Monday night is an early Christmas present to fantasy basketball players who are fans of giant slates of action. There are 11 games on the main slate on DraftKings, which gets underway at 7:00 p.m. ET. Only two teams have the night off in the NBA After three games on Sunday and before a league-wide off day on Tuesday for Christmas Eve. The Rockets and Raptors are the only teams on the second day of a back-to-back, but it’s still vital to keep a close eye on the latest news and updates, as the models will adjust to compensate for any availability updates before tip-off.
Let’s dive into some of the top plays on the slate using the FantasyLabs tools and projections.
Also, don’t forget that for large-field tournaments, you can utilize our Lineup Optimizer to effortlessly create up to 300 lineups or use our Lineup Builder if you like to hand-build your lineups.
You can also use our SimLabs Lineup Generator, a tool that creates the most user-friendly lineup generation process.
Note: Projections and Leverages Scores/Ratings may change throughout the day after this article is posted. The NBA DFS landscape changes quickly.
Consult the NBA Player Models directly for any updates as we get closer to lock.
NBA DFS Point Guard Picks
Stud
Luka Doncic has the highest ceiling projection of all point guards on Monday’s slate, but the superstar is questionable with a heel injury and taking on the Blazers. I actually prefer paying down just a little bit for LaMelo Ball, who checks in with a salary under $10,000 and the third-highest ceiling projection at the position. He’s in a favorable matchup against the Rockets and showed he’s back to full strength after his own injury issues.
Ball eased back in with 15 points, 11 assists, and 47.25 DraftKings points in just 26 minutes against the Sixers last Monday and looked even better with 34 points, 13 assists, and 69 DraftKings points on Thursday. He sat out Friday’s game with injury management, but he’s off the injury report and good to go on Monday night.
On the season, Ball has produced an impressive 1.56 DraftKings points per minute and leads the NBA with a 38.3% usage rate.
Value
With Damian Lillard (calf) doubtful, it should be a busy night for Ryan Rollins, according to our projections, which give him the highest Projected Plus/Minus of all players on the entire slate.
Rollins started for Lillard on Saturday for just the second time this season, and the rookie delivered 14 points, three rebounds, two assist,s and 22.25 DraftKings points. In his other start this season, he was even better with 33.75 DraftKings points in 22 minutes against the Raptors, but he suffered a shoulder dislocation that sidelined him for a while.
Now that he’s past the shoulder injury, he can carve out a role for himself behind Lillard and find multiple ways to contribute to the Bucks rotation. At barely over the minimum salary, he’s one of the best-known values coming into the day.
Fast Break
Jalen Suggs is questionable against the Celtics, but he has the second-highest Projected Plus/Minus on the slate behind only Rollins. With Franz Wagner (oblique) and Paolo Bachero (oblique) off the floor, Suggs has produced 1.09 DraftKings points per minute with a 30.5% usage rate.
The Heat have dropped three straight but have been getting good production from Tyler Herro. Herro has exceeded salary-based expectations in five of his last seven contests, producing 1.25 DraftKings points per minute. On Monday, the Heat host the Nets in Miami, and Jimmy Butler (illness) is questionable. If Butler is out, Herro will have an even higher ceiling, but it is worth considering either way, given his recent run of success.
Clippers guard Kevin Porter Jr. has been an excellent low-cost guard play recently. He has at least 27 DraftKings points in five of his last six games and has scored at least 12 points in five of those games as well. He and the Clippers are in Memphis this Monday, and he has the sixth-highest Projected Plus/Minus of the point guards under $5,000.
Don’t forget to check out our NBA SimLabs Lineup Generator to create advanced DFS lineups using the power of simulation:
NBA DFS Shooting Guard Picks
Stud
Norman Powell continues to help carry the load while the Clippers await the season debut of Kawhi Leonard (knee). Powell has scored 29, 28, and 28 points in his last three games and posted 52.5 fantasy points last Thursday in Dallas.
Powell has the third-highest ceiling projection of all shooting guards on Monday night and the highest Projected Plus/Minus at the position. The Clippers have a favorable matchup in Memphis and Powell brings an elite ceiling at a non-elite salary.
He may not have as large of a role once Kawhi is in the mix, but for as long as he continues to feature in the offense, he’ll bring a high ceiling.
Value
One of the exciting new features this year on FantasyLabs this season is our partnership with ShotQuality. In the ShotQuality projections, Svi Mykhailuik and Jordan Clarkson have the second and third-highest Projected Plus/Minus at shooting guard on Monday when the Jazz visit the Cavs in Cleveland. Those two guards will help pick up the slack if Keyonte George (ankle, doubtful) is forced to miss a second straight game.
Svi is available at a bargain salary of just $3,300 but scored 13 and 18 points in two of his last three games. His 18 points came in 22 minutes against Brooklyn last Saturday, in his best showing of the season.
Clarkson had 16 points, eight assists, and 34.25 DraftKings without George on Saturday against the Nets. He will be an excellent value on Monday night if George is ruled out.
Fast Break
Jordan Poole has scored over 25 points in each of his last two games, posting 46.25 DraftKings points against the Hornets and 37.25 DraftKings points against the Bucks. The Thunder have been a tough matchup for guards this season, but Poole’s potential is always present since he gets plenty of shots and can pile up points in a hurry.
With Marcus Smart (finger) out and Desmond Bane (illness) questionable, Jaylen Wells could be a great value play on the wing for the Grizzlies. Wells has scored 12 points or more in three of his last four games, with at least 23 DraftKings points in each of those three contests. With more work potentially coming his way, the rookie could be a great value at just under $4,000.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
In the ShotQuality projections, Scottie Barnes has the highest ceiling projection of all small forwards, even outranking the more expensive Jayson Tatum. In the FanDuel projections, Barnes is just behind Tatum but has the second-highest ceiling projection at the position.
Barnes had decent non-scoring numbers on Sunday night against the Rockets, but he shot just 2-of-15 for six points and 29.5 DraftKings points. He had to carry more of the load with RJ Barrett (illness) out, and Barrett is questionable for Monday night’s game against the Knicks.
If Barrett is sidelined again, Barnes should be ready for another heavy workload which gives him a high ceiling. He also brings unique flexibility since he is eligible at both point guard and small forward.
Value
In the ShotQuality projections, Lauri Markkanen has the second-highest Projected Plus/Minus of small forwards and the fourth-highest ceiling projection, even though he only has the 12th-highest salary of those players with projections.
Markkanan is relatively affordable, under $7,000, but he has scored 17 points or more in four straight games and seems to be finding a nice rhythm. Last Thursday, he had a ceiling game with over 50 DraftKings points in a win over the Pistons, and he followed that up with 21 points and 34.75 DraftKings points on Saturday against the Nets.
Whether George plays or is sidelined, Markkanen should be set for a hefty workload against his former team in Cleveland. In his three games against Cleveland since he was traded, he has averaged 25 points and 10.7 rebounds.
Fast Break
Jayson Tatum always brings a high ceiling, making him a good pay-up option to consider. He is coming off a monster 43-point triple-double on Saturday that earned him 83.75 DraftKings points against the Bulls. Tatum has exceeded even his lofty salary-based expectations in five of his last eight games.
Due to trades and injuries, the Nets have to rely heavily on Cameron Johnson. He had 33 points and 61 DraftKings points last Thursday in Toronto and followed that with 31.25 DraftKings points against the Jazz. He has over 30 DraftKings points in eight of his last nine games and can fill up multiple categories in competitive games when at his best.
Jaden McDaniels has the second-highest Projected Plus/Minus at the position in the FantasyLabs projections. He has double-digit points in six of his last nine contests and has at least 23 DraftKings points in five straight. He had two big games last week, with 43.25 DraftKings points against the Lakers and 37.25 DraftKings points against the Spurs. The Wolves have been showcasing a more balanced attack lately, and McDaniels increased role makes him a good value.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
In both the FantasyLabs and ShotQuality projections, Giannis Antetokoumpo has the highest median, ceiling, and floor projections on the entire slate, with Lillard’s expected absence. He also has the highest Projected Plus/Minus at power forward in both sets of projections.
Giannis is also questionable himself with back spasms, but if he plays, he’ll be in a smash spot against the Bulls and is projected for a 36.1% usage rate. He had 62.75 and 59.25 DraftKings points in his two matchups with the Bulls earlier this season and has posted over 55 DraftKings points in five straight games.
If Giannis is out, Bobby Portis will be a strong value, but if he plays and Lillard doesn’t, he should be poised for a monster game that could break the slate, especially since he’ll probably be popular.
Editor’s note: Giannis was ruled out after this article was submitted. Check the NBA Player Models for updates.
Value
With Onyeka Okongwu (knee) out, Larry Nance Jr. has stepped up for the Hawks and become a solid value play under $5,000. Nance has the fourth-highest Projected Plus/Minus at power forward in both the FantasyLabs and ShotQuality projections.
Nance had a 21-point, 13-rebound double-double for 48.25 DraftKings points against the Spurs last Thursday. He followed that with seven points and 10 boards for 32.5 DraftKings points against the Grizzlies.
He seems to have taken Okongwu’s spot opposite Clint Capela in the Hawks’ center rotation, and if he stays in that role, he’ll be a good value against the Timberwolves.
Fast Break
Jalen Williams had 33 points against the Heat on Friday in the second night of OKC’s back-to-back in Florida. He has settled into a nice role and has at least 18 points in nine of his last 10 games. He had 48.5 DraftKings points against the Heat and brings plenty of upside against the Wizards if the game stays competitive.
As the Knicks host the Raptors, OG Anunoby will take on his former team once again. He had just 14 points and 33.5 DraftKings points against the Raps earlier this month, but he brings even more upside since he continues to log heavy workloads for the Knicks. He had 16 points and 32.75 DraftKings points on Saturday and is a solid mid-range target with upside due to the revenge narrative on Monday.
Wendell Carter Jr. could have to carry the Magic’s offense on Monday in Boston with Suggs questionable and Banchero and Wagner out. He could also get more minutes with Moe Wagner (knee) out for the season as well.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
When he’s played, Joel Embiid has shown he can be good, but he has been limited to only three games all month. He is not on the injury report for Monday’s game against the Spurs, though, and he has the third-highest ceiling projection at center in both sets of projections.
Embiid is coming off a huge game last Friday against the Hornets in which he had 34 points, nine assists, five rebounds, two blocks, and 60.75 DraftKings points in only 31 minutes.
He could be especially motivated taking on the visiting Victor Wembanyama, and getting him with a salary under $10,000 won’t last long once he’s up to full strength. If you have the salary, he is worth a look Monday night.
Value
Grizzlies’ rookie Zach Edey has exceeded salary-based expectations in 10 of his last 12 games, and he has the second-highest Projected Plus/Minus of the centers under $5,000 in the FantasyLabs projections.
Edey had posed over 24 DraftKings points in seven straight games before a down game Saturday against the Hawks, but he should be able to bounce back against the Clippers, especially if Ivica Zubac (calf, questionable) is sidelined. If Big Z is out, Mo Bamba and even Nic Batum could be worth a look as they fill in.
Fast Break
Karl-Anthony Towns has the second-highest ceiling projection at center on Monday, behind only Giannis. No team in the NBA has allowed more fantasy points to opposing centers than the Raptors this season, and Towns had over 60 DraftKings points against them earlier this month. He had a down game against the Pelicans on Saturday after exploding for 72 DraftKings points against the Wolves last week. He should bounce back in this smash spot, though. He and Embiid are all such good pay-up plays with high ceilings.
Walker Kessler has the second-highest Projected Plus/Minus at center in both the FantasyLabs and ShotQuality projections. Kessler has averaged 36.2 DraftKings points per game and 1.04 DraftKings points per minute over his last 10 games, and he could get more work with John Collins (hip) downgraded to doubtful.
Day’Ron Sharpe has the second-highest Projected Plus/Minus of all centers under $4,000 and has exceeded salary-based expectations in all but one of his seven games this season.
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