DraftKings NBA Lineup Advice: Monday (1/14)

Some days these NBA DFS articles just write themselves. Monday’s six-game slate looks like one of those days. There are only two high-priced studs on the slate to choose from and, at least as of this writing, there is little unknown injury news regarding Monday’s slate. With that, quite a few of the usual suspects recommended over the last week or so appear again. While it might be boring to roster (and write about) the same players every day they’re on the slate, it doesn’t mean you should force something different (at least in cash games) just to spice things up.

Note that some of the stats referenced in this article are my custom DvP calculations that combine both season and last five games data along with blending similar positions production allowed together.

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One Stud

James Harden (PG/SG – HOU) : $12,400 vs. MEM
The two high-priced studs on Monday’s slate are James Harden and Anthony Davis. Davis technically has the better matchup on paper, but with his constant injury concerns, I’d prefer to only roster him in GPPs. You might be able to jam them both in if you really want to. All that said, just give me the boring, reliable Harden, who has topped 57 DraftKings points in 16 straight games. He has scored at least 38 points in 10 of his last 11 outings. Harden has also destroyed the Grizzlies in two prior meeting this season, averaging 37.5 points, 11.0 rebounds and 11.5 assists on his way to 75.8 DK points per game.

Core Plays

Donovan Mitchell (PG/SG – UTH): $9,200 vs. DET
Another mainstay on this list and in DFS lineups over the last week has been Donovan Mitchell. With a trio of guards out for the Jazz, Mitchell has stepped up his game by scoring at least 33 points in three straight games. In those contests, Mitchell is averaging 33.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 7.3 assists for 55 DK points per game. All three guards remain out for Monday’s matchup with the Pistons. While Mitchell’s salary is starting to rise, it still has not reached a point in line with his current production.

Tobias Harris (SF/PF – LAC): $7,700 vs. NO
The highest Vegas total on the slate is the matchup between the Clippers and the Pelicans. Players from both sides are worth consideration in this one, which has a tight line in addition to the high total. Tobias Harris might have the biggest upside on the Clippers side. In two previous meetings this season, he averaged 41.6 DK points while recording 26.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, the Pelicans have allowed the third-most points to PFs this season.

C.J. McCollum (PG/SG – POR): $6,800 @ SAC
Monday’s Blazers/Kings battle is another game that could light up the scoreboard with a close line and high Vegas total. Damian Lillard is a solid option at $8,800, but I’d prioritize Mitchell over him at a similar salary. That brings us to Lillard’s backcourt mate. C.J. McCollum is capable of a big night, and he has knocked down 54.7 percent of his shots from the field over the last three games. He’ll square off against a Kings defense that has allowed increased scoring (+7.5%) and steals (+20.3%) to SGs this season.

Al Horford (PF/C – BOS): $6,200 @ BKN
Al Horford finally saw his minutes jump back up to 30 in his last game. His salary remains somewhat depressed in a very favorable matchup. Opposing big men have crushed the Nets, who have allowed increased production in points (+8.0%), rebounds (+9.0%) and assists (+2.7%) this season. Horford will also see a usage bump on Monday with Kyrie Irving out.

Value Plays

JaMychal Green (SF/PF – MEM): $4,800 @ HOU
I have always been a fan of JaMychal Green. Maybe it is just the cool spelling of his first name or that he helped me win some money in the past, but he produces when healthy and getting consistent minutes. He seems healthy and productive right now, coming off back-to-back double-doubles while averaging 15.0 points and 9.3 rebounds over his last four games. He has averaged 15.0 points and 6.0 rebounds for 28.3 DK points in two previous meeting with the Rockets while playing just 22 minutes per night.

Royce O’Neale (SF – UTH): $4,700 vs. DET
Royce O’Neale has been the biggest beneficiary in the playing time department from the absence of the trio of Jazz guards. He has played at least 37 minutes in each of the last two games while averaging 33.8 DK points, 12.5 points, and 9.0 rebounds per game. He should continue to log big minutes and has a favorable matchup against the Pistons, who allow a small increase in production to SFs in points, rebounds, assists, and steals.

Marco Belinelli (SG/SF – SA): $3,800 vs. CHA
Rudy Gay’s absence has opened up some playing time for Marco Belinelli. He has reached double-digit points in three straight games while averaging 19.0 points per game during that stretch. Unfortunately, he doesn’t provide much fantasy production other than scoring, so his overall production could be a little volatile. That could be good if he adds some rebounds and assists or bad if his shot is off.

Terry Rozier (PG/SG – BOS): $3,700 @ BKN
With Irving out on Monday, Terry Rozier becomes a lock at just $3,700. In four games without Irving this season, Rozier has averaged 32.0 minutes with 14.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game for 34.3 DK points a night. A player who can put up almost 10x his salary should be in almost every lineup.

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Brad Richter is a correspondent at FantasyPros and a contributor at DailyOverlay. For more from Brad, you can view his archive or follow him @RotoPilot.