This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
IND (-4.5) vs. WAS, O/U: 234.5
MIA (-4.5) vs. NY, O/U: 208.5
MIN vs. BKN (-11.5), O/U: 239.5
NO vs. BOS (-4), O/U: 230.5
DAL (-9.5) vs. OKC, O/U: 216.5
MEM (-5.5) vs. HOU, O/U: 221.5
TOR (-4.5) vs. DET, O/U: 218.5
SAC vs. SA (-2.5), O/U: 228
CLE vs. UTA (-15.5), O/U: 223.5
CHI (-4.5) vs. GS, O/U: 224.5
MIL vs. LAC (-1.5), O/U: 229.5
Monday's DraftKings NBA slate tips off at 7:00 p.m. EDT and includes 11 games. Stephen Curry (tailbone) appears on track to return after practicing yesterday. Julius Randle (thigh), Bradley Beal (hip), Christian Wood (illness) and Kyle Lowry (foot) are listed as questionable. Jarrett Allen (concussion) has been ruled out for the Cavs, who could be the source of some value tonight as they will be short-handed in the frontcourt. Victor Oladipo and Kendrick Nunn are out for the Heat while Goran Dragic is likely to return.
The three games with the highest totals tip off first, and while they are appealing targets, the opportunity cost of doing so could be significant as we are likely to get slate-changing news at some point during the night with 22 teams playing. The MIL-LAC matchup tips off last at 10:00 p.m. and features Giannis Antetokounmpo against Kawhi Leonard. Both players are two of the more appealing spend-up options at their respective positions, and targeting the later games in general has been especially beneficial this season.
Injuries to Monitor
Julius Randle (thigh): QUESTIONABLE
Randle missed Saturday's game due to a thigh bruise and is listed as questionable for tonight. Taj Gibson ($4,200) started at power forward in his place.
Stephen Curry (tailbone): QUESTIONABLE
Curry has missed five consecutive games but returned to practice yesterday and is listed as questionable for tonight. Jordan Poole ($6,600) has been starting at point guard in his absence.
Bradley Beal (hip): QUESTIONABLE
Beal had to leave Saturday's game early with a bruised hip and is listed as questionable for tonight. Raul Neto ($3,600) would likely see an expanded role if Beal were to sit.
Christian Wood (illness): QUESTIONABLE
Wood missed Saturday's game with a sore ankle and is listed as questionable for tonight due to an illness. Kelly Olynyk ($4,400) started at center in his absence.
Victor Oladipo (illness): OUT
Kendrick Nunn (ankle): OUT
Oladipo will not make his Heat debut due to a head cold and Nunn is out after turning his ankle last time out. Goran Dragic ($5,400) has missed four consecutive games but is expected back tonight, and he could see an expanded role with the Heat short at guard.
Jarrett Allen (concussion): OUT
Allen will miss a second consecutive game after sustaining a concussion on Friday. Larry Nance ($7,000) will likely get another start at center.
Kyle Lowry (foot): QUESTIONABLE
Lowry was a late scratch yesterday with a foot injury and is listed as questionable for tonight. Aron Baynes ($3,300) came into the starting lineup and played 15 minutes while Rodney Hood ($3,500) saw 27 minutes off the bench.
Lonzo Ball (hip): QUESTIONABLE
Ball has missed four consecutive games due to strained hip flexor and is listed as questionable for tonight. Nickeil Alexander-Walker ($5,800) has been starting at point guard in his absence.
Al Horford (rest): OUT
Horford won't play for the Thunder again this season as the organization has decided to go with younger players. Moses Brown ($6,800) has been starting at center and Tony Bradley ($3,900) was acquired at the trade deadline.
Luguentz Dort (concussion): QUESTIONABLE
Dort suffered a concussion Saturday and is listed as questionable for tonight. If he were to sit, Svi Mykhailiuk ($4,000) could be in line for an expanded role.
Elite Players
Guard:
Russell Westbrook ($11,000) and James Harden ($10,900)
Westbrook is coming off another triple-double, his fifth in the past eight games as he continues to put up massive numbers. He's scored at least 58 DK points in seven of his last 10 games while he's grabbed a whopping 37 rebounds in his last two. Harden is coming off 77.5 DK points last time out. It was his fourth game in the last 10 with at least 70 points as he continues to hit ceiling more often than any player in the league. Kyrie Irving will return tonight after a three game absence and while that doesn't necessarily hurt Harden, he isn't quite the smash play he's been of late. It's rare that I prefer a guard over Harden these days, but if Bradley Beal were to sit, Westbrook would be my top option on the slate.
Center:
Giannis Antetokounmpo ($10,700)
Giannis will return tonight after sitting out Saturday for rest. He's struggled recently, failing to reach 40 DK points in back-to-back games, and that could see him go slightly overlooked for the Bucks' matchup against the Clippers. Giannis put up 71.5 DK points the last time the two teams played Feb. 28th.
Karl-Anthony Towns ($9,900) is another appealing option at center. He's been more consistent recently as he's scored at least 50 DK points in five of his last seven games and he's shown a ceiling too, with two games over 64 in that span. The Timberwolves have a favorable matchup against the Nets.
Forward:
Luka Doncic ($10,800)
Doncic has missed consecutive games due to illness and a back injury, but he's off the injury report for tonight's matchup against the Thunder. He's put up at least 60 DK points in three of his last five games and is slightly more appealing now that DraftKings has given him small forward eligibility.
Kawhi Leonard ($8,800) can be rostered for significantly cheaper. He's scored at least 45 DK points in three consecutive games and has considerable upside in a pace-up spot against the Bucks.
Expected Chalk
As it stands, there isn't any cheap value that jumps off the page but that's almost certain to change on such a big slate as news hits. Bradley Beal (hip) is listed as questionable and if he were to sit, Raul Neto would be popular if he got the start at shooting guard. If Christian Wood (illness) misses, Kelly Olynyk would be a relatively popular value play. If Svi Mykhailiuk starts in place of Luguentz Dort (concussion), I'd expect him to be popular as well. The Cavs are short-handed as Jarrett Allen has already been ruled out. They don't really have any other centers, so whoever starts is likely to be a popular option, especially so if it ends up being Isaiah Hartenstein ($3,200).
Value Picks
Zion Williamson ($8,800)
It's surprising to see Zion's salary still under 9K. It definitely won't be there much longer the way he's been playing, as he topped 40 DK points in seven consecutive games and is coming off 51.25 and 65.5 in his last two.
Ja Morant ($7,500)
Morant has topped 48 DK points in two of his last four games and has an affordable salary for tonight's favorable matchup against the Rockets.
Nance has scored at least 39 DK points in three consecutive games and the Cavs will be missing bodies in the frontcourt again tonight.
Tyler Herro ($5,800) and Goran Dragic
Oladipo and Nunn are out, so Herro and Dragic should see the majority of minutes at point guard. I'd expect whoever starts to be a relatively popular value play tonight.
Nerlens Noel ($4,800)
Mitchell Robinson is likely done for the season after breaking his foot, so Noel should return to the starting lineup. He's topped 32 DK points in two of his last three games and has a very affordable salary. If Julius Randle (thigh) ends up sitting out as well, Noel would be even more appealing and likely somewhat popular.
