DraftKings NBA: Monday Cheat Sheet

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Updated on November 27, 2017 12:25PM EST

The NBA kicks of the week with eight games on the schedule Monday. There are some great value plays on the slate, which should leave your budget in good shape to surround them with some elite players. Let's take a look at the players you want to consider for your DraftKings entry.

Guards

Damian Lillard, POR at NY ($8,800): Lillard is an excellent DFS option on most nights as he's averaging 44.5 DraftKings points per game and is tied for the ninth-highest usage rate (30.3%) in the league. Monday brings a really enticing matchup against a Knicks team that allows the fifth-most DraftKings points per game (49.4) to opposing point guards.

Darren Collison, IND vs. ORL ($6,100): Collison has been a model of consistency of late as he has scored at least 30 DraftKings points in six straight games. One of those games was last week against these same Magic when he scored 30.5 DraftKings points. The Magic are allowing the second-most DraftKings points per game (51.1) to opposing point guards, so Collison has the potential to provide excellent value at this mid-tier price.

Courtney Lee, NY vs. POR ($4,700): Lee is getting heavy playing time for the Knicks as he has played at least 33 minutes in six of his last seven games. He's made the most of his opportunity, scoring at least 26.8 DraftKings points in four straight games, two of which he scored at least 37 DraftKings points. If you want to save money at guard, look no further than Lee.

Forwards

LeBron James, CLE at PHI ($11,400): James has scored at least 52.5 DraftKings points in five of his last six games, and he's notched at least 60 DraftKings points in a game six times this season. The Sixers play at the fourth-fastest pace (105.1) in the league, so James and the Cavaliers should be in for an uptempo contest.

DeMarre Carroll, BKN at HOU ($5,700): The Nets play at the fastest pace (105.7) in the league and use a lot of small lineups, which has led to Carroll posting a career-high 18.8% usage rate. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (ankle) injured himself Sunday against the Memphis Grizzlies, so if he does manage to play Monday, he'll likely be limited at best. With so few talented healthy players left, Carroll is primed for a big night.

J.J. Redick, PHI vs. CLE ($5,100): Redick exploded for eight three-pointers on his way to 40.3 DraftKings points Saturday against the Orlando Magic. That's actually the second time he's made eight three's in a game this season and he has hit at least two three-pointers in all but five games so far. The Cavaliers are allowing the fourth-highest shooting percentage from behind the arc (38.3%) in the league, so Redick has the potential to go off again in this game.

Centers

Joel Embiid, PHI vs. CLE ($10,400): This is a major mismatch for Embiid as the Cavaliers don't have anyone capable of guarding him. The Cavaliers play small with Kevin Love at center, who is going to give up a lot of size and strength to Embiid. Embiid is tied for the third-highest usage rate (33.6%) in the league and is averaging 45.6 DraftKings points per game this season.

Nikola Vucevic, ORL at IND ($7,300): Vucevic is playing well of late, having scored at least 36.5 DraftKings points in four straight games. He exploded for 49.3 DraftKings points when these same teams met last week, which is not a huge surprise considering the Pacers allow the second-most DraftKings points per game (60.1) to opposing centers. If you can't afford to play Embiid, Vucevic is another excellent option for your entry.

Julius Randle, LAL at LAC ($5,300): Randle is finally starting to see increased playing time as he has been on the floor for at least 28 minutes in four of his last five games. He's been able to cash that in for at least 30 DraftKings points in three straight games. His 24.2% usage rate ranks him 54th in the NBA, which is better than several marquee fantasy options, including Karl-Anthony Towns, Hassan Whiteside and Nikola Jokic. The impending return of Larry Nance could cost Randle some minutes, though Nance could be limited in what's expected to be his first game back.

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. Mike Barner plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: mbarner, DraftKings: mbarner51.