This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Defense to Avoid:
Boston Celtics vs. Charlotte Hornets
This is one of the few games Monday that actually means something. The Celtics and Hornets are separated by one game in the standings with two left to play, so it's essentially a playoff game. The last time these two teams met was a while back, but Boston was able to hold Charlotte to 89 points while limiting Kemba Walker to just 10. The Celtics do a great job defending the point guard position and that's where the Hornets get the bulk of their offense. Nicolas Batum has been dealing with injuries and isn't 100 percent, and the Celtics are a much better team at home (27-12) this season.
Offense to Use:
Phoenix Suns vs. Sacramento Kings
When choosing an offense to target, we have to use the opposite train of thought and lean towards a game with very little on the line. Suns-Kings fits that bill with both teams eliminated from contention (by a long shot) and both allergic to playing defense. You can go with either team, but the Suns provide a lot of guys with high ceilings and low salaries; try the nice affordable stack of Archie Goodwin ($3,500), Mirza Teletovic ($5,600) and Alex Len ($5,400).
Teams on Back-to-Backs:
First game: Thunder
Second game: Nets, Hornets, Wizards, Rockets, Mavericks, Jazz, Lakers, Bucks, Magic
DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
Point Guard
Seth Curry, SAC at PHO ($4,300): Seth has been shooting the ball better than Steph from downtown recently, which has made him fantasy relevant late in the season. Curry has seen his salary rise by nearly $1,000 since late March, and while he doesn't add much elsewhere, his chances of draining multiple three-pointers goes up significantly against Phoenix.
Other suggestions: Tim Frazier, NO vs. CHI ($5,700); Darren Collison, SAC at PHO ($6,100)
Shooting Guard
Rodney Hood, UTA vs. DAL ($5,200): Hood's scoring has been up and down lately, but the kid is clutch. This is arguably the biggest game of Hood's young NBA career and the Jazz will need him to make a big impact. He's also not going to cost you much and has a high ceiling considering how many three-point shots he's attempting per game.
Other suggestions: Sean Kilpatrick, BKN vs. WAS ($3,600); Kobe Bryant, LAL at OKC ($4,800)
Small Forward
Luke Babbitt, NO vs. CHI ($5,500): The Bulls officially have nothing left to play for this season, so don't expect much effort out of them Monday. Babbitt, on the other hand, has reinvented himself in New Orleans, averaging 30.7 fantasy points per game in his last seven. He's gone nine straight games with double-digit fantasy points and has done a nice job on the glass as well. Babbitt is an attractive tournament play and one could argue his value resides more in cash games.
Power Forward
Andrew Nicholson, ORL vs. MIL ($3,800): There are plenty of bargain-bin options late in the season and Nicholson falls under that umbrella. The Magic are giving him an opportunity which has turned into seven straight games of at least 20 fantasy points. Out of all the games with nothing on the line, Magic-Bucks is intriguing considering how much young talent will be on display.
Other suggestions: Paul Millsap, ATL at CLE ($8,600); Jabari Parker, MIL at ORL ($6,200)
Center
Enes Kanter, OKC vs. LAL ($5,600): Kanter isn't on the list of Thunder superstars who will likely sit this game out, so consider him an elite option at wholesale pricing. We've seen the types of games he can produce; it was only a few games ago he had 33 points and 20 rebounds to the tune of 63.5 fantasy points. His high ceiling, low cost and increased opportunity against a soft opponent makes Kanter an appealing option for both tournaments and cash games.
Other suggestions: Cristiano Felicio, CHI at NO ($3,000); Marcin Gortat, WAS at BKN ($6,000)
INJURY REPORT
Out
Thaddeus Young, BKN (rest)
Brook Lopez, BKN (rest)
Victor Oladipo, ORL (concussion)
Aaron Gordon, ORL (concussion)
DeMarcus Cousins, SAC (rest)
Derrick Favors, UTA (unknown)
John Wall, WAS (knee)
Game-Time Decision
Taj Gibson, CHI (ribs)
E'Twaun Moore, CHI (hamstring)
J.J. Barea, DAL (groin)
