The NBA sets us up with a seven-game slate following the holiday weekend. Let’s get back to the grind and hone in on some top DFS plays and props to consider!

Written By: Ryan Humphries on Twitter & LineStar chat @Ryan_Humphries

DFS Main Slate Rundown 📰

I hope everyone enjoyed their holiday break! We’ll dive right back into the NBA DFS action with a nice, mid-sized seven-game slate on the Monday docket. Best of luck today!

Today’s Key Injuries:

Nets: J. Harris - OUT, S. Curry - OUT

Cavs: D. Wade - OUT

Clippers: K. Leonard - OUT, J. Wall - Questionable

Pistons: M. Bagley III - Questionable

Timberwolves: K. Towns - OUT, K. Anderson - Questionable, J. McLaughlin - OUT, T. Prince - OUT

Heat: J. Butler - OUT, B. Adebayo - OUT, C. Martin - Probable, G. Vincent - Questionable, D. Dedmon - OUT

Rockets: J. Tate - OUT

Bulls: A. Caruso - OUT, D. Jones Jr. - Doubtful, J. Green - Questionable

Pacers: A. Nesmith - Questionable, J. Smith - Questionable

Pelicans: Z. Williamson - Doubtful, B. Ingram - OUT, L. Nance Jr. - Questionable, H. Jones - OUT, T. Murphy III - Questionable, D. Daniels - Questionable

Jazz: K. Olynyk - OUT

Hornets: D. Smith Jr. - Questionable, N. Richards - Doubtful

Trailblazers: J. Nurkic - Probable, J. Hart - Probable, J. Winslow - OUT

Main Slate Match-Ups w/ Game Totals & Point Spreads

Note: NBA position designations are never going to perfectly align between the major DFS sites. For the purposes of these newsletters, positional designations will default to DraftKings.

💫 = Favorite Play

Point Guards/Shooting Guards to Consider 🏀

💫PG Damian Lillard, POR | DK: $9.9k, FD: $9.2k | vs. CHA | GPP/FD Preferred

This game features the highest total on the slate (237.5 O/U) so we’ll want some exposure to the core pieces here. The Trailblazers have scored 110 points or fewer in four of their last five games, however they head into this match-up with a slate-high 121.3 implied points. That bodes well for Dame Lillard, who can break a slate at the drop of a hat, especially when he’s under $10k on both sites. The Hornets always represent a great match-up -- they rank 10th in pace and 28th in defensive efficiency. Charlotte has also allowed 39.7 FPPG to opposing PG starters -- that seems like the absolute floor for Lillard tonight.

💫PG CJ McCollum, NOP | DK: $8.6k, FD: $8.8k | vs. IND | Cash & GPP

The Pelicans look to be shorthanded once again this evening. Brandon Ingram is still out, Zion Williamson is expected to miss his third straight game, Herb Jones is out, and a few other depth players are questionable to suit up. That puts CJ McCollum squarely on the DFS radar as the Pelicans top-scoring option and primary facilitator. Over his last five games, he is putting up 28.6 PPG on a 30.2% USG%, 8.2 APG, and is averaging a lofty 1.37 FPPM. Both teams in this game rank inside the top 11 in pace which leads to a slate-high 207.3 combined pace.

PG Ayo Dosunmu, CHI | DK: $4k, FD: $4.5k | vs. HOU | Cash & GPP

With Alex Caruso set to miss a second consecutive game which means Ayo Dosunmu projects to slide back into the starting rotation. Dosunmu has not been the most productive player when he lands in the starting five, but he did record 33 minutes in the Bulls’ previous game, posting nine points, six assists, three rebounds, two blocks, and a steal -- good for 27.75 DKFP. The three blocks/steals are an outlier but if he’s going to play 30-35 minutes (currently projected for 33 minutes), we can consider him to be a viable value option on this slate.

Other Guards to Consider:

PG LaMelo Ball, CHA | DK: $10.2k, FD: $8.9k | @ POR | FD Preferred

PG Tyrese Haliburton, IND | DK: $9.5k, FD: $10k | @ NOP | GPP Preferred

SG/SF Terry Rozier, CHA | DK: $7k, FD: $7.6k | @ POR | GPP Preferred

SG/SF Norman Powell, LAC | DK: $5.2k, FD: $5.2k | @ DET | GPP Preferred

SG Luke Kennard, LAC | DK: $3.8k, FD: $4.4k | @ DET | DK Preferred

Small Forwards/Power Forwards to Consider 🏀

💫SF/SG Paul George, LAC | DK: $9k, FD: $9.5k | @ DET | Cash & GPP

PG13 stands out as a strong pay-up option on this slate. Kawhi Leonard (injury management) will miss tonight’s game and George has handled a team-high usage bump when Leonard is off the court. George posted a 29-point, 52.0 DKFP performance when Leonard sat out against Miami on December 8th and the Detroit Pistons represent a much better match-up than the Heat. Detroit is mid-pack in pace but they’re 29th in the NBA in defensive efficiency. This game also isn’t *expected* to be a blowout with the Clippers entering as 5.5-point road favorites.

💫SF/PF Jerami Grant, POR | DK: $6.9k, FD: $7.1k | vs. CHA | Cash & GPP

Grant’s production has dropped off in recent weeks but he has provided a consistent 30+ FP floor and his salaries have seen a sizable decrease. He’s under $7k on DraftKings for the first time since November 10th and he was over $1,000 more expensive on FanDuel just a couple of weeks ago. Charlotte is one of the best teams to attack with opposing frontcourt players so Grant should continue to maintain a high floor this evening. Portland has not played since Friday and Grant has averaged +24% more FPPG when well-rested.

SF/PF Naji Marshall, NOP | DK: $4.8k, FD: $5k | vs. IND | Cash & GPP

As mentioned above in CJ McCollum’s player spotlight, the Pelicans remain shorthanded so that likely means another start and big minutes for Naji Marshall, who logged 34 minutes in Friday’s game. He has averaged 0.87 FPPM over his last five games as a starter so he’ll be a strong candidate to hit 6x value (or better) if he can record another game with 33-36 minutes.

Other Forwards to Consider:

SF/SG Anthony Edwards, MIN | DK: $9.2k, FD: $9k | @ MIA | GPP Preferred

SF/PF DeMar DeRozan, CHI | DK: $8.4k, FD: $7.5k | vs. HOU | Cash & GPP

💫PF/C Jabari Smith Jr., HOU | DK: $5.3k, FD: $6.2k | @ CHI | DK Preferred

PF Jeremy Sochan, SAS | DK: $4.5k, FD: $5.1k | vs. UTA | GPP Preferred

SF/PF Haywood Highsmith, MIA | DK: $4.4k, FD: $4.8k | vs. MIN | GPP Preferred

Centers to Consider 🏀

💫C Mason Plumlee, CHA | DK: $5.9k, FD: $6.3k | @ POR | Cash & GPP

Plumlee continues to be the epitome of a non-exciting, but effective DFS play. At these salaries, his floor is going to almost always land around the 5x range and he hits 6x value on a regular basis. This is arguably the best DFS environment on the slate and we can also expect Plumlee to handle a few additional minutes with C Nick Richards listed as doubtful.

💫C Orlando Robinson, MIA | DK: $3.2k, FD: $4.1k | vs. MIN | Cash & GPP

The Heat have another busy injury report today… what’s new? Both Bam Adebayo and Dewayne Dedmon have been ruled out so there should be some solid minutes available for Orlando Robinson. It’s not an easy match-up against Rudy Gobert but Robinson remains a solid fantasy point per-minute player when he’s on the court and, at worst, he’ll split minutes at the five with Nikola Jovic (DK: $3.7k, FD: $3.7k) tonight.

Other Centers to Consider:

💫C Nikola Vucevic, CHI | DK: $7.5k, FD: $7.9k | vs. HOU | Cash & GPP

C Jarrett Allen, CLE | DK: $6.4k, FD: $7.5k | vs. BKN | DK Preferred

💫C Alperen Sengun, HOU | DK: $6.2k, FD: $6.4k | @ CHI | Cash & GPP

C Jusuf Nurkic, POR | DK: $6.2k, FD: $6.8k | vs. CHA | GPP Preferred

C Walker Kessler, UTA | DK: $5.4k, FD: $6k | @ SAS | GPP Preferred

NBA Player Props 📊

Player Prop or Bet | Odds | Unit Bet Size

Paul George OVER 36.5 Points/Rebounds/Assists | -120 (DraftKings/FanDuel) | 2.0 Units

CJ McCollum OVER 2.5 Three-Pointers Made | -140 (DraftKings) | 2.25 Units

PrizePicks Power Play ⚡

Here is a two-pick “Power Play” I’m liking for today's NBA action over on PrizePicks! Nothing is ever a guarantee to hit but I put my own money on these bets so I don't just lightly throw these out there without believing they'll cash! If it hits, it will return 3x the wager.

Paul George MORE than 36.5 P/R/A

Mason Plumlee MORE than 28.5 Fantasy Score

🆕 Props Edge+ 🆕

In LineStar’s ongoing mission to improve, innovate, and help you reel in some cash, we are introducing Props Edge+ for NBA – available for LineStar Premium users! This tool can help you find value and mispriced odds on player props from sportsbooks and, more specifically, for PrizePicks and UnderDog Fantasy!

Speaking of props, put the Props Edge+ tool to use by signing up for PrizePicks (Promo code: BETFULLY) or Underdog (Promo code: LINESTAR). You'll receive a 100% match on first deposits up to $100 PLUS a free two-month subscription to LineStar Premium. Many people may not realize that you can legally place prop bets in most states using UnderDog (or PrizePicks) – it’s called Pick'Em, and it’s incredibly easy.

That will wrap us up with today’s “Daily Dribble” edition! Once again, you can find me on Twitter or in LineStar chat @Ryan_Humphries. Good luck everyone!