his versatility and defensive toughness. On Sunday, he inserted Duarte into the starting lineup and gave him 33 minutes of run. Duarte responded with 13 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals, good for 34 DKFP.
Other Options - Reggie Jackson ($5,000), Norman Powell ($4,100), Corey Kispert ($3,800)
Forward
Stud
Aaron Gordon, Denver Nuggets at Detroit Pistons ($6,700) – Gordon is not a high-usage player, usually settling in the 20% range. That said, he contributes across the board and has a relatively high floor. He’s failed to score at least 30 DKFP four times this season, but two of those came in at 29. Five games ago, he concluded a stretch of four games in which he exceeded 40 DKFP in each contest. Gordon plays in the mid-to-high 30 minute range and can stuff the stat sheet. He has the highest projected points minus salary-based expected production at the forward position.
Other Options - Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,000), Victor Wembanyama ($8,800), Paul George ($8,600), Kawhi Leonard ($8,100)
Value
Miles Bridges, Charlotte Hornets vs. Boston Celtics ($5,700) – Since returning to action, Bridges has played 32 and 33 minutes. The usage rate hasn’t been out of this world, but it’s been a respectable 21% and he’s attempted 12 and 13 shots. Bridges contributes across the board and put up 32.5 and 33.25 DKFP. The matchup isn’t great because Boston is one of the best defensive teams in the league, but Bridges is able to produce in a variety of ways and gets some easy opportunities playing alongside Ball. He has exceeded points expectations in both games this season by an average of 7.94.
Other Options - Norman Powell ($4,100), Corey Kispert ($3,800), Chris Duarte ($3,100)
Center
Studs
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets at Detroit Pistons ($12,500) – Jokic is the most expensive player on the slate, and for good reason, as he has the highest floor/ceiling combo. He’s a threat to triple-double on any given night and has gone for at least 60 DKFP in six of the last seven games with a 79 and 84.75 game included in there. In a vacuum, he’s always the best play on the slate, but we operate in a salary-cap world. Despite being expensive, Jokic has exceeded points expectations 80% of the time by an average of 4.76 points.
Other Options - Giannis Antetokounmpo ($11,000), Domantas Sabonis ($10,000), Bam Adebayo ($9,100), Victor Wembanyama ($8,800), Alperen Sengun ($7,900), Nikola Vucevic ($7,700), Rudy Gobert ($6,900), Mark Williams ($6,100)
Value
Kevon Looney, Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets ($5,500) – Looney is a low-usage player who isn’t out there to score. He’s scored double figures just three times this season. He’s out there to set screens, defend big men and grab rebounds. Looney has grabbed double-digit rebounds in eight of 14 games. He is a good passer and dishes out some dimes, posting four games with at least 5. The minutes can fluctuate but he has played over 30 minutes in two of the last three games. He’s contributed at least 30 DKFP in three games this season and should be out on the court in order to match up with Alperen Sengun ($7,900).
Other Options - Ivica Zubac ($5,600), Daniel Gafford ($5,300)
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $300K Fadeaway [$100K to 1st]
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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is sontzu) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.