This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
CLE vs. CHA (-4.5), O/U: 220
SAS vs. IND (-3.5), O/U: 217
POR vs. PHI (-6), O/U: 219.5
WAS vs. ATL (-5.5), O/U: 222
CHI vs. BOS (-2.5), O/U: 215
TOR vs. NYK (-6.5), O/U: 211
DEN vs. MEM (-2), O/U: 216
ORL vs. MIN (-9), O/U: 215.5
OKC vs. LAC (-11), O/U: 212
The Wizards-Hawks contest is expected to be a high-scoring bout, while both teams offer a variety of options. In the high-tier range, Bradley Beal and Trae Young both are great looks, as Beal should have the advantage against the Hawks' wing players while Trae Young will always be a great choice as the Hawks' leading scorer and playmaker. In the mid-tier, the Wizards offer a great selection of players who can potentially produce high-tier totals, with Spencer Dinwiddie, Montrezl Harrell and Kyle Kuzma, while the Hawks offer John Collins and Clint Capela, who have almost as much potential for big numbers as any frontcourt player on the board.
In the value range, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope can light it up in a hurry with his three-point shooting, while Danilo Gallinari is priced very low for a guy who can catch fire off the bench.
Another intriguing game is the Raptors vs. Knicks, headlined by Julius Randle of the Knicks, who is capable of big fantasy totals, as he is a triple-double threat who can also grab a couple steals and blocks. However, the game features mostly very solid mid-tier picks, like the Knicks' RJ Barrett, who is coming off a career-high 35-point outing, and Evan Fournier and Kemba Walker, who both can outplay their salaries on any night.
Fred VanVleet is the highest-salaried Raptors player and for good reason, as he averages 17.0 points, 7.3 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game, including one 17-assist outing last week. In the mid-range price tier the Raptors feature rookie, Scottie Barnes, a solid double-double threat, who can also rack up the steals and blocks. They also offer OG Anunoby, who is their leading scorer, and Gary Trent, who averages 2.6 steals per game to go with consistent scoring. Then on the value end, Precious Achiuwa is another double-double threat for the Raptors, while Derrick Rose and Alec Burks can both fill it up off the bench for the Knicks.
Injuries to Monitor
Doug McDermott (knee): OUT
With McDermott sidelined, the Spurs have looked to Devin Vassell to fill in the starting lineup but in their most recent game, they went with Lonnie Walker instead, while Vassell still put in significant minutes off the bench. Keep an eye out for either of the two and also Bryn Forbes to see some added value against the Pacers.
Malcolm Brogdon (hamstring), Caris LeVert: Questionable, Jeremy Lamb (ankle): Doubtful, T.J. Warren (foot), Isaiah Jackson (knee): OUT
If Brogdon ends up sidelined, then expect T.J. McConnell to see a big boost in value, while Chris Duarte and Justin Holiday should pick up some key extra minutes. Duarte and Holiday have already seen extra playing time with T.J. Warren and now, Isaiah Jackson out, but if Jeremy Lamb is out as well, then guys like Torrey Craig and Brad Wanamaker may need to step up for bigger roles off the bench. Look out for Caris LeVert's status, as he could cut into some of the above noted players' allotment. However, LeVert played just 15 minutes in his season debut and likely would be limited again, which will not take too much away from anyone else, especially considering the number of injuries on the roster.
Patrick Williams (wrist): OUT
With the recent news that Williams will miss at least a few months, the Bulls have had to do some juggling of their lineup, which resulted in Javonte Green getting the start in their most recent game, while Ayo Dosunmu and Derrick Jones also saw some extra minutes off the bench. Look for those three to continue to see added value, while Tony Bradley could also be part of the rotation in the front court.
Daniel Gafford (Quadriceps): Questionable
Montrezl Harrell has seen a boost in value with Gafford out of the lineup, while Davis Bertans has also picked up a few extra minutes off the bench. If Gafford is back, still expect to see solid value from Harrell, who will at worst slide to sixth man, while Bertans could see a pull back in playing time.
Gary Harris (ankle): Questionable
Harris has been a solid contributor off the bench for the Wizards, but if he is sidelined, the Magic likely will look for more out of R.J. Hampton, while sixth man, Terrence Ross could also pick up some extra value, with more shots coming his way with the second unit.
Elite Players
Guard
Bradley Beal ($10,000)
Beal faces the Hawks in what should be a high-scoring game. The Hawks do not have the elite perimeter defense needed to keep Beal off his rhythm, while he comes into the game averaging a team-high 24.4 points, along with 6.2 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.8 steals per game. The Wizards have won three consecutive and have momentum on their side, but they are playing on the road, which will make their job a little bit tougher.
LaMelo Ball ($8,500)
Ball is playing on the second night of a back-to-back, but the youngster should not have a problem getting up for the home game, after putting up 27 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and a steal, in just 33 minutes, in a home win Sunday night. Ball goes up against the Cavs, who do not have great perimeter defense, in addition to the fact that he has a significant size advantage over the Cleveland back court.
Forward/Center
Paul George ($10,700)
Despite the Clippers' rough start to the season, George has put up big numbers each night, averaging 27.6 points, 7,8 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 3.4 steals per game. His ability to affect the game on both ends of the floor adds some insurance to his fantasy outcomes, as steals and rebounds have been a big factor in his value. George faces a young and feisty Thunder team, where he should find the advantage on offense and may look to make a point against his former squad.
Karl-Anthony Towns ($10,500)
Towns plays the Magic, who have a couple solid young big men with Mo Bamba and Wendell Carter, however, neither will be enough to stop the Timberwolves' center from getting to his spots and putting up significant totals, especially with D'Angelo Russell and Anthony Edwards drawing the attention of the defense as well. Towns averages 25.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.2 steals per game, which should be doable at home against a struggling Magic team.
Joel Embiid ($10,300)
With Ben Simmons remaining out of the lineup, Joel Embiid has been leaving it all on the court to give his team the best chance on every night. He averages 21.0 points 8.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.7 blocks and 1.0 steals per game. With the Sixers playing host to the Trail Blazers, who will be on the second night of a back-to-back, Embiid should find himself with an advantage against the less mobile Jusuf Nurkic.
Expected Chalk
Ja Morant ($9,500)
Morant has been off to one of the best starts to the season of any player in the league, as he averages 28.7 points, 7.7 assists, 5.2 rebounds and 1.8 steals. He faces the Nuggets, who are shorthanded in the backcourt, where they are starting Monte Morris at the point and using a rotation off the bench to fill the void left by Jamal Murray's injury. Despite the fact that the Nuggets hold opponents to the fewest points per game, Morant will have the advantage at his position, as well as the benefit of playing at home, which should allow him to rack up some big-time numbers. The Nuggets do not have elite interior defense and the Grizzlies' frontcourt, including Steven Adams and Jaren Jackson should keep their matchups busy enough that Morant has room to get in the lane, where he has been super effective this season. The Grizzlies are coming off a home loss and will look to get back on track, something which Morant will take personally.
Value Picks
Ivica Zubac ($4,800)
Zubac faces the Thunder, who start rookie Jeremiah Robinson-Earl at center. That gives Zubac a significant size advantage, as well as an advantage when it comes to experience. The Thunder are also one of the poorer rebounding teams in the league, giving up the seventh-most rebounds per game. Zubac averages 8.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists, and if he can add a couple blocks or steals to those numbers, then he will turn out to be a nice value option.
Derrick Rose ($4,700)
Rose has been efficient and effective coming off the bench for the Knicks and has played a key role in their hot start. He averages 12.3 points on 47 percent shooting, including 54 percent from long range. Against the Raptors, Rose should see an advantage against the second unit, and at home he will have the benefit of the rowdy New York crowd on his side.
Robert Covington ($4,400)
The Trail Blazers are on the second night of a back-to-back, but Covington played only 29 minutes Sunday and should have plenty of gas in the tank. Playing in Philadelphia, where he once called home, might allow him a familiar feeling when he lets his shot fly. He has not had a big game yet this season and is due. Covington averages 28 minutes per game, which gives him enough of time to rack up fantasy value, as he can impact the game in every stat category.
Justin Holiday ($4,200)
With so many injuries to the Pacers' back court and wings, Holiday's value has the potential for a significant boost. Keep an eye out for the status of Brogdon and LeVert, but if they both remain sidelined, then Holiday is a great look. Even if Brogdon and LeVert play, Holiday will still see solid minutes off the bench. He is also playing Spurs team that allows opponents to shoot one of the highest field-goal percentages in the league.
Alex Caruso ($4,100)
Caruso continues to be one of the most reliable value picks on the board, playing the key sixth-man and back-up point guard roles for the high-powered Bulls. Caruso averages 8.2 points, 3.5 assists, 2.2 rebounds and 2.7 steals per game. Although his scoring, assists and rebounding numbers are not major, his ability to grab up a couple steals really boosts his value, and when he puts it all together, he offers a great pay off.
