Monday night delivers a six-game fantasy basketball slate from the NBA, which tips off at 7:00 p.m. ET. The Pelicans, Sixers, Nuggets, and Raptors are each playing for the second night in a row, and the Magic and Mavericks have another game on Tuesday to start their week with a back-to-back. While you’ll definitely want to keep a close eye on the injury report leading up to tipoff, there are some strong options already standing out in our projections for Monday.
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 Leverage 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
While Luka Doncic has the highest median, ceiling, and floor projections at point guard, he also is extremely expensive at $12,300 and with LeBron James back, his usage is uncertain. As a result, I’d rather save salary and go with Josh Giddey, who has the second-highest ceiling projection and is over $3,000 cheaper. Giddey’s Bulls are on the road against the Nuggets in a good matchup that also has the highest over/under on the slate.
Giddey has averaged 22.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, 9.1 assists, and 1.7 steals in 34.5 minutes per game in his 11 games since the All-Star break, producing 1.45 DraftKings points per minute.
After missing three of four games, he returned to the starting lineup Saturday against the Lakers and went off for 73 DraftKings points in just 33 minutes with an unprecedented stat line of 15 points, 17 assists, 10 rebounds, and eight steals. He would have had a realistic shot at a quadruple-double if it wasn’t for the fact that the Bulls turned the game into a blowout.
Value
One of the exciting new features this season on FantasyLabs is our partnership with ShotQuality. Immanuel Quickley has the highest Projected Plus/Minus of all players on the entire slate in the ShotQuality projections.
He rested Sunday in Toronto’s loss to the Spurs but is in a great spot if he returns on Monday to face the Wizards since they have allowed the most DraftKings points per game to point guards this season. The Raptors could also potentially rest other starters, leaving more work for Quickley.
In his last game, he had 21 points and 43 DraftKings points against the Warriors, giving him over 32 DraftKings points in eight of his last 11 games, including each of his last five. He showed a high ceiling during that run with 56.25 DraftKings points against the Jazz. When he faced the Wizards two weeks ago, he had 15 points, six boards, six assists, and 32.5 DraftKings points in 28 minutes.
Fast Break
Quentin Grimes has stepped up for the Sixers and taken on a huge workload with their serious injury issues. Grimes has exceeded salary-based expectations in six of his last eight games even though his salary has been climbing. He has over 42 DraftKings points in seven straight games and gets a great matchup against the Pelicans Monday.
With D’Angelo Russell out, Keon Johnson will be a strong play against the Mavs. He had 17 points and 29 fantasy points without Russell on Saturday and posted 22 points and 44 fantasy points in the game that Russell missed against the Hawks earlier this month.
For the Magic, Cole Anthony (toe) is questionable after missing the last week. Anthony Black has stepped up in his last three games, producing 28.25, 19.0 and 29.5 DraftKings points while helping to fill in for Anthony. If Anthony is out again, Black will be a great bargain with his salary under $4K.
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
Zion Williamson (back) has missed the last two games for the Pelicans, leaving CJ McCollum to carry the offense. On Monday, in a good matchup against the Sixers, McCollum has the second-highest Projected Plus/Minus at shooting guard in the FantasyLabs projections and the third-highest in the ShotQuality projections.
On Sunday, McCollum dropped 40 points and 60.25 DraftKings points in a loss to the Pistons. He has four 40-point games on the season and has the ability to go off in any matchup. While he hasn’t been consistent, he does have a very high ceiling.
If Zion is out again on Monday, he should get plenty of shots once again with the potential to end up a great value under $8,000. He brings an elite ceiling at a salary below the top tier of guards on Monday.
Value
In both sets of projections, Bulls shooting guard and small forward Kevin Huerter has a top-five Projected Plus/Minus at shooting guard. Since arriving in Chicago at the trade deadline, he has been a big contributor in the Bulls rotation regardless of who else has been available.
He has started each of his last six games for Chicago, averaging 32.5 DraftKings points per game. He showed his ceiling with a big game against his former team, the Kings, totaling 53.75 DraftKings points while scoring 25 points.
In each of his last 13 games, he has scored double-digit points, producing an average of 15.4 points over that stretch and chipping in 3.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.5 steals in 31.9 minutes per game. He has been a consistent option on the wing for the Bulls and brings good potential to the high-scoring game in Denver.
Fast Break
Huerter’s teammate Coby White has also been rolling for the Bulls, exceeding salary-based expectations in six of his last nine games after dropping 36 points and 48.25 DraftKings points against the Lakers on Saturday. White has scored 21+ points in 12 straight games and over 35 and 36 points in his last two contests.
On Sunday, Jordan Hawkins hit six three-pointers and finished with 25 points off the bench against the Pistons, earning 33.25 DraftKings points. Hawkins has played 23+ minutes in four straight games and produced over 21 DraftKings points in three straight games.
The Wizards rotation continues to fluctuate from game to game, but when he has played, Marcus Smart has been very productive. He has 15+ points in three of his last four games and over 30 fantasy points in two of his last three. On Saturday he had 17 points and 33.5 DraftKings points against the Knicks. If he’s lined up for playing time against the Raptors, he’s a solid option under $4,000.
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NBA DFS Small Forward Picks
Stud
In his return on Saturday, LeBron James had 17 points and 34.5 DraftKings points against the Bulls in 31 minutes. He is listed as probable for Monday’s matchup with the Magic, and he has the highest median, ceiling, and floor projections at small forward on the slate.
Before his seven-game absence, James and Doncic were both putting up big games on a nightly basis. He had over 50 DraftKings points in five of his last six games before the injury, including three games with at least 59 DraftKings points.
James’ season has been impressive for any player at any stage of their career and is even more impressive when you consider he’s doing all this at 40 years old. This matchup with the Magic projects as a good spot to take advantage of a discount in his salary after the layoff and build around him in what should be a fascinating game in Orlando.
Value
Justin Edwards has the highest Projected Plus/Minus on the entire slate in the FantasyLabs projections and the second-highest in the ShotQuality projections. He leads the way in that category at both forward positions in both sets of projections.
Edwards gets a great matchup against the Pelicans, who have allowed more DraftKings points to power forwards than any other team in the NBA and the second-most to small forwards. Edwards has scored at least 18 points and produced over 30 DraftKings points in each of his last four games.
On Sunday against Atlanta, he logged 38 minutes and totaled 22 points and 34.75 DraftKings points in Philly’s 13-point loss. As long as he’s lined up for so much work again on Monday, he should be able to deliver over salary-based expectations as he has in eight of his last 10 games.
Fast Break
Cameron Johnson has exceeded salary-based expectations in six of his last seven games after totaling 20 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and 41.25 DraftKings points against the Pacers on Saturday. Without Russell, he’ll carry more of the offensive workload again on Monday in a favorable spot against the Mavs.
Wizards rookie Kyshawn George posted a big double-double on Saturday against the Knicks, totaling 15 points, 10 rebounds, and 39.5 DraftKings points in 28 minutes. He has 30+ DraftKings points in five of his last seven games, highlighted by a big game against the Nuggets in which he had 44.25 DraftKings points. He could end up with a great matchup against the Raptors, depending on who Toronto has available on the second game of their back-to-back.
Timberwolves shooting guard and small forward Nickeil Alexander-Walker has the fifth-highest Projected Plus/Minus of all small forwards in the FantasyLabs projections and the second-highest under $4,000 in the ShotQuality projections. Anthony Edwards (thumb) is questionable, and NAW would step into a bigger role if Ant is out. He has at least 15 fantasy points in five straight with 20+ in three of those contests even as a contributor behind Edwards, making him worth a look at his salary under $3,500 either way.
NBA DFS Power Forward Picks
Stud
The Magic will look to get a statement win against the visiting Lakers, and in that matchup, Paolo Banchero has the top median, ceiling, and floor projections at power forward in the FantasyLabs projections, and the second-highest in each of those categories in the ShotQuality projections behind only LeBron.
Banchero has been impressive lately with over 48 DraftKings points in five consecutive games. In two of those matchups, he posted double-doubles in three of those games, including back-to-back games with at least 30 points, earning him 66.75 fantasy points against the Pelicans and 62 fantasy points against the Timberwolves.
On Friday, he only had to play 31 minutes to total 30 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and 50 DraftKings points against the Wizards. After those limited minutes followed by two days off, Banchero should be ready to carry a big workload against the Lakers.
Banchero hasn’t faced LeBron and the Lakers since November of 2023, when he posted 25 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds. He should have a similarly stuffed stat line Monday in Orlando.
Value
With Nikola Jokic (ankle) out the last five games, Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson have each stepped into larger roles and represented good value at their price points. In each of his last five games, Gordon has put up over 32 DraftKings points. He flashed a very high ceiling with 38 points and 48.5 DraftKings points against the Warriors last Monday and averaged 38.2 fantasy points per game over that stretch.
Watson has scored at least nine points and totaled over 18 fantasy points in each of his last four games, including 30.75 DraftKings points against the Warriors last week and 26.25 DraftKings points against the Rockets on Sunday.
If Jokic is out again Monday in a favorable matchup, both these power forwards are good plays against the Bulls, who play fast and give up plenty of DraftKings points to opposing frontcourts.
Fast Break
With so few options on the Mavericks, P.J. Washington has been productive when available. He has only played three games in March but has scored over 25 points in each game, producing 48.5, 33.75, and 40.75 DraftKings points. He’ll have a very favorable matchup against the Nets on Monday and brings a very high ceiling projection.
For the 76ers, Chuma Okeke has played over 30 minutes in each of his last three games with at least 21 DraftKings points in each contest. With Oshae Brissett (knee) leaving early on Sunday, there should be even more work for Okeke, who is still playing on a 10-day contract and looking to earn a full-time spot for the rest of the season. He has the second-highest Projected Plus/Minus at power forward in both projections, behind only his teammate Edwards.
NBA DFS Center Picks
Stud
Taking on the Nuggets without Jokic, Nikola Vucevic should be in a great spot on Monday night. Vucevic has the second-highest median, ceiling, and floor projections at the position in both sets of projections. He’s still affordable due to his seven-game absence and his limited minutes when he returned.
Vucevic only had to play 26 minutes on Saturday in the Bulls’ rout of the Lakers but still posted 12 points, 12 boards, and 42.5 DraftKings points. That was his third straight contest with over 42 DraftKings points, exceeding salary-based expectations in each of those three road games.
Vucevic had 20 points and 44 DraftKings points in his first matchup this season with the Nuggets, and he is a solid play with a high ceiling, especially if Jokic needs another day to recover.
Value
Even though his salary is under $7,000, Alexandre Sarr has the third-highest ceiling projection of all centers on Monday’s slate. The No. 2 pick in last year’s NBA Draft has been on a nice roll lately and gets a great matchup against the Raptors, who have allowed more DraftKings points to centers than any other team in the NBA.
Sarr had a down game on Saturday against the Knicks, managing just 17.25 DraftKings points in 27 minutes. Before that, he had been very effective, with over 35 DraftKings points in five straight. His best game during that stretch came against the Nuggets when he had 54.5 DraftKings points on 34 points in 32 minutes in Denver.
In a matchup against the Raptors earlier this month, he had 16 points, 11 rebounds, and 41.25 DraftKings points in 30 minutes.
Fast Break
On the other side of that matchup, Jakob Poeltl could be a great play if he’s back from resting and gets his typical workload against Washington. He has exceeded salary-based expectations in five of his last six games with at least 16 points in each of those five games. He had 36.5 DraftKings points against Portland and 34.0 DraftKings points against the Warriors in his last two games.
Yves Missi has the highest Projected Plus/Minus at the position in the FantasyLabs projections and could be in for a heavy workload if he can return from his hip injury and Zion Williamson (back) remains out. Missi had over 23 DraftKings points in five straight before finishing with 21 DraftKings points last Thursday in Minnesota.
After not playing since March 2, Deandre Jordan got the start at center for the Nuggets on Sunday, and he dropped 11 points, 15 rebounds, and 38.75 DraftKings points in the Nuggets win over the Rockets. If Jokic is out again on Monday, Jordan could get another start against the Bulls and would be worth a flyer at the minimum salary if he’s in the starting five again.
