This article is part of our Daily Games Cheat Sheet series.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defenses to Avoid
Philadelphia 76ers at San Antonio Spurs: While the 76ers ineptitude is well documented, it's worth repeating; they claim the league's worst offensive rating this year with a measly 90 points per 100 possessions. Add in the fact that the Spurs have the fifth-best defensive rating in the league, and that is enough to make me stay away from most 76ers players in this one. I am targeting the low-priced Nerlens Noel as a filler player, but I don't find myself coveting any other player from this squad given the situation.
Offenses to Use
Denver Nuggets at Cleveland Cavaliers: The Cavaliers are absolutely on fire, and after dropping the Atlanta Hawks en route to scoring 127 points, they get the Nuggets who just allowed the New York Knicks to rout them. Cleveland is the second highest rated team offensively, and the Nuggets are the sixth worst team from a defensive rating standpoint. Throw in the fact that Denver is on the second night of a back-to-back, and it's safe to upgrade your Cavaliers in this one.
Teams on a Back-to-Back Set
First game of a back-to-back: New Orleans Pelicans
Second game of a back-to-back: Denver Nuggets, Miami Heat, Houston Rockets
DraftKings.com DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
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Point Guard
Rajon Rondo, PG, BOS ($8,400):Rajon Rondo continues to be one of my favorite buys on DraftKings because of his multi-category potential at a relative bargain. He doesn't score much (only 10.1 ppg so far this year), but also averages 12.0 assists and 8.1 rebounds to go with 1.9 steals. Oh, and he also averages over 40 DraftKings points per game. A friendly, fast-paced match-up with the Phoenix Suns makes him a buy again for me on Monday.
Other suggestions: Ty Lawson (at CLE), Chris Paul (vs. CHI)
Shooting Guard
Victor Oladipo, SG, ORL ($6,100): There is some relative risk with this one, and the best idea from a fantasy perspective is to avoid risk, but there is definitely value here. Oladipo just returned from a facial fracture, so we are getting a pretty low price on him here, and despite facing the 12th ranked defense against shooting guards, he has the potential to make value here (around 30 DraftKings points). After coming off the bench for his first game, he netted 37.75 DraftKings points against a better defense in the Washington Wizards, and he makes for a good speculative play here with a very high floor.
Other suggestions: Jimmy Butler (at LAC), Monta Ellis (at CHA)
Small Forward
LeBron James, SF, CLE ($11,000): The Cleveland Cavaliers are on fire right now, and of course their best player is a big part of the reason. If you're looking for a stud to start, look no further, as Cleveland's point-forward extraordinaire gives you a solid foundation, and while it's hard to guarantee he makes value (55 DraftKings points) it's easy to slot him in the lineup and enjoy his 50+ DraftKings points against a Denver Nuggets squad that gives up the fifth-most points to small forwards over the last five games; including 51.75 to James over that span.
Other suggestions: Mike Dunleavy (at LAC), Donatas Montiejunas (at MEM)
Power Forward
Greg Monroe, PF, DET ($7,200): Monroe is a guy who is providing a very consistent DraftKings performance time-in and time-out. When playing over 30 minutes, he's never failed to drop under 30 DraftKings points (he's received under 30 minutes once), so with this buy, you're getting a low-risk option. The Magic are actually pretty good against the power forward position, as my numbers have them as the 7th ranked squad against opposing fours, but with Monroe's consistency, he's a solid buy at his price. NOTE: If you're looking for a lower priced option, Nerlens Noel is a mere $3,000 Monday against San Antonio.
Other suggestions: Kevin Love (vs. DEN), Nerlens Noel (at SA)
Center
Nikola Vucevic, C, ORL ($8,100): Vucevic is rarely a bad option, as he averages around 40 DraftKings points per contest so far this year, but you have to like the match-up here if everything holds true to form. Andre Drummond has found himself in foul trouble far more often than not, and while you're not adding Vucevic with confidence it will happen again. The Pistons gave up the fourth-most DraftKings points to centers over the last five games.
Other suggestions: Brook Lopez (vs. MIA), Anderson Varejao (vs. DEN)
INJURY REPORT
Out
Marcus Smart (ankle)
Raymond Felton (suspension)
Marco Belinelli (groin)
Gary Neal (concussion/foot)
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (foot)
Terrence Jones (leg)
Aaron Gordon (foot)
Tiago Splitter (back)
Kyle O'Quinn (ankle)
Game-Time Decision
Derrick Rose (hamstring) is still day-to-day and should be monitored up until game time.
Alexey Shved (back) is still questionable.
Luke Ridnour (personal) is considered day-to-day.
Nate Robinson (knee) is likely out against Cleveland, as it's the second night of a back-to-back.
Dwyane Wade (hamstring) was held out Sunday, and is a game-time decision Monday.
Randy Foye (knee) was held out Sunday, and is questionable.
Nicolas Batum (knee) is doubtful against New Orleans.
Danilo Gallinari (knee) has not yet been cleared to play back-to-backs, and is likely out.
LaMarcus Aldridge (illness) practiced on Sunday.
Josh McRoberts (foot) did not play on Sunday.
