This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
CLE vs. SA (-9), O/U: 215.5
DET (-3), OKC, O/U: 213.5
NY vs. BKN (-5.5), O/U: 217.5
SAC (-2.5) vs. MIN, O/U: 236.5
UTA (-5.5) vs. DAL, O/U: 226.5
WAS vs. TOR (-4.5), O/U: 228.5
PHX (-10.5) vs. HOU, O/U: 218.5
Monday's DraftKings NBA slate tips off 7:00 p.m. EDT and includes seven games. There are some significant injuries to consider but six of the seven games start at 7:00 p.m. so we should have most of the news before lock. James Harden, Bradley Beal, Kristaps Porzingis and Fred VanVleet are listed as questionable while Kyle Lowry and John Wall are out. Mason Plumlee (rest) has also been ruled out.
The SAC-MIN matchup will be a popular target with a total of 236.5 and the Timberwolves short-handed due to injuries. Any of the Kings starters would make for viable options in a stack.
The WAS-TOR matchup is another appealing target. The Wizards could be without Beal and Rui Hachimura while the Raptors could be missing VanVleet. Russell Westbrook and Pascal Siakam would be top options tonight and there could be cheap value on both sides, especially in Malachi Flynn should he get the start at point guard in place of VanVleet.
Injuries to Monitor
James Harden (hamstring): QUESTIONABLE
Harden has missed consecutive games due to a hamstring injury and is listed as questionable. Bruce Brown ($5,400) started at shooting guard Sunday.
Bradley Beal (hip): QUESTIONABLE
Beal has missed four consecutive games due to a bruised hip and is listed as questionable. Garrison Mathews ($3,500) started at shooting guard last time out.
Kristaps Porzingis (knee): QUESTIONABLE
Porzingis missed Saturday's game to manage his right knee and is listed as questionable. Boban Marjanovic ($3,800) got the start at center in his absence.
Fred VanVleet (hip): QUESTIONABLE
VanVleet left Friday's game early due to a strained hip flexor and is listed as questionable. If he were to sit, Malachi Flynn ($3,500) would be in line for an expanded role.
John Wall (knee): OUT
Wall will miss his fourth consecutive game tonight with knee soreness. Kevin Porter ($7,300) and Sterling Brown ($4,600) have been starting in the back court.
Jarrett Allen (concussion): QUESTIONABLE
Allen has missed four consecutive games as he recovers from a concussion and is listed as questionable. Kevin Love ($5,700) has started the past two games at center.
Larry Nance (illness): QUESTIONABLE
Nance has missed three consecutive games as he recovers from an illness and is listed as questionable. Dean Wade ($4,900) has been starting at power forward.
Kyle Lowry (foot): OUT
Lowry will miss at least tonight's game and likely more as he deals with a foot infection. Gary Trent ($6,600) and Fred VanVleet ($8,100) have been starting in the backcourt, although see above on FVV.
Rui Hachimura (shoulder): QUESTIONABLE
Hachimura was a late scratch Saturday due to shoulder tightness and is listed as questionable. Davis Bertans ($3,600) started at power forward and played 20 minutes.
Malik Beasley (hamstring) and Ricky Rubio (back): DOUBTFUL
Beasley and Rubio are both listed as doubtful after missing Saturday's game. Jordan McLaughlin ($4,400) and Josh Okogie ($3,000) came into the starting lineup in their place.
Mason Plumlee (rest): OUT
Plumlee will be rested for tonight's game against the Thunder. Isaiah Stewart ($4,000) will likely start at center.
Elite Players
Guard:
Russell Westbrook ($11,100)
Westbrook has four triple-doubles in his last five games and has topped 69 DK points in four of his last 10. The decision of whether or not to pay up for Russ largely depends on the status of Bradley Beal, who is listed as questionable after missing the past four games. The Wizards are in a good spot against the short-handed Raptors and if Beal sits again, Westbrook would be my preferred spend-up option on the slate from a raw points perspective. Rui Hachimura is also questionable so Russ might have to shoulder an even bigger load, if that's possible.
If James Harden sits again, I like saving $1,100 and going to Kyrie Irving ($10,000). The matchup against the Knicks isn't ideal, but he would have all the usage to himself again. He took 27 shots and dished out 15 assists Sunday on his way to 54 DK points.
Center:
Karl-Anthony Towns ($10,600)
Towns is coming off a massive game Saturday that saw him put up 70.5 DK points while playing 44 minutes. He's topped 60 DK points in four of his last 10 games and the Timberwolves will be missing players again tonight for a prime matchup against the Kings.
Julius Randle ($9,600) is another appealing option at center. I'd expect him to be relatively popular as the Knicks should play at a faster pace in a favorable matchup against the Nets.
Forward:
Luka Doncic ($10,800)
Doncic continues to underwhelm as he's failed to reach 54 DK points in six consecutive games. The Mavericks have a tough matchup against the Jazz and with other studs in better spots, I don't see myself getting to him. There is still a solid argument for him however. as he's likely to be a contrarian play and it's possible that Kristaps Porzingis could sit again.
Expected Chalk
Isaiah Stewart ($4,000)
Stewart is expected to get the start at center for the resting Mason Plumlee. He's cheap and should see plenty of run to make value in a favorable matchup against the Thunder.
Jordan McLaughlin ($4,400)
All of Minnesota's guards, with the exception of McLaughlin and Anthony Edwards, are listed as doubtful. McLaughlin played 42 minutes and put up 38.5 DK points last time out. I'd expect him to very popular in a favorable spot against the Kings.
Malachi Flynn ($3,500)
The Raptors are also thin at guard. Flynn put up 33.25 DK points while seeing 31 minutes Friday after Fred VanVleet left injured. If VanVleet sits tonight and Flynn gets the start at point guard, he will be among the most popular plays on the slate, and rightfully so for just $3,500.
Value Picks
Pascal Siakam ($8,500)
Siakam is coming off 58.25 DK points in 31 minutes as the Raptors blew out the Warriors on Friday. The Raptors' backcourt situation should ensure he sees another usage bump in a favorable matchup against the Wizards.
Anthony Edwards ($7,600)
Edwards has topped 40 DK points in three of his last four games and I'd expect him to see plenty of the ball and take north of 20 shots tonight given Minnesota's lack of other backcourt options.
Gary Trent ($6,600)
Trent has put up at least 40 DK points in consecutive games for the Raptors. He should see big minutes and usage again in a favorable matchup against the Wizards.
Chris Boucher ($5,900)
Boucher got the start at center last time out and scored 32 DK points in 25 minutes. Tonight's matchup against the Wizards is ideal and Boucher has considerable upside should he see extended run.
Aleksej Pokusevski ($5,300)
Pokusevski has put up at least 32 DK points in two of his last three games while attempting at least 13 shots in each. He should get a slight bump in minutes and usage for tonight's matchup against the Pistons, as Isaiah Roby (concussion) has been ruled out.
