Daily Games Cheat Sheet: Monday

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Updated on January 19, 2015 12:41AM EST

TEAM ANALYSIS

Defenses to Avoid
Toronto Raptors at Milwaukee Bucks: Over the last five games, the Bucks have the second-best defensive efficiency rating in the NBA, and have been one of the more underrated units on that end of the court this season. The Raptors offensive efficiency has slipped into middle-of-the-pack status over their last five games, and they are playing their second game in as many nights. Be wary investing in Raptors on Monday.

Offenses to Use
Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Clippers: The Celtics have been miserable defensively most of the season, and their last five games place them as the second-worst defense on the defensive efficiency scale. The Clippers have been hot offensively as of late, ranking third-best in offensive efficiency rating in that same span. The key cogs for the Clippers are nice plays Monday.

First game of a back-to-back: Denver Nuggets
Second game of a back-to-back: New Orleans Pelicans, Toronto Raptors

DraftKings.com DAILY PLAYER RECOMMENDATIONS
If you've never played on DraftKings before, we recommend reading our Daily Fantasy Basketball 101: How to Win on DraftKings strategy article. Want to play in a $50,000 daily NBA contest on DraftKings? Check it out here.

Point Guard
Beno Udrih, PG, MEM ($4,000): By most accounts, Mike Conley is not particularly close to a return to the court, so Udrih will get the chance to take advantage of a Dallas defense that ranks 29th against opposing point guards. Udrih isn't spectacular, but he has scored over 25 DraftKings points in his last two games while playing 29 minutes in each contest.

Other suggestions: Isaiah Thomas (vs. LAL), Patrick Beverley (vs. IND)

Shooting Guard
Gerald Henderson, SG, CHA ($5,100): With Kemba Walker sidelined Monday, somebody is going to have to score, and Henderson is as a good candidate as anyone. He took 19 shots in Walkers absence versus the Pacers, netting 31 DraftKings points in the process. Now, he'll get a chance against a much softer Minnesota defense that ranks dead-last against the shooting guard slot.

Other suggestions: Eric Gordon (at NY), Nick Young (at PHX)

Small Forward
Khris Middleton, SF, MIL ($4,900): Middleton has been a nice play since the calendar flipped to 2015, racking up at least 20 DraftKings points in each contest he's played. While it's unrealistic to expect anything like the 36 DraftKings points he posted last time out, the Raptors aren't exactly shutting people down on defense, and 25-30 DraftKings points would be a nice value for Middleton given his pricing.

Other suggestions: Matt Barnes (vs. BOS), Jeff Green (vs. DAL)

Power Forward
Pau Gasol, PF, CHI ($9,500):Joakim Noah is going to sit out Monday against the Cavaliers, so Gasol will see his share of time at the center position and get his chance against a Cleveland squad that ranks 27th against the position. Gasol has been a consistent value this season, and with a nationally televised game against LeBron James and company on deck, he will be set up to be a huge part of what the Bulls do once again.

Other suggestions: Warriors PFs (vs. DEN), Blake Griffin (vs. BOS)

Center
Alexis Ajinca, C, NO ($3,700): If Anthony Davis is held out once again versus the lowly Knicks, Ajinca could be a phenomenal play on DraftKings. He doesn't score a ton, but he can grab boards, and the general lack of talent on the Knicks' roster should make sure he has ample opportunity to rack up as many as he can get his hands on.

Other suggestions: Omer Asik (at NY), DeAndre Jordan (vs. BOS)

INJURY REPORT

Out
Kemba Walker (knee)
Ricky Rubio (ankle)
Shabazz Muhammad (abdomen)
Mike Dunleavy (ankle)
Terrence Jones (leg)
Al Jefferson (groin)
Joakim Noah (ankle)
Robin Lopez (hand)
Larry Sanders (suspension)

Game-Time Decision
Mike Conley (ankles) is questionable.
Jrue Holiday (ankle) is questionable.
Tony Wroten (knee) is questionable.
George Hill (groin) is questionable.
Shane Larkin (ankle) is questionable.
Ronnie Price (elbow) is doubtful.
Kobe Bryant (rest) is doubtful.
Kevin Martin (wrist) is questionable.
Carmelo Anthony (knee) expects to play.
Anthony Davis (toe) is questionable.
Kevin Love (back) is questionable.
Amar'e Stoudemire (knee) is questionable.
DeMarcus Cousins (ankle) is questionable.
Nikola Pekovic (ankle) is doubtful.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire.