Here are some plays that jump out on DraftKings at each position for Monday’s NBA slate, along with some strategy that is unique to this slate.
Refer a friend and get $20 DK Dollars! Head to the DraftKings Playbook Promo page for more details!
Point Guard
Worth Paying Up For: Russell Westbrook, Washington Wizards at Atlanta Hawks ($11,000)
If the Hawks were allowed to play 10 players at the same time or if Westbrook was only allowed to use his head, then I’d think about pivoting away. Outside of those two things, you’re paying up for Westbrook and feeling prettay, prettay good about it. Over the past five games, he’s put up 87.75, 63.25, 81, 81.75 and 74 DKFP. It is said that doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result is insanity. Don’t be insane.
Best Bang For Your Buck: D.J. Augustin, Houston Rockets at Portland Trail Blazers ($4,000)
Augustin has played and started the last two games after a 12-game absence. He played 29 and 18 minutes, contributing 27.5 and 6.5 DKFP. The reason he only played 18 minutes was that it was the second leg of a back-to-back. He’s rested now and the Rockets have six players listed as out already. He should approach close to 30 minutes in this one. On the season, Augustin is averaging 0.94 DKFP per minute. The Trail Blazers are also 29th in defensive efficiency.
Shooting Guard
Worth Paying Up For: Jae’Sean Tate, Houston Rockets at Portland Trail Blazers ($6,500)
As mentioned in the Augustin blurb, the Rockets have a ton of injuries. Tate will start at small forward and he averages 0.85 DKFP per minute. In the last game, he played 30 minutes and contributed 41.5 DKFP. The usage rate was a robust 30 percent and he hoisted up 18 shots. He should be heavily involved once again.
Best Bang For Your Buck: Daquan Jeffries, Houston Rockets at Portland Trail Blazers ($4,400)
Over the past three games, Jeffries has played 41, 32 and 37 minutes. He attempted 10, six and 14 shots. He grabs some rebounds, launches 3-pointers, and has pilfered at least one steal in each of the past five games. He’s only averaging 0.68 DKFP per minute, but he did access the ceiling with 41.5 DKFP last game, so it’s within the range of outcomes. The important thing, though, is the expected heavy minutes. And we know that minutes are half the battle. Yo, Joe!
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $325K Shootaround [$100K to 1st]
Small Forward
Worth Paying Up For: DeMar DeRozan, San Antonio Spurs vs. Milwaukee Bucks ($7,900)
It’s a pace-up spot for the Spurs as the Bucks play at the third-fastest pace. With Derrick White done for the season, the two main cogs for the Spurs are DeRozan and Dejounte Murray ($7,200). The last time these two teams met, the final score was 120-113 in favor of the Bucks and DeRozan went for 52.75 DKFP. Granted, White did play in that one but Murray did not. DK Sportsbook has the Bucks favored by 7 on the road. If the Spurs are going to be competitive, DeRozan is going to be a big reason why.
Best Bang For Your Buck: James Johnson, New Orleans Pelicans at Memphis Grizzlies ($4,600)
Zion Williamson is out, so Johnson will make his third consecutive start. In the prior two games, he played 27 and 31 minutes, contributing 20 and 33 DKFP. His versatility allows him to contribute in every category. On the season, Johnson is averaging 0.85 DKFP and this game should have plenty of offensive possessions as the teams are eighth and ninth in offensive pace.
Power Forward
Worth Paying Up For: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks vs. Washington Wizards ($10,800)
Giannis is coming off two games in which he only scored 47.25 and 48.25 DKFP. He only played 30 and 29 minutes in those contests, though, as he fouled out in one game and was dealing with a stomach illness in the other. He should be good to go for this one and get his full allotment of minutes. The Bucks have a back-to-back today and tomorrow, so Giannis will likely sit out on Tuesday if anything. Definitely monitor the news. Giannis averages 1.65 DKFP per minute and 33 minutes per game. The last time he faced the Spurs, he went for 60.75 DKFP.
Best Bang For Your Buck: Rui Hachimura, Washington Wizards at Atlanta Hawks ($4,900)
Lost in all the Westbrook-mania has been the play of Hachimura. He’s played 29, 31 and 35 minutes in the past three games and attempted 11, 19 and 13 shots. He doesn’t contribute much in the periphery stats but the playing time and shots can’t be denied. He’s gone for 20, 40.25 and 23.5 DKFP, so he can access the ceiling. The Hawks boost the FPPM to power forwards by 5.25% above league average.
Center
Worth Paying Up For: Domantas Sabonis, Indiana Pacers at Cleveland Cavaliers ($10,600)
I’m so intrigued by Clint Capela ($8,400) and Jonas Valanciunas ($8,200) as they both have excellent matchups but I couldn’t get away from Sabonis, despite the matchup not being so great. Sabonis is a triple-double threat on any given night and the most eye-opening stat has been the steals. He’s notched at least one steal in each of the past seven games with three in two of those contests! Over the past five games, he’s gone over 70 DFKP three times, with the other two games at 55 and 48.75. The floor/ceiling combo is too much to ignore, especially if Malcolm Brogdon ($8,900) misses another game.
Best Bang For Your Buck: Jaxson Hayes, New Orleans Pelicans at Memphis Grizzlies ($4,500)
Hayes has played at least 24 minutes in four of the past five games. He’s gone for 42 and 41 DKFP in the past two games. He’s all about the rebounds and blocks (six and three) but it’s been the 16 and 11 shot attempts that have allowed him to access the ceiling. The Grizzlies play fast so there should be plenty of possessions and the uptempo nature suit Hayes because he thrives in that environment. The Grizzlies also boost the FPPM to centers by 10.38% above league average.
Overall Lineup Strategy
Make sure to follow @dklive on Twitter and download the DK Live app to stay up-to-date with all the latest news.
The slate is littered with juicy game environments but plenty of blowout potential. Four games have an O/U over 230 while four games have spreads that are close to double-digits. Westbrook along with Rockets value seems like the way to go, but things can change over the course of the day.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $325K Shootaround [$100K to 1st]
Place your NBA bets at DraftKings Sportsbook and bet online by downloading the DraftKings Sportsbook app.
Put your knowledge to the test. Sign up for DraftKings and experience the game inside the game.
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 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.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL).
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ/WV/PA/MI), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (NH/CO), 1-800-BETS OFF(IA), 1-888-532-3500 (VA) or call/text TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN).
21+ (18+ NH). CO/IL/IN/IA/NH/NJ/PA/TN/VA/WV/MI only. Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for full terms and conditions.