This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
MIA vs. IND (-5), O/U:
CLE vs. WAS (-4), O/U: 207
PHI vs. ATL (-2), O/U: 214
MIN vs. BKN (-7.5), O/U:
ORL vs. HOU (-2.5), O/U:
NOP vs. DAL (-8), O/U: 218
BOS vs. UTA (-8.5), O/U:
PHX vs. GSW (-7), O/U: 216
LAC vs. LAL (-1), O/U:
The Cavs-Wizards should be competitive and contains many high-quality players in the mid-tier, which can help fill in a balanced and effective lineup.
Up top, look to Bradley Beal to come up with a solid outing while Jarrett Allen has been playing great of late and should offer the potential for another big double-double.
In the mid-range, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, Lauri Markkanen and Ricky Rubio are all great options who can easily outplay their salaries while Spencer Dinwiddie and Kyle Kuzma are reasonably valued for those with more upside than risk. Additionally, Montrezl Harrell is a bargain after topping 24 DK points in eight of his last 10 games.
And in the value range, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Raul Neto, Davis Bertans, Isaac Okoro and Lamar Stevens should have an opportunity to rack up some stats.
Injuries to Monitor
Bam Adebayo (thumb), Jimmy Butler (back): OUT
Tyler Herro and Dewayne Dedmon should each get another start in place of Butler and Adebayo. Max Strus and Caleb Martin are also ready for a boost off the bench.
Justin Holiday (COVID-19), T.J. McConnell (wrist): OUT
Without Holiday and McConnell, the Pacers will look for more out of Malcolm Brogdon, Chris Duarte and Caris LeVert while Jeremy Lamb and Torrey Craig should pick up extra playing time off the bench.
Cedi Osman (back): OUT
Dean Wade (calf): Questionable
Without Osman and potentially Wade, the Cavs will be short at forward and that will mean enhanced minutes for Lamar Stevens and Kevin Love.
Deni Avdija (illness), Aaron Holiday (illness): Questionable
Without Avdija and/or Holiday, Raul Neto would likely see more playing time.
Cam Reddish (wrist): Questionable
Bogdan Bogdanovic (ankle), De'Andre Hunter (wrist): OUT
Without Bogdanovic or Hunter, Danilo Gallinari will remain a focal point off the bench while Kevin Huerter fills in the starting lineup. if Reddish is out, Delon Wright and Solomon Hill should get decent bench minutes.
Jaden McDaniels (illness), Jaylen Nowell (illness), Karl-Anthony Towns (back): Questionable
Patrick Beverley (groin): OUT
If Towns or McDaniels is sidelined, then Naz Reid will receive more court time. Taurean Prince and Josh Okogie should continue to log extra minutes in the absence of Beverley.
Joe Harris (ankle): OUT
Patty Mills will remain in the starting lineup without Harris. DeAndre' Bembry, Cam Thomas and James Johnson have also been seeing more action lately.
Jalen Suggs (thumb): OUT
Gary Harris is expected to pick up another start minus Suggs, with R.J. Hampton and Terrence Ross adding minutes off the bench.
Kevin Porter (thigh): Questionable
Jalen Green (hamstring): OUT
With Green gone, Garrison Mathews is expected to pick up the start. Eric Gordon has recently moved into a starting role, which means Danuel House, D.J. Augustin and Armoni Brooks would be in line for a boost off the bench if Porter is also out.
Josh Hart (knee): Questionable
If Hart is sidelined, then Garrett Temple and Trey Murphy should step up into greater roles.
Kristaps Porzingis (knee), Frank Ntilikina (calf): Questionable
Maxi Kleber would see an increase in the absence of Porzingis while Sterling Brown and Trey Burke likely receiving extra action off the bench in the absence of Nitlikina.
Jaylen Brown (rest): OUT
Without Brown, Jayson Tatum will benefit from more offensive opportunities. Josh Richardson and Romeo Langford will be in line for more playing time.
Devin Booker (hamstring), Frank Kaminsky (knee): OUT
With Booker sidelined, Landry Shamet is expected to earn the start while Cameron Johnson should get more court time.
Andre Iguodala (knee): OUT
In the absence of Iguodala, the Warriors will continue to look to Juan Toscano-Anderson and Otto Porter to step up off the bench.
Elite Players
Guards
Trae Young ($10,200)
Young has been playing great of late averaging 29.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 8.9 assists and 1.0 steals over the last 10 games, having topped 60 DK points in three of those. With a matchup against the 76ers, he should find himself in a competitive contest that will require 100 percent effort.
Donovan Mitchell ($8,800)
Mitchell has posted 20.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.2 steals in the last 10 contests while surpassing 40 DK in five. He's set to face a Celtics side tonight without Jaylen Brown.
Forwards/Centers
Jayson Tatum ($10,100)
The Celtics will have it tough in Utah, but Tatum can be expected to carry most of the offensive load minus Jaylen Brown in the lineup. He's averaging 25.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.0 steals from the last 10 games and has gone over 40 DK points in seven - including four 50-plus efforts.
Domantas Sabonis ($9,600)
Sabonis and the Pacers host the Heat, who will be without their most formidable frontcourt presence in Bam Adebayo. The Heat don't carry much frontcourt depth and Sabonis should have an advantage against smaller defenders.
Joel Embiid ($10,500)
Embiid has posted major DK-point totals in three games since returning from a two-week absence. In his first game back, he totaled 70.5 and followed that up with 44.3 and 56.5. The Sixers will be in tough against the Hawks, but Embiid should be able to once again produce big numbers.
Expected Chalk
Luka Doncic ($11,800)
Doncic and the Mavs will be hosting the Pelicans in the second of a home-and-home series. Dallas came up with a convincing win in the opener with Doncic leading the way with 28 points, four rebounds, 14 assists and a steal across 27 minutes. He should find a similar opportunity to produce especially with a significant size advantage against the Pelicans' backcourt. If Kristaps Porzingis (questionable) is sidelined, then it will lead to more opportunties for the Slovenian star.
Value Picks
Dewayne Dedmon ($4,800)
Dedmon is primed to pick up another start in place of the injured Bam Adebayo. Dedmon came up big in the Heat's most recent contest with 11 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a steal in 31 minutes.
Marcus Morris ($4,700)
After missing a month, Morris has been working his way back into rhythm and averaging 7.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game over his last five appearances.
Gary Harris ($4,000)
Harris is expected to log another start in the absence of Jalen Suggs, and should be able to record solid stats against the Rockets' below-average defense.
Shake Milton ($4,100)
Milton is a key figure coming off the bench for the 76ers and has averaged 12.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists, in 26 minutes across his last 10. The Hawks are shorthanded in the backcourt, which should allow Milton more advantageous matchups.
Patty Mills ($4,800)
With Joe Harris still out, Mills will retain his starting role and have plenty of opportunity to turn in solid value having averaged 14.5 points and 2.2 assists in 31 minutes from the last 10 games while surpassing 25 DK points five times.
