This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
We have a juicy, nine-game slate on Monday along with plenty of injury concerns to monitor as we approach tip-off.
Looking within this plethora of games, one matchup stands out for DFS purposes: Brooklyn at Minnesota. Both teams have suspect defenses with a knack for running the scoreboard up to the 120+ point level. There are also several injuries for the Timberwolves along with a usage void left by Jimmy Butler's trade to Philadelphia. In other words, there's room for opportunity here.
There are more details in the injury write-ups below, but the early takeaways come in the form of Curry's doubtful status along with Westbrook continuing to miss time. Dennis Schroder ($7300) and Paul George ($9700) look like excellent picks against the Suns, while Kevin Durant ($11000) is worthy of premium status sans Curry (Draymond questionable too).
Aaron Gordon (QUESTIONABLE):Jarell Martin ($3800) got the start for him last game with a solid outing in 28 minutes. Nikola Vucevic would see a dramatic usage boost in Gordon's absence as well.
Nikola Mirotic (PROBABLE): Mirotic missed the game on Saturday, where Julius Randle ($6600) moved into the starting five and saw a whopping 38 minutes.
Derrick Rose (QUESTIONABLE) & Andrew Wiggins (QUESTIONABLE): Remember that Jeff Teague is likely still out for the Wolves and Jimmy Butler has been traded away. Tyus Jones ($4000) would be in line for a heavy workload if Rose sits, and Josh Okogie ($3900) could see around 30+ minutes if Wiggins is out.
Russell Westbrook (OUT): He's still out, so Dennis Schroder ($7300) and Paul George ($9700) will continue to soak up usage in tonight's nice draw vs Phoenix.
Stephen Curry (OUT):Shaun Livingston is questionable, as well. Quinn Cook ($5000) stepped in for 41.75 FP in 30 minutes with Curry out vs Brooklyn last game.
Draymond Green (QUESTIONABLE):Jordan Bell ($4000) was the winner of Green's absence on Saturday while accounting for 24 FP in 27 minutes. Keep an eye on him as a utility filler if Green is ruled out.
With that, I'll be breaking down the best fantasy choices on DraftKings for Monday. The following write-ups contain a blend of cash game staples, bargain fillers, and tournament pivots.
GUARDS
Take note that Derrick Rose ($7,500) would be added to this list if he's fully cleared to play this evening. Tyus Jones ($4,000) steps in as a great all-around pick if Rose is out.
Derrick White, SAS at SAC ($4,300): White is finally healthy, and now he's running away with the starting point guard job in San Antonio. He's coming off a fantastic outing on Saturday, racking up 34.5 FP through 30 minutes with 14 points, 8 assists and 4 rebounds. White has an excellent opportunity to build upon that performance while facing a Sacramento team that ranks second in pace and 19th in defensive efficiency vs point guards.
Dennis Schroder, OKC vs PHO ($7,300): Schroder makes for a nice cash game commodity with Russell Westbrook still sidelined. OKC's offseason addition has been solid without Westbrook in recent games, and Schroder proved himself capable of upside in that role to begin the year. Facing a Phoenix club that ranks 29th in defensive efficiency vs opposing point guard is the perfect spot for a breakout performance.
J.J. Barea, DAL at CHI ($4,000): Barea is a sneaky-good value pivot in tournament tonight. Most people will be focused on bargain guards like White, Gilgeous-Alexander and Cook, so this is a nice opportunity to "swerve" away from the pack. Barea has always been known as an efficient fantasy producer, exemplified by his 34.75 FP in 22 minutes vs Oklahoma City on Saturday. Making matters even better, Barea will be looking at a nice matchup at Chicago (26th in team defensive efficiency) while potentially seeing a few more minutes with Wesley Matthews out.
Other guards to consider: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, LAC vs GSW ($4,200), Quinn Cook, GSW at LAC ($5,000), Bradley Beal, WAS vs ORL ($7,100)
FORWARDS
Andrew Wiggins deserves to be mentioned alongside these players in the aforementioned fantasy-friendly game environment between Minnesota and Brooklyn. He's questionable as of Monday morning, so double-check his status after shootaround.
Paul George, OKC vs PHO ($9,700): Paul George will be a staple in my cash game lineups this evening. He checks in with a considerable discount from other forwards like Durant and Davis. He'll retain legitimate per-dollar upside with Westbrook out of the mix as well. George has really stepped up with 49+ fantasy points in three of his past four, and this is his best matchup in recent memory while facing a bottom-five Phoenix defense.
Evan Fournier, ORL at WAS ($6,700):Tournament pivot alert! I'm thinking Fournier could be underrated following a poor shooting effort and less minutes in a blowout yesterday. On the bright side, the lower playing time on Sunday should help preserve his legs for Monday's draw at Washington. The Wizards have been terrible on defense to begin the season, ranking dead last in team defensive efficiency. Fournier has flexed capable upside with 35+ fantasy points in two of his past three, and there would be room for much more if Aaron Gordon (questionable) misses this game.
Danilo Gallinari, LAC vs GSW ($5,600): Gallinari is a solid mid-range filler if you are looking at a forward in this price range. His minutes remain lofty in competitive matchups, and there's a chance he'll fall into the fast-pace, high-scoring nature of this home draw vs Golden State. Gallo has been churning out solid value despite subpar shooting performances, meaning his fantasy ceiling could rise if he finds his stroke.
Other forwards to consider: Kevin Durant, GSW at LAC ($11,000), Jabari Parker, CHI vs DAL ($5,800), Jarell Martin, ORL at WAS ($3,000)
CENTERS
Julius Randle, NO at TOR ($6,600): This pick is contingent on the status of Nikola Mirotic. If Mirotic misses his second straight game, which at this point seems unlikely, Randle becomes a very easy pick through all formats. As mentioned earlier, Randle saw 38 minutes with Mirotic sidelined last game, blowing up for 48.75 FP in the process. Even if Mirotic ends up playing, Randle still deserves a look in tournaments while hoping he has earned some extra playing time through his recent domination.
Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN vs BKN ($8,900): Towns is relatively expensive, but I'm certainly keeping him in mind for DFS purposes this evening. That especially holds true while making multiple lineups in tournaments. Jimmy Butler has been traded away. Jeff Teague is out. Andrew Wiggins and Derrick Rose are questionable. In other words, there's a chance Towns could have some monstrous usage rates while carrying the Wolves in this high-scoring draw. Brooklyn ranks 25th in defensive efficiency vs centers and 26th in rebound rate, which doesn't hurt the cause either.
Steven Adams, OKC vs PHO ($6,700): I really like Steven Adams as a mid-range play in tournaments, and he's cash viable as well if you need somebody around this salary level. I'm guessing most people will be going with Paul George and Dennis Schroder from this game while Adams checks in with a lower ownership contingency. High opportunity cost at center may contribute to that as well. However, the matchup is excellent against a Phoenix team that ranks dead last in defensive efficiency vs opposing centers. Adams has seen stable minutes all season, translating to 40+ FP in each of his past two games. He's a strong candidate to surpass that threshold once again.
Other centers to consider: DeAndre Jordan, DAL at CHI ($7,000), Montrezl Harrell, LAC vs GSW ($5,600)
