This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Team Analysis
Defense to Avoid:
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Charlotte Hornets
It's easy to make this pick having seen the Grizzlies shut down Kemba Walker and the Hornets a week ago in a 105-90 win on the road. Memphis did an excellent job limiting Walker to 6 of 15 from the field (1 of 7 from downtown) and forced Charlotte to shoot 41.4 percent overall. The Grizzlies have held five of their past six opponents to under 100 points and the Hornets don't have many offensive threats outside of Walker, which basically means fade him and avoid most of Charlotte's lineup Monday.
Offense to Use:
Sacramento Kings at Washington Wizards
You can essentially use either of these teams in a game that will undoubtedly be high scoring. The Kings have scored 100-plus points in each of their past six games and have a nice array of scorers in each price tier. DeMarcus Cousins ($10,100) leads the way as one of the top elite options Monday while Rudy Gay ($6,800) and Darren Collison ($5,500) make for excellent bargains with plenty of upside. Gay has been streaky but should have no trouble against the Wizards, who are allowing 105.1 points per game this season.
Teams on Back-to-Backs:
First game: Hornets, Jazz
Second game: Sixers, Kings, Hawks
DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
Russell Westbrook, PG, OKC at NYK ($12,500): Westbrook is always going to cost the majority of your cap, but it's hard not to employ him against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden. The
Team Analysis
Defense to Avoid:
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Charlotte Hornets
It's easy to make this pick having seen the Grizzlies shut down Kemba Walker and the Hornets a week ago in a 105-90 win on the road. Memphis did an excellent job limiting Walker to 6 of 15 from the field (1 of 7 from downtown) and forced Charlotte to shoot 41.4 percent overall. The Grizzlies have held five of their past six opponents to under 100 points and the Hornets don't have many offensive threats outside of Walker, which basically means fade him and avoid most of Charlotte's lineup Monday.
Offense to Use:
Sacramento Kings at Washington Wizards
You can essentially use either of these teams in a game that will undoubtedly be high scoring. The Kings have scored 100-plus points in each of their past six games and have a nice array of scorers in each price tier. DeMarcus Cousins ($10,100) leads the way as one of the top elite options Monday while Rudy Gay ($6,800) and Darren Collison ($5,500) make for excellent bargains with plenty of upside. Gay has been streaky but should have no trouble against the Wizards, who are allowing 105.1 points per game this season.
Teams on Back-to-Backs:
First game: Hornets, Jazz
Second game: Sixers, Kings, Hawks
DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
Russell Westbrook, PG, OKC at NYK ($12,500): Westbrook is always going to cost the majority of your cap, but it's hard not to employ him against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden. The Big Apple usually brings out the best in superstar players and Westbrook is no different. He's score 30 and 40 points in his past two regular season games at MSG and we all saw what Westbrook did at The Garden in the 2015 NBA All-Star Game, dropping 41 points to win MVP. You don't always want to buy into the past, but Westbrook is coming off back-to-back triple-doubles and has gone six straight games with at least 60 fantasy points.
Bradley Beal, SG, WAS vs. SAC ($6,900): Since scoring 34 points (48.75 DraftKings points) in a loss to the Heat on Nov. 19, Beal's salary has gone up $1,400. He followed that game up with a career-high 42 points and has continued to gain confidence heading into a cupcake matchup against the Kings, who enter allowing the sixth most 3-pointers per game (10.0). Beal has been much better at home this season, averaging 23.1 points while shooting 40 percent from distance (35.1 DraftKings points per game). He's a little too dependent on scoring points in DraftKings contests, but has at least four assists in four of his past five games.
Jeremy Lamb, SG/SF, CHA at MEM ($4,300): After recommending you shy away from using any Hornets players against Memphis, it only makes sense to give Lamb a shot. He replaced Nicolas Batum (eye) in the starting lineup Saturday against the Knicks and put up 18 points and 17 rebounds in 36 minutes (45.75 fantasy points). There's a chance Batum returns Monday, but if he doesn't play, Lamb should draw another start and become a nice value selection regardless of the tough matchup.
Kristaps Porzingis, PF, NYK vs. OKC ($7,500): Porzingis is still competing with Carmelo Anthony ($7,700) for touches, but has been more consistent than his teammate this season and is a bit cheaper. He's put up at least 34.75 DraftKings points in each of his past seven games and has been a matchup nightmare for most teams. The Knicks' offense has been hot lately, scoring 100 or more points in six straight, so expect a shootout against the Thunder at The Garden, which will bode well for Porzingis' prospects of scoring 5X his salary in terms of fantasy points (around 37-40).
Andrew Wiggins, SF, MIN vs. UTA ($6,500): The difference between Wiggins on the road and at home is night and day. He's averaging 27 PPG and 38 DraftKings points at home compared to 20.8 and 29.2 on the road this season. Wiggins has struggled on offense lately, but could be in store for a big night against the Jazz, who are allowing the seventh most DraftKings points to opposing small forwards. Utah, one of the better defenses in the NBA, has allowed at least 105 points in its past two road games. Wiggins is an elite scorer regardless of his struggles lately and you can get him at a bargain price, giving him a high ceiling for use in tournaments.
JaMychal Green, PF, MEM vs. CHA ($5,000): Since getting more playing time in an 80-64 win against the Mavericks on Nov. 18, Green has seen his salary rise by $1,500. He's scored in double figures in five straight, scoring at least 22.0 DraftKings points in each of his past six games. Green is shooting 50 percent from the field and doesn't need many touches on offense to get points, plus he's done a nice job on the glass and can even stretch the floor. The power forward hit three 3-pointers against the Heat on Saturday and has at least six rebounds in eight straight games.
Al Horford, BOS at MIA ($6,600): Horford's return from injury has been welcomed by the Celtics. The veteran center has been filling up the stat sheet, scoring in double figures in seven straight. He has at least five rebounds in six of seven and five assists or more in five of seven. Horford's defense has also been impressive; he has 13 blocks and four steals in his past five games. Hassan Whiteside and the Heat offer a tough matchup on the road, but Boston has played well away from home. Horford is a safe play in cash games and is affordable enough to consider in tournaments as well.
Jonas Valanciunas, TOR vs. PHI ($5,700): Not that it matters much, but with the Sixers playing the second of a back-to-back, Joel Embiid will likely sit against the Raptors. Valanciunas will get a good matchup against a tired Philadelphia team at home, where he's averaging a double-double per game this season (14 points, 10.7 rebounds). A safe play for cash games, Valanciunas has a good chance of getting a double-double against the Sixers and won't have to do much to return value considering his low salary.
Zaza Pachulia, GS vs. ATL ($3,400): If you're trying to spend up for players like Cousins and Westbrook, Pachulia isn't a terrible punt play for tournaments. His salary is extremely low and he's been pretty productive when you consider how many minutes he plays for the high-flying Warriors. Pachulia has at least 16.75 DraftKings points in each of his past six games and has done a nice job providing secondary category coverage. The Hawks could get blown out early by the Warriors, so that could provide additional minutes — especially since Draymond Green is nursing an ankle injury.
