This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
NYK vs. PHI (-4.5), O/U: 210
BKN vs. CHI (-1.5), O/U: 215
MIN vs. MEM (-5.5), O/U:
NOP vs. DAL (-9), O/U:
MIA (-2.5) vs. DEN, O/U: 205
ATL vs. GSW (-3.5), O/U: 221.5
PHX (-2.5) vs. SAC, O/U:
CHA vs. LAL (-3.5), O/U:
The Nets-Bulls contest should be a competitive and high-scoring affair, with big-time players on both sides of the ball, while each team also offers reliable value picks to help bring some balance to the budget. The Bulls' leaders, DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine, should be able to do their thing, while Kevin Durant should not run into much resistance from the smaller Chicago lineup. Guys like Alex Caruso and Patty Mills offer solid value in the backcourt, while Derrick Jones and Blake Griffin and Bruce Brown can offer some bang for their buck.
Another contest to focus on would be the Suns-Kings, as it features two well-rounded teams with great mid-tier options on either side that can easily out-perform their price tags. Firstly, note that with Deandre Ayton sidelined, JaVale McGee becomes a stand-out value pick. In the top tier, Chris Paul and Devin Booker highlight the contest on the Phoenix side, while De'Aaron Fox has seen his numbers and price tag dip slightly, but his upside heavily out-weighs his downside. Richaun Holmes and Harrison Barnes have both been putting up big numbers for the Kings, while Maurice Harkless is a reliable value pick. Jae Crowder is also a solid value option, while Mikal Bridges can also easily out-play his mid-tier tag.
Injuries to Monitor
Danny Green (hamstring): Questionable
Tobias Harris (COVID-19), Matisse Thybulle (COVID-19), Joel Embiid (COVID-19): OUT
With Embiid, Harris and Thybulle out, the Sixers are left without most of their frontcourt. That means they will be forced to play a bit smaller than usual, opening up more minutes for guys like Furkan Korkmaz, Shake Milton and Georges Niang, who will also see extra value if Green remains out. Paul Reed got the start at power forward in the Sixers' last contest and played 21 minutes, making him a great potential value option. Finally, Andre Drummond becomes a stand-out value pick, as he should see significant action with Embiid sidelined.
Nicolas Claxton (illness): OUT
With Claxton remaining out, the Nets will be relying more on DeAndre' Bembry and LaMarcus Aldridge to provide support off the bench, while Blake Griffin and Kevin Durant handle most of the load up front.
D'Angelo Russell (ankle): Questionable
If Russell remains out, then look for Malik Beasley to see an increase in usage, while Patrick Beverley will likely pick up the start. Jordan McLaughlin should also see a boost in playing time coming off the bench.
Brandon Ingram (hip), Herbert Jones (concussion): Questionable
Without Ingram and Jones, the Pelicans have looked to Garrett Temple and Josh Hart to take key minutes as starters, while Naji Marshall and Trey Murphy have seen an uptick in playing time off the bench.
Maxi Kleber (oblique): OUT
With Kleber sidelined, the Mavs have gone smaller with Dorian Finney-Smith and even Reggie Bullock picking up some minutes in the frontcourt. However, with Kristaps Porzingis back in the lineup, the Mavs now have a bit more leeway in their rotations, which means Dwight Powell will likely derive the most added value from the situation.
Michael Porter (back): OUT
The Nuggets will be looking to guys like Jeff Green and JaMychal Green to fill in most of the minutes left by Porter's absence, while PJ Dozier should also see a boost in value coming off the bench.
Andre Iguodala (hip): Questionable
If Iguodala is sidelined, then Juan Toscano-Anderson, Otto Porter and Nemanja Bjelica should all be in line for a few extra minutes coming off the bench. Toscano-Anderson saw the most playing time of the three in the Warriors' contest Sunday, but Porter was the most effective, with 15 points and 19 rebounds in 18 minutes.
Deandre Ayton (leg): OUT
With Ayton sidelined, continue to look to JaVale McGee as a great value option, as he should be getting the start once again. Frank Kaminsky will also have the opportunity to pick up some extra value coming off the bench.
P.J. Washington (elbow): OUT
Cody Martin and Kelly Oubre will continue to see extra value coming off the bench, as they will pick up key touches and minutes in Washington's absence.
Anthony Davis (finger): Questionable
LeBron James (abdominal) OUT
If both Davis and James are out, then Russell Westbrook will be a one-man show and could end up with a massive point total. Look to guys like Carmelo Anthony and Kent Bazemore to see a boost in value with LeBron out, while DeAndre Jordan and Dwight Howard could see some extra playing time without Davis.
Elite Players
Guard
James Harden ($10,100)
Harden is playing on the second night of a back-to-back, but after a slow start to the season, he seems to be finding his rhythm. He's coming off a big performance with 28 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in Toronto on Sunday. Going up against the Bulls, the Nets will get a run for their money, but they have won five in a row and have momentum on their side.
Russell Westbrook ($10,500)
With LeBron James out and Anthony Davis questionable, Westbrook should see an increase in usage. The Lakers go up against the Hornets, who are giving up a league-high 117.4 points per game, which should provide plenty of opportunity for Westbrook to post one of his classic triple-doubles. Just watch out for turnovers, as the Hornets force an average of 16.0 per game.
Stephen Curry ($10,500)
Curry goes up against the Hawks, who are giving up an average of 110.0 points per game while allowing opponents to average 45.9 percent from the field. It will be the second game of a back-to-back for Curry, but he only played 26 minutes in an easy win over the Rockets. Look for him to come up with a signature performance against Trae Young, who plays a similar style but is definitely not going to be able to slow Curry down on the defensive end.
Forward/Center
Kevin Durant ($9,900)
It marks the second night of a back-to-back for Durant after he put up 31 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in 36 minutes against the Raptors on Sunday. Going up against the Bulls should be an easier contest for KD given his size and agility, as the Bulls do not have an ideal defender to match up with him. Durant's ability to rack up a couple blocks and steals add greatly to his DFS value, and coming in below $10,000, he seems like a bargain.
Julius Randle ($9,700)
Randle is playing on the second night of a back-to-back after he logged 19 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, a block and a steal in 36 minutes in a home loss to the Cavs. However, he is set to go up against a severely short-handed Sixers' team, which should leave Randle with a great opportunity to put up significant numbers and help his team secure a bounce-back win.
Expected Chalk
Luka Doncic ($10,700)
Doncic has been picking up some momentum lately, with his first two 30-point games of the season coming in the last week. He is averaging a near triple-double with 23.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game, and should have no trouble hitting those numbers against the Pelicans. He will be matched up against much smaller guards and will be able to rack up stats all game long. In the event the Mavs blow out the Pelicans, it will likely be at the hands of Luka anyway, with perhaps another 30-point outburst. Having Kristaps Porzingis back in the lineup gives Doncic a good scoring option to play with, which opens up more room for himself to score and should also help his assist totals.
Value Picks
Furkan Korkmaz ($4,900)
The Sixers are dealing with a number of injuries, which means more minutes for a guy like Korkmaz. He made the most of it in his most recent contest, pouring in 25 points on 9-of-13 shooting in 25 minutes off the bench. The Sixers play host to the Knicks, who are on the second night of a back-to-back.
Kelly Oubre ($4,400)
With P.J. Washington out, Oubre's role becomes more of a focus off the bench, and his ability to quickly make an impact on both ends of the floor could end up keeping him in the game longer than expected. The Hornets go up against the Lakers, who will be without LeBron James, and Oubre should have an advantage against the Lakers' second-unit options at his position.
JaVale McGee ($4,000)
With Deandre Ayton out, McGee is set for another start. He will be going up against the Kings, who have a strong presence at center with Richaun Holmes, but that's actually a good matchup for McGee as he plays mostly inside. McGee's reliability on the glass and ability to block shots make him a stable pick, with more potential to exceed expectations than disappoint.
Jeff Green ($3,000)
Green is slated to get the start in place of the injured Michael Porter, which makes him almost a must-roster player at such a low salary. Green is able to impact the game across the board and with extended minutes, it is likely that he racks up solid numbers in at least a couple categories.
Tomas Satoransky ($3,000)
Satoransky has seen an uptick in playing time lately, with a season-high 20 minutes in the Pelicans' most recent contest. His value will largely depend on the availability of Brandon Ingram and Herbert Jones, as their absences open up a good chunk of minutes. For the salary, he could turn out to be well worth the shot regardless.
