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A lot of top players are questionable for Monday night’s games, and while monitoring those ailments is important for any slate, it is especially crucial with just six games Monday. Even with the injuries in mind, you will probably want to pay up at center and, to a lesser extent, point guard. There are solid plays at varying prices at small forward and shooting guard, but odds are those will be the positions to try to get cheap injury replacements.
Point Guard
Ty Lawson has missed three games over the last two weeks, and Darren Collison is averaging 16.0 points and 8.0 assists in those games. Collison would be an excellent play if Lawson is out, especially on DraftKings.
Much has been made of Jrue Holiday’s struggles since the DeMarcus Cousins trade, so it should come as little surprise Holiday is averaging 18.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 6.0 assists with Cousins out. Holiday is a fine option if you do not trust Darren Collison but do not want to pay for a high-end point guard.
Much like Jrue Holiday, Mike Conley could benefit from the absence of a high-scoring big man. In two games without Marc Gasol this season, Mike Conley averaged 24.5 points and 7.0 assists.
| PLAYER | TM | H/A | OPP | GP | MPG | FT% | 3PTM | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | FG% | USAGE | FDPTS/G | DKPTS/G | YPTS/G | $FD | $DK | $Y |
| Darren Collison | SAC | H | MEM | 63 | 30.5 | 85% | 1.1 | 13.3 | 2.2 | 4.5 | 1 | 0.1 | 1.6 | 48% | 19.70% | 23.3 | 24.8 | 23.9 | $5,400 | $4,700 | $17 |
| Jrue Holiday | NOP | A | UTA | 58 | 32.8 | 70% | 1.6 | 15.7 | 3.9 | 7.2 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 3 | 46% | 23.90% | 32.8 | 35.2 | 33.5 | $7,200 | $6,700 | $28 |
| Mike Conley | MEM | A | SAC | 61 | 33.4 | 86% | 2.4 | 20.1 | 3.6 | 6.3 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 2.3 | 45% | 26% | 34.8 | 37.3 | 36 | $7,900 | $7,500 | $36 |
Shooting Guard
I don’t know that anyone has ever been excited to play Evan Fournier in DFS, but he is what passes for a quality shooting guard in Monday’s slate. Fournier and Buddy Hield cost the same but Fournier is much safer, having scored at least 12 points in 11 consecutive games.
I don’t understand how Rodney Hood has been so bad lately. It would be one thing if he was losing playing time to Alec Burks or even Dante Exum, but Hood is getting outplayed by Joe Ingles and Joe Johnson. That being said, Hood still has a pretty high ceiling, with games of 19, 28 and 18 points over his last nine games played. Someone will have to create some offense if Gordon Hayward is out, and Hood is the most likely candidate. If nothing else, Hood is worth a shot in a GPP, but I am fine using him in a cash lineup because the rest of the shooting guard options aren’t much better.
It would be a major upside if any shooting guard outscores DeMar DeRozan Monday. Rodney Hood and Victor Oladipo are capable, but DeRozan would have to have a second consecutive poor game in order for that to happen. DeRozan may not offer the best value, but there is something to be said for locking up his production at a weak position and searching for bargains elsewhere.
With Kyle Korver out and Iman Shumpert questionable, JR Smith could see a lot of minutes at shooting guard. Smith has played 31 minutes in each of his last two games, and should get at least that many Monday. Smith is risky even if he plays a lot, but he is probably due to make a few threes after scoring in single digits in four consecutive games.
| PLAYER | TM | H/A | OPP | GP | MPG | FT% | 3PTM | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | FG% | USAGE | FDPTS/G | DKPTS/G | YPTS/G | $FD | $DK | $Y |
| Rodney Hood | UTA | H | NOP | 52 | 27.4 | 79% | 1.9 | 12.8 | 3.5 | 1.6 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 1.2 | 41% | 22.90% | 19.9 | 21.6 | 20.8 | $3,700 | $3,900 | $15 |
| DeMar DeRozan | TOR | H | ORL | 66 | 35.4 | 85% | 0.4 | 27.1 | 5.3 | 3.8 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 2.4 | 47% | 34.10% | 39.3 | 41 | 39.5 | $9,200 | $8,600 | $42 |
| Evan Fournier | ORL | A | TOR | 60 | 32.8 | 80% | 1.8 | 16.9 | 3.3 | 3.1 | 1 | 0.1 | 2.1 | 44% | 23.60% | 25.3 | 27.4 | 26.2 | $5,400 | $5,300 | $20 |
| J.R. Smith | CLE | A | SAS | 31 | 27.7 | 67% | 2.2 | 8.1 | 2.4 | 1.3 | 1 | 0.3 | 0.5 | 33% | 14.90% | 14.9 | 16.4 | 16 | $3,500 | $3,800 | $11 |
Small Forward
Harrison Barnes has been a bit too inconsistent of late for my liking, but he seems pretty safe in this matchup with Oklahoma City. Barnes is averaging 24.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists against the Thunder this season, and he has topped 20 points in each of his last games.
This isn’t a great matchup for Joe Johnson or Joe Ingles, but that won’t matter much if they play 35 minutes or more. The last time Gordon Hayward was out, Johnson scored 13 points and Ingles 21. I prefer Johnson, especially on FanDuel, but both guys are strong plays if Hayward sits, and they are probably safer than Rodney Hood as well.
DeMarcus Cousins has missed three games since joining the Pelicans, and Dante Cunningham is averaging 9.7 points and 7.3 rebounds in 33.7 minutes per game in those contests. At the very least, Cunningham is a solid punt play, but if Cousins sits, Cunningham has some double-double potential against a Jazz team that is pretty weak at the four.
In his only game against Cleveland this season, Kawhi Leonard scored 41 points in 46 minutes. That was an overtime game, but Kawhi put up huge numbers nonetheless. Cleveland is allowing 109.8 points per game since the All-Star break, and if Kawhi outscores LeBron in this game, he will almost certainly lead all small forwards in Monday’s slate.
| PLAYER | TM | H/A | OPP | GP | MPG | FT% | 3PTM | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | FG% | USAGE | FDPTS/G | DKPTS/G | YPTS/G | $FD | $DK | $Y |
| Harrison Barnes | DAL | H | OKC | 72 | 35.8 | 86% | 1 | 19.7 | 5.2 | 1.5 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 1.3 | 47% | 25.80% | 28.9 | 30.3 | 29.4 | $5,600 | $6,300 | $26 |
| Joe Johnson | UTA | H | NOP | 69 | 23.3 | 84% | 1.2 | 8.7 | 3.1 | 1.7 | 0.4 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 43% | 18.10% | 15.4 | 16.6 | 16 | $3,800 | $4,100 | $10 |
| Joe Ingles | UTA | H | NOP | 73 | 23.2 | 75% | 1.4 | 6.8 | 3.1 | 2.6 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 1.1 | 45% | 13.50% | 15.6 | 17 | 16.3 | $4,100 | $4,100 | $11 |
| Dante Cunningham | NOP | A | UTA | 57 | 25.4 | 61% | 1 | 6.3 | 4.3 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 46% | 10.60% | 13.9 | 14.8 | 14.4 | $3,500 | $3,000 | $10 |
| Kawhi Leonard | SAS | H | CLE | 65 | 33.8 | 88% | 2 | 26 | 5.9 | 3.5 | 1.8 | 0.7 | 2.1 | 49% | 31.10% | 41.2 | 43.6 | 42.2 | $9,100 | $9,500 | $50 |
Power Forward
Kristaps Porzingis had a pretty pedestrian Saturday, though his numbers look a lot better considering he played just 26 minutes due to foul trouble. Assuming he can stay out of foul trouble Monday, Porzingis should have better results considering he is averaging 23.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.7 blocks against the Pistons this season. I will like Porzingis even more if Carmelo Anthony and Lance Thomas are out again.
Zach Randolph has bene pretty inconsistent lately, but he has been far more consistent in games Marc Gasol has missed. If Gasol is out again, look for Randolph to have a nice game against a Kings team that is allowing 109.3 points per game since the All-Star break.
Randolph started alongside JaMychal Green Sunday, and Green finished with 13 points and eight rebounds in 31 minutes. I would rather play Randolph if I can afford him, but Green is a fine alternative if you want to save some money.
| PLAYER | TM | H/A | OPP | GP | MPG | FT% | 3PTM | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | FG% | USAGE | FDPTS/G | DKPTS/G | YPTS/G | $FD | $DK | $Y |
| Kristaps Porzingis | NYK | H | DET | 62 | 32.7 | 79% | 1.7 | 18 | 7.3 | 1.4 | 0.7 | 2 | 1.8 | 44% | 24.30% | 32.5 | 34.6 | 33.4 | $6,700 | $7,400 | $33 |
| Zach Randolph | MEM | A | SAC | 65 | 24.2 | 72% | 0.3 | 13.9 | 8.1 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 1.3 | 45% | 28.70% | 26.1 | 27.3 | 26.2 | $5,200 | $5,000 | $18 |
| JaMychal Green | MEM | A | SAC | 71 | 27.8 | 81% | 0.7 | 9.1 | 7.3 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 1.2 | 50% | 14.30% | 20.6 | 21.9 | 20.9 | $4,100 | $4,000 | $10 |
Center
No team has allowed more rebounds since the All-Star break than the Pelicans. Rudy Gobert had 16 rebounds and 15 points against New Orleans three weeks ago. Gobert has nine double-doubles in his last 10 games.
Andre Drummond had 24 points and 15 rebounds the last time Detroit faced the Knicks. Drummond has been inconsistent but he has at least 14 rebounds in five consecutive games, and New York doesn’t have anyone who can match his physicality in the paint.
If you have to go cheap at center, Willy Hernangomez is a solid choice. He is averaging 12.8 points and 10.3 rebounds over his last four games, and he could continue to get more shots if Carmelo Anthony remains out.
| PLAYER | TM | H/A | OPP | GP | MPG | FT% | 3PTM | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | FG% | USAGE | FDPTS/G | DKPTS/G | YPTS/G | $FD | $DK | $Y |
| Rudy Gobert | UTA | H | NOP | 72 | 33.8 | 66% | 0 | 13.7 | 12.8 | 1.2 | 0.7 | 2.6 | 1.9 | 66% | 16.50% | 35.5 | 37.1 | 35.5 | $8,700 | $8,000 | $32 |
| Andre Drummond | DET | A | NYK | 72 | 30.1 | 40% | 0 | 14.4 | 14 | 1 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 2 | 53% | 23.20% | 36.2 | 37.9 | 36.2 | $7,600 | $7,600 | $30 |
| Willy Hernangomez | NYK | H | DET | 63 | 17.4 | 70% | 0 | 7.5 | 6.7 | 1.2 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 1.4 | 54% | 19.90% | 18.2 | 19.2 | 18.2 | $5,100 | $5,200 | $16 |
Player News
Rob Dillingham (ankle) has been ruled out for Game 2 against the Warriors on Thursday.
Dillingham has been sidelined for the entire postseason so far, and it’s unclear if that will change moving forward. However, even when he is healthy enough to play, it is unlikely that he would enter the rotation.
Sam Hauser (ankle) has been ruled out against the Knicks in Game 2 on Wednesday.
Hauser was listed as doubtful, so his absence isn’t surprising. Head coach Joe Mazzulla will likely lean on his starters more in what could be considered a must-win game after the Celtics dropped Game 1 at home.
Kristaps Porzingis (illness) has been upgraded to available to play in Game 2 against the Knicks on Wednesday.
Porzingis wasn’t available to finish Game 1, but he was initially listed as probable for Game 2, so his availability isn’t surprising. However, Al Horford will get the starting nod, with Porzingis coming off the bench. Porzingis should still play a significant role as the Celtics look to tie this series up before it shifts to New York.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reports that Stephen Curry has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 left hamstring strain and is expected to miss at least a week.
Shams notes that Curry has already been ruled out for Game 2 on Thursday, but the week timeline means he’ll miss Game 3 on Saturday and Game 4 on Monday with a chance to return for Game 5 on Wednesday. This is the first muscle strain of Curry’s career, so how quickly he returns will depend on how he responds to rehab. Fortunately for Golden State, the team came away with a win on the road in Game 1, and two of the next three games will be at home, giving the Warriors a chance to stay alive while their superstar PG is out. Expect Buddy Hield to step into a much larger role on offense while Curry is sidelined. Hield has totaled 57 points across his last two games while stroking a blistering 14-of-18 shots from beyond the arc.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr told reporters Stephen Curry is day-to-day with a hamstring injury and will undergo an MRI on Wednesday.
Kerr relayed that Curry was “crushed” after being forced from the game due to injury. While Kerr described Curry as day-to-day, he also mentioned that the 37-year-old point guard will undergo imaging on Wednesday to determine the severity of the injury. There should be an update on his status at some point prior to Thursday’s Game 2 showdown. With the Warriors taking Game 1 on the road Tuesday, Kerr added that it’s hard to imagine Curry being available for Game 2 on Thursday. With Game 3 Saturday at Golden State, Curry could have more time to rest and recover.
Naz Reid had 19 points (8-of-14 FGs), five rebounds, one assist, one steal, one block and three three-pointers in Game 1 against the Warriors on Tuesday.
Reid briefly left the floor with an apparent leg injury towards the end of the second quarter before returning in the second half. The 25-year-old center played 34 minutes and was the second leading scorer for the Timberwolves in what turned out to be a lackluster game for Minnesota. Reid appeared healthy in the second half and should continue to be counted on for starter-level minutes despite coming off the bench.