This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
MIL (-3) vs. IND, O/U: 229
BOS (-1) vs. CHA, O/U:
DET vs. ATL (-11), O/U: 213
WSH vs. BKN (-8.5), O/U:
CHI (-2) vs. TOR, O/U: 212
ORL vs. MIA (-14), O/U:
NOP vs. MIN (-5), O/U: 225.5
CLE vs. DEN (-10.5), O/U:
POR vs. LAC (-3), O/U: 234.5
The Bucks-Pacers game is a nice one to focus on, as it is filled with solid picks at every tier. The high-priced guys on either side have delivered in each game they have played so far, namely Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Domantas Sabonis and Malcolm Brogdon. There are also plenty of guys who can outplay their price tags, such as Myles Turner, Chris Duarte and T.J. McConnell for the Pacers, and Pat Connaughton and Grayson Allen on the Bucks' side. With a few injuries hampering either team, it also opens up extra value for players like Jordan Nwora, Sandro Mamukelashvili of the Bucks, and Justin Holiday, Oshae Brissett and Jeremy Lamb for the Pacers. It should be a competitive contest, requiring both sides to push their limits on either end of the floor.
The Trail Blazers-Clippers matchup is another one that can fill most of the needs of a winning lineup. With superstars Paul George and Damian Lillard headlining the contest and solid second-tier picks like CJ McCollum, Jusuf Nurkic and Robert Covington of the Trail Blazers, and Reggie Jackson and Eric Bledsoe of the Clippers, there will be opportunities to rack up some solid numbers, especially in what is expected to be a high-scoring contest. There are also more value-priced options when you look at guys like Nicolas Batum, Terance Mann, Marcus Morris and Ivica Zubac of the Clippers, and Nassir Little, Larry Nance and Cody Zeller of the Trail Blazers. The Clippers have yet to win a game this season and should be playing with a sense of urgency, while the Trail Blazers are coming off a win and looking to build some momentum.
Injuries to Monitor
Bobby Portis (hamstring): Questionable, Brook Lopez (back): OUT
Jordan Nwora has been the main player to pick up extra playing time due to injuries in the Bucks' frontcourt and he has done a solid job, averaging 11.0 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.0 blocks in 24 minutes per game. Also look to Sandro Mamukelashvili to continue to pick up some extra minutes.
Jrue Holiday (ankle): Doubtful, Donte DiVincenzo (ankle): OUT
If Holiday is forced to sit out then the Bucks will likely lean on veteran George Hill to fill in at point guard, which would make him a potentially great value pick. DiVincenzo's absence will continue to mean extra minutes for Grayson Allen and Pat Connaughton.
Terry Rozier (ankle): Questionable
Rozier missed the Hornets' Sunday night contest, which allowed Kelly Oubre to start at shooting guard. If Rozier remains out, look to Oubre as a solid value option, while guys like Ish Smith and Cody Martin should also see some extra minutes.
Kyle Lowry (ankle): Questionable
Lowry missed the Heat's last contest, which opened up more minutes for Tyler Herro, who made the most of it with a team-high 30 points in 41 minutes. Meanwhile, Gabe Vincent got the start in Lowry's absence but finished with just two points, three rebounds and three assists in 24 minutes.
Josh Hart (quad): Questionable
Hart missed the Pelicans' last contest, which allowed Herbert Jones to pick up the start. Jones finished with two points, eight rebounds, two assists and a block. It also opened up more minutes for Garrett Temple and Trey Murphy coming off the bench, both of whom put up modest numbers. However, at the low salaries, either of the three could come up with good value if the ball bounces their way.
Darius Garland (ankle): Questionable
Garland has missed the Cavs' last two contests, which has left starting point guard duties to Ricky Rubio. Rubio is coming off a solid outing in which he totaled 23 points, eight assists, six rebounds and a steal. If Garland remains out, then Rubio looks like a good value play at the point, while Isaac Okoro will also likely benefit with some extra minutes.
Norman Powell (knee): OUT
Nassir Little is slated to get the start with Powell out, making him an attractive value option. On the other hand, Paul George of the Clippers should see a larger advantage on offense with Powell out, making him a more intriguing high-tier option. Anfernee Simons of the Trail Blazers will also likely see an uptick in minutes.
Elite Players
Guard
James Harden ($9,500)
Harden has yet to have one of his signature massive stat lines this season, but he still has put up respectable numbers. He is bound to eventually go off for a huge night, and going up against the fast-paced Wizards might provide the ideal environment for him to do just that. The Nets are coming off a rough loss in Charlotte and should be locked in to avoid falling to another team that they should be expected beat on paper.
Damian Lillard ($9,300)
Going up against the Clippers, Lillard will be lined up across from either Reggie Jackson or Eric Bledsoe, unless Paul George is sent to try to slow him down. This should be a high-scoring contest in which Lillard will find a way to leave his imprint regardless of who is in front of him. The Trail Blazers will be without Norman Powell, which should open up a few more shots for Lillard, while his big man, Jusuf Nurkic, should have an advantage inside, allowing for more opportunities for assists.
Zach LaVine ($8,400)
LaVine has had a great start to the season, averaging 26.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists over the Bulls' first three games. He goes up against Toronto on Monday, which should allow him some room to operate, as they do not have an elite backcourt defender to contain a player like him. It should be a relatively competitive contest, which will push LaVine to play to all of his expected minutes at peak intensity. The Bulls also remain without Coby White, which leaves some extra minutes to go around in the back court.
Forward/Center
Kevin Durant ($10,200)
Durant is on the second night of a back-to-back after he totaled 38 points, five rebounds, three assists and a steal in 36 minutes in a loss to the Hornets. The Wizards have fewer defensive options than the Hornets, meaning he should have an easier time scoring and pulling down rebounds. Durant will be extra motivated to not fall short two nights in a row and will be looking to step up to lift his team to a much-needed win. He can impact the game on both ends of the floor, which makes him a reliable DFS option.
Bam Adebayo ($8,100)
Adebayo has put up monster numbers in each of the Heat's first two games of the season, as he totaled 20 points and 13 rebounds in their first contest and 17 points and 16 rebounds in their most recent contest. He goes up against the Magic on Monday, who are facing the second night of a back-to-back. The Magic have a couple young big men, who will have their hands full with Adebayo. His salary is on the lower end of the high-tier options, and he could turn out to be one of the better value options at center.
Expected Chalk
Paul George ($10,100)
George goes up against the Trail Blazers, who will keep him busy on the defensive end but have no answer for him when he looks to score the ball. With Kawhi Leonard still out, the Clippers will continue to lean on George to lead the way at both ends of the floor and especially as the main option on offense. The Clippers are 0-2 to start the season, which should provide a bit more motivation to earn their first win in front of their home crowd. George is coming off a massive 41-point, 10-rebound outing and could put up similar numbers again, as a high-scoring contest is to be expected. The Trail Blazers are also missing Norman Powell, who would be part of their defensive scheme against George, which means he should have an extra advantage when it comes to finding his rhythm.
Value Picks
Precious Achiuwa ($4,500)
With Pascal Siakam still sidelined, there are extra minutes to go around in Toronto's frontcourt. Achiuwa has been drawing the start at center for the Raptors and has done a solid job, averaging 10.3 points, 11.3 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game. He will have his hands full going up against Nikola Vucevic, but Achiuwa does a great job running the floor and finds many of his opportunities in transition, where Vucevic will not be much of a factor.
Patty Mills ($4,700)
As the Nets carry on without Kyrie Irving, they are leaning on Patty Mills to handle a large portion of the load at the point. Mills is averaging 30 minutes per game and has already topped 20 points once in three game so far this season. Going up against the Wizards, Mills should find ample opportunities to get his shot off and rack up the assists in a fast-paced contest.
Nassir Little ($3,800)
With Powell sidelined, Little is slated to get the start against the Clippers. Although he may end up with a tough matchup guarding PG at times, it is likely that George will slide over to help out on Lillard and McCollum, which will leave Little with opportunities on offense.
George Hill ($3,500)
With Jrue Holiday listed as doubtful, Hill is expected to fill in at point guard, which would make him almost a must-pick value option at such a low salary. The Bucks are also going up against Hill's former squad, which may provide him a little extra motivation.
P.J. Tucker ($3,600)
Although Tucker is not usually a big scorer, he is a player who can impact the game in a number of ways. When he is playing nearly 30 minutes per game, it is hard not to expect him to out-play such a low salary. Tucker is also going up against a young Magic team who are on the second night of a back-to-back.
