Garion Thorne dives into tonight’s six-game NBA featured slate to find undervalued players to use in your DraftKings lineups.
We have a six-game featured slate tonight on DraftKings, but do not be fooled. This is not a generic NBA DFS slate.
Instead, this is a night where the schedule Gods have decided to group together almost every tanking and injury-ravaged team in all of basketball — some on the second night of a back-to-back — to give us absolute chaos. The Raptors, the Wizards, the Mavericks, the Nets, the 76ers and the Pelicans. The best part? All six are playing each other. This is going to be madness.
Strap in and let’s find some value. It shouldn’t be too hard.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $300K Floor General [$100K to 1st]
For up-to-the-minute news, analysis and lineups, download the DK Network app. You also can follow DK Network on Twitter @dknetwork.
PG Jamal Shead, Toronto Raptors at Washington Wizards, $4,900
The Raptors should actually have a fair number of notable players available for this contest, as both Immanuel Quickley ($6,600) and Jakob Poeltl ($5,800) already rested for Sunday’s blowout loss to the Spurs. Still, Toronto’s “stars” will be on a minutes restriction even if they do suit up, which should open the door for someone like Shead to thrive off the bench. In his last five games, Shead has consistently seen 24-27 minutes of action, and he’s responded by averaging 10.4 points, 5.4 assists and 1.4 steals. It’s a span where the rookie has exceeded 25 FPTS four times and 30 FPTS twice. I’d expect the good times to keep rolling for Shead on Monday, as the Wizards have conceded the most FPTS per contest to opposing point guards in 2024-25. In 28.7 minutes versus Washington back on March 8, Shead managed 11 points, nine dimes and 32.75 FPTS, so we’ve seen him exploit this matchup before.
PF/C Karlo Matkovic, New Orleans Pelicans vs. Philadelphia 76ers, $4,400
The Pelicans could be extremely undermanned in the front court this evening, as the status of both Zion Williamson ($9,200; back) and Yves Missi ($4,500; hip) are up in the air. Considering both missed Sunday’s loss to the Pistons due to injury less than 24 hours ago, I’d say I’m pessimistic that either suits up on Monday. If that is indeed the case, it should mean the seventh start of 2024-25 for Matkovic. The former second-round pick was a bit a disappointment against Detroit, fouling out in just 16.0 minutes, yet Matkovic did take advantage of his brief time on the court. In fact, the 23-year-old grabbed 11 rebounds and scored eight points before his dismissal. Now imagine if he could stay out of foul trouble. Philadelphia is very undersized due to injury. Because of this, in March, the 76ers rank dead-last in the Eastern Conference in both defensive rating (124.4) and total rebounding rate (46.6%). Matkovic should be able to dominate the glass and the paint.
C DeAndre Jordan, Denver Nuggets vs. Chicago Bulls, $3,000
Jordan’s viability comes with so, so many asterisks. Yet it’s impossible to tell the full story of Monday’s slate without breaking down the Nuggets’ center spot. Let’s get everyone caught up. Nikola Jokic ($12,500; ankle) has missed Denver’s last four contests and Michael Malone has already stated the former MVP is unlikely to play against the Bulls. Without Jokic’s services, the Nuggets have tried a lot of things in their starting five. Hunter Tyson ($3,400) got a start. Peyton Watson ($4,400) got a start. They went small versus the Blazers last week. However, things came to a head on Sunday when Jordan got the call — his first action since March 2. In 38.2 minutes of work, the veteran big man registered an 11-point, 15-rebound double-double. He’d finish with 38.75 FPTS. Will he start again in a matchup with Nikola Vucevic ($7,600)? It’s unclear. Can the 36-year-old even move after logging his most minutes in a single game since he was a member of the Mavericks back in 2018-19? That’s even more unclear. Still, if Jordan does start, he’s obviously one of the night’s biggest values, priced at the bare minimum. You’ll have to keep an eye on this situation throughout the afternoon.
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
