This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Team Analysis
Offense to Use:
Toronto Raptors vs. Orlando Magic
Even with PG Kyle Lowry still on the mend after wrist surgery, the Raptors are in a good spot to put up a lopsided scoring total vs. the Magic at home. Toronto is riding a five-game winning streak and Orlando is virtually playing for better lottery position. The early line on the game has the Raptors favored by nearly 10 points and outside of DeMar DeRozan ($8,600), there are plenty of players on Toronto with affordable salaries and upside. The most appealing is Serge Ibaka ($6,100), who will face his former team having scored at least 16 points in four straight.
Defense to Avoid:
Utah Jazz vs. New Orleans Pelicans
The Jazz just clinch a playoff berth, but are still battling for home court advantage in the first round of the playoffs. The Pelicans are essentially a lottery team at this point and could be without DeMarcus Cousins for a second straight game because of an ankle injury. That would make containing Anthony Davis that much easier for Rudy Gobert and Utah, which is in need of a bounce-back effort in a game it should win. In the previous meeting between the two teams, the Jazz held the Pels to 83 points in a close victory.
Teams on Back-to-Backs:
First game: Pistons
Second game: Kings, Thunder, Grizzlies, Pelicans
DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
DeMar DeRozan, SG, TOR vs. ORL ($8,600): Speaking of DeRozan, the shooting guard has been carrying the Raptors since Lowry went down and has two 40-point performances in his past three games. One of those was against Jimmy Butler and the Bulls in a come-from-behind OT victory where DeRozan finished with 68.25 DKFP. In two games against the Magic this season, DeRozan is averaging 26.5 points, six rebounds and five assists (41.8 DKFP per contest). He has clear separation between the rest of the SG pack and is cheaper than top guard Russell Westbrook ($12,500).
Derrick Rose, PG, NYK vs. DET ($5,800): Who would have thought D-Rose would be a viable DFS option this late in the Knicks lost season? Well, with Carmelo Anthony sidelined with a sore knee, Rose has gotten a chance to be the player he was with the Bulls. He's averaging 19.7 PPG and 5.3 APG while shooting 51.1% from the floor in his past three. What really stands out is Rose's refusal to take ill-advised 3-point shots, instead opting to pass the ball. Rose should have a very low ownership and the Pistons have struggled on defense in losing six of their past seven games.
Tony Allen, SG/SF, MEM at SAC ($4,000): Obviously Allen is known for his defense, but that should help him put up DKFP against the Kings, who turn the ball over just over 14 times per game. Not only is Allen a threat for multiple steals, he's got at least four rebounds in seven straight games. The Grizzlies wrap up a four-game road trip with a must-win game and have scored at least 107 points in two straight wins against Sacramento this season.
Kawhi Leonard, SF, SA vs. CLE ($9,500): After watching what Leonard did to the Cavaliers the last time around, it will be tough to pass up on him Monday at home. Leonard put on an offensive display vs. Cleveland, scoring 41 points on 15-of-30 from the floor for 58.5 DKFP. The small forward landscape for Monday is lacking outside of Leonard and LeBron James, so the best chance at reaching tournament value lies with those two at the top. The Spurs are still within striking distance of the Warriors for first in the West, and could also put the Cavs in second in the East by defeating them.
Tobias Harris, SF/PF, DET at NYK ($6,000): The Pistons are struggling as a team, but that hasn't affected Harris much. He's torched the Knicks all season, averaging 24.0 points and 9.0 rebounds in three games (43.8 DKFP). New York may be without Carmelo Anthony again and its heading towards the top of the lottery anyway. Harris has a lot of boom-bust to him, but that makes him a solid tournament play in an easy matchup with Detroit's playoff hopes in the balance.
Joe Johnson, SF, UTA vs. NO ($4,100): It's been a while since we've seen a vintage Joe Johnson performance, and we probably won't see another one again, but the veteran has stepped up to fill the void left by Gordon Hayward. The Jazz's leading scorer is dealing with a nagging knee injury and Utah just clinched a playoff berth. Should Hayward sit vs. New Orleans, Johnson has a chance to return value, particularly in tournaments. He's scored in double figures in back-to-back games and has shot the ball well from distance at home (39.2%).
Rudy Gobert, UTA vs. NO ($8,000): On the short slate, take the chalk at center. Most lineups will hone in on the injury to Cousins and target Davis, but Gobert is the clear-cut cash-game play vs. the Pelicans. His offense has taken a big step the past two games with the injury to Hayward, with Gobert combining for 61 points on 23-of-27 shooting from the floor. His past four games Gobert has looked like he should have Davis' price tag, averaging 22.5 points, 13.5 rebounds and 4.8 blocks (52.4 DKFP per contest). He's the perfect cost-effective lineup anchor.
Willie Cauley-Stein, PF/C, SAC vs. MEM ($5,500): Cauley-Stein showed he can be strong on the glass in a tough matchup, ripping down 14 rebounds vs. the Clippers on Sunday. He failed to reach double-digit scoring, but managed to eclipse 30 DKFP for the third time in four games. It's unclear if C Marc Gasol will remain out again Monday for the Grizzlies, but if he does, that will make things monumentally easier for Cauley-Stein in the paint. Memphis hasn't fully seen Cauley-Stein, having not played him since the Cousins trade, which could help his prospects.
Zach Randolph, PF/C, MEM at SAC ($5,000): Like Cauley-Stein, Randolph's value is directly linked to Gasol not suiting up for the Grizzlies. Should Gasol sit again, Z-Bo will likely draw another start. He was effective in a blowout loss to the Warriors on Sunday, scoring 15 points on 7-of-15 from the floor with five boards (29.25 DKFP). In three games against the Kings this season, Randolph is averaging 14.7 points and 8.3 rebounds while shooting 46.2% from the floor (30.3 DKFP).
