This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Team Analysis
Defense to Avoid
San Antonio Spurs vs. Orlando Magic
Let's not get cute and try to pinpoint a defense that could potentially perform well Monday. The Spurs still haven't lost at home this season and they get a reeling Magic squad that has dropped 12 of its last 14 games. San Antonio is also incredibly resilient, having allowed an average of 84.7 points in the seven games following a loss this season. On top of all that, Orlando entered Sunday ranked 23rd in points per game (98.7) and 26th in offensive efficiency (100.7).
Offense to Use
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Washington Wizards
Again, don't dance around the fact that the Thunder have an incredible matchup at home against the Wizards, who are allowing 104.8 points per game this season – Washington has been even worse of late, allowing 115.3 points per game over its last four. We know that Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are the big fish to target for your lineup, but don't sleep on Enes Kanter and Dion Waiters, who each have played well over the past couple of games and are very affordable.
Teams on Back-to-Backs:
First game: Raptors, Bucks
Second game: Hawks, Mavericks, Bulls, Magic
Daily Player Recommendations
Point Guard
Reggie Jackson, DET at BKN ($7,000): If there's any team that can get Jackson out of his funk, it's the Nets. The sharpshooter has fallen into a dry spell over the past two games, failing to drain a three-pointer on four attempts while hitting just 11 of 27 shots from the field. Luckily for Jackson, Brooklyn is allowing 48.1 fantasy points per game to opposing floor generals this season, and the majority of those games were with Jarrett Jack (knee) in the lineup prior to his season-ending injury. Now, the contingent of Donald Sloan and Shane Larkin will be tasked with containing Jackson.
Other suggestions: Jeff Teague, ATL vs. DAL ($5,500); Cory Joseph, TOR at DEN ($3,900)
Shooting Guard
Khris Middleton, MIL at SAC ($7,100): Middleton is another guard coming off a poor shooting performance who gets an insanely juicy matchup. The Kings are dead last in fantasy points allowed per game to shooting guards this season (42.7) and Middleton will be a nightmare for whoever is tasked with guarding him. Sacramento also allows the most three-pointers made per game (10.4), so expect Middleton to bounce back after missing all three of his shots from downtown Friday against the Heat.
Other suggestions: Dion Waiters, OKC vs. WAS ($4,400); Rodney Hood, UTA vs. CHI ($6,000)
Small Forward
Kevin Durant, OKC vs. WAS ($10,400): This is a no-brainer really. Durant is the lock of the century Monday against the Wizards and you should employ him in pretty much all your cash-game lineups. Durantula has failed to reach 40 fantasy points just once in his past 10 games and has six double-doubles over that span (bonus points!). He should also be pretty motivated to have a big game against his hometown squad, and he'll be well rested after having the weekend off.
Other suggestions: Chandler Parsons, DAL at ATL ($7,000); Rudy Gay, SAC vs. MIL ($6,800)
Power Forward
Kevin Love, CLE at IND ($7,300): Love may be the hottest power forward in the league not named DeMarcus Cousins. Even before the firing of head coach David Blatt back on Jan. 22, Love had already started to kill it in terms of fantasy production, averaging 39.5 FPts over his last seven games. He's now gone three straight games with 43 or more fantasy points and his torrid pace hasn't inflated his salary at all. Love should definitely be inserted into all of your cash-game lineups and is still a decent tournament play considering his price and high ceiling.
Other suggestions: Jabari Parker, MIL at SAC ($5,300); Bobby Portis, CHI at UTA ($3,900)
Center
Boban Marjanovic, SA vs. ORL ($3,700): San Antonio will be without Tim Duncan for another game Monday, which boosts Marjanovic's stock. When the Spurs blow teams out -- and the likelihood of this happening against Orlando is pretty high -- Marjanovic almost always gets a nice bump in playing time due to the garbage minutes. When he does get double-digit minutes, Marjanovic is a good bet to exceed the expected return on his price.
Other suggestions: Rudy Gobert, UTA vs. CHI ($6,700); Brook Lopez, BKN vs. DET ($7,400)
Injury Report
Out
Jarrett Jack, BKN (knee)
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, BKN (ankle)
Joakim Noah, CHI (shoulder)
Eric Gordon, NO (finger)
Nikola Mirotic, CHI (appendicitis)
Mike Dunleavy, CHI (back)
Rodney Stuckey, IND (ankle)
Greivis Vasquez, MIL (ankle)
John Henson, MIL (back)
Tim Duncan, SA (knee)
Game-Time Decision
DeMarcus Cousins, SAC (ankle)
Marc Gasol, MEM (knee)
Tyreke Evans, NO (knee)
Ben McLemore, SAC (wrist)
Cameron Payne, OKC (concussion)
O.J. Mayo, MIL (hamstring)
Ersan Ilyasova, DET (thigh)
Ian Mahinmi, IND (back)
