DraftKings NBA Lineup Advice: Monday (12/23)

The NBA delivers a big 11-game slate on Monday night on the last slate before the Christmas Day extravaganza. Monday’s slate features a lot of potentially strong value options to consider, with injuries opening up big minutes in a few different spots. You might also be able to save some bucks at the top end by pivoting away from the five-digit studs for a “value” stud in a great game environment. Happy Holidays to everyone!

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.

Check out today’s NBA Sharpshooter from DraftKings

One Stud

Bradley Beal (SG – WAS): $9,300 at NY
With all of the injuries on the Wizards roster, the rotation for Monday’s game against the Knicks will be very tight. Beal’s usage should be through the roof as he could approach firing up 30-plus shots in a game with the highest Vegas total on the slate. Beal has been ballin’ over his last five games, putting up 31.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 6.6 assists for 55.6 DraftKings pointers per game during that stretch. His ceiling is just as high as all of the five-figure studs on the slate.

Core Plays

Nikola Vucevic (C – ORL): $8,300 vs. CHI
Since his return from injury four games ago, Vucevic has seen his minutes increase back to normal with 33 in each of his last three games. His production has returned to his typical level with a strong floor and the ability to have some upside games in good matchups. Vucevic gets one of the best matchups on the board on Monday night against the Bulls who have allowed increases in points (+8.6%), rebounds (+7.0%), steals (+29.1%), and blocks (+37.4%) to opposing big men. Those spikes in steals and blocks are what give Vucevic his upside potential on Monday night.

D’Angelo Russell (PG/SG – GSW): $7,500 vs. MIN
Russell has found his shooting stroke over his last two outings. He’s scored 25 and 26 points, respectively, while connecting on nine three-pointers in those games. In a previous meeting with Monday’s opponent, the Timberwolves, Russell lit them up for 52 points, nine rebounds, and five assists for 82.75 DK points. While reaching those numbers again are unlikely, he should put up a big line against a team that allows increased points (+8.5%), rebounds (+3.3%), and steals (+7.1) to guards.

C.J. McCollum (PG/SG – POR): $6,500 vs. NO
McCollum’s salary hasn’t caught up to his recent performance and has actually decreased compared to his last outing. He has poured in at least 26 points in four straight games while averaging 29.3 points, 5.5 rebound, and 4.0 assists for 46.5 DK points per game during those outings. McCollum and the Blazers get one of the better game environments on the slate with a high Vegas total and fairly close line.

Marvin Bagley III (PF/C – SAC): $5,700 vs. HOU
Bagley has seen his minutes start to creep up with at least 26 in each of his last two games. In those outings, he has averaged 14.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per game for 31.5 DK points. That gives him a likely floor of more than 5x his current salary in an up-tempo matchup for the Kings against the Rockets. With a good game environment and the potential for a further increase in his minutes, Bagley has some mid-priced upside Monday night.

Value Plays

Troy Brown Jr. (SG/SF – WAS): $4,800 at NYK
With wings like Davis Bertans, Rui Hachimura, and Moritz Wagner out on Monday, Brown should get all the minutes he can handle at forward. In the four games this season where Brown has played at least 30 minutes, he is averaging 17.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists for 32.9 DK points per game. Add in a plus matchup against the Knicks in a great game environment, and Brown should smash his sub-$5k salary.

Ish Smith (PG – WAS): $4,500 at NYK
With Isaiah Thomas serving his suspension on Monday, it will open up a spike in minutes for Ish Smith running the point. In seven games this season where Smith has played when Thomas was out, Smith is averaging 31.5 minutes while putting up 12.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game. The Knicks have allowed a slight uptick in points (+5.6%) to point guards this season. Smith is well worth his price tag.

Elie Okobo (PG/SG – PHO): $3,700 vs. DEN
The use of Okobo depends on the status of Ricky Rubio for Monday’s matchup with the Nuggets. In the last game with Rubio out, Okobo drew the start and played 30 minutes while putting up 17 points, four rebounds, and three assists for 29 DK points. Look for similar minutes if Rubio misses Monday’s game with maybe fewer points but still plenty of production from a player priced at just $3,700.

Chris Boucher (PF/C – TOR): $3,500 at IND
The Raptors frontcourt is missing both Marc Gasol and Pascal Siakam right now, which has opened up playing time for other bigs, including Boucher. He played 24 minutes in the last game while piling up 21 points, seven rebounds, and four blocks on this way to 41.25 DK points. Boucher is a little bit of a wild card as his floor remains low if he doesn’t get 20-plus minutes, but with a near-minimum salary, he can still reach value or blow it up as he did in the last game.

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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.