What a difference a week makes. Last Monday as part of the annual MLK Day NBA slate we were preparing for a 12:30 ET tip-off between the Pelicans and Celtics as part of a 12-game slate and this week we try to sift through a very rare 4-game Monday slate.

It's still a very interesting card. The Bulls are only 2-point favorites at OKC in what seems like a trap game, the Jazz and Suns doesn't look like the Western Conference showdown it's supposed to be with Phoenix favored by 9, and points look at a premium when the Knicks visit the Cavs with a betting total of just 202.

Unlike Garfield, we love Mondays so let's get after it.

Tonight's Key NBA Matchups

Knicks @ Cavs (-6.5), O/U 202 7:00 ET

The Knicks just can't avoid dysfunction, and the most recent happenstance is Julius Randle leaving team huddles during time outs to chat with his family members. He's become virtually unplayable: especially as the highest priced player on the slate at $9.7k and in a game with a betting total of 202.

Pacers @ Pelicans (-3), O/U 215.5 8:00 ET

New Orleans is an interesting 3-point favorite here : winners of 7 of their last 9 at home but also missing leading scorer Brandon Ingram and with PG Devonte Graham questionable both with ankle injuries. Then again Indiana isn't exactly healthy either.

Bulls (-2) @ Thunder, O/U 217 8:00 ET

A lot of teams have been hit hard by COVID protocols, and the Bulls are definitely one of those squads. What Chicago is trying to deal through now though is actual injuries, with Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso being out until March while Nikola Vucevic and Zach LaVine are both questionable for the OKC matchup. The shorthanded Bulls lost 114-95 to Orlando last night making the Thunder a possible target here.

Jazz @ Suns (-9), O/U 221 9:00 ET

A Western Conference showdown loses a lot of its luster with Utah likely missing Donovan Mitchell (concussion) and Rudy Gobert (calf) while Bojan Bogdanovic (knee) is also questionable. The Jazz are also on the back to back after a 94-92 loss in Golden State last night.

Tonight's Point Guard / Shooting Guard Notables

Darius Garland DK $9.3k FD $8.7k vs. New York

• 18+ shots in five straight, double digit assists in last four

• Knicks on the back to back, gave up 26 real points to PG Reggie Jackson last night

• 50+ fp in four of the last six

Jose Alvarado DK $3.6k | FD $4.1k vs. Indiana

• 6X in two of the last four

• Brandon Ingram out, Devonte Graham questionable for Pelicans

• Pacers could be down three guards (LeVert, Brodgon, McConnell)

Trent Forrest DK $3k | FD $3.5k @ Phoenix

• 19 and 24 fp last two games

• Mitchell still out for Utah, Conley could be limited on the back to back

• Blowout minutes potential with Jazz losing last night in Golden State and missing possibly Mitchell, Gobert, and Bogdanovic

Tonight's SF / PF Notables

Chris Duarte DK $6.4k | FD $6.7k @ New Orleans

• +4.63% usage, + 12.45fp if Sabonis, Turner, Brogdon, and LeVert continue to sit

• Three perfect lineups last four games

• Up-down-up-down pattern due for an 'up' 🎢

Mikal Bridges DK $5.8k | FD $6.1k vs. Utah

• 39 and 40 fp last two games

• Trends should continue with Phoenix missing Jae Crowder and Deandre Ayton up against a Jazz team missing Rudy Gobert on the interior

• Had 32fp floor in two of three vs. Utah last season

Darius Bazley DK $4.4k | FD $4.9k vs. Chicago

• Short slate / matchup play as the Bulls have allowed 34+ fp to three straight PFs

• Chicago allowing 38 fppg to opposing PFs over last 20 games (30th)

• Bulls possibly without Nikola Vucevic (knee) on the interior and also on the back to back

Tonight's Center Position Notables

Jonas Valanciunas DK $8.3k | FD $7.5k vs. Indiana

• Almost trap pricing with everybody jacked up on a 4-game slate

• Indiana very shorthanded missing Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis in the front court

• Pacers have allowed 13/15 to Kevon Looney (28 mins) and 13/12 to JaVale McGee (18 mins) last two centers they've faced

• 29.5% usage opening up with Brandon Ingram out

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You can follow me, Carl Taylor (@dailydogsports), on Twitter for more daily fantasy and sports betting talk and make sure to check out the LineStar chat.

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