This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Team Analysis
Defense to Avoid:
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
The easy route would be to suggest to avoid the Jazz, but the Clippers have been equally as impressive on defense the past four games, limiting opponents to under 100 points. The last time the Clips played the Thunder, they struggled on the road, allowing 114 points. But LA has played well at home (16-6) and the Thunder are coming off a miserable 96-86 loss to the T-Wolves on Friday, and will have to play the second of a back-to-back after facing the Kings on Sunday. There also aren't many appealing options on OKC outside of Russell Westbrook anyway, so unless you plan on banking on another triple-double from him, steer clear of the Thunder.
Offense to Use:
Denver Nuggets vs. Orlando Magic
Not only are the Magic struggling mightily on defense, but the Nuggets' offense is coming off one of the best performances of the season. Denver threw a 140-spot on the Pacers over in London and return home seeking another outburst against the Magic, who have lost five of six, allowing over 100 points in each game. The Nuggets have already had success against the Magic this season, defeating them 121-113. Six Nuggets' players scored in double figures in that game, including 21 from Danillo Galinari and 19 from Kenneth Faried off the bench.
Teams on Back-to-Backs:
First game: Nuggets
Second game: Knicks, Bucks, Hawks, Thunder
DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
Damian Lillard, PG, POR at WAS ($8,300): With so many great guards available Monday, it may be a good idea to differentiate yourself from the rest of the pack. Normally that wouldn't mean drafting Lillard into your lineup, but in this case it does, considering he's the seventh highest priced guard. Lillard had 34 points in a loss to the Magic, but struggled a bit to find his shot, shooting 12-of-27 from the field and 2-of-11 from distance. The Trail Blazers guard has seen his price drop considerably, making him a great tournament reclamation project to potentially have a big game.
Klay Thompson, SG, GSW vs. CLE ($6,500): Let's throw an early heat-check on Thompson prior to the Warriors rematch with the Cavaliers at home. Cleveland edged Golden State on the road, but Klay has been great at home, with 23.0 PPG and 34.5 DraftKings points per contest. Thompson is shooting an insane 46.7 percent from three at The Oracle compared to 31.1 percent on the road. The competitive script for this game helps Thompson and he's already coming off a hot shooting night at home Thursday (9-of-15, 4-of-5 from range).
Will Barton, SG/SF, DEN vs. ORL ($5,200): Among the Nuggets' players to target, Barton is a bit of a risk. But that's what it takes to win tournaments and it isn't like Barton is completely boom-or-bust. He's played 24-plus minutes in back-to-back blowout games, which this game could very well be if the Magic fall behind early. Barton has at least 24.75 DraftKings points in four of six, and has shot the ball well from beyond the arc in limited attempts (4-of-7). Should the game script follow a blowout, Barton will see garbage time, which bodes well for fantasy purposes.
Joel Embiid, PF/C, PHI at MIL ($8,200: The Process had his customary game off Saturday against the Wizards and will return fresh to face the Bucks, who are on the second of a back-to-back. Despite his minutes limit of under 30, Embiid has scored 20-plus points in eight straight games, going for over 40 DraftKings points in seven of those contests. The 76ers should keep the game competitive with the Bucks tired from Sunday, which will help squeeze a few extra minutes out of Embiid. With his affordable price, The Process is a great cash-game play.
Markieff Morris, SF/PF, WAS vs. POR ($6,000): The Wizards have played better lately, thanks in part to Morris, who has gone 10 straight in double-figure scoring, while being able to stretch the floor. Morris has hit a 3-pointer in six straight, and is 6-for-11 from downtown in his past three games. The Trail Blazers have been vulnerable to power forwards this season, allowing 48.02 DraftKings points per game to the position.
C.J. Miles, SF, IND vs. NO ($3,500): The punt play of the day goes to Miles, who is scoring at an incredibly efficient rate the past two games. He has a combined 35 points (13-of-24 from field, 9-of-14 from distance) with eight rebounds in 40 total minutes over that short stretch. Miles is a great ride-the-hot-hand option for tournaments if you're strapped for cash by spending up for elite players.
Nikola Jokic, DEN vs. ORL ($7,900): In continuing our praise for the Nuggets offense going into Monday, perhaps the easiest play of the day is Jokic, who has arguably been the most consistent center in DraftKings during the past two weeks. Jokic has at least 37.0 DraftKings points in seven straight, topping out at 51.5 fantasy points in the Nuggets' blowout win against the Pacers on Thursday. The most valuable part of Jokic's game is his ability to find the open man, averaging 5.8 assists per game in his past 10.
Greg Monroe, MIL vs. PHI ($6,100): Not to knock Embiid's defense, which is pretty impressive, but Monroe has looked more like the player he was in the past. He has at least 30.75 DraftKings points in seven of 10 games entering Sunday. Monroe has been playing big minutes off the bench and the 76ers present a softer matchup for the Bucks at home. You may also want to consider Enes Kanter ($6,100) going up against the Clippers.
Tyson Chandler, PHO vs. UTA ($4,900): Chandler has been an amazing play in all formats the past five games, ripping down at least 15 boards in each contest. He has at least 29.25 DraftKings points during this recent stretch and is coming off a 14-point, 19 rebound (40.25 FPts) in a loss to the Mavericks. The matchup against the Jazz will scare away prospective users, which could turn Chandler into a viable tournament option.
