This article is part of our Daily Games Cheat Sheet series.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defenses to Avoid
New York Knicks at Memphis Grizzlies: Advising to avoid the Knicks is not surprising, especially after their 82 point performance against the Bucks on Sunday. New York continues to be a roster to avoid, and it will really take some guts to put any of their players in your lineup. There is usually a valuable pick on every roster, but I'd rather not try my luck betting on any Knicks for Monday.
Offenses to Use
Oklahoma City Thunder at Golden State Warriors: This one has shootout written all over it, and there's a bevy of useful players on both sides. The last time these two teams hooked up, there was 223 total points scored, and while both teams can be great defensively, everything points to this leaning in that direction once more. The stars specifically get a nice bump heading into this game.
First game of a back-to-back:: None
Second game of a back-to-back: Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Lakers
DraftKings.com DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
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Point Guard
Donald Sloan, PG, IND ($4,600): If C.J. Watson misses Monday's contest against the Jazz (Watson did not play Sunday versus the Lakers), it's easy to lock in Sloan as a potential value pick here. Given the minutes, Sloan can put up stats in a multiple categories, and even though he's not a prolific scorer, he should get enough touches to make a difference against a Utah squad that is middle of the road against opposing point guards.
Other suggestions: Jarrett Jack (vs. DAL), Stephen Curry (vs. OKC)
Shooting Guard
Dion Waiters, SG, CLE ($5,600): The Cavaliers are getting hit with injuries all over the place, with Kyrie Irving the latest to go down. It's possible that Waiters steps into the starting lineup, and he should be playing heavy minutes against the 76ers even if he doesn't. Waiters will have no problem getting his usage rate as high as the coach will allow it, so he's a nice potential play on Monday.
Other suggestions: Klay Thompson (vs. OKC), Bradley Beal (at NO)
Small Forward
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, SF, CHA ($5,700): If you don't want to spend the cash on an elite small forward like Kevin Durant on Monday, Kidd-Gilchrist could be a option to provide some decent value on a budget. He's grabbed double-digit rebounds in his last two games and is averaging a double-double since Al Jefferson went down with an injury. He can't shoot, but if he can provide 30 DraftKings points, he'll be a nice value for those that take a chance on him.
Other suggestions: Kevin Durant (at GS), Wilson Chandler (at MIN)
Power Forward
Kevin Love, PF, CLE ($10,600):Kyrie Irving and LeBron James are out, so Love is going to get a chance to show everybody he can still be the player we saw in Minnesota when he needs to be. He'll have some help from Dion Waiters, but Love will get a chance to rack up a massive stat line against the worst team in the NBA. That alone is enough to spend the cash on him.
Other suggestions: Kenneth Faried (at MIN), Tristan Thompson (at PHI)
Center
Rudy Gobert, C, UTA ($5,900):Enes Kanter has been ruled out of Monday's game, so Gobert should make his second consecutive start. He had an excellent stat line of 13 points, 11 rebounds, and six blocks in 31 minutes against the Timberwolves on Saturday. Don't go in expecting that stat line, but he's a cheaper option that can produce nice numbers when given the type of run he should experience Monday.
Other suggestions: Gorgui Dieng (vs. DEN)
INJURY REPORT
Out
George Hill (groin)
Iman Shumpert (shoulder)
LeBron James (knee)
Kyrie Irving (back)
Ricky Rubio (ankle)
Lance Stephenson (pelvis)
Kevin Martin (wrist)
Randy Foye (quad)
Wesley Johnson (hip)
Kobe Bryant (rest)
Rodney Hood (foot)
Terrence Jones (leg)
Amar'e Stoudemire (knee)
Al Jefferson (groin)
Enes Kanter (ankle)
Andrew Bogut (knee)
Robin Lopez (hand)
Nikola Pekovic (ankle)
Joel Freeland (shoulder)
Game-Time Decision
C.J. Watson (foot) is day-to-day.
Michael Carter-Williams (shoulder) says he will play Monday.
Deron Williams (hip) is questionable.
Jameer Nelson (ankle) is questionable.
Nate Robinson (wrist) is questionable.
Jimmy Butler (personal) is questionable.
Eric Gordon (shoulder) is questionable.
Carmelo Anthony (knee) is questionable.
Mike Dunleavy (ankle) is questionable.
Zach Randolph (knee) is questionable.
Festus Ezeli (ankle) is questionable.
