This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Here we go with a robust eight-game slate on Monday, March 4.
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:
John Collins is questionable. He has missed the past two games with an illness. Alex Len would step up as a confident value if Collins is out again. Len is averaging 32 minutes and 47 fantasy points over the past two with Collins sidelined.
Goran Dragic and Hassan Whiteside are questionable. Justise Winslow and Dwyane Wade would see an uptick if Dragic is out. Bam Adebayo and Kelly Olynyk will continue to handle the frontcourt if Whiteside misses another game.
Anthony Davis is questionable. Cheick Diallo, Julius Randle, and Kenrich Williams would benefit from Davis' absence.
These notable players will continue to miss time: Marvin Bagley, T.J. Warren, DeAndre Jordan, Omari Spellman, Lonzo Ball, Taurean Prince
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
Rajon Rondo – LAL vs. LAC ($5,500): Rondo makes for an easy DFS bargain yet again. He had a horrific performance on Saturday at Phoenix, but the Lakers' point guard notched back-to-back stellar outings of 48-plus fantasy points in two games before that. Rondo will continue to see ample opportunities (and minutes) in the starting lineup, and this is a fantastic matchup against the cross-town Clippers.
Lou Williams – LAC at LAL ($6,800): You're going to see plenty of names from the Clippers-Lakers showdown featured in this article. Williams was plagued by a blowout last game, looking at a string of three straight mediocre performances (by his own lofty standards). His price is marginally lower as a result, creating a nice opportunity to pounce while facing a Lakers team that ranks 28th in defensive efficiency to shooting guards and fourth in pace. This is the highest-scoring game of the night (237 over/under), and Williams should be able to find healthy production within that.
Bogdan Bogdanovic – SAC vs. NYK ($5,600): Bogdanovic isn't an absolute necessity in this slate, and he's probably better tailored for tournaments. However, the salary is very attainable at this mid-range level. The matchup isn't too shabby either, facing a New York squad that ranks 20th in defensive efficiency to shooting guards and 20th in three-point percentage allowed at 36%. Bogdanovic has been up-and-down from a fantasy standpoint lately, but extreme upside looms on any given night. Take his 58 fantasy points performance vs. Milwaukee last Wednesday as an example.
Other guards to consider: Luka Doncic – DAL at BKN ($9,100), Dwyane Wade – MIA vs. ATL ($5,000), Allonzo Trier – NYK at SAC ($4,300)
FORWARDS
Take note that Kelly Olynyk ($5,300) and Bam Adebayo ($5,600) would become respectable plays through all formats if Whiteside misses another game.
LeBron James – LAL vs. LAC ($11,200): I already mentioned how this was a featured game in today's article, so you probably saw the James' write-up coming. Not only does this LAC-LAL tilt have the highest over/under of the night, it's a competitive affair between two bad defensive teams that also happen to rank top ten in pace. James is poised for a monster stat-line tonight, especially while pressing to get the Lakers back in the win column (lost four of past five). There's enough value on this slate to comfortably roster the LAL superstar.
Derrick Favors – UTA vs. NO ($5,800): Favors has been sneaky-good lately with 37, 37, and 54 fantasy points, respectively, over his most recent three games. He could continue to thrive while facing a shaky New Orleans' frontcourt with Davis either out or limited. Speaking further to that point, the Pelicans rank 24th in defensive efficiency to opposing frontcourts and 21st in rebound rate. It goes without saying that Favors makes for a solid mid-range forward if you need someone in this salary range.
Harrison Barnes – SAC vs. NYK ($5,100): Bagley will continue to miss time for Sacramento, and Barnes has been gobbling up playing time in his absence with a 40 minute 31 fantasy point average over the past two. Barnes hasn't always been an efficient fantasy producer since joining Sacramento, but the potential for higher rates with more playing time certainly doesn't hurt. His salary remains moderately low, and the matchup looks great against a New York team that ranks 28th in defensive efficiency to frontcourt players.
Other forwards to consider: Brandon Ingram – LAL vs. LAC ($6,600), Noah Vonleh – NYK at SAC ($4,200), Montrezl Harrell – LAC at LAL ($6,300)
CENTERS
Alex Len ($4,000) makes for a strong value through all formats if Collins misses another game.
Mitchell Robinson – NYK at SAC ($6,400): First off, you'll want to double-check that DeAndre Jordan is still out. The tanking Knicks aren't in a hurry to rush Jordan back, and the most recent note mentioned that he's "uncertain" for this road trip. It's better to get confirmation on that front. Assuming Jordan is out, Robinson will have another chance to log respectable minutes as the starting NYK big man. He has been a monster in that role with 42 or more fantasy points in three of his past four games. The matchup is promising against a fast-paced Sacramento team that ranks 23rd in defensive efficiency to centers and 27th in rebound rate.
Dwight Powell – DAL at BKN ($5,200): Powell is a confident, moderately priced center to utilize through all formats on DraftKings. He's seeing more playing time with 37 minutes in two of his past three, which adds even more confidence to his fantasy profile moving forward. The results have been somewhat of a mixed bag lately, but Powell has room to thrive in a competitive draw against a Brooklyn club that ranks 25th in defensive efficiency to centers and 26th in rebound rate. We could see some strong "per dollar" efficiency from him tonight.
Other centers to consider: Rudy Gobert – UTA vs. NO ($7,900), Willie Cauley-Stein – SAC vs. NYK ($5,800)
