Alex Hunter breaks down his top DraftKings DFS targets and value plays for the NBA slate on Monday, January 5.
DraftKings’ main NBA slate for Monday features six games and starts at 7:00 PM EST. DraftKings continues to offer huge contests for DFS players, and below, I break down some of my favorite NBA DFS options at each position for Monday’s NBA action.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $300K Zone Special [$100K to 1st]
Guard
Stud
Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons vs. New York Knicks, $10,500
Cunningham has topped 50 FPTS in five of his last six and the Pistons will remain without Jalen Duren (ankle) and Tobias Harris (hip) tonight, increasing Cunningham’s already huge workload. With both Duren and Harris off the floor this season, Cunningham’s usage rate rises 3.1 percentage points to 34.4% and he produces 1.6 FPTS per minute.
This Knicks team Cunningham is facing tonight has been a shell of themselves on the road this season and Cunningham is well worth his slate-high salary in this spot. When competing away from New York this season, the Knicks are just 7-8 and they rank 23rd in defensive rating.
Other Options: Tyrese Maxey ($9,700), Jamal Murray ($9,500), Derrick White ($8,000)
Value
Ajay Mitchell, Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Charlotte Hornets, $4,800
Mitchell has been excellent coming off the bench for the Thunder, scoring 26.8 FPTS in 23.4 minutes per game in his last six with a 17.2% usage rate. The Hornets rank 26th in defensive rating and Oklahoma City boasts the highest implied team total on the slate in this strong matchup at 125.5 points on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Mitchell is a compelling, cheap way to gain a share of the Thunder tonight and his stock will see a boost if the team rests any key players, given this is Oklahoma City’s second game in two nights.
Other Options: Dyson Daniels ($6,800), Anfernee Simons ($5,000), Duncan Robinson ($4,200), Daniss Jenkins ($3,000)
Forward
Stud
Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets vs. Phoenix Suns, $8,900
The Rockets are hosting a Suns team that is on the second leg of a back-to-back set and Alperen Sengun (ankle) will be out for Houston, opening up some extra usage for Durant. The former MVP has scored at least 45 FPTS in three of the four games he has played without Sengun this season.
Plus, with the center off the court, Durant’s usage rate increases a team-high 5.4 percentage points to 32.3% and his assist rate rises 2.3 percentage points to 21.5%, resulting in 1.3 FPTS per minute for the wing. This $8,900 price is simply too low of a salary for Durant with Sengun sidelined and Durant is a terrific value at this price.
Other Options: Jalen Johnson ($10,000), Jaylen Brown ($9,800)
Value
Tari Eason, Houston Rockets vs. Phoenix Suns, $5,800
Eason is also a great bargain from the Rockets with Sengun missing. In the three games Eason has played sans Sengun this season, Eason is generating 26.8 FPTS in 26.3 minutes per game. The veteran supplies 1.1 FPTS per minute with Sengun off the floor this season and Eason will be further solidified as one of the top values on the slate if Steven Adams (questionable, ankle) is also out tonight.
In that situation, Eason would likely see over 30 minutes and easily beat his price tag.
Other Options: RJ Barrett ($6,100), Tim Hardaway Jr. ($5,000), Collin Murray-Boyles ($4,200), Jordan Walsh ($4,000)
Center
Stud
Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers vs. Denver Nuggets, $8,700
Embiid has looked like himself lately. The center is fresh off a 46 FPTS outing vs. the Knicks on Saturday, which is the fifth time in his last seven that he has recorded at least 43 FPTS. Seeing over 30 minutes in eight straight games, Embiid is no longer under a minutes restriction and tonight he is facing a Nuggets team that is thin up front with Nikola Jokic (knee) and Jonas Valanciunas (calf) both out.
Denver is starting 6’9″ DaRon Holmes at center currently and Embiid should dominate the rookie tonight. The former MVP is scoring 1.4 FPTS per minute with a huge 34.4% usage rate this season.
Other Options: Karl-Anthony Towns ($8,500)
Value
Paul Reed, Detroit Pistons vs. New York Knicks, $3,800
Reed drew the spot start at center for the Pistons with Duren inactive Sunday vs. the Cavaliers and Reed posted 25.5 FPTS across 30.1 minutes of work. Given Detroit defeated Cleveland on the road 114-110 with Reed starting, the veteran should continue to start tonight with Duren still sidelined.
Reed is an awesome fantasy producer, averaging 1.4 FPTS per minute this season and he should see 25-30 minutes tonight, making him a core play at only $3,800. Reed has logged over 20 minutes three times this season and in those games, he has scored 63.75, 33 and 25.5 FPTS.
Other Options: Sandro Mamukelashvili ($5,300), Luka Garza ($4,600), Clint Capela ($4,000)
