This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
The NBA starts this week off in style with 10 games Monday. There are not only a lot of elite players to choose from, but there are some great value plays available on DraftKings due to injuries. Let's take a look at which players you should target for your entry.
Guards
Ben Simmons, PHI at CHI ($9,600): Simmons is playing well right now, recording one triple-double and three double-doubles in his last five games. He'll have to take on more of a scoring role Monday with Joel Embiid (rest) out. In the last game Embiid missed, Simmons finished with 27 points. Considering his upside, this is a reasonable price to make Simmons part of your entry.
Donovan Mitchell, UTA at HOU ($6,700): Mitchell has become a huge part of the Jazz's offense this season, posting a 29.1% usage rate, which ranks inside the top 20 in the league. This is his third game already this season against the Rockets, who he had success against by averaging 21.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.5 three-pointers in their first two meetings. Look for him to keep things rolling Monday.
Josh Richardson, MIA at ATL ($4,800): The Heat have already ruled out Hassan Whiteside (knee) and James Johnson (ankle) for Monday's game while Justise Winslow (knee), Goran Dragic (elbow) and Dion Waiters (illness) are each listed as questionable. Richardson will be one of the players tasked with trying to make up for some of the lost production, even if Dragic and Waiters are cleared. The Hawks are also dealing with injuries up front, so there could be a lot of small lineups on the floor in this game. Richardson has scored at least 28.8 DraftKings points in three of his last four games and could be one of the better value plays at guard Monday.
Forwards
Kevin Durant, GS at LAL ($11,600): The Warriors will be down two of their stars Monday as both Stephen Curry (ankle) and Draymond Green (shoulder) won't play. They also missed the previous two games, which resulted in Durant scoring at least 51.8 DraftKings points in each contest. The Lakers and Warriors are both in the top-five in the league in terms of pace of play, so this has the makings of a big performance from Durant.
Robert Covington, PHI at CHI ($6,300): Covington has been a steady source of production, scoring at least 39 DraftKings points in four of his last five games. Not only can he rack up threes when he's hot, but he also provides excellent defensive value by averaging 1.7 steals per game. He too should see more shots with Embiid out, making him an excellent option at this price.
Kelly Olynyk, MIA at ATL ($5,000): With all their injuries up front, Olynyk is one of the last men standing. He should get all the minutes he can handle in what is likely a game full of small lineups, which fits his game very well. In his previous meeting against the Hawks this season, he recorded 10 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two steals. The price is right to take a chance on him Monday.
Centers
Dwight Howard, CHA vs. NY ($7,800): Howard provides a pretty safe floor as he's going to at least approach a double-double on a nightly basis. He's been a rebounding machine of late, averaging 14.7 rebounds over his last six games. He scored 21 points and grabbed nine rebounds against the Knicks earlier this season and you shouldn't be surprised if he posts similar numbers in this game.
Dario Saric, PHI at CHI ($5,800): Like Covington, Saric has also been a consistent DFS option, scoring at least 30.5 DraftKings points in four straight games. Saric has seen an increase in production when Embiid is out, averaging 16.4 points and 9.4 rebounds in five games without Embiid this season. The Bulls like to go small up front as Robin Lopez is really their only player with significant size, so this has the makings of an ideal matchup for Saric.
Jordan Bell, GS at LAL ($4,500): With both Green (shoulder) and Zaza Pachulia (shoulder) out the last two games, Bell started and played at least 24 minutes in each contest. He took advantage of the added minutes, scoring at least 24.5 DraftKings points in both games. The Lakers have some size up front, so expect Bell to get extended minutes again in this game. He's priced low enough to be a viable option for your lineup.
