We'll kick off the week with a nine-game main slate on FanDuel, and a nice mixture of quality games is available for your perusal. We have several blue-chippers at the top of our player pool, and a lot of value players who will allow you to spend up in a few spots. Action will begin at 7:00 p.m. ET.
SLATE OVERVIEW
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The Knicks, Bucks, Trail Blazers and Pistons all received special consideration tonight, and it was more about the matchups than the totals for me. The Nuggets and Kings could have probably used a bit more exposure than I gave them, but I stand behind fading the Nets, Wizards and Grizzlies.
INJURIES
For all the latest updates, visit RotoWire's NBA Injury News page and our comprehensive NBA Injury Report. Below are some of the most recent and relevant injuries for Monday. Keep in mind that this is not a complete list. Use your best judgment when evaluating ongoing injury scenarios elsewhere on the slate.
IND Several Absences
The Pacers have several high-profile players on the injury report. Given the current situation, values like Quenton Jackson ($5,000) and Jarace Walker ($5,600) have emerged, but the remaining starters should also be considered. I am likely to use a lot of Jackson tonight.
MIN Anthony Edwards (hamstring) - OUT
Edwards has at least another week to go. I will continue to target Jaden McDaniels ($6,300) as the starter who benefits most from his absence.
UTA Walker Kessler (shoulder) - OUT
Jusuf Nurkic ($5,400) will continue to start in Kessler's place. Kyle Filipowski ($4,500) should also receive a modest boost.
WAS Khris Middleton (elbow) - QUESTIONABLE
Cam Whitmore ($3,900) would be a candidate to start if Middleton can't make it, but this isn't a great spot to target. The tag may be removed later in the day.
HOU Jabari Smith (ankle) - QUESTIONABLE
If Smith is sidelined, Tari Eason ($5,000) would see higher usage, and it would also boost the stock of Houston's elite talent.
DAL Anthony Davis (calf) - OUT
DAL Dereck Lively (knee) - OUT
Daniel Gafford ($4,600) has moved into the starting lineup, but usage is projected to be spread evenly across the remaining starters. I'm not a fan of any particular pivot here.
DET Tobias Harris (ankle) - QUESTIONABLE
I'd hit the pause button for a pivot here, as the prospective pivots will likely platoon at this spot if Harris is out.
SAC Dennis Schroder (hip) - QUESTIONABLE
SAC Zach LaVine (back) - QUESTIONABLE
SAC Malik Monk (personal) - OUT
LaVine could be back for Monday's game, but I'd look at Keon Ellis ($3,800) due to less confidence about Schroder's participation.
MIA Norman Powell (groin) - QUESTIONABLE
Powell is nearing a return, but he may miss one more game. Jaime Jaquez ($5,600) is your pivot for this spot, although Andrew Wiggins ($6,600) would also see improvement in the starting lineup.
ELITE PLAYERS
We have four players atop the player pool with five-figure salaries for Monday's slate. Giannis Antetokounmpo ($12,300) is listed as probable, and he has the best matchup against an injury-riddled Indiana squad. Cade Cunningham ($10,100) is the lowest player in the tier, and I like his matchup against the Grizzlies. I don't doubt Luka Doncic or Nikola Jokic, but their matchups are slightly tougher.
We only have two players in the $9k range, and I already mentioned a potential boost for Houston and Indiana starters. Alperen Sengun ($9,200) and Pascal Siakam ($9,500) are both available at this tier, and I am a fan of both players tonight.
Among the numerous options in the $8k tier, Karl-Anthony Towns ($8,400) remains an excellent value at this level, and might be my favorite play of the evening against the Wizards. I'd seriously consider a Knicks stack tonight with Towns and Jalen Brunson ($8,600), who is also populated in this tier.
Also consider: Kevin Durant, HOU ($8,600) vs. DAL
EXPECTED CHALK AND MID-RANGE TARGETS
Deni Avdija, POR ($7,600) @ LAL
The Trail Blazers have been a surprise early in the season, and I expect Rip City to be hyped up for this matchup against the Lakers. I can see an avenue for Avdija to blow up in this spot. Encouraging totals against the Lakers last season and some potential positional mismatches lend to this theory, and although I'd like to see him for a bit less than $7,600, I will take the potential upside and slot him.
DeMar DeRozan, SAC ($6,900) @ DEN
I was surprised to see DeRozan dip below $7k, and the potential absence of Zach LaVine will definitely make DeRozan worthwhile. Even if LaVine plays, I still like DeRozan's potential here, as we only need a little below 35 FDFPs for him to match 5x value. He passes that threshold often enough for me to take the veteran at this salary point.
Ryan Rollins, MIL ($6,700) @ IND
Rollins is quietly racking up sublime totals, and we've already mentioned the favorable matchup with Indiana. Like Towns and Brunson, I think a Rollins/Giannis stack is also a favorable path tonight, and Rollins could be in for another value-beating night against a banged-up backcourt.
Ausar Thompson, DET ($6,500) @ MEM
I like Thompson's dual eligibility and and potentially low rostership in this matchup against the Grizzlies. The Pistons are 4-2 to begin the season and are definitely a team to look out for, and although his totals have bounced around a bit, the overall trend for Thompson is upward. I would like him even better if Harris were out, as all starters would need to pitch in a bit more.
VALUE PLAYS
We have plenty of quality players who fell below $6k, and due to the sheer number of them, I'm going to assemble my favorites in a list. Also, refer to our injury report for additional bargain spots.
- C Rudy Gobert, MIN ($5,400)
- PG/SG Shaedon Sharpe, POR ($5,700)
- PG/SG CJ McCollum, WAS ($5,500)
- C Myles Turner, MIL ($5,600) *revenge game
- SF/PF Naji Marshall, DAL ($4,000)
