Now that the Super Bowl is behind us, we can focus on some NBA DFS until the baseball season rolls around. Monday’s slate on the hardwood brings us six games that could provide some high-scoring affairs, with Vegas giving four of the games totals over 225 points. There are also a lot of tight lines and no teams playing on the second game of a back-to-back, so starters’ minutes should not be in jeopardy.
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
Giannis Antetokounmpo (SF/PF – MIL): $10,900 @ BRK
There are three options over $10K on DraftKings in James Harden, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Nikola Jokic. I’m going to cross off Harden and his $12,900 salary assuming Chris Paul plays, and I’m also knocking off Jokic on the road, where he doesn’t seem to offer as much upside. This leaves me with Antetokounmpo, and I’m good with that. He destroyed the Nets earlier this season by posting a triple-double with 31 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. The Greek Freak has a very high floor and plenty of upside that you want from your one stud.
Now that the Super Bowl is behind us, we can focus on some NBA DFS until the baseball season rolls around. Monday’s slate on the hardwood brings us six games that could provide some high-scoring affairs, with Vegas giving four of the games totals over 225 points. There are also a lot of tight lines and no teams playing on the second game of a back-to-back, so starters’ minutes should not be in jeopardy.
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.
Create Optimal DraftKings lineups using our DFS Lineup Optimizer tool
One Stud
Giannis Antetokounmpo (SF/PF – MIL): $10,900 @ BRK
There are three options over $10K on DraftKings in James Harden, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Nikola Jokic. I’m going to cross off Harden and his $12,900 salary assuming Chris Paul plays, and I’m also knocking off Jokic on the road, where he doesn’t seem to offer as much upside. This leaves me with Antetokounmpo, and I’m good with that. He destroyed the Nets earlier this season by posting a triple-double with 31 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. The Greek Freak has a very high floor and plenty of upside that you want from your one stud.
Core Plays
Devin Booker (PG/SG – PHO): $9,000 vs. HOU
Devin Booker is heating up, pouring in at least 32 points in three of his last four games. He also filled up the box score in his last two games, adding 13 rebounds, 17 assists, and three steals. He gets a great game environment on Monday, playing at home against the Rockets in a matchup with the slate’s second-highest Vegas total. Meanwhile, the Rockets have allowed increased scoring production (+6.6%) to SGs this season.
LaMarcus Aldridge (PF/C – SA): $8,000 @ SAC
There are a variety of center-eligible options in the $6,000 to $8,000 price range on DraftKings tonight. LaMarcus Aldridge is my preferred option due his high floor and strong recent play. He has scored at least 20 points in five straight outings while falling just one rebound shy of five straight double-doubles as well. Aldridge should see his typical big minutes against the Kings, whom he tallied 14 points and 18 rebounds against earlier this season.
Trae Young (PG – ATL): $7,600 @ WAS
Don’t look now, but Trae Young might just be figuring out this NBA thing. Over his last five games, Young has scored at least 23 points and handed out at least eight assists in every outing. During that stretch, the rookie guard is averaging 26.8 points, 8.2 assists and 3.6 three-pointers for 45.2 DraftKings points per game. He draws a great game environment and favorable matchup on Monday against the Wizards, who have given up increased production in points, rebounds, assists, and steals.
Reggie Jackson (PG/SG – DET): $5,200 vs. DEN
Reggie Jackson has stepped up his game over the last three outings, putting up 23.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 7.0 assists for 43 DK points per game. All three games have come at home, where he has been more productive this season. Jackson will get another home game on Monday against the Nuggets, who have been solid defensively, but it won’t take much to reach value on his moderate salary given his recent minutes and production.
Value Plays
Jeff Green (SF/PF – WAS): $4,900 vs. ATL
The Wizards pushed Jeff Green to the bench in the last two games, but he has adapted quickly to his new role, putting up 20-plus points while playing about 30 minutes in each game. Green and the Wizards draw a plus matchup on Monday against the Hawks, who have allowed big increases in production to forward this season in points, assists, and steals.
Mikal Bridges (SG/SF – PHO): $4,400 vs. HOU
With T.J. Warren still out, Mikal Bridges has benefited by playing at least 35 minutes in four straight games. Over his last three games, he has averaged 17.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.7 steals for 33.7 DK points per game. Despite the recent success, Bridge’s salary remains low for a good game environment against the Rockets. He also offers positional flexibility when constructing lineups.
Kenrich Williams (SG/SF – NO): $4,300 vs. IND
The Pelicans remain decimated by injuries and have a potential Anthony Davis trade lingering over them as the deadline approaches. In the meantime, Kenrich Williams has been a pleasant surprise while getting a bunch of playing time for the Pelicans. He has played at least 30 minutes in each of the last three games while averaging 13.7 points and 10.7 rebounds per game. With the Pelicans possessing a limited number of healthy bodies, plenty of more minutes and production should come his way on Monday against the Pacers.
Frank Jackson (PG/SG – NO): $3,700 vs. IND
Another one of the young Pelicans getting an opportunity because of all their injuries is Frank Jackson. He played a season-high 42 minutes in the last game and came through with 25 points against the Spurs. Jackson doesn’t offer much else other than scoring, but with a low salary, he doesn’t need to provide much more to exceed at least five times value. Any rebounds, assists, and steals are just icing on the cake.
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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.