This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Here we go with an abundant nine-game NBA slate to help with a case of the Mondays.
Of those matchups, the Clippers-Hawks draw seems to have promising fantasy potential. Both teams love to play fast, as Atlanta ranks first in pace with the Clippers checking in at eighth. The Hawks are the worst overall defensive team in the league right now, and the Clippers rate marginally below average. Blowouts are sometimes a concern with this young Hawks team, but playing in Atlanta should help alleviate those worries.
Per usual, we have several injuries to monitor with potential for more while moving closer to tip-off. You'll want to stay in the loop with RotoWire's NBA News Feed before setting your final lineups. As of Monday morning, these are the situations we are keeping an eye on:
Avery Bradley is questionable. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Lou Williams have been seeing more minutes and production in Bradley's absence as of late.
Wesley Matthews is doubtful. It should be noted that Dorian Finney-Smith saw 40 minutes in his absence on Saturday, posting 28 fantasy points. He's only $3,600 on DraftKings as a potential filler if Matthews is out again.
With that, I'll be breaking down the best fantasy choices on DraftKings for Thursday. The following write-ups contain a blend of cash game staples, bargain fillers, and tournament pivots.
GUARDS
With Victor Oladipo out, there's a chance Tyreke Evans ($4,100) will run the show for Indiana. If that's the case, he makes for a great fantasy play through all formats.
De'Aaron Fox, SAC vs OKC ($6,100): Fox has really taken a step forward this season in terms of both real-life and fantasy production. He has posted 38+ fantasy points in four of his past five outings, as a blowout at Houston was the only thing holding him back from making it five in a row. He has a great opportunity to get back on track in a competitive home game vs the Westbrook-less Thunder. This $6100 mid-range salary is way too low in my opinion. Confidently look towards Fox through all formats on Monday.
Dennis Schroder, OKC at SAC ($7,300): As mentioned in the previous write-up, Russell Westbrook will continue to miss time for Oklahoma City. That means Dennis Schroder will see full minutes yet again, and he has been very good in that role while averaging 43 FPPG over 34 minutes in his past three. We could certainly see that level of production against a Sacramento team that ranks 25th in team defensive efficiency and 19th vs opposing backcourts.
Monte Morris, DEN at MIL ($4,100):Monte Morris has been siphoning playing time away from Jamal Murray lately, making him a regular member of the 30-minute club. As a result, Morris has hit 24+ fantasy points in four of his past five games. He's still cheap on DraftKings despite that recent boost, making him a solid utility filler if you are in need of some salary relief. His opponent, Milwaukee, ranks middle-of-the-pack against opposing backcourts and 22nd in bench defensive efficiency.
Other guards to consider:DeMar DeRozan, SA at NO ($9,100), Jeremy Lin - GPP, ATL vs LAC ($4,200), Shelvin Mack MEM vs DAL ($4,200)
FORWARDS
Tobias Harris, LAC at ATL ($7,800): In the opening stanza, I pegged this Clippers-Hawks tilt as the best fantasy matchup of the night. Well, it's time to starting drawing from that. Tobias Harris has been cruising along with 38+ fantasy points in each of his past four games. Facing Atlanta marks one of his best matchups in recent memory, giving him a legitimate chance to expand on those numbers. The Hawks rank first in pace, 29th vs opposing power forwards, and 24th in rebound rate this season. Harris has been an all-around beast for the Clippers lately, and he has seen 37+ minutes in each of his last five.
Kent Bazemore, ATL vs LAC ($5,700): Bazemore has been inconsistent this season, but some of that has to do with several blowouts limiting his fantasy production. Tonight's matchup versus the Clippers is expected to be a reasonably competitive contest. While Taurean Prince will likely be back, Bazemore still has a clear path to minutes, and it helps that he's facing a Clippers' defense that ranks in the bottom ten in defensive efficiency vs opposing small forwards.
Larry Nance Jr, CLE at DET ($5,700): I still believe Larry Nance Jr is underpriced relative to his current role for the Cavaliers. He has been picking up the slack with Kevin Love and Sam Dekker out, hitting 28+ fantasy points in each of his past three. The matchup at Detroit doesn't look great on paper, but Nance could see heavy minutes with the Cavs needing his size against the Pistons' front-line of Drummond and Griffin. In other words, what Nance may lack in efficiency this game, he'll have a chance to make up for it with increased opportunities.
Other forwards to consider:Nikola Mirotic, NO vs SA ($7,100), Rudy Gay, SA vs NO ($5,300), Omari Spellman - GPP, ATL vs LAC ($3,800)
CENTERS
Steven Adams, OKC at SAC ($7,500): The Clippers-Hawks game was dubbed the best fantasy environment of the night, but I easily could've substituted the Thunder-Kings matchup instead. There's still plenty of usage to account for with Westbrook remaining on the sidelines. As a result, I don't mind taking several members of Oklahoma City, especially in this quality matchup. Adams has been a beast with 37+ fantasy points in each of his past five. He has an excellent opportunity to far exceed that threshold against a Sacramento team that ranks 25th vs centers and 24th in rebound rate.
Montrezl Harrell, LAC at ATL ($6,600): As you can see, I'm looking more towards players priced in the mid-range with promising matchups. Unless more value opens up on this slate, I believe that strategy is the way to go. Harrell is certainly a building block within that thought process, looking to extend his tear of 32+ fantasy points in five straight. He has a great chance to make that happen against one of the worst defensive teams in the league. I'll be looking to stack Harrell and Adams alongside each other on DraftKings tonight.
Other centers to consider: Joel Embiid, PHI vs PHX ($11,100), DeAndre Ayton - GPP, PHX at PHI ($6,500)
