Congratulations if you've made it up for work, school, etc. and have made it through a chicken wing hangover. With the 2018/19 NFL season in the books, it's time for the NBA to really garner the full attention of the sports world (until March Madness). The landscape of the NBA is going to change this week with the trade deadline coming up Thursday at 3PM ET. There are 6 games on the card today but keep an eye on your notifications as the teams will remain the same, but the faces may differ.

Tonight's Headline Games

The Milwaukee Bucks have won 3 in a row and 9 of their last 10 but they have an under-the-radar tough contest at the Brooklyn Nets (7-3 over their last 10) on Monday.

The Denver Nuggets have climbed back into the top of the Western Conference but they head to the Midwest to face the Detroit Pistons tonight. It's a solid C matchup as Nikola Jokic (23/12/10) and Andre Drummond (21/17) both did work when the teams squared off last March.

Things don't get any easier for the Phoenix Suns on Monday, trying to snap a 10 game losing streak when they face off with the Houston Rockets.

Guards

Reggie Jackson (DK: $5,200 FD: $6,800 Y! $20)

The Detroit Pistons aren't a bad upset play Monday even though they are hosting a Nuggets team that has won 6 in a row. Nearly 75% of the betting public are on Denver yet the line has dropped a point to Detroit +3.5, which seems low. If the Pistons do get the win, it should be another big night for Reggie Jackson who has gone for 40+ fantasy point nights in the last three games.

Bryn Forbes (DK: $4,000 FD: $4,300 Y! $10)

Derrick White is out Monday vs. the Kings which has everybody jumping on Patty Mills his replacement at PG for the Spurs. The real benefactor of White's absence could be Bryn Forbes, however. Forbes scored in double figures in 7 of the 9 games that White missed at the beginning of the season and has gone for 11+ in six straight. The Kings are 24th vs. the SG spot which favors Forbes on Monday, especially at the cost.

Shabazz Napier (DK: $5,400, FD; $5,800 Y!:$17 )

Brooklyn's Shapazz Napier has had a couple 'down' nights as he's logged just 24 and 31 fantasy points the last two contests. Those games were on the road, however, and on Monday Napier returns home where he put up a 42 point fantasy night on January 29th. One great thing about Napier is that he's always going to get his shots, launching at least 13 fga in five straight games. Throw in the 32 point, 7 assist night that Napier had in December when the Nets last played the Bucks and it's a good lean on the Brooklyn guard.

Forwards

Marvin Bagley III (DK: $5,500 FD: $6,200 Y! $20)

Sacramento's Marvin Bagley III has seen some nice minutes lately, going 28+ in four of his last five. He's responded well with at least 34 fantasy points in three of those games. Bagley has been an integral part of the offense with at least 14 fga in 4 of 5 and he's always a solid rebounding threat, especially against a Spurs team that is 20th in offensive rebounding.

Khris Middleton (DK: $6,400 FD: $6,800 Y!: $25)

Mr. Consistent Khris Middleton has scored at least 35 fantasy points in three of the last four games. He has at least 27 fp in 10 of the last 11 games but should be pushing towards a 40+ point game vs. Brooklyn. When these two teams met up December 29th Middleton had 29 points, 7 assists, and 4 rebounds and he fares well vs. the Nets overall.

Rudy Gay (DK: $5,900 FD: $6,200 Y!: $23)

The 'revenge factor' angle is pretty much nonexistent at this point but there's no denying that Rudy Gay at least has a history with the Sacramento Kings. He had 14 points and 9 boards in 20 minutes when the teams met up in November and should see more ball handling minutes with PG Derrick White out Monday. In his last road game on January 26th, Gay went for 22/11/3 and could put up similar away numbers tonight in the familiar Golden 1 Center.

Center

Deandre Ayton ( DK: $6,800, FD: $7,400 Y! $27)

There's kind of an unknown about Deandre Ayton of the Suns right now considering he's in just his second game back from an ankle injury. Ayton logged 32 minutes on Saturday after missing six games and he went for 13 points and 11 rebounds. Ayton has a favorable matchup vs. Houston today as Clint Capela remains out. The Rockets are 30th vs. the C the last 5 games, giving up at least giving up at least 12 rebounds to each opposing center.

Utility Player

Nikola Jokic (DK:$10,500 FD:$11,300 Y!51)

This lineup as is leaves $10,800 left over, which is enough for Nikola Jokic. Not bad when you can throw in a constant triple double threat to round out your roster. Jokic has at least 50 fantasy points in 4 of the 5 games since his suspension including a 77 mixed in there vs. the Sixers. Jokic did indeed post a triple double the last time he went up against Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond last March which was good for 69.5 fantasy points.

Dark H-O-R-S-E Play of the Night

Trey Lyles (DK: $3,700 FD: $3,700 Y! $10)

Ownership is just 3% for Denver's Trey Lyles tonight coming off a 28 point fantasy night in Minnesota. With the spread set at DEN -3.5, it seems a bit low, which would suggest a Detroit upset. If the Pistons get out front it should lead to more minutes for Lyles. That's especially true with the Nuggets playing their fourth road game out of the last five.

Tuesday is a loaded slate in the NBA with 8 games. Let's fine-tune, kill this hangover, and come back tomorrow loaded for bear. Until then, feel free to follow Carl Taylor (@dailydogsports) for more daily fantasy and sports betting insights and oversights.

Freeroll

Congratulations to the winners of Friday's freeroll contest!

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