This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Team Analysis
Defense to Avoid:
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Memphis Grizzlies
The Hawks, Bulls and Spurs also have solid defensive matchups Monday, but the Clippers will take on the worst offensive team of the bunch in the Grizzlies. Memphis is dead last in the Western Conference in points per game (90.9), and while the Clippers aren't known for their defense, it will take a lot to make Memphis' offense look good. The Grizzlies are also pretty banged up, as Marc Gasol hasn't been himself while playing through a neck injury and Zach Randolph is questionable to play because of soreness in his right calf. Chicago and San Antonio are both on the road and the Hawks should have a tough time with the T-Wolves, so the Clips make the most sense.
Offense to Use:
San Antonio Spurs at Sacramento Kings
Whenever the Warriors are in action they will always be an offense to target. The Bulls and Blazers also figure to score plenty of buckets, but head coach Gregg Popovich and the Spurs going to work against a very poor Kings defense is too good to be true. Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge are the obvious choices at the top of the Spurs' lineup, but bench contributors like Patty Mills, Manu Ginobili and David West -- who will have pretty low costs -- become more appealing due to the matchup.
Teams on Back-to-Back
First game: Timberwolves
Second game: Pistons, Pacers, Trail Blazers
Daily Player Recommendations
Point Guard
Damian Lillard at DEN ($8,500): Lillard is the only other point guard who has what it takes to outscore Stephen Curry on Monday. He goes up against a Nuggets team that was torched by Curry for 34 points Friday and allowed Jordan Clarkson to score 30 on Tuesday. Lillard's shooting percentages are at a career-high right now and it's tough to see Emmanuel Mudiay doing much to lower them.
Other suggestions:Mike Conley at LAC ($6,100); Derrick Rose at PHI ($5,800)
Shooting Guard
Klay Thompson vs. DET ($6,600): Thompson has hit four treys in back-to-back games and has put up at least 25 fantasy points in his past five games. The Pistons have been vulnerable to opposing shooting guards this season and the Warriors have scored at least 100 points en route to an undefeated 7-0 start. Detroit will obviously want to focus most of their attention on Curry, so this should leave Thompson open for uncontested three pointers.
Other suggestions:Nik Stauskas vs. CHI ($4,800); Danny Green at SAC ($4,300)
Small Forward
Al-Farouq Aminu at DEN ($6,100): There are two things that Aminu does consistently are grab rebounds and shoot three pointers. Both of these categories can be a huge boost on DraftKings and it's helped Aminu average 31.8 fantasy points per game in his last five. Behind Lillard and C.J. McCollum, Aminu is a reliable scorer, so he has a chance to thrive in what should be a up-and-down ball game.
Other suggestions:Paul George vs. ORL ($8,600); Marcus Morris at GSW ($6,200)
Power Forward
Blake Griffin vs. MEM ($9,600): "The Blake Show" gets broadcasted most nights, and on Monday he will again be asked to carry the Clippers with Chris Paul likely to be sidelined. Sure, he's the highest priced power forward, and I totally get it if you'd prefer to roll with someone like Paul Millsap ($7,700), but you'd have to be nuts not to play Griffin in this situation. He's posted back-to-back stat lines with at least 25 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Employ him in all your cash games.
Other suggestions:Pau Gasol at PHI ($7,300); Kenneth Faried vs. POR ($6,400)
Center
Jahlil Okafor vs. CHI ($6,300): It's crazy that Okafor's price remains this low considering what the rookie center has done so far this season. He's averaging 30 FPts per game and is the focal point of the Sixers' offense. The kid is a stud down low and the Bulls have struggled to contain big men who are capable of scoring like Okafor. Chicago is also getting waxed on the boards, something that Okafor has struggled with this season, so he could get a much needed uptick in rebounding Monday.
Other suggestions:Meyers Leonard at DEN ($3,900); DeAndre Jordan vs. MEM ($7,800)
Injury Report
Out
Darren Collison (hamstring)
Wilson Chandler (hip)
Robert Covington (knee)
Jusuf Nurkic (knee)
Jodie Meeks (foot)
Tiago Splitter (rest)
Mike Dunleavy (back)
Brandon Jennings (achilles)
C.J. Miles (ankle)
Rodney Stuckey (ankle)
Nikola Pekovic (achilles)
Kendall Marshall (knee)
Tony Wroten (knee)
Gerald Henderson (hip)
Game-Time Decision
DeMarcus Cousins (achilles)
Zach Randolph (calf)
Nikola Vucevic (knee)
Chris Paul (groin)
Brandan Wright (knee)
Joffrey Lauvergne (back)
Kirk Hinrich (toe)
Andrew Bogut (concussion)
Jordan Adams (knee)
Cliff Alexander (knee)
Seth Curry (ankle)
