This article is part of our Daily Games Cheat Sheet series.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defenses to Avoid
Memphis Grizzlies at Chicago Bulls: The best defense in the NBA faces of with the injury-depleted Bulls, which should lead to a pretty easy decision here as the Grizz match-up well with the Bulls at every position.
Offenses to Use
Sacramento Kings at Atlanta Hawks: The Hawks played a cautious hand against the 76ers on Saturday, resting several of their go-to players, but it didn't payoff as the Eastern Conference toppers lost to the playoff pretender Philadelphia 76ers. Vengeance back home in Atlanta will be ruthless; the defensively poor Kings will be in the wake.
Teams on a Back-to-Back Set
First game of a back-to-back: New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks
Second game of a back-to-back: Chicago Bulls, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Boston Celtics, Charlotte Hornets
DraftKings.com DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
Point Guard
Jeff Teague, PG, ATL ($6,600): I'm a tad point guard obsessed at the moment. You should be too, there is so much to love. Teague makes the cut as the top recommendation off my considerable favor for the Hawks on Monday night. There is nothing sexy about the Hawks; they just win. Teague is a leading component to that. He's a great cash game use for his consistent production and matchup against the Kings' weak backcourt.
From studs on down, the point guard position offers much to like. McCallum is the starting man for Sacramento, and even against the Hawks, he is a fine look at that price. Carter-Williams finds himself more at home every game for the Bucks, and is the sexier choice opposed to Teague (his production for the Bucks steadily goes up as his price steadily drops, the scales look to finally be shifted in his favor). Curry stew won't be served at the ESPN studios Monday off one of Curry's lowest producing nights Sunday. The Clippers are simply very good at shutting down opposing point guards, expect Curry to get back to his ridiculousness in what should be a red hot scoring frenzy down in Phoenix. Livingston and Rivers are the discount specials on the night. Rivers is a good play if Crawford sits out again, and there's a chance Crawford and Paul sit out (the dream scenario for Rivers). New signee Nate Robinson could very well steal some of the shine from Rivers though, so Rivers stands as a risky play that should likely be reserved for GPP's only regardless of who does and doesn't play Monday. Livingston thrives when Golden State goes to their small lineup with Green is in the middle, and with Alex Len fighting an ankle injury for the Suns, two undersized lineups figure to square of in a dry heat shootout.
Other suggestions: Ray McCallum ($3,900) SAC at ATL; Michael Carter-Williams ($6,500) MIL vs NO; Stephen Curry ($9,500) GS at PHO; Shaun Livingston ($3,600) GS at PHO; Austin Rivers ($3,000) LAC @ MIN
Shooting Guard
Khris Middleton, SG, MIL ($6,000): With O.J. Mayo expected to be out again Monday, it makes for an excellent Khris-burger, as minutes and shots will once again be in his favor. Take Middleton for his great consistency while still offering high-end potential, and do so with some char-grilled conviction.
Other suggestions: J.J. Redick ($5,100) LAC vs MIN; Randy Foye ($3,800)
Small Forward
Andrew Wiggins, SF, MIN ($6,800): The rookie is the hedged bet Monday night. Not often can a rookie could be considered "safe," but Wiggins has been a picture of consistency lately and gets as good a matchup as one can ask for from the small forward position against the Clippers. He doesn't have the highest ceiling, but does have an extremely high floor. Wiggins is usable in all formats. For clarification below, Gallinari is the safe play to Chandler's risky high upside. Just look at the recent results of the two individuals, you'll understand what I mean.
Other suggestions: Danilo Gallinari/Wilson Chandler ($6,000/$5,300) DEN vs NY; Harrison Barnes ($4,200) GS @ PHO
Power Forward
Zach Randolph, PF, MEM ($7,100): I'm not telling you to avoid Anthony Davis, but I am telling you to pay attention to a greatly discounted Randolph. He has some serious stamina issues, consistently throwing in lackluster performances on the back ends of back-to-backs – explaining his sub-20 fantasy-point performance against New Orleans last out. When fresh, Randolph is averaging over 35 fantasy points in his last five games with at least one night off and is over a $1,000 cheaper than his price a month ago. There is slight concern over his endurance to last the season, but look for him to get back to his healthy scoring numbers Monday.
Other suggestions: Brandon Bass ($4,900) BOS at MIA; Anthony Davis ($10,700) NO at MIL
Center
Al Horford, C, ATL ($7,600): Horford is consistent in most aspects of his game. He doesn't offer through-the-roof upside, but his floor is solid and without any holes. He's consistently in double-digit scoring, inconsistently in double-digit rebounds, gets a block, a steal, or both in pretty much every game. Not too much flash, but a solid play on a night when the centers are littered with injury concerns, tough matchups, and are simply plagued by consistent inconsistency.
It's worth noting The Brothers Gasol matchup is on tap. Marc had the better stat line despite being on the losing side of the score line the last time they met. The Bulls haven't been particularly successful in guarding the center position this season, and Marc actually has the second highest fantasy points per game of all centers except Cousins. I'm not saying that's a stat to be readily acquainted with, but it is certainly worth mentioning on a night when he falls sixth on the list in terms of price. Horford and Gasol are fairly interchangeable as both offer both considerable consistency at nearly identical prices.
Other suggestions: Marc Gasol ($7,400) MEM at CHI
INJURY REPORT
Out
Thabo Sefolosha (calf)
Avery Bradley (elbow)
Derrick Rose (knee)
Jimmy Butler (elbow)
Kemba Walker (knee)
Jusuf Nurkic (ankle)
Blake Griffin (elbow)
O.J. Mayo (hamstring)
Anthony Bennet (ankle)
Jrue Holiday (leg)
Ryan Anderson (knee)
Jose Calderon (Achilles)
Game-Time Decision
Pero Antic (ankle)
Taj Gibson (ankle)
Chris Paul (knee)
Jamal Crawford (calf)
Goran Dragic (back)
Luol Deng (thigh)
Hassan Whiteside (ankle)
Robbie Hummel (hand)
Alex Len (ankle)
Kris Humphries (groin)
Louis Amundson (back)
