This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Team Analysis
Defense to Avoid:
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Utah Jazz
This is more of a game to avoid rather than just staying away from the Clippers. There's a chance center Rudy Gobert sits out for the Jazz, which would give LA a clear advantage on the boards and an easier assignment down low for Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. The Jazz are averaging 73.5 points in two games against the Clippers this season, and Los Angeles didn't even eclipse 90 points in each win. This makes Chris Paul ($8,200), Griffin ($8,300) and Gordon Hayward ($7,400) appealing fade options.
Offense to Use:
Washington Wizards at Minnesota Timberwolves
The Wizards are scoring 124.8 points per game during a five-game winning streak. The T-Wolves' defense has improved under coach Tom Thibodeau, but they're hardly a match for Washington's insanely talented starting five led by John Wall ($10,200), who is surprisingly the third highest priced player for Monday's contests. Earlier in the season, the Wizards shot 58.2% from the field and 54.5% from downtown in a 112-105 win against the T-Wolves. Other than Nuggets-Lakers, this game should have the top over/under and the game script plays into the Wizards favor.
Teams on Back-to-Backs:
First game: None
Second game: Bulls, Lakers
DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
D'Angelo Russell, PG, LAL at DEN ($7,700): Russell is averaging 7.5 more DKFP per game than his season average in the past four. He hasn't gone full Kobe yet, but has taken at least 16 field-goal attempts in seven of his past eight games. Outside of Nikola Jokic ($10,400), Russell is the top option in the Lakers-Nuggets matchup, which is expected to be the highest scoring of the eight-game slate. Denver allows the second-most DKFP to point guards this season, and Russell's struggles vs. the Nuggets in two games shouldn't discourage you. He's an ideal cash-game play at point guard.
Dennis Schroder, PG, ATL at SA ($6,100): Schroder has been one of the top value plays in March, averaging 21.1 points, 5.9 assists and 1.7 steals in seven games. He's gone 10 straight games with at least 29.5 DKFP and his price tag has dropped significantly ($600) the past two games because of matchups against the Grizzlies and Spurs. He busted the matchup vs. Memphis, scoring 40.25 DKFP, so a similar trend against a potentially shorthanded San Antonio squad seems likely. Schroder's ownership percentage should be low and coupled with his salary, makes him a great tournament play.
Jamal Murray, PG/SG, DEN vs. LAL ($4,100): Murray heads into the matchup vs. the Lakers on a nice scoring binge. He's combined for 44 points (6-of-14 from distance) in his past three games. Murray has posted at least 20 DKFP in five of seven games, and though his ceiling hasn't been very high, his floor makes up for it. The expected over/under of this game should give Murray's expected output a boost, so all he has to do is make the most of his field goal attempts, which have been up over the three-game stretch.
Jimmy Butler, SF, CHI at CHA ($9,300): The Bulls are riding a five-game losing streak which Butler will singlehandedly try to end vs. the Hornets on Monday. Sure, he likely won't do all of it by himself, but it'll be close. In two games against Charlotte this season, Butler is averaging 39.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists (62 DKFP). The Bulls desperately need a win to stay ahead of the Hornets in the Eastern Conference standings, so this game should be close. Butler, and Chicago's, recent struggles should steer owners away from him, making him a strong tournament play.
Otto Porter, SF/PF, WAS at MIN ($6,400): Porter is back on the rise after seeing his salary drop all the way down to $5,600 on March 3. He's scored at least 18 points in three straight, hitting two 3-pointer in each of those games. Porter has plenty of success vs. the T-Wolves earlier in the season, scoring 17 points on 7-of-12 from the field with six boards for 34 DKFP. The Wizards present a nice, cheap stack with Porter, Markieff Morris ($6,500) and Marcin Gortat ($5,300).
Marvin Williams, PF, CHA vs. CHI ($5,900): There's an argument that can be made for fading Williams, but his production relative to his price has been too good to pass up. He's posted at least 39.5 DKFP in four of five games, topping out at 50 in a 27-point, 10-rebound double-double vs. the Pelicans on Saturday. It's unlikely Williams gets 20 field goal attempts, particularly if Frank Kaminsky returns to the lineup, but his secondary stat production is key. Williams has 40 rebounds and 13 assists in three games.
Nikola Jokic, DEN vs. LAL ($10,400): The chalk play of the day, Jokic is pretty much a lock to post 50-plus DKFP vs. the Lakers. He's averaging 51.1 DKFP in the past four games, scoring 21.3 points, 13.0 rebounds and 5.8 assists on average in that stretch. Los Angeles' young front court should have no answer for Jokic, who scored 29 points with 15 boards and three blocks (56.3 DKFP) against them earlier in the season. It's simply an added bonus that Jokic averages 4.3 more DKFP per game at home this season.
Dirk Nowitzki, PF/C, DAL at TOR ($6,200): Talk about turning back the clock, Nowitzki has looked more like the future Hall of Famer rather than the aging veteran recently, with three double-doubles in his past four games. Two of those contests he scored over 20 points, and he's averaging 33.6 DKFP in his past five while shooting 54.5% from the field. The Raptors are reeling a bit after two straight losses and the Mavericks appear to poised to make a playoff push having won four of five. There's a chance Dirk reverts back to his regular DraftKings output, but his high ceiling of late makes him appealing at this price.
Jeff Withey, UTA vs. LAC ($3,600): If Gobert is unable to play, Withey will draw the start for the Jazz and likely will see around 20-25 minutes. Sure, he wasn't very productive in 23 minutes vs. the Thunder on Saturday, scoring just two points with five rebounds (13.75 DKFP). But the low price and increase in usage is perfect for a tournament lineup filler. Withey has been shown in the past that he can provide a nice amount of rebounds, which is all you need for him to bring back value vs. the Clippers.
