This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
He we go with a massive 11-game NBA slate for Monday, December 10.
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 Morning morning, these are the situations we are looking at:
Anthony Davis questionable: Check the injury notes following shootaround. Julius Randle, Jrue Holiday and Nikola Mirotic would see a boost if Davis misses this game. Randle is the key beneficiary.
Al Horford and Aron Baynes doubtful:. Daniel Theis went off for a dominant 54.5 fantasy points in 32 minutes with both of them out last game, so he would be a nice DFS selection if that is the case again.
Jordan Clarkson and Rodney Hood questionable: If they are both out, the Cleveland backcourt situation gets thin with more minutes for Collin Sexton, Cedi Osman and Alec Burks.
Bobby Portis available: He will return from his extended absence tonight, so that could mean a slight downgrade to Jabari Parker.
Dennis Smith Jr is doubtful: Jalen Brunson is the main beneficiary while averaging 28 minutes and 26 fantasy points over the past two games with Smith Jr out.
Jamal Murray questionable: The Nuggets are already thin in the backcourt, so Monte Morris would be looking at heavy minutes as a starter if Murray can't play.
Josh Richardson and Tyler Johnson questionable. Justise Winslow would be looking at a larger role with more established playing time if both of them are out.
These notable players will continue to miss time: Victor Oladipo, Hassan Whiteside, Gary Harris, Elfrid Payton, Paul Millsap, Will Barton, Devin Booker, Rajon Rondo, Brandon Ingram
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
If Jamal Murray is out, Monte Morris ($3,600) becomes a very nice value filler while seeing a ton of minutes for the Nuggets.
Zach LaVine, CHI vs. SAC ($7,400): Most people will be looking to climb the salary ladder on DraftKings with guards like Kyrie Irving, Russell Westbrook or others. However, LaVine is somebody I'm looking towards with realistic upside for a fraction of the cost. This is a mouthwatering matchup for him in a competitive home draw vs. Sacramento. The Kings rank second in pace and 25th in defensive efficiency against opposing backcourts. LaVine is an offensive-minded player who isn't afraid to call his own number when the buckets start falling (or even if they don't). We could see the snowball effect towards fantasy upside in this one.
Alec Burks, CLE at MIL ($4,700): As you read in the injury report earlier in this article, Cleveland's backcourt is a mess. I like Alec Burks on DraftKings regardless of Jordan Clarkson's questionable status, but he would certainly see a boost if Clarkson doesn't play. Burks has seen his role steadily climb since joining the Cavaliers, culminating by averaging 40 fantasy points and 36 minutes over his past two. The matchup isn't great at Milwaukee this evening, but Burks is too cheap when considering the heightened role for a team that needs him to step up on offense.
Lonzo Ball, LAL vs. MIA ($5,200): I really like Lonzo Ball at this salary through all formats. Remember that Rajon Rondo and Brandon Ingram will continue to miss time, which helps solidify the fantasy floor of Ball. Lonzo had a disappointing fantasy performance in a blowout win at Memphis on Saturday, but he otherwise notched 38 fantasy points in each of his first two games with Ingram sidelined. Expect him to get back within that range tonight vs. Miami.
Other guards to consider: Jalen Brunson, DAL vs. ORL ($3,400), Tomas Satoransky, WAS at IND ($4,200), De'Aaron Fox, SAC at CHI ($7,600)
FORWARDS
If Josh Richardson and Tyler Johnson are out, Justise Winslow ($4,800) becomes a primary DFS play with a secured role. Of those two, Richardson's status is more closely tied to Winslow's fantasy viability … Additionally, Julius Randle ($7,100) immediately jumps into the cash game conversation if Anthony Davis is ruled out.
Kevin Durant, GS vs. MIN ($10,100): Durant is one of my "priority spends" on DraftKings tonight. This Minnesota-Golden State matchup is unsurprisingly one of the highest scoring games of the night while holding a 227 over/under. The Timberwolves have been playing better defense as of late, but they are still very susceptible – especially against quality offenses. In addition to that, Minnesota ranks 29th in defensive efficiency against opposing small forwards. Look for Durant to take full advantage.
LeBron James, LAL vs. MIA ($10,700): There's enough value on this slate to put Durant and James in the same lineup without stretching too far. I don't mind that strategy in any format. It appears that James has finally found his rhythm in Los Angeles, and the Lakers are playing some pretty good basketball as of late. LeBron has racked up 62+ fantasy points in two of his past three games, and we could catch a glimpse of that upside in a tight home draw against a beat-up Miami squad.
Trey Lyles, DEN vs. MEM ($3,700): Lyles is one of the better bargain choices of the night, checking in as one of the pieces allowing you to stack the rest of your lineup. Denver has been marred by injuries lately, and Paul Millsap's absence means more playing time for Lyles. The Denver forward saw a whopping 38 minutes in the first game without Millsap on Saturday. He only shot 2-13 from the field, but still produced 28.5 fantasy points thanks to snagging 10 boards. Lyles is a confident value choice with upside if his shot happens to fall tonight.
Other forwards to consider: Otto Porter Jr, WAS at IND ($6,100), Marvin Bagley, SAC at CHI ($4,700), Juancho Hernangomez, DEN vs. MEM ($4,700), Kelly Olynyk - GPP, MIA at LAL ($5,300)
CENTERS
Joel Embiid ($9,800) is a strong play, but his return means Mike Muscala ($4,200) no longer makes for an easy bargain choice through all formats. Daniel Theis ($4,000) would join the list of solid value choices if Al Horford is ultimately ruled out, as anticipated.
Nikola Vucevic, ORL vs. DAL ($8,600): If you are looking to spend at the position, I believe Nikola Vucevic is a sneaky-good choice. There are a ton of options to choose from on this 11-game slate, and Vucevic could be underrated within it. That comes despite a confident matchup at Dallas, which ranks middle-of-the-pack in defensive efficiency vs. centers and dead last in rebound rate. Vucevic was recently slowed by an ankle injury, but he has had several days to rest and is not listed on the injury report.
Wendell Carter Jr, CHI vs. SAC ($5,000): Bobby Portis will return tonight, but I believe he'll cut into Jabari Parker's minutes more than Lauri Markkanen or Wendell Carter's. As for Carter, he finds himself in a nice matchup against a Sacramento team that ranks 26th in defensive efficiency vs. centers and 27th in rebound rate. His playing time has been up and down lately, but most of that inconsistency revolves around blowout situations. A competitive home draw in a promising matchup adds confidence to his fantasy profile, and he's still underpriced at $5,000 on DraftKings.
Willie Cauley-Stein, SAC at CHI ($6,100): Cauley-Stein is a tournament play on the other side of this fantasy-friendly environment between Sacramento and Chicago. I'm thinking the Kings' big man will be low-owned on this expanded slate despite finding himself in an amazing matchup against a Bulls team that ranks 28th in defensive efficiency vs. centers. Keep him on your GPP list when filling out multiple lineups.
Other centers to consider:Karl-Anthony Towns ($9,200), Bam Adebayo, MIA at LAL ($5,800)
