DraftKings NBA Lineup Advice: Monday (1/20)

While the NBA has a plethora of action on Monday for Martin Luther King Day, this DraftKings lineup advice column will focus in on the five-game evening slate that begins at 7:30 PM (Eastern). The premier matchup on the evening slate is between the Lakers and Celtics which just so happens to be the game with the most unknown injury news heading into the day. Watch the news closely from that game as the status of Kemba Walker and Jaylen Brown could open up some value on the Boston side, while the status of Anthony Davis and Rajon Rondo will help lead you to the right plays on the L.A. side.

Note that some of the stats referenced in this article are my custom defense versus position (DvP) calculations that combines data from the season and last five games along with blending similar positions production allowed together.

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One Stud

LeBron James (PG/SF – LAL): $10,800 @ BOS
James is a solid option at his price tag regardless of if Anthony Davis suits up on Monday night or not, but he does become an even more attractive option if Davis continues to miss time. Over the last four games with Davis out, James has averaged 29.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 11.5 assists for 56.9 DraftKings points per game. Monday’s matchup with the Celtics has a tight Vegas line and the second-highest Vegas total on the five-game evening slate.

Core Plays

Damian Lillard (PG – POR): $8,400 vs. GS
Choosing between Lillard and C.J. McCollum can be like playing a game of whack-a-mole, but when one of the two is out then it opens the door for increased usage and a higher floor for the other guy. McCollum is expected to miss Monday’s game with an ankle injury which will bump Lillard’s usage by about six percent for a favorable matchup against the Warriors. The Warriors have allowed increased production to point guards in nearly every category this season. Lillard is the first player I’m locking into my cash game lineup tonight.

Deandre Ayton (PF/C – PHO): $8,300 vs. SA
Ayton has now played a dozen games since returning from his suspension and the Suns big man appears to have settled in during his last two outings piling up 26.0 points and 18.0 rebounds per game for 56 DK points per night. His minutes in the mid-30s should be locked in on Monday night with backup center Aron Baynes likely out. He draws a solid matchup against a Spurs team that has a lowed a slight increase in rebounds to opposing big men this season and league average production in scoring. The ability to plug Ayton in at power forward opens up the opportunity to roster another center without eating up your utility slot.

Rudy Gobert (C – UTH): $8,100 vs. IND
Consider using that open center spot with Gobert who has been consistently productive over his last six games with at least 47 DK points in every outing. During that stretch, Gobert is putting up 19.8 points, 15.0 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game for 50.8 DK points. Despite the hot streak, Gobert’s salary remains a very reasonable $8,100 for Monday’s home game against the Pacers. The Pacers are a fairly neutral matchup for opposing big men, so Gobert should have no problems matching his recent numbers once again.

D’Angelo Russell (PG/SG – GS): $7,600 @ POR
After missing a few games, Russell has played well over his last four games averaging 23.0 points and 8.3 assists on his way to 43.3 DK points per game. In a previous meeting with the Blazers, Russell put up 26 points and seven assists for 45.75 DK points. The Blazers have been lit up by point guards allowing increased production in points (+17.8%), rebounds (+8.2%), and assists (+6.9%). Sounds like all signs point to Russell finishing well over five times value on his very reasonable salary.

Value Plays

Dario Saric (SF/PF – PHO): $4,700 vs. SA
Saric saw his minutes spike into the upper 30s in the last game as he finished with a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds against the Celtics. His increase in minutes should carry over into Monday’s game with one of the Suns’ frontcourt players, Aron Baynes, expected to miss the contest against the Spurs. In nine games without Baynes this season, Saric has averaged 10.8 points and 8.1 rebounds for 27 DK points per game.

Jordan Clarkson (PG/SG – UTH): $4,500 vs. IND
There is nothing sexy about rostering Clarkson, but he has been a consistent producer for the Jazz with double-digit points in seven straight games. During that stretch, he has averaged 16.9 points a night for about 25 DK points per game. With his salary taking a slight dip heading into Monday’s matchup against the Pacers, Clarkson becomes a solid value option.

Jerami Grant (PF/C – DEN): $4,400 @ MIN
Assuming that Paul Millsap misses another game for the Nuggets, Grant should continue to see around 30 minutes a night and provide solid fantasy production. In the last six games that Millsap has missed, Grant has averaged over 30 minutes per game while putting up 12.5 points and 4.0 rebounds for 23.75 DK points per game. Monday’s matchup against the Timberwolves could give his numbers a slight bump.

Anfernee Simons (PG/SG – POR): $3,900 vs. GS
With McCollum out in the Blazers last game, Simons joined the starting lineup and played 35 minutes. He posted a solid line with 12 points and three rebounds but could see more production on Monday in a favorable matchup against the Warriors. The Warriors have given up increased production to shooting guards in points (+5.1%) and assists (+8.8%). Simons says you should put him in your DFS lineup.

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