This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Team Analysis
Defense to Avoid:
Atlanta Hawks vs. Orlando Magic
While there are very few teams that play solid defense this season, Mike Budenholzer's squad is definitely one of them, ranking fifth in defensive efficiency (99.8). Atlanta is coming off a tough loss at the buzzer to this same Magic team Sunday, but the second half of the home-and-away will be played back at Philips Arena in Atlanta. The Hawks have held opponents to under 100 points in three straight games and stifled the Magic last time they visited Philips Arena in a 98-81 victory Jan. 18. This game has the second-lowest over/under (200.5) on Monday's slate, with the Hawks favored by 8.5 points
Offense to Use:
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. New Orleans Pelicans
The obvious choice here would be to go heavy on the Thunder, who are favored by 13 points against the Suns with an over/under of 217.5, except that two very high-priced players make up the majority of OKC's scoring. The T-Wolves are averaging 107.3 points over their last three games and have a couple of big wins over tough opponents (Clippers, Bulls). Minnesota's core starters -- Andrew Wiggins, Ricky Rubio, Karl-Anthony Towns and the emerging Gorgui Dieng -- aren't going to cost you a fortune and should be in line for big fantasy nights against a reeling Pelicans squad.
Teams on Back-to-Backs:
First game: none
Second game: Hawks, Magic, Clippers, Nuggets, Kings
Daily Player Recommendations
Point Guard
Derrick Rose, CHI at CHA ($7,000): If you're not willing to pay up for the services of Russell Westbrook ($11,300), Rose makes for an excellent alternative. Jimmy Butler (knee) will miss a second straight game Monday night, which once again puts the ball in Rose's hands far more than usual. He still can't be counted on for efficiency, but that won't matter too much if his usage stays this high. Rose has gone three straight games with 40 or more fantasy points and has a solid shot to continue the streak for however long Butler is out.
Other suggestions: George Hill, IND vs. LAL ($5,700); Ricky Rubio, MIN vs. NO ($6,300)
Shooting Guard
J.R. Smith, CLE vs. SAC ($5,500): The only thing that concerns me here is that the Cavaliers may blow out the Kings and force the starters to see fewer minutes, but Smith still makes for a great value play in cash games. He's hit four or more three-pointers in four straight games and is averaging 26.5 fantasy points over his last seven. The Kings defense has been historically bad, especially from beyond the arc, where they're allowing the most three-pointers made to opposing teams at 10.4 per game.
Other suggestions: E'Twaun Moore, CHI at CHA ($4,900); DeMar DeRozan, TOR at DET ($8,000)
Small Forward
Stanley Johnson, DET vs. TOR ($5,900): With Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (groin) out until after the All-Star break, Johnson has slid into the Pistons' starting five and has played well. He was already putting together a solid season off the bench, but with the recent increase in minutes, has really shown his potential as an inside-out swingman. Over the past five games, Johnson averaged 14.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists, and while his shooting percentages are low, that won't matter so long as he gets 35-plus minutes Monday night for a third straight game.
Other suggestions: Shabazz Muhammad, MIN vs. NO ($4,000); Paul George, IND vs. LAL ($8,500)
Power Forward
Tristan Thompson, CLE vs. SAC ($5,200): Thompson struggled a bit Saturday with Kevin Love (thigh) out of the lineup, though he did get a nice boost on the glass with 15 boards. That matchup Saturday was against Anthony Davis, so going up against the Sacramento frontcourt should help Thompson avoid another goose egg on offense. Thompson isn't the kind of player coach Tyronn Lue will limit if the game gets lopsided and his salary is just too low to pass up in this spot.
Other suggestions: Kenneth Faried, DEN at BKN ($5,700); Paul Millsap, ATL vs. ORL ($7,900)
Center
Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN vs. NO ($8,200): KAT's price tag has leveled out after rising $1,400 over the last couple of weeks. His tear has only continued, with Towns averaging 46.8 fantasy points over his last six games, making him an ideal cash-game play Monday. The last time Towns failed to record a double-double was Jan. 23, stretching back over his last seven games. Both the T-Wolves and Pelicans have struggled defensively this season, so while the game will be high scoring, it should also be pretty competitive with Minnesota playing better basketball lately.
Other suggestions: Jonas Valanciunas, TOR at DET ($6,000); Enes Kanter, OKC at PHO ($4,900)
Injury Report
Out
Jimmy Butler, CHI (knee)
Blake Griffin, LAC (hand)
Eric Gordon, NO (finger)
Brandon Knight, PHO (groin)
Tyreke Evans, NO (knee)
Rudy Gay, SAC (ankle)
Ben McLemore, SAC (wrist)
Austin Rivers, LAC (hand)
Nikola Mirotia, CHI (appendicitis)
Joakim Noah, CHI (shoulder)
Al Jefferson, CHA (knee)
Jameer Nelson, DEN (wrist)
Darrell Arthur, DEN (quad)
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, DET (groin)
Rodney Stuckey, IND (ankle)
Game-Time Decision
Kevin Love, CLE (thigh)
Tobias Harris, ORL (ankle)
Ish Smith, PHI (ankle)
Matthew Dellavedova, CLE (hamstring)
Dennis Schroder, ATL (laceration)
Allen Crabbe, POR (illness)
Noah Vonleh, POR (ankle)
Kevin Martin, MIN (wrist)
Nikola Pekovic, MIN (foot)
