This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
NYK at CLE (-7), O/U: 203
IND at NOP (-2.5), O/U: 214.5
CHI (-2.5) at OKC, O/U: 214.5
UTA at PHX (-9), O/U: 222.5
The Jazz-Suns matchup should amount to a relatively high-scoring and competitive contest, while it also features some good value opportunities as a result of injuries.
With Deandre Ayton listed as doubtful to play, Chris Paul and Devin Booker will have to carry more of the offensive load and should both be up for a big night. Cameron Johnson is expected to pick up the start in place of an injured Jae Crowder, while JaVale McGee will take on an extended role if Ayton is out. Landry Shamet is also up for a boost with Cameron Payne sidelined.
The Jazz remain without Donovan Mitchell, while Bojan Bogdanovic is listed as questionable, which opens up an opportunity for Jordan Clarkson and Joe Ingles to gain a boost in value. Mike Conley has been playing well and will also have room to step up on offense without Mitchell. Finally, Royce O'Neale is a solid value option, as he quietly fills the stat sheet by hustling at both ends of the floor.
Injuries to Monitor
Mitchell Robinson (ankle), Kemba Walker (knee): Questionable
Derrick Rose (ankle): OUT
Nerlens Noel will be up for a boost if Robinson is out. Alec Burks and Immanuel Quickley will pick up more playing time if Walker is out.
Lauri Markkanen (ankle): OUT
The Cavs will go a bit smaller with Markkanen out, with Isaac Okoro and Lamar Stevens starting at the wing positions. Kevin Love will get more action off the bench.
Caris LeVert (calf): Questionable
Myles Turner (foot), Domantas Sabonis (ankle), T.J. McConnell (wrist), Malcolm Brogdon (Achilles): OUT
Chris Duarte will have to step up in the backcourt. Torrey Craig and Goga Bitadze are set to start in the frontcourt.
Devonte' Graham (ankle): Questionable
Brandon Ingram (ankle): OUT
Nickeil Alexander-Walker will jump into the starting lineup in place of Ingram. Jose Alvarado will be up for a boost if Graham is out.
Zach LaVine (knee), Javonte Green (groin): Questionable
Lonzo Ball (knee), Derrick Jones (knee), Alex Caruso (wrist): OUT
Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu will continue to fill in major minutes. DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic have to carry the offense.
Rudy Gobert (calf), Hassan Whiteside (COVID-19), Bojan Bogdanovic (knee): Questionable
Donovan Mitchell (concussion): OUT
Jordan Clarkson and Joe Ingles will have to step up without Mitchell, and possibly Bogdanovic. Eric Paschall will have to step up if Gobert and Whiteside are both out.
Deandre Ayton (ankle): Questionable
Jae Crowder (wrist), Cameron Payne (wrist): OUT
JaVale McGee will see more responsibility if Ayton is out. Cameron Johnson and Landry Shamet will be up for a boost with Crowder and Payne both out.
Elite Players
Guards
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($9,000)
Gilgeous-Alexander has been putting up monstrous numbers lately, topping 41 DK points in six of the last seven games, including three outings in which he topped 50 DK points. Gilgeous-Alexander has an advantage going up against the Bulls' backcourt.
Devin Booker ($9,400)
Booker will need to continue to step up for the Suns. He topped 30 DK points in nine of the last 10 games, including one contest where he totaled 71.8 DK points. Booker has an advantage going up against the Jazz, who are without their top perimeter defender Donovan Mitchell.
Forwards/Centers
RJ Barrett ($7,600)
Barrett is averaging 22.4 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists over the last 10 games, and he topped 40 DK points four times over that span.
DeMar DeRozan ($9,100)
DeRozan poured in 41 points to lead the Bulls in a loss in Orlando on Sunday night. He'll need to come up huge again against the Thunder, as the Bulls remain without a few key players. DeRozan has topped 40 DK points in four of the last five games.
Jonas Valanciunas ($8,300)
Valanciunas has an advantageous matchup against a Pacers team that is without Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis. Valanciunas topped 39 DK points in six of his last nine games, including three outings in which he topped 45 DK points.
Expected Chalk
Nikola Vucevic ($9,500)
Vucevic and the Bulls are on the second night of a back-to-back, looking to bounce back from a rough loss in Orlando on Sunday. The big man was relatively quiet in the loss, with 13 points, 13 rebounds and three assists. However, he will have an easier matchup against the Thunder, who are allowing opponents to grab a league-high average of 48.7 rebounds per game. Vucevic has topped 40 DK points in six of the last 10 games, including three occasions on which he topped 50 DK points.
Value Picks
Nickeil Alexander-Walker ($3,800)
Alexander-Walker is averaging 8.7 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists over the last 10 games, and he has the advantage of going up against a short-handed Pacers' squad.
Isaac Okoro ($3,800)
Okoro started the last three games for the Cavs and topped 20 DK points in two of the three contests.
Cameron Johnson ($3,900)
Johnson will pick up a boost in playing time, as he is expected to start in place of the injured Jae Crowder. Johnson is averaging 14.5 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists over his last 10 games, and he has topped 21 DK points seven times over that span.
Darius Bazley ($4,400)
Bazley has picked up his play lately, averaging 8.9 points and 5.6 rebounds over the last 10 games, and he topped 20 DK points five times over that span. Bazley should have an advantage against the undersized Bulls.
Herbert Jones ($4,700)
Jones is averaging 12.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.2 steals over the last 10 games. He topped 21 DK points in nine of the last 10 games, including three instances in which he topped 30 DK points. He has an advantage against the Pacers' frontcourt.
