This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
HOU vs. CHA (-6), O/U:
CHI (-4.5) vs. ATL, O/U:
BOS (-8.5) vs. MIN, O/U:
UTA (-7.5) vs. SAS, O/U: 227.5
MEM vs. PHX (9.5), O/U: 219
DAL vs. POR (-1), O/U:
BKN (-4.5) vs. LAC, O/U:
The Jazz-Spurs matchup is an interesting one to build around. Both teams are missing their top scorers, which creates added value opportunities in each lineup.
Derrick White and Keldon Johnson will be key players for the Spurs, as they see a boost in value with Dejounte Murray sidelined. Keita Bates-Diop, Devin Vassell, Doug McDermott and Jock Landale have cheap salaries and can also benefit from extra shots to go around.
On the other side, Joe Ingles, Rudy Gay and Jordan Clarkson should see a boost without Donovan Mitchell in the lineup. The Jazz will need more from Mike Conley, while Bojan Bogdanovic should pick up some extra shots on the offensive end. Rudy Gobert should have an opportunity for a big night against the Spurs' smaller frontcourt, especially since Dejounte Murray will not be there to attack him at the rim on the defensive end.
Injuries to Monitor
Kevin Porter (thigh), Jalen Green (hamstring): Questionable
D.J. Augustin (COVID-19), Garrison Mathews (COVID-19): OUT
Josh Christopher should be up for some big minutes.
Miles Bridges (COVID-19), Cody Martin (COVID-19), P.J. Washington (COVID-19): OUT
Jalen McDaniels likely will start in place of Bridges, while Kelly Oubre is in line for a boost off the bench.
Derrick Jones (hamstring): Questionable
Lonzo Ball (COVID-19), Tony Bradley (COVID-19), Alex Caruso (foot): OUT
Coby White is expected to start in place of Ball. Ayo Dosunmu should get more bench minutes.
John Collins (COVID-19), Danilo Gallinari (COVID-19), Kevin Huerter (COVID-19), De'Andre Hunter (wrist), Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot (COVID-19), Onyeka Okongwu (COVID-19), Lou Williams (COVID-19), Trae Young (COVID-19): OUT
Delon Wright, Gorgui Dieng and Cam Reddish will continue to see extended roles.
Josh Richardson (COVID-19), Dennis Schroder (COVID-19), Grant Williams (COVID-19): Questionable
Enes Freedom (COVID-19), Aaron Nesmith (COVID-19): OUT
Romeo Langford, Payton Pritchard and Norvel Pelle could be up for more responsibility off the bench.
Anthony Edwards (COVID-19), Taurean Prince (COVID-19), Josh Okogie (COVID-19), Patrick Beverley (COVID-19): Questionable
D'Angelo Russell (COVID-19), Karl-Anthony Towns (COVID-19), Jarred Vanderbilt (COVID-19), Naz Reid (COVID-19): OUT
If Beverley and Edwards remain sidelined, Jaylen Nowell, Malik Beasley, Jake Layman , Jaden McDaniels and Nathan Knight likely will start for the Timberwolves.
Donovan Mitchell (back): OUT
Joe Ingles and Rudy Gay are both likely to see a boost.
Dejounte Murray (COVID-19): OUT
Derrick White will pick up a more prominent role, while Lonnie Walker, Devin Vassell and Keita Bates-Diop should also find added opportunity.
Dillon Brooks (COVID-19), De'Anthony Melton (COVID-19)
John Konchar is expected to start in place of Brooks. Kyle Anderson and Tyus Jones will be relied on more off the bench.
Jae Crowder (COVID-19): OUT
Cameron Johnson is expected to start in place of Crowder.
Reggie Bullock (COVID-19), Maxi Kleber (COVID-19): Questionable
Trey Burke (COVID-19), Luka Doncic (COVID-19), Tim Hardaway (COVID-19): OUT
Jalen Brunson and Frank Ntilikina will start in the Mavs' backcourt. Sterling Brown should get more minutes off the bench.
Damian Lillard (personal): Questionable
Cody Zeller (knee), Robert Covington (COVID-19), CJ McCollum (chest), Dennis Smith (COVID-19), Jusuf Nurkic (COVID-19): OUT
Anfernee Simons would get a major boost if Lillard is sidelined. Tony Snell, Nassir Little and Larry Nance would also get more playing time.
LaMarcus Aldridge (COVID-19), Kevin Durant (ankle), Joe Harris (ankle): OUT
DeAndre' Bembry, Nicolas Claxton and Bruce Brown will take on prominent roles in the absence of Durant, Harris and Aldridge.
Marcus Morris (COVID-19): Questionable
Paul George (elbow), Reggie Jackson (COVID-19), Isaiah Hartenstein (ankle): OUT
Eric Bledsoe will have an opportunity to step up with Jackson out of the lineup. Luke Kennard and Terance Mann will get more minutes as well.
Elite Players
Guards
James Harden ($11,200)
The Nets are without Kevin Durant, which means Harden will have a ton of room on offense. Harden filled the stat sheet with 36 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, three blocks and a steal in the Nets' last game.
LaMelo Ball ($9,500)
Ball is averaging 18.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 1.8 steals in four games since returning from a 10-day absence. He should have an advantage against the Rockets, who allow 114.0 points per game, second most in the league.
Forwards/Centers
Jaylen Brown ($9,300)
Brown is averaging 25.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.7 steals in six games since a week-long absence. Brown and the Celtics have an advantageous matchup against the Timberwolves, who will be without a few of their top players.
Kristaps Porzingis ($8,600)
Porzingis needs to step up to lead the shorthanded Mavs. He accounted for 47.3 DK points in the Mavs' last game and should have an opportunity to come up big against the Trail Blazers and their shorthanded backcourt.
Christian Wood ($8,200)
Wood and the Rockets face the Hornets, who allow a league-high 116.8 points per game. The Hornets are without a couple key players in their frontcourt, which will give Wood more room to operate down low.
Expected Chalk
Rudy Gobert ($9,100)
Gobert has dominated in the paint the last 10 games, averaging 15.6 points, 16.1 rebounds and 2.6 blocks. He has topped 47 DK points six times in that span. He has a matchup against the Spurs, who do not have a big frontcourt and allow 46 rebounds per game, which is among the most in the league. The Spurs are also missing Dejounte Murray, who is great at attacking the paint and whose absence will be a relief for Gobert on the defensive end.
Value Picks
Coby White ($4,100)
White will pick up a boost in the absence of Lonzo Ball. White accounted for 34.8 DK points in the Bulls' last game. He also has a matchup against a shorthanded Hawks team.
Lonnie Walker ($4,200)
Walker will be up for additional playing time, as Dejounte Murray's absence will leave a large void to be filled. Walker has topped 30 DK points in three of the last four games.
DeAndre' Bembry ($4,200)
Bembry is expected to start for the Nets. He accounted for 27.3 DK points in the Nets' last game.
Rudy Gay ($3,400)
Gay should see some extra opportunity in the absence of Donovan Mitchell. Gay averages 8.3 points and 4.7 rebounds in 19 minutes per game.
Nathan Knight ($3,300)
Knight is expected to pick up the start for the Timberwolves, who are missing three of their key frontcourt players. Knight logged 14.8 DK points in 15 minutes in the Timberwolves' last game.
