This article is part of our DraftKings NBA series.
Slate Overview
DET at WAS (-4), O/U: 218
SAC (-4) at BKN, O/U: 224.5
OKC at NYK (8.5), O/U: 206.5
TOR (-5) at NOP, O/U: 222
SAS at CHI (5.5), O/U: 234
POR at MIL (-15), O/U: 232
ORL at DEN (-10.5), O/U: 225
HOU at UTA (-14), O/U: 229.5
GSW (-6) at LAC, O/U: 222.5
Spurs-Bulls is expected to be the highest-scoring game of the night and both sides feature reliable picks through all price tiers.
Dejounte Murray has been playing great lately and tops the board for the Spurs, while DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic are set to lead the way for the Bulls.
Jakob Poeltl, Keldon Johnson and Devin Vassell can each excel relative to their moderate salaries for the Spurs, while Doug McDermott, Lonnie Walker and Josh Richardson are value options.
Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu stand out at their salaries, as they continue to play big minutes for the Bulls. Javonte Green and Derrick Jones are questionable to suit up but would both make good value plays if ready. Troy Brown is another value option.
Injuries to Monitor
DET - Frank Jackson (back): Questionable
Hamidou Diallo is up for more minutes.
WAS- Daniel Gafford (COVID-19), Kristaps Porzingis (knee): OUT
Thomas Bryant and Rui Hachimura have to step up in the frontcourt.
SAC - Jeremy Lamb (ankle): Questionable
Terence Davis (wrist): OUT
Justin Holiday will get extra minutes.
BKN - James Johnson (knee): Questionable
Kevin Durant (knee), Joe Harris (ankle), Kyrie Irving (not injury related), Ben Simmons (personal): OUT
Patty Mills, Seth Curry, Bruce Brown and Kessler Edwards are expected to enter the starting lineup alongside Nicolas Claxton.
OKC - Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (ankle), Mike Muscala (ankle), Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (foot) : OUT
Tre Mann continues to start in place of Gilgeous-Alexander, while Darius Bazley and Derrick Favors will have bigger roles in the frontcourt.
NYK - Nerlens Noel (foot), Cam Reddish (ankle), Mitchell Robinson (ankle): Questionable
RJ Barrett (ankle), Derrick Rose (ankle): OUT
Quentin Grimes is expected to start in place of Barrett. Obi Toppin will see more action if Noel and/or Robinson are out.
SAS - Keita Bates-Diop (face): Questionable
Zach Collins could see a boost in minutes off the bench.
CHI - Javonte Green (foot): Questionable
Lonzo Ball (knee), Alex Caruso (wrist), Zach LaVine (knee): OUT
Derrick Jones and Troy Brown will get more playing time if Green is out. Ayo Dosunmu and Cody White continue to play major minutes.
POR - Eric Bledsoe (achilles), Damian Lillard (abdomen), Dennis Smith (elbow): OUT
Anfernee Simons, CJ Elleby, Josh Hart and Justise Winslow are expected to start alongside Jusuf Nurkic.
MIL - Pat Connaughton (finger), George Hill (neck): OUT
Grayson Allen and Wesley Matthews should pick up extra floor time.
DEN - Monte Morris (concussion), Zeke Nnaji (hamstring): Questionable
Bones Hyland will step up if Morris is out. JaMychal Green will see more action if Nnaji is out.
HOU - Dennis Schroder (not injury related): Questionable
Josh Christopher could see extra action if Schroder does not play.
UTA - Rudy Gobert (calf), Eric Paschall (ankle): Questionable
Rudy Gay (knee): OUT
Hassan Whiteside is up for a major role if Gobert is out. Danuel House will see more opportunities with Gay and potentially Paschall sidelined.
GSW - Draymond Green (back), Andre Iguodala (back): OUT
Jonathan Kuminga will get the start.
LAC - Luke Kennard (ankle): Questionable
Norman Powell (foot): OUT
Terance Mann is up for extra playing time.
Elite Players
Guards
Fred VanVleet ($8.800)
VanVleet has an advantage against the Pelicans, who allow opponents to shoot an average of 46.7 percent from the field, which is sixth highest in the league. He is averaging 20.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 8.1 assists and 1.7 steals over his last 10 games.
Donovan Mitchell ($9,200)
Mitchell has an advantage against the Rockets, who are giving up a league-high 117.3 points per game and allowing opponents to shoot a league-high 48.0 percent. He is averaging 24.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.8 steals over the last four games.
Forwards/Centers
Cade Cunningham ($7,400)
Cunningham made his return from a five-game absence and totaled 25.3 DK points in the Pistons' last outing. He has an advantage against the Wizards' backcourt and should be ready to step up for a bigger night. He was averaging 17.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.2 blocks in the five games prior to his absence.
Kyle Kuzma ($8,600)
Kuzma is averaging 18.4 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.3 blocks over his last 10 games, and he has topped 42 DK points six times over that span. He has an advantageous matchup against the Pistons, who are giving up 112.8 points per game, which is fourth most in the league.
Nikola Jokic ($12,200)
Jokic continues to carry the Nuggets, averaging 24.8 points, 13.2 rebounds, 8.6 assists and 1.0 blocks over the last five games. He has an advantage against the Magic, who are not strong defensively and give up the sixth-most rebounds per game.
Expected Chalk
Giannis Antetokounmpo ($12,000)
Antetokounmpo is averaging 30.8 points, 11.3 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 1.2 blocks over his last 10 games and has topped 50 DK points seven times, including two games in which he topped 75 DK points. He has a favorable matchup against the Trail Blazers, who are giving up 112.0 points per game, which is sixth most in the league.
Value Picks
Kemba Walker ($4,300)
Walker has topped 20 DK points in each of the last two games, and he has an advantage against the Thunder's short-handed backcourt.
Grayson Allen ($4,600)
Allen has topped 20 DK points in five of his last 10 games and is up for added playing time due to injuries in the Bucks' backcourt.
Royce O'Neale ($4,500)
O'Neale logged 31 DK points in the Jazz's last game, and he has an advantage against the struggling Rockets.
Jonathan Kuminga ($4,600)
Kuminga is up for his third consecutive start after topping 29 DK points in each of his last two outings.
Thomas Bryant ($4,500)
Bryant is still finding his groove, but he has topped 24 DK points in each of the last two games. He has an opportunity to step up as the Wizards are thin in the frontcourt.
