This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
TEAM ANALYSISDefense to Avoid: Detroit Pistons at Chicago Bulls
The Bulls are on a three-game losing streak in which they've averaged 86.7 points per game. Chicago is coming off an embarrassing 95-69 loss to the Bucks at home and were limited to 91 points by the Pistons in a losing effort earlier in the season. The Bulls are due for a bounce-back performance, but that likely won't come against the Pistons, who are allowing 96.9 points per game this season. There aren't many teams on Monday's five-game slate that play defense.
Offense to Use: Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Phoenix Suns
When a team is playing the Suns, they're a safe bet to put up a healthy number of points. This is no different as the T-Wolves normally have to score a lot to compensate for their lack of defense. Minnesota has three players averaging over 20 points per game in Karl-Anthony Towns (22.1; $8,900), Zach LaVine (20.7; $6,800) and Andrew Wiggins (21.9; $6,700). Wiggins has been streaky, but led the way for the T-Wolves against the Suns earlier in the season with 25 points, while Towns posted a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Minnesota may not have many bargains, but their three elite scorers should perform well enough to hit value. The Suns' offense should also be in play.
Teams on Back-to-Backs:
First game: Pacers, Nuggets
Second game: Wizards, Mavericks
DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
Russell Westbrook, OKC vs. ATL ($12,800): Westbrook's price is $3,100 more than any other player, but he's basically a must-play in cash games. His ownership percentage will be high coming off a monster 81.25 fantasy points against the Suns on Saturday. He had 26 points, 11 rebounds and a career-high 22 assists against Phoenix, and the Hawks were already victim to Westbrook earlier this season. During his seven-game triple-double streak, Westbrook torched Atlanta for 32 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists for 74.25 fantasy points.
Eric Bledsoe, PHO at MIN ($7,400): Speaking of the Suns, Bledsoe is a bit streaky, but that has helped drop his price. He's scored a combined 26 points the past two games, but had gone off for at least 30 in three straight prior to that. Bledsoe should be able to bounce back against the T-Wolves, who are allowing the most fantasy points per game to point guards this season. He provides nice category coverage, averaging 5.4 rebounds and assists per game, and is putting up 40.5 fantasy points per contest in his last six.
Wesley Matthews, DAL at DEN ($5,600): If you're looking for a similarly streaky shooter but for a cheaper price, Matthews is a solid tournament play against the Nuggets. After struggling in November, he has rebounded in December by averaging 18.4 points per game in nine appearances. Matthews shot the lights out against Denver on Dec. 12, going 10 for 14 from the field for 25 points (36.5 fantasy points). The Mavericks will need Matthews to keep shooting in order to hang with the Nuggets' offense, which has scored at least 121 points in three of their past four games.
Jimmy Butler, CHI vs. DET ($8,500): Sure, above this informs you to avoid the Pistons defense. But that doesn't mean fade the Bulls altogether. Chicago's offense has struggled, but if there's one constant it's Butler, who had scored at least 21 points in three straight prior to Friday's embarrassment. He had 32 points, six boards and four assists (46.0 fantasy points) against Detroit on Dec. 6 and should the Bulls bounce back rather than struggle again, Butler will be the main benefactor. There are also limited elite options at forward with just five games, which could keep Butler's ownership percentage down should lineups focus more on bargains.
Otto Porter, WAS at IND ($5,600): Porter's salary has plummeted over the past couple weeks after peaking at around $6,600. A lot of that has to do with a lack of production across the board, but expect Porter to continue his strong play against the Pacers. He has 25 points, 13 rebounds, five assists and two blocks in his past two games, shooting 11 for 19 from the field with three 3-pointers. His minutes have still be consistent and Indiana is below-average in terms of turnovers, which will give Porter a chance to use his length to get a few steals.
Dorian Finney-Smith, DAL at DEN ($3,600): Finney-Smith is a good punt-play for tournaments if you're looking to pay up for Westbrook. Filling in for an injured Dirk Nowitzki, Finney-Smith has gotten increased minutes in the starting lineup, playing at least 23 in each of the past 10 games. He's scored in double figures in four of his past six and is shooting 45.9 percent from distance in December.
Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN vs. PHO ($8,900): As mentioned above, Towns is the best chalk play against the Suns for cash games. He's coming off another big game, scoring 41 points with 15 rebounds and five assists (68.25 fantasy points) against the Rockets to extend his double-double streak to seven games. Towns splits are eye-opening, as he is averaging 49.2 fantasy points per game at home versus 38.8 on the road this season.
Myles Turner, IND vs. WAS ($6,300): The Pacers get the Wizards on the second night of a back-to-back and Turner is another center who has played better at home this season. He's averaging 15.8 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game, while shooting 54.7 percent from the field and 45.0 percent from 3-point range in 13 games. Turner is affordable and offers an against-the-grain play for tournaments.
Enes Kanter, OKC vs. ATL ($4,300): Kanter has been incredibly efficient off the bench this season, ranking third in the NBA among centers with 32.0 points per 48 minutes. He never really lays an egg on most nights and gives you a cheap option with a high ceiling for tournaments. Kanter has scored in double figures in nine of the past 10 games with at least one block in eight of those contests.
