I know this is an NBA article, but how crazy was that Sunday NFL card? My eliminator pool was decided on that absurd day, and it’s a good indicator of how unpredictable sports can be at times. There are upsets like that in the NBA every night, though, making it my favorite sport out there. I’ve been crushing DFS as well, so let’s go ahead and get into this Monday card!
After a couple of big slates over the weekend, we have eight games here. That’s your stereotypical middling slate, giving us the perfect player pool. What’s been fascinating about the NBA recently are all of the injuries. It feels like we have a superstar missing on every slate, and that’s certainly the case here. With that in mind, let’s kick things off with the schedule, odds, and injuries!
Get a $5 bonus when you make your first deposit at FanDuel 
Schedule and Odds
- NYK at PHI (PHI -4.5) O/U: 210
- BKN at CHI (CHI -1.5) O/U: 215
- MIN at MEM (MEM -6) O/U: 218.5
- NOP at DAL (DAL -9) O/U: 210.5
- MIA at DEN (MIA -1) O/U: 206.5
- ATL at GSW (GSW -3) O/U: 222
- PHX at SAC (PHX -2) O/U: 222.5
- CHA at LAL (LAL -2.5) O/U: 224.5
Injury Report
Core Plays
Luka Doncic (PG/SF – DAL): $10,700 DraftKings, $10,200 FanDuel
Luka struggled through the first two weeks of the season, but a game-winner on Saturday might be the thing to get him going. Doncic dropped 53 fantasy points in that gem, the third time he’s reached that number in his last four fixtures. That’s the definition of a core play, and he should obliterate a 28th-ranked Pelicans defense.
I know this is an NBA article, but how crazy was that Sunday NFL card? My eliminator pool was decided on that absurd day, and it’s a good indicator of how unpredictable sports can be at times. There are upsets like that in the NBA every night, though, making it my favorite sport out there. I’ve been crushing DFS as well, so let’s go ahead and get into this Monday card!
After a couple of big slates over the weekend, we have eight games here. That’s your stereotypical middling slate, giving us the perfect player pool. What’s been fascinating about the NBA recently are all of the injuries. It feels like we have a superstar missing on every slate, and that’s certainly the case here. With that in mind, let’s kick things off with the schedule, odds, and injuries!
Get a $5 bonus when you make your first deposit at FanDuel
Schedule and Odds
- NYK at PHI (PHI -4.5) O/U: 210
- BKN at CHI (CHI -1.5) O/U: 215
- MIN at MEM (MEM -6) O/U: 218.5
- NOP at DAL (DAL -9) O/U: 210.5
- MIA at DEN (MIA -1) O/U: 206.5
- ATL at GSW (GSW -3) O/U: 222
- PHX at SAC (PHX -2) O/U: 222.5
- CHA at LAL (LAL -2.5) O/U: 224.5
Injury Report
Core Plays
Luka Doncic (PG/SF – DAL): $10,700 DraftKings, $10,200 FanDuel
Luka struggled through the first two weeks of the season, but a game-winner on Saturday might be the thing to get him going. Doncic dropped 53 fantasy points in that gem, the third time he’s reached that number in his last four fixtures. That’s the definition of a core play, and he should obliterate a 28th-ranked Pelicans defense.
Russell Westbrook (PG – LAL): $10,400 DraftKings, $9,400 FanDuel
Russ has had some nightmarish games this season, but he’s got way too much potential in this spot. The Lakers are currently missing LeBron James, and it should allow Westbrook to return to his stat-stuffing ways. He’s actually flirting with triple-double averages since the opener and will surely see a boost with the King off the floor.
Chris Paul (PG – PHX): $8,700 DraftKings, $8,300 FanDuel
CP3 always seems to be underrated for fantasy purposes. The Point God is in the midst of one of his unbelievable stretches, scoring at least 43 DraftKings points in four straight games. He’s done that damage despite not scoring much, and it’s insane that he’s averaging 13.5 assists per game in that span. Sacramento is a spectacular matchup, too, with the Kings surrendering the most fantasy points to opposing point guards this season.
Cash Game Considerations
Stephen Curry (PG – GS): $10,500 DraftKings, $9,800 FanDuel
Curry looks to be the favorite for MVP right now, carrying his team to an impressive 8-1 record. What’s remarkable about Chef Curry is his stat-stuffing, averaging 6.6 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. That’s amazing since he’s the best shooter of all time, and we’re certainly not concerned with him facing an Atlanta team that sits 26th in defensive efficiency ratings.
Devin Booker (SG – PHX): $9,200 DraftKings, $8,500 FanDuel
The Kings have been one of the worst defenses in the NBA over the last two years. That made Paul one of the best options on the board, so we have to love Booker as well. He’s scored at least 51 DK points in back-to-back games, in addition to scoring at least 34 fantasy points in each of his last 12 meetings with the Kings dating back to 2016.
Jonas Valanciunas (C – NOP): $8,500 DraftKings, $8,500 FanDuel
JV has quietly been one of the best centers in the NBA this season. He’s scored at least 31 fantasy points in all nine games en route to a ridiculous 45-point average. That’s quite the total from an $8,500 player, especially with Dallas surrendering the second-most fantasy points to opposing centers.
GPP Targets
Kristaps Porzingis (PF/C – DAL): $6,700 DraftKings, $7,100 FanDuel
KP is one of the most frustrating players in fantasy, but it also makes him a good GPP target. The big man has 50-point potential anytime he steps on the floor and has seen his price drop a bit too much because of a recent injury. The likelihood of a blowup game is more likely in this matchup, with the Pelicans ranked 28th in both points allowed and defensive efficiency.
Tyrese Maxey (PG/SG – PHI): $5,900 DraftKings, $5,800 FanDuel
Have you seen this guy’s minutes? Maxey has been starting at point guard for Ben Simmons, playing 89 combined minutes over the last two games. That means he’s a near guarantee for 40 minutes, making him one of the best plays out there south of $6K.
De’Andre Hunter (SF – ATL): $4,000 DraftKings, $4,300 FanDuel
Hunter was one of the breakout players in the first month of last season, averaging nearly 30 DraftKings points per game. He’s only shown glimpses of that since an injury, but that sort of upside is hard to overlook from a $4K player. He’s starting to turn it on, too, averaging nearly 23 DK points per game across 31 minutes a night over his last three outings.
Value Plays
Shake Milton (PG/SG – PHI): $5,200 DraftKings, $5,600 FanDuel
The Sixers have been coping without Simmons and Tobias Harris, forcing Milton into the starting lineup. He’s thrived in this role, scoring 37 DK points in the two starts since getting this expanded role. He’s shown that ability in the past, and it makes it hard to believe he’s this cheap.
Steven Adams (C – MEM): $4,500 DraftKings, $5,600 FanDuel
This FanDuel price is tough to trust, but this $4,500 tag on DraftKings is laughable. The big Kiwi is averaging 26 fantasy points per game for the season, which indicates he should be a $6,000 player. That alone makes him easy to use, especially with Minnesota owning a 30th OPRK against opposing centers. They also send out Karl-Anthony Towns, which means Adams should be in line for more minutes to oppose him.
P.J. Dozier (SG/SF – DEN): $3,300 DraftKings, $3,600 FanDuel
I really worked to figure out who would get the most minutes in the absence of MPJ, and it looks like it’ll be Dozier. The wingman dropped 23 DK points across 23 minutes when Porter got injured on Saturday and saw a similar role last season. That’s a fantastic total from a guy flirting with the minimum, especially since he has 30-point upside. If you get that from a $3,500 player, you found the gem of the optimal lineup!
Advantageous Pricing
- Russell Westbrook (PG – LAL): $10,400 DraftKings, $9,400 FanDuel
- Trae Young (PG – ATL): $9,600 DraftKings, $8,500 FanDuel
- De’Aaron Fox (PG – SAC): $8,300 DraftKings, $7,400 FanDuel
- Steven Adams (C – MEM): $4,500 DraftKings, $5,600 FanDuel
- Terry Rozier (PG/SG – CHA): $6,400 DraftKings, $5,300 FanDuel
- Mitchell Robinson (C – NYK): $4,300 DraftKings, $5,300 FanDuel
Get a $5 bonus when you make your first deposit at FanDuel
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | RadioPublic | Breaker | Castbox | Pocket Casts
Joel Bartilotta is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Joel, check out his archive and follow him @Bartilottajoel.
