This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
MIA (-4) vs. ORL, O/U: 208.5
DEN vs. ATL (-4), O/U: 222.5
GSW (-3) vs. BOS, O/U: 214
MIL (3) vs. NOP, O/U:
SAS vs. UTA (-12), O/U: 224.5
LAL vs. MIN (-1), O/U: 223.5
CHA vs. POR (-1.5), O/U: 225
MEM vs. SAC, O/U:
Lakers-Kings represents an intriguing matchup to build around, with a handful of LA injuries making for plenty of value opportunities who can help fill in around the bigger names.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis will need to step up in the absence of Russell Westbrook while Rajon Rondo should pick up significant playing time as a solid value. Austin Reaves and Wayne Ellington are expected to start and should also see big minutes. Malik Monk and Carmelo Anthony could also be up for boosts in playing time.
For the T-Wolves, the big three of Karl-Anthony Towns, D'Angelo Russell and Anthony Edwards should all have an advantage playing host to a shorthanded opponent. Patrick Beverley, Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt all represent solid value options.
Injuries to Monitor
Tyler Herro (quadriceps): Questionable
Bam Adebayo (thumb), Jimmy Butler (back), Caleb Martin (COVID-19): OUT
Dewayne Dedmon will continue to start in place of Adebayo while Gabe Vincent is expected to get the nod for Butler. Look for Max Strus to see a key role off the bench.
Cole Anthony (ankle), Mo Bamba (ankle), Gary Harris (hamstring): Questionable
Jalen Suggs (thumb): OUT
R.J. Hampton and Terrence Ross would be in line for added playing time without Suggs and/or Harris or Anthony. Robin Lopez should see a boost if Bamba is out.
Austin Rivers (COVID-19): Questionable
JaMychal Green (ankle): OUT
If Rivers remains out, Bones Hyland and Facundo Campazzo will continue see extra action. Zeke Nnaji should continue to see a boost with Green sidelined.
Bogdan Bogdanovic (ankle), De'Andre Hunter (wrist): OUT
The Hawks will continue to look to Kevin Huerter and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot to fill in the starting lineup while Danilo Gallinari, Cam Reddish and Delon Wright will be important off the bench.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (COVID-19), Bobby Portis (COVID-19): OUT
Pat Connaughton is expected to pick up the start in place of Giannis while DeMarcus Cousins is expected to start in place of Portis. Jordan Nwora should also receive a boost.
Lonnie Walker (illness): Questionable
If Walker is out, it'll mean more responsibility for Keita Bates-Diop and Devin Vassell coming off the bench.
Avery Bradley (COVID-19), Dwight Howard (COVID-19), Talen Horton-Tucker (COVID-19), Russell Westbrook (COVID-19): OUT
Wayne Ellington, Austin Reaves, Carmelo Anthony and DeAndre Jordan should all get more playing time with Bradley, Howard and Horton-Tucker out. The Lakers will also need more out of LeBron James and Anthony Davis with Westbrook unavailable. Rajon Rondo is also expected to start in place of Westbrook.
LaMelo Ball (COVID-19), Ish Smith (COVID-19): Questionable
If Ball remains out, Cody Martin and Kelly Oubre should continue to get extra playing time.
CJ McCollum (chest), Cody Zeller (knee): OUT
Without McCollum, Nassir Little should add another start while Norman Powell increases his usage. Larry Nance will also be up for a boost with Zeller out.
Ja Morant (knee, COVID-19), Ziaire Williams (ankle), Brandon Clarke (knee): OUT
Tyus Jones will continue to start in place of Morant. Look for De'Anthony Melton, Kyle Anderson and Xavier Tillman to see extra action off the bench with Williams and Clarke still sidelined.
De'Aaron Fox (COVID-19), Richaun Holmes (eye), Alex Len (COVID-19), Tyrese Haliburton (back): Questionable
Marvin Bagley (COVID-19), Terence Davis (COVID-19): OUT
Davion Mitchell and Buddy Hield would pick up significant boosts in the absence of Fox or Haliburton. Tristan Thompson could log an increased role if Len and Holmes don't play.
Elite Players
Guards
Trae Young ($10,200)
Young continues his excellent play by averaging 30.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 9.7 assists and 1.2 steals over the last 10 games. He's topped 55 DK six times over that span and should find an advantage at home against the Nuggets' backcourt.
Damian Lillard ($9,300)
Lillard will have to continue to step up to lead his shorthanded squad. The Trail Blazers go up against the Hornets, who are giving up a league-high 116.4 points and allowing opponents to shoot 47 percent from the field. Lillard has also topped 47 DK in two of the last three contests.
Forwards/Centers
Brandon Ingram ($8,700)
Ingram has been playing great of late and has exceeded 50 DK in four of six games. He should do well hosting the shorthanded Bucks.
Miles Bridges ($7,700)
Bridges and the Hornets go up against the depleted Trail Blazers, who are allowing opponents to shoot 47.2 percent from the field. he's averaging 18.8 points, 6.9 rebounds and 4.0 assists over the last 10 and he has gone over 40 DK points three times during that stretch.
Rudy Gobert ($8,300)
Gobert has topped 47 DK in five of the last 10. He also averages 31 minutes and should find plenty of opportunity to rack up the rebounds against the Spurs' frontcourt.
Expected Chalk
Nikola Jokic ($12,000)
Jokic has recently been dominant averaging 26.9 points, 13.7 rebounds, 9.2 assists and 1.3 steals across the last nine outings. He's exceeded 60 DK six times during that span, including three over 70. Jokic's ability to affect all areas of the stat sheet makes him a constant triple-double threat, with three from nine appearances. He'll face a tough matchup against Clint Capela and John Collins in Atlanta, but should do well thanks to his offensive creativity and versatility.
Value Picks
Steven Adams ($4,900)
Adams has been playing well of late with over 20 DK points in nine of the last 10 games, including three instances over 30. He's in line to continue that run against a shorthanded Kings' frontcourt.
Jordan Nwora ($3,300)
Nwora should receive a big boost in playing time due to multiple absent frontcourt players. He picked up the start in the Bucks' most recent contest and generated 32 DK points in 27 minutes.
Wayne Ellington ($3,400)
Ellington is expected to log his second consecutive start in place of the injured Talen Horton-Tucker. He accounted for 24.3 DK points across 38 minutes on Wednesday.
Austin Reaves ($3,300)
Reaves should see some significant playing time as a result of a few Lakers backcourt players being sidelined. He's averaging 28 minutes over the last three outings and is coming off an impressive performance of 30.8 DK points.
Gabe Vincent ($4,900)
Vincent is expected to go for his fourth consecutive start in place of Jimmy Butler. He's averaging 14.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.3 steals over that span and has topped 30 DK twice.
