DraftKings NBA Lineup Advice: Monday (1/6)

Lineup construction could be a challenge on Monday’s nine-game NBA slate. At least as of this writeup, there isn’t much deep value to be found on DraftKings, so a balanced lineup build could be the best path when constructing your cash game lineup. Of course, this is the NBA, so watch for any late scratches or injury news that could open up some strong value plays.

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

Giannis Antetokounmpo (SF/PF – MIL): $10,900 @ SA
The one stud of the night comes down to Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic. Antetokounmpo is my preferred choice due to the salary difference and some concerns about a Mavericks blowout. Giannis just played the Spurs and had a “down” game with just 32 points, eight rebounds, and one assist for 47 DraftKings points. Look for his numbers to rise in a tighter game on the road against the Spurs on Monday in a matchup with the highest Vegas total on the slate.

Core Plays

Nikola Vucevic (C – ORL): $8,300 vs. BKN
Vucevic has been on a roll with three straight double-doubles while averaging 20.7 points, 12.0 rebounds, and 3.7 assists for 46 DK points per game. He has put up consistently better numbers at home this season and will be in Orlando for Monday’s matchup against the Nets. The Nets have allowed increased production in rebounds (+11.1%), steals (+33.1%), and blocks (+10.7%), so look for a few additional peripheral stats to help boost Vucevic’s upside.

LaMarcus Aldridge (PF/C – SA): $7,500 vs. MIL
This spot comes down to either Aldridge or teammate DeMar DeRozan depending on your lineup construction needs. Both are solid options in the mid-priced range in an up-tempo matchup with the Bucks at home. Aldridge has produced a double-double in four straight outings while putting up 20.0 points and 11.5 rebounds for 44.4 DK points during that stretch. He had 35 DK points against the Bucks on Saturday, but his production tends to rise when playing at home, so look for a strong game from Aldridge on Monday night.

Buddy Hield (SG/SF – SAC): $7,200 vs. GS
Part of the reason I side with Aldridge over DeRozan in the recommendation above is that I’d rather roster Hield than DeRozan on the wing. Hield has scored at least 20 points in five straight games and has been better at filling up other categories in the stat sheet recently with 7.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists in his last four games. Hield draws a plus matchup on Monday against the Warriors who have allowed increased scoring (+7.7%) and assists (+5.2%) to opposing shooting guards.

Lonzo Ball (PG – NO): $6,800 vs. UTA
I’ll admit this recommendation of Ball is a “box score chasing” pick. Over his last three games, Ball has lit it up for 24.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 8.3 assists for 52.5 DK points per game. Those numbers have come against weaker defensive opponents who play at a faster pace then he will deal with on Monday against the Jazz. That said, Ball’s salary is still reasonable enough that he doesn’t need to reach those numbers to still provide solid mid-priced value on this slate while providing some upside if he can keep his hot streak rolling.

Value Plays

Maxi Kleber (PF/C – DAL): $5,900 vs. CHI
Kristaps Porzingis is expected to miss his fourth straight game on Monday, which will continue to open up big minutes for Kleber. Over the last three games, with Porzingis out, Kleber has averaged 33.5 minutes while putting up 18.7 points and 7.3 rebounds for 35 DK points per night. Next up for Kleber and the Mavericks is a juicy matchup against the Bulls who have been shredded by opposing big men this season including increased points (+14.6%), rebounds (+5.1%), and blocks (+42.9%) to power forwards.

Marcus Smart (PG/SG – BOS): $5,200 @ WAS
Kemba Walker will continue to miss time for the Celtics on Monday, which gives Smart another start with increased playing time against the Wizards. While Smart’s production can be somewhat hit-or-miss as his last two games have shown, the game environment on Monday should provide Smart with the opportunity to reach the higher end of possible outcomes with a favorable matchup and a game with a high Vegas total.

Dejounte Murray (PG – SA): $5,200 vs. MIL
Murray missed the last game due to personal reasons, but it sounds like he will return for Monday night’s tussle with the Bucks. In 18 home games this season, Murray has averaged 10.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 4.6 assists for 28.8 DK points. His reasonable salary for his matchup is what draws my attention on a slate that we are starving for value.

Thaddeus Young (SF/PF – CHI): $3,700 @ DAL
It sounds like Lauri Markkanen is unlikely to play on Monday after leaving the Bulls last game with a sprained ankle. His absence should open up big minutes for Young who saw a spike up to 27 minutes in the previous game which Markkanen was unable to finish. Don’t be surprised if Young sees his minutes spike into the 30s on Monday which should give him plenty of opportunities for points and boards to easily pay off his cheap price tag.

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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.