This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
The NBA rings in the New Year with four games on Monday's schedule. Even with so few games, there is still a great matchup on the slate as the Milwaukee Bucks will take on the Toronto Raptors. Let's try to start 2018 off on the right foot and win some money on DraftKings. Consider the players below with favorable matchups for your entry.
Guards
Jimmy Butler, MIN vs. LAL ($8,700): I hope you are sitting down. While he's averaging 37 minutes per game this season, Butler played only 27 minutes Sunday against the Indiana Pacers. Butler received some rare rest in a game where the Timberwolves got up big early, so he may be fresher than normal Monday. He still scored 46.5 DraftKings points Sunday, marking his seventh straight game with at least 36.5 DraftKings points. On a slate without a lot of elite options, Butler could have one of the better stat lines of the evening.
Tyus Jones, MIN vs. LAL ($5,600): Jones also saw limited minutes due to the blowout nature of Sunday's game, scoring 21 DraftKings points in 27 minutes. He has a high floor based on the minutes he will play most nights with Jeff Teague (knee) out. He's not a great scoring option, but he's provided nice overall value in five starts this season by averaging 9.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 3.8 steals and 1.0 three-pointer per game. The price is right to roll with him again Monday.
Josh Hart, LAL at MIN ($4,800): Hart had an excellent game in Sunday's double-overtime loss to the Houston Rockets, scoring 39 DraftKings points in 37 minutes. With Lonzo Ball (shoulder) injured and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope out due to travel restrictions again Monday, Hart should be in line for significant playing time. The Lakers play at the fastest pace (103.9) in the league, so Hart is going to have a chance to be valuable at this price.
Forwards
Aaron Gordon, ORL at BKN ($7,900): Gordon crushed the Miami Heat on Saturday, scoring 55.8 DraftKings points in 36 minutes. It was only his second game back from injury, which is an encouraging sign that he is now completely healthy. Sunday has the potential to be a high-scoring game as both the Magic and the Nets are in the top-seven in the league in pace of play. The Nets also allow the fifth-most DraftKings points per game (49.1) to opposing power forwards, making Gordon worth consideration for your entry.
Caris LeVert, BKN vs. ORL ($5,700): With the Nets decimated by injuries at point guard, LeVert has stepped in to be one of the main offensive facilitators for the team. Not only is he averaging a career-high 4.1 assists per game, but he has at least seven assists in three straight games. He scored at least 37.3 DraftKings points in all three of those contests and could provide excellent value at this price Monday.
Julius Randle, LAL at MIN ($5,000): Randle had a spectacular game against the Rockets on Sunday, scoring 58.3 DraftKings points in 33 minutes. His playing time hasn't been consistent, but he's the Lakers best big man with Brook Lopez (ankle) out of action. The Timberwolves have a lot of size up front, so Randle should see extended playing time Monday. He has a high floor when he gets enough minutes, making him one of the more intriguing value plays of the night.
Centers
Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN vs. LAL ($9,700): Towns is playing some of his best basketball of the season, scoring at least 41.5 DraftKings points in 10 of his last 12 games. Like the rest of the Timberwolves starters, he gets a ton of playing time, resulting in a high floor even at an expensive price. He scored 47.5 DraftKings points in his last game against the Lakers, which should come as no surprise as they allow the seventh-most DraftKings points per game (53.9) to opposing centers. He's the second-most expensive player at any position Monday, but he should be worth it.
Taj Gibson, MIN vs. LAL ($5,700): Gibson is the posterchild for what heavy minutes can do for your value. Not a particularly impressive scorer or rebounder, Gibson has value because he is averaging 34 minutes per game. He's scored at least 32.8 DraftKings points in three of his last four games, one of which was a 36.3 DraftKings points performance against these same Lakers. While also listed at center on DraftKings, Gibson is a power forward, a position to which the Lakers allow the fourth-most DraftKings points per game (49.3). Don't expect a high ceiling, but Gibson can still provide value at this price.
Bismack Biyombo, ORL at BKN ($5,600): Biyombo has played well in three starts filling in for Nikola Vucevic (hand), averaging 8.3 points, 11.7 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game. He played at least 30 minutes in all three contests, a trend that should continue until Vucevic returns. The Nets allow the fifth-most DraftKings points per game (49.1) to opposing centers, further strengthening the case to use Biyombo for your entry.
