This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
OKC (-4.5) vs. DET, O/U:
WAS vs. IND (-5.5), O/U:
PHI (-5.5) vs. CHA, O/U:
MEM vs. MIA (-5.5), O/U:
DEN vs. CHI (-4.5), O/U: 214
CLE vs. MIL (-8), O/U:
ATL vs. MIN (1.5), O/U:
SAS vs. PHX (-7.5), O/U:
ORL vs. GSW (-14.5), O/U:
LAC (-2.5) vs. POR, O/U:
The 76ers-Hornets matchup is one that can provide the ingredients needed for a successful lineup. Multiple injuries on the Hornets' side will allow for more value from some of their key role players, while also providing an advantage for some of the 76ers' top players.
Joel Embiid is by far the highest-priced player in the contest, but he would be the guy to build around, considering he should find a significant advantage against the Hornets' frontcourt.
Tyrese Maxey should also find an advantage against the Hornets' backcourt, and could turn in some good value for his modest price tag. On the other hand, the Hornets offer a number of great mid-priced options, including Kelly Oubre and Cody Martin, who should see extra playing time due to injuries in the backcourt. Gordon Hayward, Miles Bridges and P.J. Washington are also great options that come with very reasonable price tags and major upside.
In the value range, guys like Matisse Thybulle and Georges Niang can be great looks from the 76ers' side, especially if Tobias Harris (questionable) is sidelined. Finally, Ish Smith is coming off a strong outing in which he logged 18 points, five rebounds, seven assists and a steal, as he got the start and filled in major minutes with LaMelo Ball and Terry Rozier both out of the lineup. Ball and Rozier will remain sidelined, which makes Smith a stand-out value play, once again.
Injuries to Monitor
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (concussion): OUT
Without Gilgeous-Alexander, Ty Jerome will likely pick up another start, while Aaron Wiggins should also see some extra playing time.
Cory Joseph (knee): Doubtful
Hamidou Diallo (face): OUT
If Joseph is sidelined along with Diallo, then Frank Jackson should see a boost, while Saben Lee could also see some action.
Justin Holiday (COVID-19), T.J. McConnell (wrist): OUT
Chris Duarte, Caris LeVert and Jeremy Lamb will all likely see some extra minutes, while Brad Wanamaker could pick up some additional playing time, as well.
Tobias Harris (illness): Questionable
If the Sixers are without Harris again, Georges Niang will should get the start, while more offensive responsibility will rest on the shoulders of Joel Embiid.
LaMelo Ball (COVID-19), Jalen McDaniels (COVID-19), Mason Plumlee (COVID-19), Terry Rozier (COVID-19): OUT
Without Rozier and Ball, Ish Smith and Kelly Oubre should each pick up another start. Nick Richards could get another start at center with Plumlee out, but Cody Martin and P.J. Washington will pick up the majority of extra playing time.
Ziaire Williams (knee), Kyle Anderson (back), Brandon Clarke (knee): Questionable
Ja Morant (knee): OUT
Without Morant, Tyus Jones should see another start, while De'Anthony Melton gets a boost off the bench. John Konchar can be expected to pick up some extra playing time if Williams or Anderson is out. Xavier Tillman would likely see some action in the absence of Brandon Clarke.
Jimmy Butler (back): Questionable
Bam Adebayo (thumb): OUT
Dewayne Dedmon should get the start in place of Adebayo. Tyler Herro would likely get the start if Butler, is sidelined, while Max Strus and Caleb Martin would be up for a boost off the bench.
Austin Rivers (COVID-19), Bones Hyland (COVID-19): OUT
The Nuggets will be short-handed in the backcourt, which will mean bigger responsibly for Monte Morris, Facundo Campazzo and Will Barton.
Alex Caruso (hamstring): Questionable
Javonte Green (COVID-19), Coby White (COVID-19): OUT
If Caruso is out, the Derrick Jones should pick up the start in place of Javonte Green. Ayo Dosunmu should see some extra action with White out of the lineup, and even more so if Caruso is out, as well.
Grayson Allen (illness), Giannis Antetokounmpo (calf), George Hill (knee): Questionable
Pat Connaughton will see a boost in action if Allen and/or Hill are sidelined. Thanasis Antetokounmpo could see some action if Giannis is out, while Jordan Nwora would also see a boost.
Cam Reddish (wrist): Questionable
Bogdan Bogdanovic (ankle), De'Andre Hunter (wrist): OUT
Without Bogdanovic or Hunter, Danilo Gallinari will remain a key figure 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.
Patrick Beverley (groin), Karl-Anthony Towns (back), D'Angelo Russell (ankle): Questionable
If Towns is sidelined, then Naz Reid should pick up some big minutes. Taurean Prince and Josh Okogie should continue to log extra minutes if Beverley remains out, while Malik Beasley would need to step up if Russell is sidelined. Leandro Bolmaro would likely see some big minutes if Beverley and Russell are both out.
Keita Bates-Diop (ankle), Devin Vassell (thigh): Questionable
Lonnie Walker would be in line for a boost in playing time if either Bates-Diop or Vassell is sidelined.
Devin Booker (hamstring), Frank Kaminsky (knee): OUT
With Booker sidelined, Landry Shamet is expected to pick up another start while Cameron Johnson should see added action. Continue to look for extra value from JaVale McGee, with Kaminsky out.
Jalen Suggs (thumb): OUT
Gary Harris is expected to pick up another start with Suggs sidelined, while R.J. Hampton and Terrence Ross should see extra minutes off the bench.
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.
Nicolas Batum (COVID-19): Questionable
Luke Kennard, Marcus Morris and Serge Ibaka could all see a boost in the absence of Batum.
Damian Lillard (abdomen), Nassir Little (ankle), Anfernee Simons (ankle): OUT
Without Lillard and Simons, Dennis Smith will likely pick up another start. Little's absence will open up playing time for guys like Tony Snell and Larry Nance coming off the bench.
Elite Players
Guards
Stephen Curry ($11,700)
Curry and the Warriors play host to the Magic, who have one of the worst defenses in the league. The Warriors are expected to come up with a big win, and it will likely come at the hand of the sharp-shooting Curry, who should find an advantage matched up against the youngster Cole Anthony.
Zach LaVine ($9,500)
LaVine has topped 40 DK points in each of the last three games, including 53 DK points in the Bulls' most recent contest. The Bulls take on the Nuggets, who are short-handed in the backcourt, which should contribute to an advantage for LaVine.
Forwards/Centers
Paul George ($10,600)
George has played well in three games against the Trail Blazers so far this season, averaging 26.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 3.3 steals over the three contests. George has topped 40 DK points in seven of the last 10 games.
Domantas Sabonis ($10,000)
Sabonis has been playing well lately, averaging 15.7 points, 12.9 rebounds and 4.2 assists over the last 10 games. He has topped 40 DK points in seven of the last 10 games, including one outing in which he totaled 66.8 DK points.
Nikola Jokic ($12,000)
Jokic has been putting up massive numbers on a consistent basis, topping 50 DK points in nine of his last 10 outings including four occasions in which he topped 60 DK points. He should find an advantage going up against the Bulls' smaller lineup, which should help him pick up a few extra rebounds and close-range buckets.
Expected Chalk
Joel Embiid ($11,000)
Embiid and the 76ers take on the Hornets, which should give the big man an advantage against some smaller defenders. Embiid has been playing great over four games since his two-week absence, as he is averaging 24.8 points, 14.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 2.3 blocks and 1.0 steals over those four contests. Embiid has topped 55 DK points in three of the last four games, including one outing where he topped 70 DK points.
Value Picks
Serge Ibaka ($3,400)
Ibaka has picked up the start in the last three contests for the Clippers and he has topped 19 DK points in three of his last four outings. The Clippers take on the Trail Blazers, who are not a very big team, which should be advantageous for the veteran big man.
Juan Toscano-Anderson ($4,100)
Toscano-Anderson is coming off two impressive outings in which he logged 34.8 DK points followed by 26.3 DK points. He should continue to see added playing time with Andre Iguodala out.
Cody Martin ($3,900)
With the Hornets thin in the backcourt, Martin should see big minutes once again. He is coming off a strong performance Sunday in which he logged 19 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals in 32 minutes of action.
Landry Shamet ($4,000)
With Booker sidelined, Shamet is expected to get another start. He has topped 18 DK points in a starting role over the last two games.
Facundo Campazzo ($4,100)
With Austin Rivers and Bones Hyland both sidelined, Campazzo should have an opportunity to pick up some extra playing time. He has been playing well lately, topping 20 DK points in four of the last five games.
