This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Here we go with a nine-game slate on Monday, March 18.
Per usual, we have some 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 looking at:
Kevin Love is questionable. Ante Zizic would see more run in the frontcourt if Love can't play. The other regular starters would see an uptick in usage.
Gordon Hayward is doubtful. His minutes will likely be spread between Jaylen Brown, Terry Rozier, and Semi Ojeleye.
Noah Vonleh is questionable. Mario Hezonja saw 36 minutes with 34 fantasy points yesterday without him.
Kyle Lowry is questionable. Fred VanVleet and Kawhi Leonard see the biggest boosts if he's out.
Dennis Smith, Jr. is questionable. Emmanuel Mudiay and Damyean Dotson will continue to see an uptick if he remains sidelined.
Russell Westbrook is out. He has been suspended. Dennis Schroder sees a huge boost, while Paul George will absorb more usage.
DeMarcus Cousins is questionable. Kevon Looney could see respectable playing time if he's out.
Kevin Durant is questionable. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson would continue to be the biggest beneficiaries if Durant doesn't return.
C.J. McCollum is out. Damian Lillard and Jusuf Nurkic will see more usage with the first unit. Rodney Hood, Evan Turner, and Seth Curry could see more playing time, but it's hard to pinpoint a clear beneficiary here.
These notable players will continue to miss time: Serge Ibaka, Larry Nance, Tristan Thompson, Jrue Holiday, Victor Oladipo, T.J. Warren
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
Dennis Schroder – OKC vs. MIA ($5,100): As mentioned earlier, Westbrook has been suspended for tonight's game. That promotes Schroder to a marquee role as an excellent DFS value through all formats. He's a proven fantasy asset who has repeatedly made the most of his opportunities with expanded minutes at several points in the season. Not only will the playing time see an uptick, but Schroder will likely have to soak up some of the massive usage void caused by Westbrook's absence.
Devin Booker – PHX vs. CHI ($8,500): The Suns are dead last in the Western Conference, so they obviously aren't playing for anything at this point in the season. Don't tell Booker that, as he has been on a mission while averaging 55 fantasy points over his last four outings. That includes a pair of GPP-winning, 67+ fantasy point performances. Facing a Chicago team that ranks 28th in defensive efficiency to opposing backcourts does nothing to dissuade his fantasy prospects.
Klay Thompson – GS at SA ($7,600): Keep an eye on Durant's questionable status. If the All-Star continues to miss time, Thompson could be a nice pick yet again. Most people (including myself) flocked to Stephen Curry in the first two games of Durant's absence. Curry hasn't necessarily disappointed, but Thompson has been just as good for a fraction of the cost. He's taking a ton of shots, something that could continue against a San Antonio squad that ranks 22nd in defensive efficiency to opposing backcourts and 24th in opponent three-point percentage at 36.2%.
Other guards to consider: Stephen Curry – GS at SA ($9,300), Jalen Brunson – DAL vs. NO ($6,100), Collin Sexton – CLE vs. DET ($5,700)
FORWARDS
Mario Hezonja ($3,400) will throw his name into the hat of cheap cash game picks if Noah Vonleh misses his second straight game.
Paul George – OKC vs. MIA ($9,700): As mentioned several times in this article, Westbrook will not play tonight. That means George will be asked to step up even more than his usual strong production. That's enough to have me looking towards the OKC forward despite costing $1,300 more than Kawhi Leonard. George has been on fire with 53-plus fantasy points in each of his past two games, and there's seemingly no ceiling with Westbrook out of the way.
Kelly Oubre Jr. – PHX vs. CHI ($6,500): Oubre is relatively cheap in this spot, especially considering his recent performances of 44-plus fantasy points in back-to-back outings. The matchup adds even more confidence to the equation while facing a bad Chicago defense that ranks 24th in overall team defensive efficiency. I'll be looking to target Oubre through all formats tonight, and he could see a boost if Phoenix remains thin in the backcourt.
Bojan Bogdanovic – IND at POR ($5,900): Bogdanovic is less of a priority than the other featured recommendations of this article, but he still represents a solid mid-range option if you are looking for someone at this salary level. The matchup looks exceptional against a Portland team that ranks 29th in defensive efficiency to opposing small forwards. The Blazers also rank 27th in three-point percentage allowed to the position (38.7%), which is Bogdanovic's specialty. Even though the Indiana forward disappointed in his last game, I wouldn't sleep on him today.
Other forwards to consider: Kawhi Leonard – TOR vs. NYK ($8,400), Blake Griffin – DET at CLE ($7,200), Cedi Osman – CLE vs. DET ($5,600)
CENTERS
Marc Gasol – TOR vs. NYK ($6,200): Ibaka is still suspended for the Raptors, meaning Gasol has a clear path to 30-35 minutes. That's excellent news considering his attainable mid-range salary that accounts for splitting time with Ibaka. In two games with that heightened role, Gasol is averaging 32 minutes and 35 fantasy points per contest. That's a stable baseline for him, and tonight's draw against New York (24th in defensive efficiency to centers) is more than favorable.
Ante Zizic – CLE vs. DET ($4,000): Nance is out for Cleveland, which will force Zizic to see at least 30 minutes in the Cleveland frontcourt. Love is questionable for the Cavaliers, and his absence would translate to even more work. Either way, Zizic is a strong bargain choice for only $4,000 on DraftKings. I plan on utilizing him alongside Gasol in the utility position, and you should consider that strategy as well.
Other centers to consider: Rudy Gobert – UTA at WAS ($8,300), Jakob Poeltl – SA vs. GS ($4,700)
