This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Here we go with a six-game slate on Monday, February 11.
Per usual, we have several injuries to monitor with potential for more while moving closer to tip-off. You'll want to stay in the loop with RotoWire's NBA News Feed before setting your final lineups. As of Monday morning, these are the situations we are looking at:
Myles Turner is questionable. Domantas Sabonis would look to pick up the slack if Turner is out.
Jeff Green is questionable. If he's out, Jabari Parker would likely see a boost.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is questionable. He'll probably return tonight, but Eric Bledsoe and Khris Middleton would be DFS winners if he misses another game.
Jerami Grant is listed as out. Patrick Patterson would see more time if he can't go.
These notable players will continue to miss time: Cedi Osman, Tristan Thompson, Victor Oladipo, Spencer Dinwiddie, Clint Capela, Gary Harris, Paul Millsap, Emmanuel Mudiay
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
Dennis Smith Jr. – NYK at CLE ($6,500): Smith Jr. has been thriving with the Knicks while averaging 40 FPPG over his past three. He'll continue to carry a heavy workload with Emmanuel Mudiay out, which makes for an outstanding DFS situation while facing a Cleveland team that ranks 29th in defensive efficiency to opposing point guards. The salary hasn't caught up to the new role, so go ahead and accept the savings with Smith.
James Harden – HOU vs. DAL ($12,000): No surprise here, but Harden is a great DFS play if you can afford him. It appears that there's enough value to make that happen on this slate, and that's a strategy I'll be trying to put in place. It goes without saying that Harden has been on fire lately, and he'll get a chance to keep that going against a Dallas squad that ranks 19th in defensive efficiency to shooting guards.
Jordan Clarkson – CLE vs. NYK ($5,200): Alec Burks has been traded away, and Clarkson has responded with 38 and 32 fantasy points respectively over his last two. The Cleveland guard has become more stable in a shorter rotation (Osman also out), and the salary is too cheap when considering the heightened role. Go ahead and look towards Clarkson as a legitimate bargain through all formats while facing a bad New York defense that ranks 25th against opposing backcourts.
Other guards to consider: Russell Westbrook – OKC vs. POR ($11,400), Luka Doncic – DAL at HOU ($8,700), Cory Joseph – IND vs. CHA ($4,400)
FORWARDS
Danilo Gallinari – LAC at MIN ($6,000): The Clippers moved Tobias Harris, and Gallinari appears to be a big fantasy winner with more on his plate. He broke out for 39 fantasy points in 29 minutes on Saturday, and there's certainly room for growth moving forward. That's the theme tonight against a Minnesota team that ranks dead last in defensive efficiency to opposing small forwards. As a result, I'll be looking toward Gallinari in all formats.
Jabari Parker – WAS at DET ($5,600): Parker has made quite the impression on his new team with 43 and 39 fantasy points, respectively, over his past two. Jeff Green is questionable tonight, and his absence would help solidify Parker's role. However, I believe the Washington forward is a strong mid-range pick either way while playing with extreme confidence.
Larry Nance Jr. – CLE vs. NYK ($5,200): Kevin Love is probable tonight, but he'll likely have a minutes restriction. That leaves the door open for Nance to continue to thrive along the lines of his 38 FPPG average over the past five. Facing a New York team that ranks 29th in defensive efficiency to opposing power forwards doesn't hurt either.
Other forwards to consider: Blake Griffin – DET vs. WAS ($9,000), Pascal Siakam – TOR vs. BKN ($6,500), Bobby Portis – WAS at DET ($6,300)
CENTERS
Karl-Anthony Towns – MIN vs. LAC ($10,000): If you are unable to gather the necessary funds to roster Harden, then Towns makes for the next best thing with a $2,000 discount. The Minnesota center has been on fire with 49-64 fantasy points in each of his past four games. I'm expecting him to end up on the higher side of that range while facing a Clippers team that ranks dead last in defensive efficiency to opposing centers.
Andre Drummond – DET vs. WAS ($8,900): Drummond is a reasonable pivot away from Towns with a smaller price tag. The Detroit center also finds himself in an advantageous spot while facing a Washington team that ranks 21st in defensive efficiency to opposing big men. Drummond has posted 50+ fantasy points in three straight games, and this is another spot for him to thrive.
Mason Plumlee – DEN vs. MIA ($5,800): Keep an eye on the status of Paul Millsap. If he misses another game, then Plumlee makes for a strong DFS asset. Over the past three games with Millsap sidelined, Plumlee has averaged a respectable 36 FPPG while seeing more than 33 minutes in two of three games. He would be in line to take advantage of a Miami team that ranks 24th against opposing power forwards.
Other centers to consider: Steven Adams – OKC vs. POR ($6,200), Ivica Zubac – LAC at MIN ($4,000)
