For Monday night, we get a seven-game slate to attack, and DraftKings continues to offer huge tournaments for DFS players. Below are some of my favorite targets at each position.
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Point Guard
Stud
Kyrie Irving, Brooklyn Nets vs. Sacramento Kings, $9,000
For at least the next two games, the Nets will be without Kevin Durant (hamstring). This creates extra opportunities for every Brooklyn player, especially James Harden (discussed below) and Irving. The latter has played four times without Durant, Spencer Dinwiddie (out, knee) and Caris LeVert (traded) this season and is averaging 47.6 DKFP per game on those occasions. In those tilts, Irving’s usage has jumped a team-high 4.9%.
On top of the expected increases to his already large workload, Irving is in a beautiful spot against the Kings, who rank dead last in defensive efficiency. The Nets have been dreadful on defense themselves, rating as the 26th worst defense over their past 10, and this is without question the top game of the night to target. All things considered, Irving has a strong chance of topping 50 DKFP and the point guard needs to be one of your primary plays for this seven-game slate.
Other Options: Trae Young ($9,500), De’Aaron Fox ($8,800)
Value
John Wall, Houston Rockets vs. Washington Wizards, $7,500
Victor Oladipo (foot) will be out tonight for the second consecutive game and with the former Pacer absent Saturday, Wall record 39 DKFP vs. the Knicks. Christian Wood (ankle) is also still sidelined and Wall leads the Rockets with a 35.1% usage rate when the center and Oladipo are off the floor.
The Kentucky product has been very consistent, scoring at least 33.75 DKFP in nine straight, and now for the first time since they traded him away to Houston, Wall will visit the Wizards. This is the epitome of a revenge game and Wall should do everything in his power to expose his old club. Washington ranks first in pace and second-to-last in defensive efficiency, and Wall is a must-play at only $7,500.
Other Options: Malcolm Brogdon ($7,700), Lou Williams ($6,400, if Paul George is out), T.J. McConnell ($5,200)
EDITOR’S NOTE: Paul George has been ruled out for tonight’s game vs. the Heat.
Shooting Guard
Stud
James Harden, Brooklyn Nets vs. Sacramento Kings, $10,700
Harden is fresh off a 62.5 DKFP showing vs. the Warriors on Saturday, and he should smash again tonight against the Kings. When Durant has been off the court, Harden’s usage has gone up 2.3% and his assist rate has also seen a 2.4% boost. Although these numbers are from when he was still a member of the Rockets, Harden is scoring 60.25 DKFP across his past seven meetings against the Kings.
You are going to want as much exposure as possible to this potential shootout, and I love building around the duo of Harden and Irving on Monday.
Other Options: Zach LaVine ($9,200), Bradley Beal ($8,900, better if Russell Westbrook is out)
Value
Eric Gordon, Houston Rockets vs. Washington Wizards, $6,400
Gordon posted 40 DKFP against the Knicks on Saturday and is now amassing a team-high 36.6 DKFP per game in the three games Oladipo has missed since being dealt to Houston. Washington is currently yielding DKFP to shooting guards at the third-highest rate in the league, and they are extremely weak at defending deep threats like Gordon. Opponents are hitting 39.5% of their 3-pointers against the Wizards this season, the second-highest clip in the NBA, and Gordon is attempting 8.2 3-pointers a game over his past five.
Don’t forget, DraftKings rewards players an extra 0.25 DKFP for each made 3-pointer, and Gordon should light the Wizards up for over 30 DKFP. Just like with Irving and Harden, don’t hesitate to pair Gordon and Wall in the same lineup tonight.
Other Options: Jordan Clarkson ($5,900), Bruce Brown ($4,100, great value if starting)
Small Forward
Stud
Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat vs. Los Angeles Clippers, $8,200
Butler is a great way of paying up to be contrarian tonight. After a modest showing of 37.5 DKFP against the Jazz on Saturday, most will shy away from the 31-year-old tonight against the Clippers, with an elite defender like Kawhi Leonard ($9,600; leg) potentially on the other side.
But, as a unit, Los Angeles has actually been an average defense this season (13th in efficiency), and Butler should get back on track Monday, regardless of being guarded by Leonard for some parts of this tilt. Prior to Saturday, he was scoring 49.8 DKFP per game in his first seven since returning from quarantine, and Goran Dragic (ankle) will remain out for Miami. In the five games Butler has played sans Dragic in 2020-21, the forward is generating 45.8 DKFP.
Other Options: Kawhi Leonard ($9,600, if Paul George is out)
EDITOR’S NOTE: Kawhi Leonard has been ruled out for tonight’s game vs. the Heat.
Value
Sterling Brown, Houston Rockets vs. Washington Wizards, $4,200
Brown has scored over 20 DKFP in three of his past four games. The reason for this success? In all three of these games, either Wall or Oladipo has been out for Houston. Losing one of their top guards opens up about 25-30 minutes for Brown off the bench and he should continue to produce value tonight against the defensively inept Wizards.
Overall, the 26-year-old is amassing 26.4 DKFP per game in the six contests he has logged 25 minutes or more this year, and at only $4,200, Brown is one of the strongest forward values available Monday.
Other Options: Jae’Sean Tate ($4,600), Garrison Mathews ($3,600, if Westbrook is out)
EDITOR’S NOTE: Russell Westbrook will play in tonight’s game vs. the Rockets.
Power Forward
Stud
Domantas Sabonis, Indiana Pacers vs. Chicago Bulls, $9,100
Sabonis has provided 51.6 DKFP per game in his past two starts, and tonight he and the Pacers will host the Bulls. This Chicago defense ranks 23rd in efficiency and is susceptible in the paint this season, allowing the eighth-most DKFP per game to opposing power forwards. This will be his second meeting with the Bulls this year and Sabonis destroyed this defense for 55.5 DKFP back in late December.
The 24-year-old has similar upside tonight and is without question the top overall play at power forward for this slate.
Other Options: Julius Randle ($8,700)
Value
Danilo Gallinari, Atlanta Hawks vs. New York Knicks, $4,900
Gallinari was excellent Saturday night, tallying 32.25 DKFP vs. the Pacers. This marks a new season-best for the veteran and we have seen him get up to 30 and 26 minutes in two of his past three games. This is huge news for Gallinari with him collecting 0.9 DKFP per minute this season and the forward should approach 30 minutes again Monday.
De’Andre Hunter (knee) will miss his eighth consecutive contest, and even though this is a tough matchup vs. the Knicks (third in defensive efficiency), Gallinari should get the job done and reach five-times value.
Other Options: Draymond Green ($6,700), Kelly Oubre Jr. ($6,500), Nemanja Bjelica ($4,000, if Marvin Bagley is out)
Center
Stud
Clint Capela, Atlanta Hawks vs. New York Knicks, $7,400
Capela shined Saturday, leading the Hawks with a 24-10 double-double (43.5 DKFP) in the loss to the Pacers, and he should absolutely have another productive night against the Knicks. As just mentioned above, New York’s defense is highly-ranked, but they are most vulnerable to centers and are currently starting backup Nerlens Noel ($4,400) at the five-spot with Mitchell Robinson (out, hand) injured.
Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau prefers to have a center on the floor at all times, so Capela’s playing time should be elevated in this matchup and another 20-10 double-double is certainly in the realm of possibilities. I wouldn’t roster him in cash, but for GPPs, Capela is an awesome option that should carry sub-10 percent ownership.
Other Options: Rudy Gobert ($7,200)
Value
Moritz Wagner, Washington Wizards vs. Houston Rockets, $3,200
Wagner earned the surprise start over Alex Len yesterday and turned in a 24.5 DKFP effort in the blowout win vs. the Celtics. Wagner finished with 22 minutes and would have seen more if Washington didn’t run away with this victory. He was on pace for 28 minutes after the first half and you have to assume Wagner will remain a starter after the convincing win with him in the starting five.
The 23-year-old produces right under one DKFP per minute and should have zero issues beating his near-minimum salary against this Houston defense that is giving up the 10th-most DKFP per game to opposing centers over their past 10. Watch out for the Wizards’ lineup to see if Wagner is named a starter once again and if so he will instantly be one of the best values on the slate.
Other Options: DeMarcus Cousins ($6,200), Nerlens Noel ($4,400)
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