This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Here we go with a massive 11-game slate on Monday, February 25.
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:
James Harden is probable. It'd be a surprise if Harden sits, but Chris Paul and Eric Gordon would see the biggest boosts for DFS purposes, if that's the case.
Luka Doncic is questionable. The Mavericks would call upon Jalen Brunson and Tim Hardaway Jr. to step up if Doncic is inactive.
Myles Turner is doubtful. Domantas Sabonis has been over 40 fantasy points in the past two games with Turner sidelined. Kyle O'Quinn would see another 20 minute role if Turner can't go.
Otto Porter Jr. is questionable. Shaquille Harrison could start in his place if Porter is forced to sit. Zach LaVine and Lauri Markkanen would undoubtedly see an uptick.
Anthony Davis is questionable. The saga continues. Even if Davis plays, he'll likely see reduced minutes. Jahlil Okafor and Cheick Diallo will look to benefit.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is OUT. Tony Snell, Ersan Ilyasova and Nikola Mirotic could each see minutes bumps.
These notable players will continue to miss time: Joel Embiid, Victor Oladipo, Spencer Dinwiddie, T.J. Warren, Justise Winslow, James Johnson, Jaren Jackson, Jr., Kyle Anderson, Lonzo Ball,
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
Chris Paul – HOU vs. ATL ($8,300): I'll be looking towards Paul regardless of Harden's status tonight. He would obviously see a boost if the MVP candidate misses another game, but CP3 should be able to post some gaudy fantasy numbers regardless. It helps that his opponent, Atlanta, ranks second in pace and dead last in defensive efficiency to point guards. Paul has found his groove with 56-plus fantasy points in each of his past two games, and this is an excellent matchup to keep him going. Buy with confidence!
Eric Bledsoe – MIL at CHI ($6,400): This is more of a "price play" than anything. Bledsoe had a few rough performances with single-digit fantasy points lately, but he bounced-back nicely with 36 FP in 30 minutes on Saturday. His salary has fallen drastically due to those mishaps, create an interesting buy-low opportunity while facing a Chicago club that ranks 28th in defensive efficiency to point guards. I'm keeping Bledsoe on my shortlist of guards through all formats this evening, especially with Giannis Antetokounmpo out of the lineup.
Dwyane Wade – MIA vs. PHX ($5,100): Miami finds itself shorthanded with Winslow, Johnson, and Rodney McGruder all doubtful tonight. On top of that, Goran Dragic is still seeing limited minutes while working his way back from injury. That leaves the door open for Wade to see respectable playing time with a healthy usage rate. The matchup corresponds very nicely while facing a Phoenix team that ranks 29th in defensive efficiency to opposing backcourts. This seems like an excellent spot for D-Wade to post 36 or more fantasy points through 30-plus minutes.
Other guards to consider: Andrew Wiggins – MIN vs. SAC ($6,300), Darren Collison – IND at DET ($5,800)
FORWARDS
Tobias Harris – PHI at NO ($6,800): Embiid will continue to miss time moving forward, leaving Harris to shoulder a heavy load in the Philadelphia frontcourt. He has stepped up for 40-plus fantasy points in two of his past three games, and tonight marks a tremendous opportunity to surpass that threshold. Harris will square off against a New Orleans squad that ranks top 10 in pace, 21st in rebound rate and 24th in defensive efficiency to opposing frontcourts. The Pelicans are playing their younger guys over Davis at the moment, which makes the individual matchups much better for Harris.
Marvin Bagley III – SAC at MIN ($6,500): The rookie really seems to be figuring things out with 46 or more fantasy points in three of his past four outings. The Kings have rewarded him with a full-time role of 32-36 minutes on most nights. I'm optimistic Bagley can reach for upside yet again while facing a non-imposing Minnesota team that ranks 20th in defensive efficiency to opposing frontcourts. The salary is still reasonable, and I wouldn't be surprised if Bagley was over $7,500 on DraftKings the next time we saw him.
Other forwards to consider: Domantas Sabonis – IND at DET ($6,300), Cheick Diallo – NO vs. PHI ($4,800), Taj Gibson – MIN vs. SAC ($4,600)
CENTERS
Jonas Valanciunas – MEM vs. LAL ($6,400): Valanciunas is seeing around 30 minutes for the Grizzlies, holding a nice usage rate for a decimated team that needs his help on offense. As a result, he has poured in 40 or more fantasy points in two of three games with his new club, and that's a reasonable expectation moving forward. Facing a Lakers team that ranks third in pace and 28th in defensive efficiency to centers doesn't hurt.
Dwight Powell – DAL at LAC ($4,000): Powell is an interesting value filler to keep in mind tonight. He has been up-and-down from a fantasy perspective, but it's nice to see him flirting with 30 minutes on a nightly basis. That has caused him to warm up with 27-plus fantasy points in two straight. There's a good chance he'll get there tonight against a Clippers team that is playing on a back-to-back while ranking dead last in defensive efficiency to centers. On top of that, fellow big man Maxi Kleber is questionable, and Powell would be looking to pick up more slack if he's out.
Other centers to consider: DeMarcus Cousins – GS at CHA ($8,000), Kyle O'Quinn – IND at DET ($4,700), Kelly Olynyk – MIA vs. PHX ($3,900)
