This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Here we go with a five-game slate on Monday, January 28.
There's one game that sticks out more than the others for daily fantasy purposes. I'm talking about Atlanta at the LA Clippers, which currently resides at a slate-high 232.5 over/under. Both of these teams rank in the top 10 in pace and bottom 10 in defensive efficiency. That sounds like the perfect recipe for all-around fantasy production. Tobias Harris, Montrezl Harrell and John Collins are all headline picks from this high-scoring tilt.
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 Thursday morning, these are the situations we are looking at:
The Nets' myriad of injuries: Treveon Graham, Joe Harris and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson are all questionable tonight. DeMarre Carroll and Theo Pinson will be asked to step up if Graham and Harris are out, while Rodions Kurucs will see more work in the frontcourt if Hollis-Jefferson can't go.
Jamal Murray will not play. Torrey Craig emerged for 25 FP in 35 minutes last game, so he could be on the bargain radar if Murray remains out.
These notable players will continue to miss time: Victor Oladipo, Danilo Gallinari, Spencer Dinwiddie, Emmanuel Mudiay, Luke Kornet, Garrett Temple, Cody Zeller
With that, I'll be breaking down the best fantasy choices on DraftKings for Monday. The following write-ups contain a blend of cash game staples, bargain fillers, and tournament pivots.
GUARDS
Trey Burke – NYK at CHA ($4,200): Burke makes for an easy value commodity through all formats tonight. As mentioned earlier, starting point guard Emmanuel Mudiay will continue to miss time. That promotes Burke to a larger role off the bench, and he has made the most of it with 59 fantasy points through 56 minutes over his past two outings. I'm looking for him to keep producing against a Charlotte team that ranks 19th in defensive efficiency to point guards and dead last to opposing bench players.
Patrick Beverley – LAC vs. ATL ($4,500): Beverley has uncharacteristically hit somewhat of a scoring surge with 16 or more real points in three of the past five. The fact that Gallinari hasn't played through that stretch doesn't seem like a coincidence. Gallo is doubtful for tonight's game, which could open the door for Beverley to flex that scoring potential. Of course, we can't forget about his penchant for auxiliary numbers either while averaging more than eight boards and four assists over his past six games. The matchup looks fantastic while playing up in pace against an Atlanta team that ranks 29th in defensive efficiency to opposing point guards.
Shabazz Napier – BKN at BOS ($4,600): Napier will likely continue to see a steady role with Spencer Dinwiddie sidelined. There's room for even more playing time if the Nets are hampered by more injuries, as noted with all the questionable tags earlier in this article. Either way, Napier profiles as a solid source of value in this extended role. He managed to piece together 25 fantasy points through 28 minutes Friday against the Knicks despite only shooting 3-13 from the field. That percentage should move closer to his average, propelling Napier to his usual 1.0 fantasy point per minute efficiency.
Other guards to consider: Kyrie Irving -- BOS vs. BKN ($9,600), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander -- LAC vs. ATL ($3,800)
FORWARDS
Tobias Harris – LAC vs. ATL ($8,000): As mentioned earlier, this Atlanta-LA Clippers game is definitely one to target for DFS purposes. Harris makes for a strong play within that while brimming with confidence following 43+ fantasy points in two of his past three. The Hawks rank first in pace and 27th in defensive efficiency against opposing frontcourts, so there's an unquestioned opportunity for Harris to reach for that coveted upside. Go ahead and target him without hesitation through all formats.
Noah Vonleh – NYK at CHA ($6,200): Do you want the good news or the bad news first? Okay then, here's the bad news: Vonleh flopped with only 15.25 fantasy points in 25 minutes despite a good matchup vs. Miami last night. Now for the good news: there's still an opportunity for him to carry this Knicks frontcourt with Luke Kornet out and Enes Kanter benched. Let's not forget that Vonleh racked up 32 and 50 fantasy points in 31 and 32 minutes respectively over his previous two games. I'm expecting him to get back in that range while facing a Charlotte team that ranks 24th in defensive efficiency to opposing frontcourts.
Jayson Tatum – BOS vs. BKN ($5,600): Tatum has been a volatile DFS asset this season, but I believe his salary has gotten to the point where he's worth the risk. That especially holds true while facing a non-imposing Brooklyn defense that ranks 21st in defensive efficiency to opposing frontcourts. Tatum is averaging an admirable 31 FPPG over his past four, and that should be considered his baseline in this favorable draw. Needless to say, I don't mind him as a mid-range filler at any of the forward (or utility) positions.
Other forwards to consider: Kevin Durant – GS at IND ($9,400), Taurean Prince – ATL at LAC ($5,400)
CENTERS
Montrezl Harrell – LAC vs. ATL ($7,100): Let's get back to this Hawks-Clippers matchup, shall we? Again, the Hawks play at the fastest pace in the NBA, which helps drive fantasy production regardless of the opponent. It helps when the other team likes to run the floor as well, and the Clippers themselves rank ninth in possessions per game. Meanwhile, Atlanta rates below average against both the power forward and center spots while ranking 24th in rebound rate. Add it all up, and Harrell is looking at an excellent chance to break out with 40+ fantasy points.
John Collins – ATL at LAC ($8,200): Collins isn't a 100% must play on this slate, but I like him if you don't have the salary to reach for one of Irving, Durant, Curry or Jokic. There's no denying his upside in this highly anticipated draw at LAC – at least that's how DFS players are viewing it! The Clippers rank dead last in defensive efficiency to opposing centers and 18th to power forwards, which subsequently opens the door for Collins to come away with a monster stat-line. As if he wasn't good enough, it's nice to see that he's knocking down his threes by going 8-12 from distance over the past four games.
Other centers to consider: Nikola Jokic – DEN at MEM ($10,800), Al Horford – BOS vs. BKN ($6,400), Marcin Gortat – if starting - LAC vs. ATL ($3,300)
